Decatur, Georgia may be known as the place “Where It’s Greater” but that doesn’t mean the come up is any easier. Especially in the rap scene. It’s a jungle out there with starving new artists lurking behind every bush, light pole and open mic seeking to take that number one spot. Atlanta’s latest rising Rap Star and D-E-C Native Sean “Slice 9” James can attest to that.

“Everybody in Atlanta is ambitious. At the same time, everybody is competitive. When you want it, you REALLY have to go get it!” says the 19-year-old MC whose Mike Will Made It-produced hit single, “Another One” featuring Future and Levi Leer is climbing Billboard charts and has clubs on smash. “I salute new artists and what they are doing,” adds the ATL Star. “But, everybody has to know this is MY Spot and MY Time! It's Gon be MY TIME from NOW ON!!!”

With a freshly inked deal with neuveau star Future’s Freebandz record label, Slice is currently on the clock. The son of tenured ATL record spinner DJ Funky, Slice has been entrenched in the Southern hip-hop scene since Pampers. By the time most teens his age were popping pimples and trying to learn the latest dance craze, Slice was already carving his niche in Atlanta’s ever-changing rap scene.

The aspiring Spitter dropped his first mix tape, "Skate Into My Mind" in 2009 followed by "Zip and Banned From Society" in 2010. As well as establishing two clothing lines, "Broken Legacy" and "First Impression Clothing", the young go-getter started his own record label, Encore Empire Entertainment, before he was old enough to drive legally.

“I was trying to be a mogul,” he remembers. “Growing up around the people that I grew up around I always had that ambition.”

Frequent interactions with rap legends like Too Short, Big Boi and T.I. through his father only strengthened his drive and determination. Later that year, 9’s buzz was elevated by his single “Gone” featuring Bobby Creekwater and Wyann, produced by Left Coast OG, Warren G. Followed by the remix, which featured an appearance from rap legend Snoop Dogg.

The high school hit maker soon found himself juggling out of state performances and school work. “I always looked at this like it was my career, my whole life,” says Slice. “I was always behind the scenes on the major music scene. But I always had My Movement. I always knew my place. I always knew my time was coming. I never let anything slip past me. If I saw the opportunity I took it right then, whether I knew I was going to fail or SUCCEED.”

The opportunity he was looking for knocked in early 2012 when Slice linked up with Future and crafted the horn-driven undeniable Hit “Another One.” The song soon started getting significant spins on Atlanta radio stations. Seeing promise in the young party starter, Future signed Slice 9 to a deal with his Freebandz label, distributed through Epic Records. The “Another One” remix featuring B.O.B. and Young Dro has only added fuel to HIS flame.

“It’s still a humbling experience to see people who I've ALWAYS admired, now telling me they like my Work!” says Slice 9.

Now that he has the ears of the public Slice plans to capitalize his shine with the upcoming album, "Established Forever" which will be released soon showing the fans, labels and All other competitors that "I'm Here to STAY!"
After all, he didn’t break free from the jungle just to be here today and gone tomorrow. “I want to touch people like Bob Marley did,” he says. “I want my music to come on 100 years from now and people still get that same feeling, to the point where people think I’m still alive.”