euro dirt
02-13-08, 09:10 PM
http://www.chronicmagazine.com/public.php?page_id=2496&level=1
You all were recently honored for your work in hip-hop at the VH1 hip-hop honor awards. How did that feel?
Aww…I was the most tremendous feeling that you could ever have. Being involved in something that big and getting respect from all around the world, it was an incredible feeling.
Did you ever expect that?
No. It makes me look back to when I first got involved in hip-hop and shows that I worked hard and I deserved it and that God is good and he’s definitely watching over.
Will there be a 7th album?
We’re touring now, doing scattered dates here and there. They are trying to work out something with us, Doug E. Fresh, Big Daddy Kane, MC Lyte and Dana Dane.
You all have been around for so long. What do you think of the current state of hip-hop?
It seems like when we came in the game, we did it for the love. In the beginning we were doing it in the parks and in the hole-in-the-walls for next to nothing. Now there’s a lot of money and everything in hip-hop is about money. I tell a lot of people today who are trying to come into the game, when you’re doing something and you respect it, it’s going to respect you at the end. So, you don’t just look at it for yourself. You look at it for how you can help add light for other people.
Now when you go out on tour, are there any songs that you love to perform?
I love to perform all of them. One of my favorites that we perform is one that I get to rap on, and that’s “Funky Beat.”
Are you planning on doing more rapping in the future?
Yes. It’s funny, because I used to be a rapper before I was a DJ back in the days. It’s the greatest feeling.
Everything is so synthesized now when it comes to DJing. What do you think of the new computer programs, like Serato, that they have out now?
It’s a blessing. For a long time I was using my vinyl. Back in the day I was carrying records and all the other DJs were bringing CD turntables and bringing their little bag with 12 CDs in it and I’m coming off the plane with two huge bags and they’re looking at me, laughing.
Doug E. Fresh, Slick Rick, laughing at me saying ‘Dude, what’s up with that bag?’
It’s a blessing that they have it because I use Serato now…you have access to thousands of records at your reach at one time. You [don’t have] to go looking in the crates for a record. And, it comes out clean. All I do now is just carry my computer and extra backup just in case…No more paying extra money to get on the plane with extra baggage. My back feels much better.
So how did you get into DJing? What made you want to go down that road?
They always say that God has something in store for everyone. When I was in high school, I was going to a school in Manhattan named Jr. Richmond High School…I had to ride the cable car to school everyday. At lunchtime, we went into this little room called a Spark Room and they used to bring boom boxes and put them on your table and you could hear the records playing, like “Good Times” - a lot of break records. I started hearing people rhyming off of the beat and I’m like, ‘What is that?’ I kept hearing echo chambers, hearing people go ‘Yes-yes-y’all-y’all-you don’t stop- stop, you’re listening to the sound-sounds of Afrika-Afrika- Bam-bam-baataa.”
I want to get involved in that! Next thing I know, a couple of my friends who lived in Harlem would take me around their block and introduce me to people at parties and I would see the rappers. Some of the best rappers were on the box at that time - the Funky Four, Grandmaster Flash. The main ones were underground rappers who were going platinum by selling tapes. There was no such thing as getting a record deal back then, but that influenced me and dragged me to it.
It’s been 20 years now and some of your songs are still being sampled by different artists. How does that feel?
We’ve been the most sampled rap group of all time…If you’re going to do it (sample), you should call the artist and do it with him. That’s what I feel. That’s what you call class, because it took a lot for us to go to London and record those songs. It was not easy to go there and create that music. To me, Larry Smith doesn’t get the credit he deserves. He was one of the best producers of all time.
Radio has changed so much even in just the past 10 years. It seems that people don’t even listen to it any more.
You’re definitely right. You’re speaking real. It’s a shame. Remember when you couldn’t wait to get in the car and turn on that music? Today, radio seems like it isn’t friendly. I look at life and I’m blessed to be a part of history and to be a legend, but as I get older and wiser, right now it’s for the youngsters. The community has to get back together like it used to be. When we were kids we used to play on the block together and everybody had games we’d play. It was something positive and it didn’t take money. After that, you go do your homework and go to bed. Communities today are not together any more. So, that’s why we have to reach out and get back to them. Today in rap music, everyone is doing the same thing and if you follow, you can’t lead. You always want to be different. I really feel that 80s had the best music. Now TV and music is too open. Everybody’s on a sex thing now. But come on, there are kids watching. You’ve got to give kids something to listen to and watch that’s positive. Now, we’re giving them too much and a lot of that is hurting the kids.
Right. Even the lyrics in some of today’s songs are so vulgar.
When they hear that, it’s like what do I have to do to fit in?
Right now, every female who used to be into drama- dancing and acting- wants to be a stripper. (TV and radio) is putting it out there for them...[They're] hurting everybody and we’ve got to get the kids to want to do something positive with life. Life is like a trumpet; what you blow into it is what you get out of it.
A lot of hip-hop artists [have] they have their own reality shows - Flavor Flav, Rev Run, Salt N’ Pepa. What do you think about that?
They’re cool. What’s strange about the whole situation is a guy I met…a while ago told me that reality shows were going to be the next big thing and I looked at him like he was crazy. Next thing you know I see one, I see two, and I started saying, ‘I wonder if he’s behind all of this!’ He called it out! It's good to keep you working and it’s good to see the old class acts on TV showing a different side. You get a chance to be in the house with them and I think it’s really educational too. It shows how you are off-stage and how you are in life. It’s almost like being behind the scenes.
Back in the day you were managed by Russell Simmons. Is he at all the same as he seems on TV?
Russell is incredible. I learned a lot from Russell - being around him and seeing what he’s done. We used to have an office on Broadway, a little hole in the wall. To come from there and build an empire…Nobody ever saw that vision until they saw a lot of money come about and then they want to jump on board. He is the smartest cat when it comes to hip-hop and business - taking something from the street worldwide. Now, he’s on TV and he’s taken it into clothing lines. He’s giving it to the world.
Russell was so good when we were under his management. If you [had] a little problem, you [could] call Russell and with one phone call that problem was solved. Even though we aren’t a part of that [any] more, we have respect for each other and that love will never end.
Who are you listening to now?
Nas. I like a lot of stuff Nas does. I like Outkast. I like Ludacris. The music has to get me first, and then [the] structure. Ludacris always gives you something different and I love Nas, but right now I’m waiting for someone else to come. A lot of these groups come today and they don’t have staying power. They do one song and then they’re gone and that’s what a lot of labels look for. All they need is a one-hitter and if you have a nice one-hitter you can do a lot of damage. But back in the 80s you’d better have an album full.
You’re rapping, you’re deejaying. Are you doing anything else in your life?
Well, I’m living in Miami now and that’s a blessing. I have a nice high-rise overlooking the ocean and I’m so blessed to have it. I’ve been doing a lot of work within the community. A good friend of mine [and I go] to the prisons in Allen…the Bronx and New Jersey… I deejay and he hosts. We talk to the inmates about second chances. Everybody makes mistakes but we need a chance to correct that... That makes me feel good when I do that.
Throughout everything you’ve done, what do you feel is your biggest accomplishment?
Well, the VH1 hip-hop honors. When we came out they didn’t have a hip-hop category in the Grammys or the Video Music Awards so we never got a Grammy! That’s the thing we’re missing. Maybe we’ll get one or a lifetime achievement award one day.
When people come up to me and say, ‘Man, “Friends” really touched me’ - that’s [a] blessing.
[Another big accomplishment is to watch my mom] smile when she sees us on TV. My father - may he rest in peace - used to always say, ‘You ain’t getting on TV yet. When you gonna get on TV?’ Now look.
Another great feeling was to [have] Nelly, Jermaine Dupri and Nick Cannon do our songs with us (at the Vh1 Hip-hop Honors). That was hot. Now that should have been on the Grammys!
You all were recently honored for your work in hip-hop at the VH1 hip-hop honor awards. How did that feel?
Aww…I was the most tremendous feeling that you could ever have. Being involved in something that big and getting respect from all around the world, it was an incredible feeling.
Did you ever expect that?
No. It makes me look back to when I first got involved in hip-hop and shows that I worked hard and I deserved it and that God is good and he’s definitely watching over.
Will there be a 7th album?
We’re touring now, doing scattered dates here and there. They are trying to work out something with us, Doug E. Fresh, Big Daddy Kane, MC Lyte and Dana Dane.
You all have been around for so long. What do you think of the current state of hip-hop?
It seems like when we came in the game, we did it for the love. In the beginning we were doing it in the parks and in the hole-in-the-walls for next to nothing. Now there’s a lot of money and everything in hip-hop is about money. I tell a lot of people today who are trying to come into the game, when you’re doing something and you respect it, it’s going to respect you at the end. So, you don’t just look at it for yourself. You look at it for how you can help add light for other people.
Now when you go out on tour, are there any songs that you love to perform?
I love to perform all of them. One of my favorites that we perform is one that I get to rap on, and that’s “Funky Beat.”
Are you planning on doing more rapping in the future?
Yes. It’s funny, because I used to be a rapper before I was a DJ back in the days. It’s the greatest feeling.
Everything is so synthesized now when it comes to DJing. What do you think of the new computer programs, like Serato, that they have out now?
It’s a blessing. For a long time I was using my vinyl. Back in the day I was carrying records and all the other DJs were bringing CD turntables and bringing their little bag with 12 CDs in it and I’m coming off the plane with two huge bags and they’re looking at me, laughing.
Doug E. Fresh, Slick Rick, laughing at me saying ‘Dude, what’s up with that bag?’
It’s a blessing that they have it because I use Serato now…you have access to thousands of records at your reach at one time. You [don’t have] to go looking in the crates for a record. And, it comes out clean. All I do now is just carry my computer and extra backup just in case…No more paying extra money to get on the plane with extra baggage. My back feels much better.
So how did you get into DJing? What made you want to go down that road?
They always say that God has something in store for everyone. When I was in high school, I was going to a school in Manhattan named Jr. Richmond High School…I had to ride the cable car to school everyday. At lunchtime, we went into this little room called a Spark Room and they used to bring boom boxes and put them on your table and you could hear the records playing, like “Good Times” - a lot of break records. I started hearing people rhyming off of the beat and I’m like, ‘What is that?’ I kept hearing echo chambers, hearing people go ‘Yes-yes-y’all-y’all-you don’t stop- stop, you’re listening to the sound-sounds of Afrika-Afrika- Bam-bam-baataa.”
I want to get involved in that! Next thing I know, a couple of my friends who lived in Harlem would take me around their block and introduce me to people at parties and I would see the rappers. Some of the best rappers were on the box at that time - the Funky Four, Grandmaster Flash. The main ones were underground rappers who were going platinum by selling tapes. There was no such thing as getting a record deal back then, but that influenced me and dragged me to it.
It’s been 20 years now and some of your songs are still being sampled by different artists. How does that feel?
We’ve been the most sampled rap group of all time…If you’re going to do it (sample), you should call the artist and do it with him. That’s what I feel. That’s what you call class, because it took a lot for us to go to London and record those songs. It was not easy to go there and create that music. To me, Larry Smith doesn’t get the credit he deserves. He was one of the best producers of all time.
Radio has changed so much even in just the past 10 years. It seems that people don’t even listen to it any more.
You’re definitely right. You’re speaking real. It’s a shame. Remember when you couldn’t wait to get in the car and turn on that music? Today, radio seems like it isn’t friendly. I look at life and I’m blessed to be a part of history and to be a legend, but as I get older and wiser, right now it’s for the youngsters. The community has to get back together like it used to be. When we were kids we used to play on the block together and everybody had games we’d play. It was something positive and it didn’t take money. After that, you go do your homework and go to bed. Communities today are not together any more. So, that’s why we have to reach out and get back to them. Today in rap music, everyone is doing the same thing and if you follow, you can’t lead. You always want to be different. I really feel that 80s had the best music. Now TV and music is too open. Everybody’s on a sex thing now. But come on, there are kids watching. You’ve got to give kids something to listen to and watch that’s positive. Now, we’re giving them too much and a lot of that is hurting the kids.
Right. Even the lyrics in some of today’s songs are so vulgar.
When they hear that, it’s like what do I have to do to fit in?
Right now, every female who used to be into drama- dancing and acting- wants to be a stripper. (TV and radio) is putting it out there for them...[They're] hurting everybody and we’ve got to get the kids to want to do something positive with life. Life is like a trumpet; what you blow into it is what you get out of it.
A lot of hip-hop artists [have] they have their own reality shows - Flavor Flav, Rev Run, Salt N’ Pepa. What do you think about that?
They’re cool. What’s strange about the whole situation is a guy I met…a while ago told me that reality shows were going to be the next big thing and I looked at him like he was crazy. Next thing you know I see one, I see two, and I started saying, ‘I wonder if he’s behind all of this!’ He called it out! It's good to keep you working and it’s good to see the old class acts on TV showing a different side. You get a chance to be in the house with them and I think it’s really educational too. It shows how you are off-stage and how you are in life. It’s almost like being behind the scenes.
Back in the day you were managed by Russell Simmons. Is he at all the same as he seems on TV?
Russell is incredible. I learned a lot from Russell - being around him and seeing what he’s done. We used to have an office on Broadway, a little hole in the wall. To come from there and build an empire…Nobody ever saw that vision until they saw a lot of money come about and then they want to jump on board. He is the smartest cat when it comes to hip-hop and business - taking something from the street worldwide. Now, he’s on TV and he’s taken it into clothing lines. He’s giving it to the world.
Russell was so good when we were under his management. If you [had] a little problem, you [could] call Russell and with one phone call that problem was solved. Even though we aren’t a part of that [any] more, we have respect for each other and that love will never end.
Who are you listening to now?
Nas. I like a lot of stuff Nas does. I like Outkast. I like Ludacris. The music has to get me first, and then [the] structure. Ludacris always gives you something different and I love Nas, but right now I’m waiting for someone else to come. A lot of these groups come today and they don’t have staying power. They do one song and then they’re gone and that’s what a lot of labels look for. All they need is a one-hitter and if you have a nice one-hitter you can do a lot of damage. But back in the 80s you’d better have an album full.
You’re rapping, you’re deejaying. Are you doing anything else in your life?
Well, I’m living in Miami now and that’s a blessing. I have a nice high-rise overlooking the ocean and I’m so blessed to have it. I’ve been doing a lot of work within the community. A good friend of mine [and I go] to the prisons in Allen…the Bronx and New Jersey… I deejay and he hosts. We talk to the inmates about second chances. Everybody makes mistakes but we need a chance to correct that... That makes me feel good when I do that.
Throughout everything you’ve done, what do you feel is your biggest accomplishment?
Well, the VH1 hip-hop honors. When we came out they didn’t have a hip-hop category in the Grammys or the Video Music Awards so we never got a Grammy! That’s the thing we’re missing. Maybe we’ll get one or a lifetime achievement award one day.
When people come up to me and say, ‘Man, “Friends” really touched me’ - that’s [a] blessing.
[Another big accomplishment is to watch my mom] smile when she sees us on TV. My father - may he rest in peace - used to always say, ‘You ain’t getting on TV yet. When you gonna get on TV?’ Now look.
Another great feeling was to [have] Nelly, Jermaine Dupri and Nick Cannon do our songs with us (at the Vh1 Hip-hop Honors). That was hot. Now that should have been on the Grammys!