Gangsta posturing has been synonymous with rap music since NWA's "Fuck Tha Police" days. However, many hopeful young G’s quickly find out that there are real—often violent—consequences when trying to climb to the top of the hip-hop hierarchy. Being relieved of your jewelry often serves as a reminder that you can’t fake the funk.
Are there any other big projects you’ve been working on?
Well, Jim Jones was one of those real dudes that came to me and said he seen and understood what I been through. He knew I wasn’t a street guy and was cool with that. Jim is a like a big brother and offered to step in and vouch for me in certain situations. He knew I needed a few key people in my corner, so we just became cool and came together for a few projects. Jim and Dipset are like legends to me, so I was actually a little overwhelmed at first, but this is just another way for me to grow.
A lot of people may not also know that you produce most of your own records and for a number of big artists as you said before.
I’ve co-produced every record I did in my life, and I know what works for me. It’s not about just doing what’s hot at the moment. I know what my lane is—look I’m strictly here to make music for your girlfriend and the guys that needs this music to inspire the mood for his woman. I love all my female fans and appreciate that they are my core fanbase.
The most recent has been UK rapper Rowdy-T claiming that he robbed you and took your Batman charm. He even posted pictures with it online. Can you at least clear that up?
Nothing has been taken from me that has any real value to me. Unless they take my vocal chords, my ability to make a beat, or hum a melody than I feel like I haven’t lost anything. Anything that’s materialistic I can get back.
Was that your jewelry that Rowdy posted pictures of?
I don’t even want to talk about that because this shall pass, too. My music is what is going to stick around, and I don’t want anything to take the focus off that. As far as anything else, I’m just not going to talk about it because people are going to believe whatever they want. I don’t get into the WWF side of things. I’m trying to be like Smokey Robinson with a catalog of hit records. I can’t be worried about what goes on Internet sites. That doesn’t generate any money for me.