UG Rap Community

Masta Ace:

http://www.allhiphop.com/features/

Leider sieht es tatsächlich so aus als würde er langsam abtreten.. .

You used to be down with 50, what went wrong?
first off what's good to all the fans? Guerilla Gang General Domination artist/ceo speaking all hoods stand up.
i knew 50 from the hood, i been down with Smurf since day one, Smurf and 50 had what was supposed to be an untouchable bond like ; alpo and rich, or fat cat and pappy but as you know things change when you're dealing with 2 things; money, and the police (laughs) and 5-0 deals with both, anyway smurf and 50 fell out because 50 let that bread get to his head. my homie was locked up for defending himself as a man and that boy 50 refused to bail my homie out, his bail was $75,000 to the hood that's your life savings but to fifty that's one show! but fuck that it's not about his money Bang 'em had his own money 50 refused to send my homie his own money, and left him in jail on his son's birthday, he's a bird for that!!



Can you talk about what happened at Summer Jam?
Oh yeah at summer jam we stormed in with front row, floor seats, gooned out, black GF Records shirts that said Bang 'em and Domination on the back with 20 official hood niggaz, we went there to make a scene, we knew 50 would add fuel to the fire once we got on his nerves that boy got too much pride. Banks, the little flower girl decided to get brave and throw money at us, he threw $1 bills the bank must've been empty that day! then his boss comes over in his victoria secret tank top and throws water on us, so Smurf jumps over the barracade, security rushed him before he got to slap 50 back to reality, so we just started letting them chairs fly, the first one hit 50 then security blocked a couple while ducking the ones that were still flying! Piggy Banks, Tony Mayo, and Young Duck, ran to the back like they usually do when drama pops off, lame Game wasn't there he was probably somewhere topless tanning with Dr. Dre.


What role does Bang ‘Em Smurf play?
Bang 'em and Domination are 2 names that can never be separated. when you think of Bang 'em think of Domination we are one! Bang 'em is my friend, my business partner and my road dawg, that's my nigga 'till death do us!


A website once reported that 50 put out a contract on Smurf, and that someone shot at Smurf in Queens, are those rumors true?
we don't know about no HITS man, don't believe the hype, niggaz get shot at or shot everyday in the hood, fifty aint in the hood man! them rumors is false!


Is 50 a loyal person?
loyal and 50 do not belong in the same sentence! he's not even true to himself how can he be loyal to someone else? he knows Bang 'em would have died for him, i swear to God! how can you turn your back on someone that put your life before his own


How do you feel about Lloyd Banks?
Piggy Banks man he should wear barretts, i don't wanna talk about him, i'm a boss he's a worker i don't have to address that little nigga, he's a baby boy in jail niggaz 'll blow kisses at him and if he was in the yard they'd make him fix it! And that goes for the rest of the G-Unit puppets as well: i'm a boss, you niggas is workers we on two different levels, you can't step to me when you live off the strength of your man!



How do you feel about 50 singing like Ja Rule after he played Ja for that?
We all knew 50 wanted to take Ja's place man! look who's rolling around in sand with bitches now, making that bubble gum music as he calls it, wearing tank tops that promote his homosexuality he's gay. if i was Ja I'd sue that boy for identity theft that nigga would have to give me royalties for stealing my style!



What’s your situation like with Tha Row?
we are just cool with Tha Row, no paper work involved. We have a distribution deal through Koch Records (shout out to our family over there) Tha Row also has a situation at Koch. we respect real niggaz shout out to Suge.


What was your first meeting with Suge like?
i haven't met with Suge as yet you know he's a busy man, when i was in Cali however i did touch base with the homie Kurupt, he cool as a motherfucker. what up Gotti!


Being that you’re Freaky Tah’s cousin, how did his death affect your life?
Tah dying was one of the worst things that ever happened to me in life i cried for like a week, then i swallowed it and vowed to hold it down for my hood just like Tah did. Tah was never a follower always a leader and he treated his niggaz good, that's me; i'm TAH!


Is it hard trying to step out of the shadows now of being known as the “guy who’s got beef with 50?”
the fans who listen to my mixtapes understand i have a real talent, my career is not based on 50, i can stand alone i make music! my album is about the struggle and coming up outta that struggle to become successful and help your people become successful.


Will you be working with Yukmouth and C-Bo again?
hell yeah C-Bo and Yukmouth is family forever g's up to my west coast mafia family yah'll know what it is, real niggaz do real things and bitch niggaz sit around and scheme!



Will the beef ever be squashed?
we aint signing no peace treatys love is love and war is war



When’s your next project coming out?
the new mixtape Groundwork 5 is in stores now check it out on www.mixtapemob.com , www.silverbackguerillaz.com , www.gfrecords.com and your local bootlegger and tell a friend to tell a friend.


How can fans get in touch and keep up with you?
my true fans know how to get in touch with me i'm in the streets, new fans what's good yah'll can go to our website and logon to our message board, we not like other arstists, or ceos we interact with our fans we check our messages ourselves. go to www.gfrecords.com or www.silverbackguerillaz.com
SHOUT OUT TO HIPHOPGAME.COM KEEP BRINGING THE HEAT!

RIP TAH, GANGSTA FLIP, BLACK, EDUARDO,GRANDMA AND GRANDPA , HUEY P. , AND ANY FALLEN SOILDIERS I FORGOT TO MENTION.
FREE ROBMEK, BANG 'EM, ICE, SUAVE, RICK, RUDEBOY,TRUE CASPER,GREGG,MIKEY,MY NIGGA ANTWON,TIRELL AND ALL THE BROTHERS BIDDING FROM GREEN TO CLINTON! OH YEAH FREE SHYNE PO! AND FREE C-BO.
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YOU ONLY GOOD AS WHAT YOU COME UP AGAINST

Nas: Street's Disciple Pt. 1
Since Stillmatic, Nas has been continuously beat life into heart of Hip-Hop. Recent tracks like “Get Down” and “Thief’s Theme” proof that rap courses through his veins.

Known for his reserved ways, Nas rarely talks about the insides of the game, not to mention his life. Usually, it’s all business and music. But, Nas has opted to exercise his voice and it works out, as seen in this story. Nasir Jones evaluates the state of affairs. Nas discusses the criticism, the responsibility, and the task of bringing the real raw raps back. Nas drops science and its up for you to pick it up.

AllHipHop.com: The staff talks about your entrance to the game a lot, with Main Source. With a reflective “throwback” album in the works, how much of you still plays into that hungry teenager?

Nas: When I first got in the game on the two words, “Street Disciple” is what I called myself. The first two words in ‘91, on “Live at the Barbeque” on Main Source [Breaking Atoms] and that verse right there it just ripped through s**t. It was like everything jammed up in one verse, it was like the beginning of the new MC for me. Throughout the years I’ve just been trying to not even intentionally, but just trying to stay within the s**t I was kickin’ on that verse. And through the years I’ve been with all concepts, angles, changes, turns with making music so now this is like coming to that sound of like the Main Source kinda sound of ‘91. And at the same time, [I’m] talking about today and tomorrow and just things that I see in my world and my life.

AllHipHop.com: How do you think this album is going to define your career against how critics have?

Nas: Damn. Ya know, I’d like for the people to judge and let them figure out and however they define it it’s all up to them, it’s just another page in a book.

AllHipHop.com: Why do people think you’re a contradiction from album to album?

Nas: I don’t know really. I don’t really think they believe that really because that word is a contradiction, and I love to be Mr. Contradiction. The negative meaning behind that word it doesn’t apply to me. I think its obvious I think the artists that are inspired by me [and] the game that I’m helping to inspire. I really feel I’ve contributed more to the upliftment than anything so I’m not against any word that the fans use to describe cause that’s all love.

AllHipHop.com: Do you feel like your under a lot of pressure to save Hip-Hop?

Nas: It ain’t even a lot of pressure. I think at one point it may have been at some time I know it was a some point ya know what I mean, but not really sure, sometimes. I think I did my job with the last two years though. If you look and listen to what’s happening to the game today, job well done, if I had any contribution. I’m just happy about everybody keeping this s**t alive. I know I do wear that crown for doing that s**t and sometimes I step up and that is my job, and sometimes I fall back into my life because I’m not consumed with that s**t all day long. And I think that’s when my die hard fans get upset that I’m not carrying this s**t 24/7. Then, when I step back and I do me and I think a lot of them get upset that I’m not doing my job. It’s like on my “Made You Look” joint, they appointed me to bring rap justice and I’m proud to. But that’s not my job all day long, at least I don’t think it is. But if it is, that’s a blessing. That’s a beautiful thing too.

AllHipHop.com: What do you say to people who feel you haven’t lived up to the potential your supposed to be?

Nas: I feel it in a lot of ways. I don’t know, I do the s**t and then a lot of times m’f**kas is like no-go all the way, punish them, do this, do that, show ‘em how it’s done, you’re supposed to do that, no, and that’s cool too. And you know what’s cool for me is that I got those people and sometimes I am a soldier. Well, I’m a full time soldier but also a regular normal ass n*gga human being.

AllHipHop.com: But what’s most important for you as far as what you feel your purpose is in Hip-Hop?

Nas: I’m a serious die hard fan of the dope s**t, the so-so s**t, I’m a huge fan of it all. I just love to hear it when it’s good and sometimes I speak my mouth when its bad. That’s just cause I love this s**t so much. I spent hours and hours taping Mr. Magic on BLS and Red Alert on KISS and Bobbito and Stretch Armstrong on the other station and Teddy Ted and Special K so I just spent too many years listening and watching dudes careers come and go. So it’s a hobby to me, that’s become a worldwide powerful thing so I’m very boisterous about the s**t and I stand up for it when I’m in that environment of Hip-Hop. I’ll stand up and speak up for it when I can, because I’m such an old school die-hard fan of the s**t. That that’s just how it is I’m always gonna be bumpin’ my Mr. Scarface album, my Dana Dane classics, my Great Adventures of Slick Rick, my Paid in Full, my N.W.A. I’m always gonna be bumpin’ the classics.

AllHipHop.com: That was actually my next question, who do you consider some of the greats of today?

Nas: Aw man, Andre 3000, Dr. Dre, Scarface, n*ggas like that. Jadakiss.

AllHipHop.com: So where do you see Hip-Hop going?

Nas: Well it’s crazy. ‘Cause now with the records companies and the attack of 9/11made the economy switch up and the world start movin’ on their one world plan. Merging these companies, it made a lot of things suffer and in particular, music. So I don’t know what the f**k is about to happen with records being sold through mailing lists, through emails, through downloading. And with record companies shutting down, I think one of the greatest attacks on black music or music period was the attack on LA Reid and him not being a part of the mix. It’s time for true music lovers and visionaries like himself and myself to come together like on a Berry Gordy level and save the game because it’s in the hands of people who don’t care about it, and it’s gonna be done badly and they’re gonna f**k it up like they been trying to since its existence. It’s been the streets little secret that’s turned global and its in the wrong hands, the control is in the hands of the wrong people. The dudes who run these labels don’t know nothing about Rap. You got a small handful and LA Reid knows more than all of them so every artists should be on his label man or on a label like someone like him or Russell who cares about the movement and the people.

AllHipHop.com: Do you think we’ll ever be able to control our own music?

Nas: You know, that’s a big situation there. Because do we want the responsibility of going over numbers and budgets and hiring and firing?

AllHipHop.com: Why wouldn’t we?

Nas: I mean, I would love for these guys to run a clothes company and not have to deal with the headache that Reebok deals with. Then again, there are some brotha’s that do want to deal with those headaches. It’s been done over and over again, Berry Gordy was just the most famous one, but it has been done and it can be done I think it’s just up to the individual, but it can be done.

AllHipHop.com: Getting technical, is the CD a double CD and when is it dropping?

Nas: Yeah, it’s a double. It’s scheduled for end of September, early October.

AllHipHop.com: Is “You know My Style” going to be on it?

Nas: It wasn’t scheduled to, but it’s seeming like it might be now.

AllHipHop.com: What was the theme or concept behind “Thief’s Theme”?

Nas: Basically, there’s a saying that says, “It’s better to be born lucky than to be born smart.” Because smart people go through some painful s**t. Lucky motherf**kers just grab a hold and reap the benefits. A lot of them lucky mothaf**kers are people who know how to sneak and know how to cheat, who don’t wait a lot of them just go out and get what’s their’s and if you wait they say, suckas finish last, right? And if you look at the Bush’s they’re the richest presidents ever. They’re billionaires. They said they not waiting for anyone to control their destiny and they didn’t care if people died and they went after theirs. The whole leadership of the world is about taking and about thievery. I’m a thief, ya know what I mean. I steal all day. I’m tired of rackin’ and bustin’ my head to be creative and it’s just gonna be over somebody’s head, or either nobody’s gonna care. So it’s like let me take some of David Bowie’s song, let me take some of what this n*gga’s doing. Let me take some of what Gil Scott Heron’s doing. And I’m a thief, whether it’s music or whether it’s when I was a kid stealing potato chips. So this song is dedicated to everyone out there who is about self preservation and the man made law comes second.

AllHipHop.com: What is it about you that makes you special and how did you know this is what you were called to do?

Nas: I think it was through my parents. My pops was self-employed through his music and my mom was an intelligent woman, and together they just put the right s**t in my head. [They] told me about culture, told me about the world, the truth. And that was the most amazing thing I could ever learn as a young child was the truth about my history as a person, and a person of African American descent. We are really like the mothaf**kas who don’t have our roots. Like Jamaicans can go back to Jamaica, Italians back to Italy, Arabs back to Arabia. So we’re the ones here. The lost tribes. So it’s important, and the story of our history is I think, the greatest story I’ve heard in my life. So I’ve been told that story and told to go out there and fend for myself and do what I wanna do instead of punching a clock 9-5 doing something I didn’t want to do forever. I was told to get paid doing the things that you wanna do. And for me coming up, dealing with truth, I was able to see the world by the truth, and able to look at the world for what it is and society for what it is and tell it how I saw it. There was no manual how to write my first album there was no guidelines to how that was written and I think that’s what made me special. Because those were the albums there that told about America through a young man’s eyes and the city in such a way that it has showed the Rap game a way to exist even after the legends of the eighties. That’s what kinda makes it special. I think I come unconfirmed. I think people just sense my heart and even my most regular standard track.

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YOU ONLY GOOD AS WHAT YOU COME UP AGAINST

MTV: There are a bunch of G-Unit dis records out there right now. Joe Budden has one, of course Bang 'Em Smurf and Domination have one, but the song most talked about is Shyne's "For the Record," where he goes at 50 Cent.

Young Buck: Yeah, I just heard that song recently. I think that's kinda crazy, with the dude's situation. I don't really know about a lot of these different beef situations. I don't know the individuals for me to even speak on them. I don't really know [Shyne].

MTV: I noticed that a lot of the records that take shots at the G-Unit don't really mention your name. They'll call out 50, Game, even Lloyd Banks, but not too much of Young Buck.

Buck: I feel like whenever you're saying "G-Unit," you're involving me, period. So it's only right for me to have to come into the situation. 50 and them are my brothers, so it's kind of hard for you to speak on them without speaking on me. I really would rather for you to say my name, 'cause we travel as one. Even if you think you gonna get at 50 or you're gonna get at Banks or you're gonna get at [Tony] Yayo and just be cool with Buck, it's crazy for me. It's like "Hey, homie, that's me too."

MTV: Earlier this year, people were saying that you and Monica were a couple. When you popped up in her "U Should've Known Better" video as her man, that added fuel to fire. What's good with that?

Buck: A lot of people want to know if me and Monica was together or if that's my girl or not. No, I'm not with Monica. I don't have nothing bad to say about Monica. The whole thing is that she reached out to my people to do a video. I was with it. Perfect: I was feeling it, she was feeling the kid back. We hung out a couple times. Next thing, we was considered a couple. You kinda fall back from that situation, for the simple fact that I'm not ready for it. She was cool with it; I'm cool with it. She's winning; I'm winning. Much love to you, baby.

MTV: Obviously, 50 Cent has shown you mucho love. He's behind your solo LP and I hear you're going to get a chance to run your own label. There's word of a G-Unit South coming soon.

Buck: Yeah. I'm gonna be the CEO with 50 Cent. 50, he's pretty much gonna leave most of it in my hands, but my direction right now comes from 50, so I feel like any direction that I will give towards another artist or even towards this label, I kind of need 50 right there. I came out right through his direction and I wouldn't want to send nobody else out wrong. I'd rather stick with the same circle. So with G-Unit South, it's like another branch for the South to have other artists in the atmosphere come up and represent this G-Unit thing too.

MTV: Every time we talk to one of you guys, like yourself or Banks or Yayo, you always talk about how 50 lays out a plan and it comes to fruition. Tell us a little bit about 50's business acumen.

Buck: 50's a special dude, man. I'm still trying to figure out what kind of power he's working. Everything 50 done told me has always been right. I look at 50 kind of like, "You're the boss and CEO of my record, but there's something a little special working with you too, homie, 'cause you predict these things and they happen." Even if I started to do my own label, 50's there. If I'm doing my own rims, 50's there. That's kind of the whole lead thing we use, 'cause it's the chain of command. When people start getting outside of that, that's when you have the breakups of the groups. Everyone's entitled to expand. Some may expand a little bit more than the other one, but if you all have the same respect for each other as men, it ain't never gonna end.

MTV: There are people that want to see everything end for you, though. On one of the records from your album, "Prices on My Head," you talk about jealousy towards you and even rap: "N---as hate you when you rich, but love you when you broke/ I never knew I had so many enemies before."

Buck: Yeah, I never knew I had so many enemies before. When I didn't have nothing, some of the same people that I see right now that hate me, loved me. They really don't have a reason to hate me now. It can't be nothing, because I'm advancing within my life. I'm like, "Yo, before there was any of this, there was love. I ain't had any conversation with you to [make you] dislike me now." That's where that whole line comes in. The simple fact is that I base my music behind reality.

MTV: A reality you're not afraid to express is your faith in the Lord. You've made songs like "Footprints," where you say God carries you through tough times. And on your Welcome 2 Da Hood mixtape (with DJ Whoo Kid), you even talked about a higher power watching over you while you sold drugs.

Buck: Yeah. Heaven makes you, man. I know that's the mind-frame of the average hustler. A lot of people don't believe that a person who's deeply into selling drugs can be into God like that. I got a really religious side to me; I got a political side to me. The whole nine is right here. I like to tell people, "Just push. Pray until something happen," 'cause that's what I did.

MTV: A few weeks ago, we published a feature story called "Finding My Religion," where we went in-depth about certain artists feeling more comfortable putting out songs with underlying or overt religious themes. How do you feel about some of those records that have come out lately, like "Jesus Walks"?

Buck: I really like Kanye West's song because he was the one who brought it to the table and really wasn't scared to speak on it. A lot of artists are scared to speak [about] and show that side of them. I'm just a person who's comfortable with mine. I know God is the maker of my situation. I know God was the one who helped me when them cats came in to rob me and shot me up. I know God was there with me when I was traveling with that stuff in my car making it from point A to point B. I know God was with me there through everything. I know God is with me right now, so just on that note, that's where you get the references to Jesus Christ or the higher power. Somebody gotta do it.

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YOU ONLY GOOD AS WHAT YOU COME UP AGAINST

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http://www.mtv.com/bands/s/shyne/news_feature_080504/

MTV Shyne special

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YOU ONLY GOOD AS WHAT YOU COME UP AGAINST

213 Answers The Call To Rap

Is 213 the hippest area code in hip-hop? Snoop Dogg, Nate Dogg and Warren G hope it rings with music fans.

It's the name of the collective the Long Beach rap icons and friends formed almost 15 years ago (in the days before 562) while growing up in the 'hood. The trio just released its debut album, "The Hard Way," and a potential tour is in the works.

Earlier this year, before the album was finished, the track "So Fly" exploded on Los Angeles airwaves at Power 106 (KPWR-FM 105.9) and The Beat (KKBT-FM 100.3), whetting the appetite of hip-hop fans.

Produced by Battlecat, Kanye West and DJ Hi-Tek, the 21-track disc is chock-full of odes to liquor, women ("Groupie Luv" and "Never Love a Ho") and weed ("Mary Jane"), funk elements and laid-back vibes. But is the disc all that?

The crew initiated its musical synergy practicing and recording a demo in the back room at Long Beach's VIP Records in the early '90s. The demo was sent to almost every rap label, but none was interested.

As they embarked on solo careers, Snoop, Nate and Warren made a pact to return to their roots. On a couple of occasions, they got together for individual tracks, "Ain't No Fun" from Snoop's smash debut, 1993's "Doggystyle," and on Warren's 2001 album, "Return to the Regulator."

In separate phone interviews, Nate and Warren talk about making the record, Warren bugging Nate to make the record and making money. (Snoop is traveling as part of the Projekt Revolution Tour and wasn't available for an interview.)


Q: What took so long to make this record?

Nate: We were never all three on the same record label. That was part of the problem - politics. It just so happens that we're on record labels now that are willing to let it happen.


Q: So what led to this record finally happening?

Nate: For me, it was Warren G. He's been bugging me for years about 213 whenever he saw me. He bugged me so much about doing this album where I was like, "OK, man, I'll do it."

Warren: Yeah. I take responsibility for that. I had to stay on (him), him and Snoop. I ain't apologizing.


Q: Did you write the record together?

Warren: We were all in the studio together with a bunch of ladies, a bunch of our friends, a lot of good people. It was a party.


Q: Was it more party than work?

Warren: It was all work, but we had a joyous atmosphere with our friends. They're going to tell us if it's good or not.

Nate: We did most all of these songs in the studio with everyone there together. We just vibed on what we wanted to talk about and was then off to the races ...

We at least did a song a day while we were in there, sometimes two songs a day. We did a lot of songs. We have at least 30 more songs that we haven't released.


Q: Do you think you're going to release another record?

Nate: I definitely hope so. I hope we come up with some new stuff so it wouldn't be dated.


Q: Did you guys take any of the tracks you did back in high school and update them?

Nate: No, we came up with all new tracks. To me, it's dated. It's cool, but it should be on a 213 greatest hits album or something.


Q: One of the tracks on the record is "MLK." You've said the song is about trying to make money when you're young and still trying to make money today. How do you know when you have enough money?

Nate: There's no such thing as having enough money. You know it's enough money when you know that your kids' kids are going to eat and not have to worry about money. You'll know when you got it.

Warren: When you can get up in the morning and don't have to sit behind no desk or answer no phones or get behind a drum machine or mike. You can just go on the computer and check your stocks. That's when you know that you're cool.


Q: Are you there yet?

Warren: I ain't on that level yet, but I'm going to get there. I'm still behind the drum machine. I'm going to stay behind that for a while.

Nate: Hell no. I'm nowhere near close. I'm close when you see my name right above Bill Gates on Forbes. Then you'll be like, "He finally did it." Out here, a lot of us are confused. They want to be rich, and I want to be wealthy.


Q: What's the difference?

Nate: If you're rich, you can lose that. If you're wealthy, you can never lose that. You have so much money your money makes money.


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Another greatest hits album is set for release from Death Row Records, and this time, the artist happens to be Nate Dogg.

The album, which is the next installment in the "Best of the Works" line, will be released solely in Japan, but will be made available online at CD Universe, via their Import group.

A full tracklist or cover is not available at this time, but it is expected that the finished product will feature tracks such as "Regulate", "Ain't No Fun", "These Days", and "I Don't Like To Dream About Getting Paid"

Nate Dogg - "Best of the Works" is set to drop this October 21st, which falls on a Thursday.

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DJ QUIK

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E-MOE interview

http://www.da187.net/Interview/emoe.htm

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Ay Caramba!

Talib Kweli

It seems impossible that your favorite emcee’s favorite emcee doesn’t even have a gold record hanging on his mantle. Both Fiddy and Jigga have testified Talib Kweli’s sublime mic skills while simultaneously obliterating him on music charts. We all know that bronzed records and plaques are no indication of true musical talent but you still have to wonder why more folks haven’t caught the Kweli bug. Will he be sentenced to meander dingy underground vestibules for the duration of his career? If Beautiful Struggle’s commercial success actually matches its acclaim, we may finally find Talib burrowing to hip hop’s over-fertilized surface. This time out, he’s pumped mad preservatives into his organic flow in hopes of extending his LP’s potential shelf life. With guests like Mary J Blige, Faith Evans, Res, John Legend, and Anthony Hamilton, this record is not only a guaranteed spin at Nubian niches but hipster hotspots as well.

It doesn’t hurt that Talib enlisted some of the best knob twiddlers in the business to bless his sophomore release. Of course, we hear from his sonic sidekick High Tech as well as uber-producers Kanye West, Dave West, Just Blaze, Jazzy Pha, and hip hop’s billion dollar boys, The Neptunes. VIBEOnline recently cornered the quick-witted emcee and played a round of twenty questions. We got the scoop on his beef with a music-looting pirate, what stimulates him in the studio, and why he refuses to vote.

How does your first album differ from your second?

My first album had a lot to do with trying to prove that I could do it myself. This album is more about the music and allowing the music to lead where the songs are going to go.

Do you feel any pressure or limitations with being labeled a conscious hip hop artist or righteous rapper?

No, sometimes people around me do. Media organizations feel like they can’t put me in certain situations…

How much does the prospect of airplay influence your writing?

A couple of times in my history, I got caught up in wanting to run around and meet the deejays, wanting to make sure my record got on the air, but that’s not an honest way to make music and I try to stay away from that as much as possible. When you are honest with your craft, it comes out flyer than anything you try to write for radio.

How has your family affected your career?

My kids are my inspiration and my reward at the same time. They inspire what I do and they are my reward for doing it because I get to feed them and take care of them. They are not just inspiring me, they are the most inspirational thing when it comes to my music.

Do you support Russell Simmons and his Hip Hop Summit’s voting initiative?

Yes, I support anyone inspiring youth to take the power that they have and utilize it.

How about your personal opinions about voting?

Well (laughing) I’m starting to learn from actors and politicians that you don’t have to answer that question. People pretty much know that I don’t really vote. I don’t crusade against voting, I’m not against it. I think if you want to exercise your right to vote, that’s fine. I support everyone’s right to do it. But I exercise that power in different ways. I don’t feel like I would be honest in my vote, because I couldn’t stand behind either candidate.

Let’s talk about your album leak on the Internet?

Well, it wasn’t so much an original but my unfinished copy. It wasn’t a master, or mixed, or presentable—there were hooks missing. I kick lyrics over; Mary J. Blige came in later and laid her shit over. That was the reason I was upset, not because people stole music. Once I present it, you steal what you want to steal, the karma’s on you, it’s not for me to decide. The problem is that it was unfinished and lot of people didn’t get that. A lot of people are overreacting when they say that I got upset about it.

So basically you went bbbbback into the studio and reworked it?

Well, I definitely had to purchase more beats and come up with more songs. I have no problem with a fan who saw an early version of my album on the Internet and downloaded it. I could ask them not to but if they did, I understand—I would do the same shit. I want to give my fans who did that something different when the album comes out.

What’s The Beautiful Mix CD?

Fabolous was in LA; I got him in the studio and did a song. Busta Rhymes was like, ‘yo, let’s do a song together.’ He was in the same hotel as I was and he happened to have a studio set up in the hotel, so we went and did a song. I had accumulated enough songs and realized I could really put out some shit so that’s what I did. It’s sort of like a Kweli and Friends type of thing. Some people were surprised at some of the artists that were on there, like The Game or Styles P, but it was really to show the similarities between me and these artists and not the differences.

Some critics have come down on you for working with people like Jay-Z and other more commercial artists.

(Laughs) I don’t know, I just think that’s really ignorant. I know that you agree with me. Anyone that would have a problem with me working with a Jay Z or Fabolous don’t pay attention to this music. These people had to start somewhere before they had a million selling records, before they did a commercial song that you don’t like. There was something there that got them to that point. That’s the artist that I work with, not the industry version of Jay Z but who he actually is as an artist. Not the industry version of Fabolous, but the Fabolous who got his start because he was spittin’ that fire on the Clue tapes.

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ESHAM


Album: Tongues



What other band on the Warped Tour are you most likely to get into a fistfight with?

Esham: What color panties you got on?

Which band are you most likely to play video games and drink grain alcohol with until 4 a.m.?

Esham: I don't play games, I play hoes. I party hoes 'til four in the morning.

What thing won't you leave home for the tour without?

Esham: My balls. My B-A-L-L-S. I'm not gon' leave home without them.

Skateboards or motocross?

Esham: I prefer to put handlebars around bitches' necks and ride them!

Why is Rancid so cool?

Esham: Why is who so cool? I'm not trying to be disrespectful or nothing, I just don't know who they are. Are they on MTV? I only watch porn at night.


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