“Born in Germany, and raised in Compton” is one of the first things that catches your eye when you read 26-year-old rapper Problem’s biography. No stranger to the music industry, Problem has already written, co-produced, and worked with such icons as Snoop Dogg, Kanye West, John Legend, and DJ Quik while releasing two hit singles of his own, 2008’s “I’m Toe Up” and the currently in rotation, “Last Love.” The trials and tribulations that he has experienced throughout his career have helped Problem fine-tune his craft and cultivate diversity in both his sound and music. Now, in 2012, Problem is ready to go “all-in” and provide his fans with music that is mature, unique, and well-rounded, all while never forgetting his roots or where he comes from. AllHipHop.com spoke to the newly-anointed Breeding Ground artist, Problem, about his come-up in Compton, his prior signing to Universal Records, what the Diamond Lane Music Group brand means, and what fans can expect from his upcoming album Plan B. AllHipHop.com: What’s going on, Problem? How you feeling? Problem: Blessed, man. AllHipHop.com: The first thing I want to ask you about is “born in Germany, raised in Compton.” Can you elaborate on that a little bit? Problem: Yeah, my dad was in the service, and my mom and dad were married at the time, so I was over there for the first year of my life. AllHipHop.com: But you would consider yourself 100 percent West Coast right? Problem: 354 percent to be honest with you [laughter]. AllHipHop.com: Fair enough. Right now, your single “Last Love” has been climbing the charts, so I want to ask you about how you’ve matured as an artist since the first time a lot of people heard you a few years ago – which was on your song, “I’m F*cked Up.” Problem: The crazy thing is that with both records, they were made randomly. The plan wasn’t to make a big club record or a radio-friendly song; they were just based on the emotions I was going through when I did the records. I mean, it’s an obvious growth in my work, but I’m still both of those people you know what I mean? I’ve been through relationship issues, but I party and get f*cked up. Myself and the label felt like “Last Love” was the perfect way to show that the new music I’m going to be doing is going to be bigger, and maybe not as melodic, but I’m going to show that I do sing a little bit. Not Drake-ish, ‘cause I don’t want to be in nobody’s bracket, but just to show all of the talents that I do have. [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-l9e_HGbE8&w=560&h=315] AllHipHop.com: I know that throughout your career you’ve dropped seven mixtapes and previously had a deal with Universal. Can you speak on that situation, and how that led into your affiliation with Diamond Lane Music Group? Problem: When I signed to Universal, I got a two single deal because of the “I’m F*cked Up” record. I can say that what happened over there wasn’t there fault or my fault. It was just a lack of knowledge and not knowing the business and what I was supposed to do as an artist to push my own project. I got the deal and did what every rapper that gets a deal does: gets the money, gets excited, tells everybody, and waits on the label to take everything into full gear and full blast. That didn’t happen. I can honestly say that I stopped so it wasn’t their fault or anybody’s fault why our marriage didn’t work but I love the fact that I even had a deal with Universal ‘cause a lot of rappers can’t say that so I’m appreciative. As far as Diamond Lane, that’s my team, my squad, my family, and we just decided to do a music company. These are people I’ve been running with and doing things with for the last 20 years. My boy Fast Lane, the CEO, he said ‘you’ve got too much talent and too much know-how for us to not formulate together and try to push this thing over the top.’ AllHipHop.com: So, since you have dealt with a major label, and now you’re on a more independent route, how different would you say the two platforms are? Are you happier with your career now then you were before? Problem: I’m much happier with the structure. Diamond Lane Music Group is ran like, if not more sufficiently, than a major label. We the homies when we leave the office but it’s real business oriented in the bigger picture. My friend is now my boss and I have no problem with that. He has my best interests at heart, and I have his, so it is better ‘cause I think he wakes up everyday thinking about the same thing I wake up thinking about – getting it to the next level. It’s dope. I’m having a f*cking ball right now! AllHipHop.com: That’s all that really matters. Right now, “Last Love” is doing it’s thing on the charts and it’s supposed to be the first single off your new album Plan B due later this year. I have to ask, what happened to “Plan A”? Problem: [laughter] Ok. The last project I put out was called Hotels, and it’s on iTunes right now, so you can go pick that up. I did a tape called My L.A. Leaker Tape prior to that, and it was my rap sh*t that I wanted to get off, and I was just wrapping the whole thing and going crazy. Then I have another set of fans with the ladies and the clubs and the streets, so the Hotels tape was kind of for that. So, my next project is Plan B ‘cause I asked myself what would I need after I left the hotel; my reckless ass needs some Plan B [laughing]. That’s where the title Plan B comes from. [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yP_DQzAL4Ho&w=560&h=315] AllHipHop.com: […]