I can vividly recall the first time that I met HipHopGamer; actually, the first time that I saw him. I was at an Activision party watching some skinny-pantsed hipsters spin the virtual wax, when I saw a dude bop into the room with a god damned wrestling belt strapped over his shoulder. I thought that this was either the ballsiest mofo around, or the most outrageous – - and it turns out he is both.

HipHopGamer has rocketed to popularity thanks to his self-titled website (HipHopGamerShow) where he hosts weekly video articles (or vidicles, as the man’s coined the series of clips). After listening to HipHopGamer give his enthusiastic insights on his own show, exchanging messages about gaming with him via e-mail, meeting at a Sony event, and listening to him on Torrence Davis’ WarZone over at The Bitbag, I knew it was time for an interview. Check it out.

The crux of the HipHopGamerShow revolves around your patented weekly vidicles. Why did you decide to go the video route instead of writing traditional articles?

When you write people don’t get the full understanding and full emotion of what your message is. With video you can see my facial expressions, and hear my tone of voice when I say certain things [for emphasis]. Also, no one else is doing it. See, it’s one thing to make a video talking about games, but I treat my videos as articles. I provide bullet points, so it’s like a story, so to speak. When I present these vidicles people can understand after the first view as opposed to reading something three or four times to try and understand what a journalist is saying. Also, I love being in front of the camera anyway [laughs].

In two years you’ve gone from rookie to one of the new faces of game journalism–what do you feel is your biggest contribution?

HipHopGamerShow.com is my contribution. See, on my site I give people an opportunity to get heard, and my show is a breath of fresh air and more realistic, as opposed to traditional content you get elsewhere from other sites. I give people inspiration and an outlet to get involved in this industry and prove to them that you don’t need college to be a journalist; you really need passion, and my passion is what makes me a new face in the industry above the rookie I once was.

Also my passion is why I get a lot of hate because of the fact I’m not like what some journalists feel I should be. I do things they wish they could do, so at the end of the day I made it in this industry my way. I broke that barrier, and especially being black and being able to have long hour conversations with David Jaffe, that’s a major come up not just for myself but for the industry as a whole. In other words, I feel that I’ve changed the game.

Game journalism is in a very interesting place right now. You have the majors like IGN, Joystiq, and Kotaku doing what I would call “traditional” game journalism. Now you also have the indies (I really hate the word amateur) who are doing some absolutely incredible things. You and Torrence Davis, for example, have done marvelous jobs of building grassroots communities and giving real deal news and reviews. So let me ask you: what is the role if the indie game site in relation to the majors?

The roles that I feel indie sites have is reaching out to the community. For example, people know me, they talk to me all the time, I build relationships with people so the community can relate to me more. They feel a real gamer, a real friendship type of presence when I put out material, so they respect it more even when they may not agree with me. Major sites they go to work, report the news, come home, and call it a day. So, most major sites they just do what they are paid to do as opposed to the indies that go the extra mile for gamers and build a bond with them.

As an indie, have you encountered any issues with gaming companies or PR teams because your aren’t one of the handful of super-big game sites?

Hell fucking yeah! I mean they get better treatment than us even when they don’t deserve it. Example: how come I can’t get a debug unit for the PS3 or 360? I would like to have my review out on the same day as the embargo date, you feel me? Or even be the first to post the review, you know what I mean?

I’m not a big site, but my content and my audience in terms of reach is huge and I can generate a lot of sales and popularity. I mean God Of War 3 is one of the biggest titles this year and the HipHopGamer name is always spoke of when you mention God Of War in the gaming community. So much work, and promotion, and hype I put behind it, especially after we saw that footage at Sony’s event, you feel me? So I can put out great content just like other sites, but in return we don’t get the same treatment. I can understand if I was brand new site, but I feel that I’ve earned my keep.

To do what I’ve done in this industry so far, in a short amount of time, without a major company behind me, I mean, shit, where’s the love? At the end of the day I’m still gonna bust my ass for all the companies. I love Sony, I love Nintendo, I love Microsoft at the same time. I’m a real dude, and you know it is what is is.

In your opinion, what are the absolute best and worst things about game journalism? For me, personally, I love the early access to titles, and diving deep into the behind the scenes aspects. But I f’n hate when I read a review by someone who obviously hasn’t played a game thoroughly or doesn’t have any clue what s/he’s talking about.

The best thing about the games industry is the type of people I’ve got to meet; it’s night and day in comparison to the being in the music business. I mean getting games for review is great, I love that, but the parties, the free travel, the swag, the connections you make, and the girls are hot, too. Most of all, being able to give gamers the real deal shit that goes on that they don’t get a chance to experience. I love putting everybody on to the new scoops I get.

The worst shit is when I see people show up to events and they don’t even care about the games. They just there, push record, ask the same boring bullshit questions, and then leave. I mean those people are fuckin’ wack. Also, review scores, it’s all opinion. If you agree or disagree, fine, but play a game for yourself because you are your own best critic. You feel me?

Any advice for up and comers who want to build their own brands as strong as yours?

It’s all about the name. I mean you get a catchy name that people will respond to then the content will follow. Also, you have to figure out who you are as a game journalist and do that, don’t even think about the so called rules or what others feel you should be. Identify who you are as a person and your passion in this business then when you put yourself out there. People can respect you for you, and at that moment you’ve just separated your self from the rest which will make you the best.

Most of all, be consistent. Don’t start shit if you can’t build it or back it up because you will fall and people will lost interest quick, aight?

Here at 2D-X, we’re all about 2D and 2.5D games. What are some of your favorite games in these categories, both past in present?

Shadow Complex, Matt Hazard, Dishwasher, King of Fighters, Street Fighter, old school Double Dragon , Streets Of Rage, Ninja Gaiden.

2D games these days have seen a resurgence as of late with games like Maramusa, BlazBlue, King of Fighters XII, and others. What do you think has contributed to this rebirth of popularity?

Graphics. I mean looking at these like BlazBlue, and Street Fighter. Shit, even Street Fighter HD. Just looking at that shit brings new life to old games, and now that they are adding new movies, art styles, more flash to these titles it’s worth playing all over again. New technology with 360 and PS3 is allowing for more dynamic gameplay which enhances the experience.

What are you playing right now, overall? And what is your most anticipated game in this early part of the year?

God Of War 3 is the most anticipated, and what I’m playing now well I just finished Dark Void, now i’m playing Army Of Two, Mass Effect, then Mass Effect 2, and about to jump on M.A.G.

What are your thoughts on the Apple iPad? Could it step up to be a true gaming platform that can challenge the DS and PSP? Do you have any interest in getting one?

iPad or Super iTouch? [laughs] Nah, not interested. I love PSP and DS– great games, great functionality, I’m satisfied with that. The iPad has a beautiful screen and that’s about all I can really say about it that’s appealing at the moment.