It isn’t easy to capture the collective ear of the underground rap scene, especially with so many other MCs vying to do the same. However, having already earned an irrevocable amount of respect in the streets, SCOTT KNOXX welcomes the competition. KNOXX began making a name for himself as a teenager over a decade ago, hitting the mixtape circuit with classic original material from Shady Biz Records throughout the mid-to-late-90s. When his first full-length album, Knoxxism, hit the streets in 1999, it authenticated KNOXX’s talent in long play form while also officially announcing his status as one to be reckoned with on Milwaukee’s Hip-Hop scene. The endless lyrical energy and vivid street tales on Knoxxism had the streets hooked, and the executive moves following his arrival on the public radar proved that he was out to keep it that way. His second album, Mil-Town Millionaire, was the first LP released from KNOXX’s newlyminted XTRA ENTERTAINMENT imprint, his first foray into the corporate side of the industry. Like Knoxxism, Millionaire once again displayed KNOXX’s killer wit, diverse wordplay and immaculate flow, but it also showcased his since-disbanded crew, The Ghostwriters, through a number of cameo appearances, and production from XTRA affiliates at Animal House Productions.
In between albums, KNOXX keeps his buzz alive by regularly supplying the streets and the information superhighway with fresh material from XTRA ENTERTAINMENT. Via a stream of mixtapes including the Hoodfellas series, Mr. International and the groundbreaking Record Breaker Radio; where KNOXX cleverly fuses the mixing talents of four host DJs with a little comedy and a lot of great music for an hour-long ride through the mind of Milwaukee’s finest entertainer. This is just the latest of many creative endeavors to come. “I’m focused on flooding the market to see what will and won’t work and coming up with different sounds and ideas to see the people’s response,” KNOXX says of his approach. KNOXX has spent his entire career making a name for himself musically & learning the in’s and out’s of the business.
Today, XTRA ENTERTAINMENT looks to build on the SCOTT KNOXX brand by expanding into nightlife promotion, model management, internet radio and other ventures. “My life is all about handling business and figuring out more ways to flood the market,” he says. “The more people that hear my name, the better.” With XTRA ENTERTAINMENT growing into a more reputable and recognizable company every day, KNOXX’s name is sure to be ringing in the streets’ ears often. But even with the success, KNOXX hasn’t lost sight of the fact that it’s the people who will help in his goal of making the city more of a haven for Hip-Hop. “If it’s good music and it’s local, support it in everyway you can,” he says “Call the radio stations, buy the album – ride with the artist all the way until the end. Before we can expect anybody else to support us, we gotta start supporting each other.” It’s that thinking coupled with his talent, wisdom and musical ingenuity that will deliver SCOTT KNOXX and XTRA ENTERTAINMENT nothing but success in the years to come.