If you are an avid fan of BET's Rap City, you know one of the show�s anticipated segments is �The Booth�.� For�a few odd� minutes, a rapper gets to bare his raw talent without an R&B singer following on a hook, without his boys or an annoying producer�spewing nonsensical adlibs and without a scantily dressed bombshell� dancing around to distract you.

For a few odd minutes, rap fans worldwide get to really see if a rapper has got �IT�.� �IT� meaning lyrical prowess and the power to keep you captivated.� Just him/her, a beat and camera.

From 1999-2005, the host of Rap City showed us he had �IT�. Not only could he rap as good as some of the biggest emcees we looked up to, he kept us captivated.

He kept us captivated by inviting us to his �Basement� for 2 hours and playing some of the dopest videos at the time.� He also captivated us with his charisma and numerous stories of his �Big Momma� that we never saw.

That host with �IT�, is Big Tigger. Born and raised in the Bronx, Co-Op city to be exact, Tigger has made a name for himself in the rap industry with his charm, his love for the music and seemingly endless grind.

From an intern job at radio to hosting one of� BET's cornerstone shows, nobody needs to tell you Tigger has �IT�, you know.

We recent ly chopped up with the former Rap City host about his career and his current projects.

Sup Tigger? How's life?

Except for my dad passing, everything has been great.

What was it like growing up in Co-Op City?

It was fun. I lived in building 23 in section 4. Across the streets from the courts where I learned how to play ball. I had alot of friends and we loved hip-hop and sports.

You went to the University of Maryland. What was your college experience like?

College Park was a great growing and maturation experience. Although there was alot of financial hardship, it helped mold me into that guy that does big things.

You hosted BET�s Rap City for like six years, 1999-2005. When you look back
on those days, does it bring back good memories?

It brings back tremendous memories. People still stop me and ask me� to go back to Rap city! I enjoyed being the voice/face of hip-hop at� 4pm everyday for a generation of people.

Why did you leave?

It was a mutual decision amongst management and me to stop the�Basement after six very successful years. We had all but exhausted all the options and creative ways to present the show in that format.� I also wanted to show people I was more than just the hip hop guy, so I� accepted some other hosting duties to exemplify my range of talents.

You shared �The Booth� with a lot of big name rappers. Who were your�best five ever in �The Booth�?

In no particular order, LL Cool J, Ludacris, Jay-Z, Snoop, Sauce Money.

You hosted 106 and Park for a while after you left Rap City, why did you leave there?

I was always just a temporary host on 106. I knew that from the� gate. They (BET) wanted to go a little younger and completely revamp show as� they have done. I'm very proud of how my 2 prot�g�s Terrence J and�Rocsi have taken over and blossomed. I�m very proud of them.

Do you have a good relationship with BET?

Absolutely, I am still under contract and employed by them. I am� currently only doing special projects and shows for them.

Your current radio show, Live in the Den , is doing pretty well. Do you enjoy it?

No question, I enjoy my daily version on WPGC 95.5 in D.C. and my syndicated rendition on 69 stations in 4 countries.

You also launched a company for car rims, BT Wheels , how is that doing?

It is no longer in existence. My business partners at Wheel Design�Group were unfocused and doing a bunch of shady business. We decided to� part, but they still owe me money. It was doing amazing given the fact� they weren't on top of their game. I was spending my own $$$ to promote� the line properly.

You also have�Tigger's Kittens, tell us about that

It's a way to give young, aspiring models some exposure and a platform to� grow from. Also a way to give my dudes a quality calendar of eye candy. Many of the ladies featured in the two� calendars have and are moving on to� bigger and better things. No calendar for '08, but beware the '09 jump-off.

You also have The Street Corner Foundation, tell us about that.

TSCF is an very important component of my life.� We are� increasing the awareness of HIV/AIDS in the community though education� and testing initiatives. We are having Big Tigger's 7th Annual Celebrity� Classic in Wash DC June 6-8th 2008. For more info go to
bigtigweekend.net.

Your name recently made headlines with Karrine �Superhead� Steffans calling you out. Why is she trying to slander your name. Is she just trying to get� attention? What is it?

I can't speculate on the motives of a person whose child I helped feed when she aint have a dime. I can say, I love women only and it�s always been that way.

What can we expect to see from Big Tigger in the future?

I am the national brand ambassador for Courvoisier and the official DJ for the Washington Wizards. I got some other things I'm working on, but I can't speak on them yet.

Anything you would like to say to your fans at Sixshot.com?

Thanks for the love and support over the years. Check out� bigtigger.com and my myspace pages: bigtiggerbet, tiggerskittens, and� liveintheden. Stay blessed, be focused, and please get tested for HIV� ASAP. One.