December 20, 2007 @ 9:22 am

Hood Holidays: Papoose

Brad Wete

Down and out on Xmas: rappers share their holiday memories and reflect on 2007. This edition: BK boy Papoose tells VIBE why getting off Jive was his Christmas wish, and how he beat up Mike Tyson (kinda) in the '80s.

Brooklyn MC Papoose has plenty of things to look forward to as Christmas and the New Year nears: Pap's jumped off the Jive ship and is deciding where to sail next. On a chilly December afternoon, he spoke with VIBE about beating up Mike Tyson in the late '80s, the best part of 2007, and breaking his mom off proper for the holiday.

VIBE: What were the highlights of 2007 for you?
PAPOOSE: Being able to see another year is a blessing. I look at it like that. And me getting off of Jive Records, that's definitely a highlight. That's a highlight like a motherfucka, man. A lot of artists get stuck on the shelf or they gotta sit still. They'd rather sit still and not be active than just to man up get off the fucking label. The way my deal was structured and negotiated, I had the option that if they didn't get my album out by a certain time period, I had the option to get the fuck out of there and leave on a good note where I'm still ahead and still got my masters and everything. Like I said, I'd rather get off a fuckin' label than sit there on the shelf. That shit ain't my style, man.

What were your experiences as Brooklyn kid during the holiday season?
I come from a big family. My grandmother had 17 kids, so I had 16 aunts and uncles and 60-something cousins. My mom was there. My pops was there. I always enjoyed this time of year, man. I look at it as, even though there's a lot of different truth behind this holiday, [its meaning is] different from a lot of what people think it is, I always enjoyed it. I think it's about giving. Everybody's always worried about what they're going to get from somebody, but being that I'm a provider, it's just about giving. I take care of a lot of people. I provide for a lot of people, so around this time of the year it's a good feeling. I was taught by the people that raised me how to be a good provider. They always gave to me, so I'm going to return the favor.

Is there one Christmas that stands out from when you were a kid?
Years ago, man, when I got the first mothafuckin' Nintendo, man [laughs]. Oh man, I got that Super Nintendo. You know after a while, you had to blow the cartridge, 'cause all the roaches got up in it. You had to blow it every time you wanted to play it. But you didn't give a fuck. You blow the roaches off, you get busy. [With] Mike Tyson Punchout (1987 Nintendo boxing game), I was the only kid in my hood that could beat Mike Tyson. My whole block used to line up in my hallway, 'cause they couldn't believe I could beat Mike Tyson in that game, man. Before I go on, I just want shout out to my moms for buying me that Nintendo back then.

What's the biggest gift you've given for Christmas?
I buy my mom diamonds every Christmas. I've bought her a diamond chain. I just try to give it back. That's important. I think a lot of us run around here and a lot of artists glorify spending money on cars and jewelry for ourselves. They don't realize that you gotta do something good for your moms, man, while she's still here, because tomorrow's not promised. If it wasn't for them, we wouldn't even be here, so I try to do things like that and spend my money in that manner, you know what I mean?

You have two daughters and a son. What do they want for Christmas?
They all have been screaming Nintendo DS, man. I don't even know what that shit is. I'm a Playstation dude, but they keep screaming "Nintendo DS!" That's the type of shit they wanted this year. That, and a laptop.

Is there anything you want for Christmas?
I don't really look at it like that. I just like to give around this time. A couple of people look out for me. A lot of people love me, so I expect a couple gifts out there, real nice ones, but it's all about giving.

What can we expect from you in 2008?
I just look at it like it's a blessing to be here. Shout out to all my fans. I'm touring overseas. I'm performing in Canada. I haven't even dropped my album yet, so just being able to go that far off of mixtapes and what I did so far is a beautiful thing.

Are you joining any particular label soon?
My options have been crazy from day one, since I got off the label. We've just been taking it slow. At the top of the year, we're going to make our decision. Like I said, my album is done. I walked away like a true champ, with everything. I don't give nothing back. The top of the year, we're going to make a big announcement.