Q&A with Bryant McKinnie

Q What's the essence of Swagga -- why did you put this together?

A I've been interested in the music field for a long time, since I was in college at the University of Miami.

Q Is it just kind of taking off now?

A Yeah, it started a couple of years ago. We're trying to build up a buzz. ... Sidney [Rice] is actually playing one of our songs right now [in the locker room]. When you actually are there when the songs are recorded and you're putting together, and you hear them on the radio, it is fun. I got with Pleasure P a couple of years ago, and his album came out, "The Introduction of Marcus Cooper," on June 9 [this year]. From there it's sold about 100,000 copies.

Q Sounds like you have a good feel for it. Is this something you want to do for a long time?

A Yeah, I grew up around music through being in church. I played piano when I was young and I did a lot of other stuff with music. It's been something I've wanted to do for a while. There's another hip-hop artist, a female rapper named Trina from south Florida. Me, her and Pleasure P are working on a joint venture with a group called Pretty Money. ... I also have a rock band. [The label] is pretty versatile. They're called Another Day. They're based out of Texas.

Q A rock band? You ever talk to Chris Kluwe about that? [The Vikings punter is also in a rock band.]

A Everybody keeps saying that!

Q Sounds like you're really into music. Do you ever think about it when you aren't supposed to, like when you're supposed to be blocking?

A Nah, not on the field [laughs]. I listen before games, though, to get me hyped and motivated. It plays a big role in my life and probably a lot of other people's.

Q Do you guys talk music in the locker room a lot?

A Yeah, we talk about who's new. Guys know I'm in the industry and they ask me a lot about that. ... Sidney is big on music. [Anthony] Herrera asks about music a lot. E.J. Henderson. Pat Williams asks about music a lot.

Q I read you had some big thing in Miami over the summer.

A Yeah, it was something called Miami Standup. It was special to the label. We wanted everyone in the industry to learn about the label. One year we had a bowling event. We had a boat party.

Q Whoa, a boat party. Better watch out!

A [Laughs] My bad! No, not that kind of boat party!

Q Last thing: You're on Twitter all the time. Is that business, pleasure or both?

A Yeah, it's pretty much business. I'm trying to promote the artists I'm working with or myself. I'm just interacting with fans who are helping us with all of this.