When you think Queens Bridge you think Nas. It’s that simple. You probably associate the projects with the rap soldier who blew up in 94′ with Illmatic then re-emerged in 2001 to rip Jay-Z on Stillmatic and continued to make brilliant songs like “Hip Hop is Dead” as recent as last year. But Shaun Walker — who peddles himself as V12: the King of Queens Bridge — wants people to associate the ghetto arena with him as champ.

Because if Hip Hop is dead, R n B still has jaws that V12 breathes through. With a velvety quality, he wants to distinguish himself outside of Nas’s shadow of the ghetto scene. Breaking through as the self-proclaimed president of the projects, he’s already worked with 50, Mobb Deep and his MySpace page unofficially touts him as a close affiliate of G-Unit. With such a solid network and plenty of hype, V12 is just waiting to become a star.

In the meantime, he’s slowly been creeping up as a fresh artist. He’s toured with Ron Artest, Mobb Deep, and Capone and Noreaga to date and has opened for 112, Keshia Cole & Bubba Sparxxx. With over 21 songs under his belt, V12 has plenty of steam left and continues to partner up with household names.

Ironically one of his best jams is a collaboration with God’s Son called “King of the Hood.” Laced with haunted jingles that ring eerily, he injects a dangerously smooth but sharp-edged element. Along with Nas’s consistent fluency is the leveled crooning that V12 adds when he issues a warning. It’s a threat about going to QB and getting popped. But mostly he wants you to recognize who’s popping you. And it ain’t Nas.

Check out V12 on myspace at: http://www.myspace.com/vjuni.