You ghostwrote on Diddy's Press Play, was it difficult writing for someone so famous? How did that gig come along?

It was great, it was a challenge. It was scary, it was new territory for me which is why I took the opportunity to get behind the scenes. I got to see what its like for a million dollar mogul to put a record together opposed to how I would do it. I got to see what a producer offers someone like Diddy opposed to what they would do for me, you know it was little things like that that were educational but also I got to learn a lot about work ethics. I saw we both we have the same kind of work ethics but at the same time we�re different, and I am learning how to incorporate those things that he does into my own hustle. Work ethics of great businessmen like Diddy or a Bill Gates are different from say a talented prodigy. Prodigies have all the talent but sometimes lack the hustle, and that�s why you�ll hear a girl on the radio who doesn�t have half the talent as the girl who sings in your church, but the one on the radio had that extra something to get her there.

Hearing him say �Yo your work ethic is incredible,� meant a lot to me since he�s worked with a lot of artists and been around so many talented people. This doesn�t have anything to do with people�s perspective of him, you know the way people blame him for the downfall of urban music or what have you, I�m just talking about what it was like to be alongside him every day in the studios, it was just so educational.

LOS ANGELES, CA, August xx, 2006 --- Fox Searchlight Pictures announced today that George Tillman (MEN OF HONOR, SOUL FOOD) is set to direct NOTORIOUS, the screen version about the life of rapper Christopher Wallace aka Notorious B.I.G. The film will be produced by Voletta Wallace (B.I.G.�s mother), Wayne Barrow and Mark Pitts (B.I.G.�s former music managers), Bob Teitel and executive produced by Sean "Diddy" Combs based on a screenplay by Cheo Hodari Coker and Reggie Rock Bythewood. Zola Mashariki, Vice President of Production for Fox Searchlight, is overseeing the project.

�We have wanted to make a movie with George for a long time. His passion for B.I.G.'s life story is infectious,� says Fox Searchlight President of Production Claudia Lewis, �We know he will make a brilliant movie and show the true humanity of Christopher Wallace's character.�

Director Tillman said, "Being a huge fan of Notorious B.I.G. as an artist, I'm excited to direct the bio-pic of Christopher Wallace. It's a truly epic tale. There's so much to the story that has yet to be told and I am humbled by the journey he took to become a man before his untimely death. This is an amazing opportunity to make an iconic film."

Producer Barrow said, �George Tillman's dedication to the life story of B.I.G. is equal to those that knew and loved Christopher best. His attention to detail and keen sensibility to capture the emotional depth of a character speaks volumes to his ability as a director. We are thrilled to have him onboard and look forward to seeing the life of B.I.G. through his lens."

In just a few short years, Notorious B.I.G. rose from the streets of Brooklyn to become one of the most influential hip hop artists of all time. B.I.G. was a gifted storyteller; his narratives about violent life on the streets were told with a gritty, objective realism that won him enormous respect and credibility. His stories were universal and gave a voice to his generation.

Fox Searchlight Pictures is a specialty film company that both produces and acquires motion pictures. It has its own marketing and distribution operations, and its films are distributed internationally by Twentieth Century Fox. Fox Searchlight Pictures is a unit of Fox Filmed Entertainment, a unit of Fox Entertainment Group.

The role of Notorious B.I.G. for an upcoming biopic on the rapper will be found through an open casting call, the film�s producers told The Associated Press on Thursday.

The still untitled Notorious B.I.G. project, which has been in the works for nearly seven years, will seek its star by auditioning actors and non-actors alike who resemble the rapper, whose real name was Christopher Wallace. Anyone can submit audition videos beginning 3 a.m. (EDT) Sunday to www.foxsearchlight.com/notorious or www.biggiecasting.com.