The rap genre and the music industry as a whole are very different than they were nearly two decades ago. This is an era in which sports players feel inclined to grab microphones or launch a record label and lyrical content seems secondary to the popular dance that's created for a hit single!
It's no wonder that an artist from the birth era of rap would feel that the essence of the music is fading. So does it surprise you that in his latest interview rapper Scarface, said "I hate Rap, f*ck Rap?"
As a member of the group The Geto Boyz, Scarface known then as DJ Akshen, has been around for many monumental moments in rap history. Eventually Scarface became a solo act and his most widely known album was the 2002 LP The Fix, which featured the hit singles My Block and Guess Who's Back, featuring Jay-Z and Beanie Sigel. During his career he has collaborated with numerous artists including Tupac, Freeway, Dr. Dre and others creating many classic hits.
Aside from rapping, Scarface also held the post as the head of Def Jam South. The first artist he signed was Ludacris, who has gone on to become a hip-hop megastar.
On December 2nd 2008, he released his latest solo album Emeritus, which is said to be his last under the moniker Scarface. The album features guest appearances by rappers Lil Wayne, Bun B, and singer Bilal to mane a few.
Scarface, an artist who helped flourish the rap scene in the South, picked the perfect title for this final album as he prepares to embark on a new journey in music. One thing is for certain this MC has never changed, he still spits with the same lyrical force as did in the late 80's when he came in the game.
Yo! Raps had a frank conversation with the veteran rapper about the music industry, what punishes hip-hop and his last album as the rapper we've come to know as Scarface!
Most people heard about the interview you did with DJ Vlad when you were saying "F*ck Rap", so you obviously have some issues with the industry. If you were the overseer of the Hip-Hop/Rap game, how would you start to rebuild?
I'd start from the top. The first thing is everything would have to be screened. The f*cking fruit snack Rap would be done.
What's considered fruit snack Rap?
Anything that punishes Hip-Hop.
Well what do you think punishes Hip-Hop?
Anything that does not add to the art form and that takes away from what Hip-Hop is. Hip-Hop is a feeling man, it's a way of life. Anything that radio plays is wack. All the great records don't get played. I feel like radio and big record companies are trying to destroy Black music with the shit that they play... by the way that they exploit it. You got Black America thinking it's cool for women to walk around with their breasts out. I think to cover up what's really going on today in the world they flood the market with some bullshit. It's like Watergate, the shit is a crime.
Is there one record label in particular that you believe engages in this the most?
I'd say all of them. The shit went from Eric B and Rakim to fuddy duddy and the tennis shoe clique [laughs]. Now videos are about drinking champagne, show as much jewellery and ride in all the f*cking cars.
Would you fire some record label executives?
No, I'd make them muthaf*ckas come see me like the United Nations before they do something. In 1989 or 1999 if you brought that bullshit in, you would've got laughed at.
What about certain artists? Jay-Z has been doing it for quite sometime, how do you feel about his position in the rap game right now?
Who Jay? He's the best, what else could you say? He got here and all you can do is move forward. He's an UFO baller! Jigga's the unidentified flying object, he's skyballin', we're playing basic ball.
How do you feel about an artist like Soulja Boy?
I think Soulja Boy had a brilliant idea, what he did with it was great. He took what he had and made money from it. If he's that f*cking smart he's going to be a billionaire. So I got a lot of respect for Soulja Boy. I don't have respect for all the shit that gets like 50,000 spins a week for eight months, and then when their record comes out they sell like eight copies the first week. They're six months into their album and they only got 3000 records, but they sold 150,000 ringtones. How do you face your momma with that shit? I think it's bullshit, it discredits the whole Hip-Hop movement when you resort to ringtone rapping. It's not respecting the game, it's disrespecting it. I think the internet, Black radio and big record companies are hurting Black music.
Would you ever want to be the head of a record label again?
Yeah, but I'd probably be fired like the third week. I'm not going to sign that two step shit. They'll be thinking 'Oh man this is f*cking hot for the radio'... I'm like 'This shit is f*cking trash'. How can a gang of white boys tell a n*gga what's hot? Quote that, I said that, I said it!
How the f*ck can you tell me about Hip-Hop, man... I'm Hip-Hop! So I think the f*cking roles need to be reversed. N*ggas should be sitting behind the desk, them muthaf*ckas should be running around. Giving certain artists the spotlight, their moving inside our position, it's bullshit!
How do you feel about white rappers?
I don't mind if they rap, I just mind them playing slave master and slave driver. It's white boys who own the big magazines that talk about rap. A white woman owns the biggest rap magazine in the South. Don't get me wrong I love her, but does she know more about Hip-Hop than you? Here I go! [Laughs]
What has been some of the most memorable moments during your career?
One memorable moment was when I saw Biggie at this concert we did together in Kentucky. Oh, and another one was a show that we did with Tupac. He would go out on stage first, then he'll start a f*cking fight. The fight would end the show and I wouldn't get my money that night. So I got his ass, I would go out first... whatever he did after that was on him. Me and Tupac were together for along time.
So this going to be your last solo album?
Yeah my last solo album as Scarface. I'm changing my whole shit up.
Oh, so you'll still be rapping?
I ain't ever going to stop rapping.
Who are you going to become now?
I don't know. I'm going to make some great music though. I get a chance to play my guitar, pick my band, and put my horn section together. Instead of standing up there with 8000 muthaf*ckas on stage and ain't nobody doing shit but hollering on the mic.. that is not Hip-Hop.
For your last album as Scarface did you feel that you needed bring closure or talk about anything specific?
I didn't do any special shit, I just did me. I'm not going to quick snap Rap and I'm not going to make happy joints. I'm always saying we're f*cked, we're in a recession... ain't nothing to smile about. My people are suffering!
What advice would you give to an artist new to this industry?
I guess, they probably think that this shit is over night and it's not. They think everything will be in their best interest. Just be real savvy and real aggressive. You can't take one second off. The music business is fucked up! Be careful...
- By Isha "Ice" Cole
