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MIL: Music Is Life Magazine is Here with one of the DMV’s Brightest Stars NOE aka The Baltimore Banger. Happy New Year NOE, How is everything going for you?

NOE: I'm good and Happy NOE Year to you too. LOL. That was borrowed from the homie Sonny Brown. But I'm good.I won't complain too much. I'm above ground.

MIL: How did you get the name NOE?

NOE: Well my nickname is Kinoe. My pops named me after a Chinese philosopher. Its fitting because I consider myself as such in many ways. When I was younger I was homeless. So in jest I was called NOE Money. Its funny but the name stuck for ever. Even when I gained considerable ground financially , from a street perspective , the name stayed. But now its just NOE. (readers note: NOE is always spelled NOE – all three letters are always capitalized).

MIL: In your own words, Can you tell us who is NOE?

NOE: NOE is a revolutionary. A warrior to the core. I like change. I honor struggle and whatever comes with it. Hip Hop is only a way to exercise the delivery of my ideals. In private, I'm not too sociable. That's the irony of it. I love a Person but could do without being around groups of people. So the club thing is out. I'm not that dude.

MIL: What was it like for you growing up in Bmore?

NOE: It was easier when I was poor but too young to know it. I miss those days. Nothing is more shattering than the day you realize that you’re walking on the poverty line. Then you begin to see your environment differently. Growing up, Old Man Jenkins was just an old man who stood on the corner. When your eyes are opened he's “Jenks the Dope Fiend “working on the corner. Baltimore is a another planet. It’s like we're detached from the rest of the civilized world. I felt that early. I hated feeling like that. I had parents who did the best they could to steer me in the right direction. But Baltimore had a plan all its own. So here I sit.

MIL: When did you realize you could rhyme?

NOE: When I was 12. My god brother introduced me to it. His name is Stash. He used to rhyme for days. And he was nice. He still is. But I learned under him until I developed a meanness of my own. But I thank and honor him for the introduction.

MIL: Who or what most influenced you to get in the rap game?

NOE: I think the people that most influenced me to pursue the rap game were my kids. I knew it was a good investment in their future and mine. More so than the drug game. After the shootouts and jail stints took its toll on my body and soul, it was a no-brainer.

MIL: How important is it to tell your stories of real life situations?

NOE: Its everything. Its healing. Its giving back. Someone younger, going through similar pains can listen and pull from me what they need to make wiser decisions. The rate of a positive male role model is steadily declining. So the experience of a male's coming of age within the inner city's struggle is hard understand without the proper guide.

MIL: NOE a lot of folks say u sound like a young Jay-Z, How does that make you feel?

NOE: I'm honored. The young Jay-Z was the greatest Jay-Z. And I'm being called great. Its like Kobe (Bryant) being compared to a young Jordan. The hunger and level of lyrical skill is being appreciated alongside the vocal tone.

MIL: How did you get the name The Baltimore Banger?

NOE: A kid for Milwaukee gave me that name. I used to be called the Baltimore Beast to describe lyrical prowess. This kids was a fan and a friend. He was a gang member . Very respected. He called me the Bmore Banger one day in the studio and it just stuck.

MIL: NOE I didn't know u wrote a verse for Diddy, How was it like working with him?

NOE: It was the best career move I could've made. I love Diddy. It was closest I ever got to knowing Biggie and Diddy's experience and work ethic become hypnotizing to say the least.

MIL: How do you stay connected to the streets and the latest happenings?

NOE: I guess I'll always be street affiliated. Every homie I have a bond with lives in the hood. I come from the streets. Its still my source of inspiration and power. My associates are real people with real hard lives. Court dates, jail time, homicides... That's all still an integral part of our everyday.

MIL: How did you meet Jim Jones?

NOE: I met Jim through my business partner Nicole "Nicety" Chaplin. She knew Jim and Cam from the days of the original Roc-A-Fella Records. When Jim was hired by Kevin Liles to work at Warner we thought is was a good idea to ask Jim for a deal. He was smart . He was young. He was fearless. And he knew talent. Well Nicety set the meeting up and the rest is Byrdgang history.

MIL: What Made you join ByrdGang?

NOE: The need for Financial security.

MIL: Chink Santana who is from the DMV also is a part of The ByrdGang Family, How was it like working with him on M.O.B. Members of Byrdgang album?

NOE: These are my brothers. Literally. This my family. Working with them is best thing I ever accomplished in my life next to fathering children. We've been through so many ups and downs, and highs and lows that the bond can not be severed. We are the M.O.B for life even when we're dead.

MIL: Whats is your label situation at the moment?

NOE: Independent. No major deal. Just beautiful ways to make money.

MIL: The music industry is changing almost everyday, how are you going to be successful?

NOE: Wake up and change with it.

MIL: What projects are you working on right now?

NOE: I just released two mixtapes. "NOE Hold Bars" and "Gone Til NOEvember". They are both doing good numbers.

We just came off of the BlakRoc album. Its an album executive produced by Dame Dash and The Black Keys. It features Mos Def, Raekwon, Jim Jones, myself, Pharaoh Monche, Q-Tip and more. Also we're (Byrdgang) about to release another series of Street music just to keep the corners clickin' about the movement. I also handpicked a rap crew of my own called The Baltimore Bangahz. The group is comprised of a few of the realest young gees the mean streets spit out. Lano, Rico, Ryda Rook, Huli Shallone, Si-Notes, Big Chuck and Dnero. Its about to be ridiculous. Not to mention this makes them a Byrdgang extended family.

MIL: What are your musical goals for 2010?

NOE: To keep working. Start the year strong and finish the year stronger.

MIL: How can the fans stay updated on what's happening with NOE?

NOE: myspace.com/noemoney twitter.com/noemoney -- Stay tuned for the "Baltimore Bangahz" website coming soon!

MIL: Music Is Life Magazine would like to Thank you for taking a break from recording to do the interview with us today. Good Luck with everything and continued success to you and your team. Do you have any last words?

NOE: Stay humble. I thank you guys for giving me the opportunity to shine with you. Be true and be blessed. NOE the name, NOE the difference.