You gotta hand it to Mickey "MeMpHiTz" Wright, he knows how to spot talent, and how to align it with hot songs. Just look at his resume so far. While during his early career at Arista Records, he developed the Youngbloodz, and signed on J-Kwon (who brought us the club anthem, "Tipsy"). A major turning point for MeMpHiTz, though, was his signing of T-Pain to Jive Records, one of the most in-demand producer-songwriters as well as featured artists on the scene today. The Memphis, Tennessee native also signed rapper Huey to his Hitz Committee label, only to have additional success with the smash, "Pop Lock and Drop it." Refusing to rest on his laurels, MeMpHiTz is really excited about the new crop of artists he is developing and the lifestyle hat-line brand he recently launched.

UN: What would you say are your two biggest accomplishments as an A&R exec so far?

MeMpHiTz: Getting to the point where my ear has been tested and trusted. The other would be the signing of T-Pain.

UN: Why do you think "Pain" has been such a favorite at radio and with R&B, Hip-Hop and Pop audiences?

MeMpHiTz: It's the originality factor that he brings to the table. You never know what Pain is going to do next. He's is a rarity in these days and times and that is why he is winning.

UN: Were you concerned that the "trademark" voice box feature he has in most of his songs was going to wear thin?

MeMpHiTz: No. I actually fell in love with the audio box. Initially, he didn't want to use it. But it set him apart from everyone else. Many ridiculed him in the beginning for using it and now everybody wants to use it.

UN: How do you plan to follow up the "Pop Lock and Drop It" success with Huey?

MeMpHiTz: We go back to the basics. Huey is a "real" artist who has been through "real" things. But it's almost like going to the NBA right out of high school. Can you prove that you can win in this league? That's the same thing in this music business. You can go right out of the gate with a very successful single. But that hit single can be a gift and a curse. The single can be so big that it is all that people know you for. But you believe you have more to say, and you need a new forum in which to say it; which is usually your second album. Huey gave you a song for the time, but he has a lot more to say.

UN: In today's market, there are a lot of hip-hop artists that appear to be one-hit wonders. Does that concern you?

MeMpHiTz: That's not all their [ the artist's] fault. There are lots of artists who actually making "Ringtone" songs. The artist has created a song that can break them on a major level, and when they come out many of the labels have "sucked them dry" with that one single. The label feels that the money has been made, and [so] they may move on to the next single. Disgustingly, it has become more about the song, and less about the artist. It's up to people like me to fully develop the artist. Of course, it has to be about music but it's also about the artist. It's a lack of artist development. I'm trying to change that mindset with my label [Hitz Committee].

UN: What ideas do you have for keeping them out there?

MeMpHiTz: It's about going back to the basics; simple artist development and marketing. Keeping them in the press, in magazines and online; have them hosting something; keeping them on the road to perform. You have to keep them in the public eye—give the public, the audience, a chance to decide if they like the act as a person. If you don't do these things, then the artist has been reduced to nothing but "a song." Remember, these artists are real people.

UN: What are you working on right now?

MeMpHiTz: My priority at the moment is Asia Cruz, a Filipino, 17 year-old, Pop/R&B singer out of Jacksonville, Florida. The album is called, Who is Asia Cruise? T-Pain and I are the executive producers. She's a great vocalist and she writes. Asia's single, "Selfish," debuted on MTV. I'm known for breaking rappers, and she is my first Pop act. I also have a 17-year old rapper out of Dallas name Trai'd—with a record called "Gutta Chick." We're making sure he gets seated right in this business. Because I know how difficult it is for rappers right now, so that when we come out we stay out. Both of these acts are coming through my Hitz Committee label which is through Jive Records. I'm also signing a street rapper, named Chip tha Ripper out of Cleveland. We're coming with a single pretty soon.

UN: Is there a new T-Pain album coming?

MeMpHiTz: We're about 90% done. We haven't picked a single yet, but the album is called Thr33 Rings.

UN: In Hitz we Trust is your logo – coming out of the studio how do you know you have one?

MeMpHiTz: It's a variety of things. I get a feeling in my stomach. I try to always stay a customer. When I get that feeling, usually that means a lot of people will get that feeling, too. The labels have started to trust in my ear. I don't really consider myself an A&R, I kind of fell into this. I really see myself as a fan of music.

UN: I understand that you have a hat/caps line.

MeMpHiTz: I have a new hat company called I Am 901. I'm dealing with New Era caps and t-shirts. The whole basis for starting the company is that I travel all of the time. I'm always putting on someone's baseball cap—like a Dodger's baseball cap, and I'm not even from L.A. But I like the L.A. Dodgers. The caps I made are called the "Rep My City" series. So, why not rep your area code? Whatever is the most popular area code in that city, I have it placed on the back of the cap, so you can rep your city with pride. The first one is I Am 901 to rep Memphis. I have a store opening in Memphis in the Southland Mall and online at www.iam901.com or you can call 1-877-9IA-M901 (1-877-943-6901)