As far as the younger generation, they can take it or leave it; I'm more or less speaking to my fan base.
Before there was G-Unit, Wu-Tang, Hot Boys, Terror Squad or any other group of emcees banding together to form a unit, there was the Juice Crew, arguably the most talented group of emcees put together. The group included: Mr. Magic (Sir Juice), Marley Marl, Big Daddy Kane, Craig G, Masta Ace, Biz Markie, MC Shan, TJ Swan, Roxanne Shante and Kool G Rap and Polo.
VIBE got a chance to speak to Craig G (real name Craig Morgan), one of the original members of the seminal crew, about his current project with Marley Marl, the group's reunion that has already hit the road, as well as upcoming film that will tell the real story behind the legendary posse.
VIBE: So, the Juice Crew is reuniting for a show in Atlanta, Georgia at the A3C Hip Hop Festival in two weeks, you, Biz Markie, Big Daddy Kane, Marley Marl, MC Shan and Roxanne Shante will be performing for the first time in about 10 years. How does it feel to be a part of this historic occasion?
Craig G: It's a great thing because crews who’ve based their whole thing on [the Juice Crew] have broken up and reunited to tour. I'm glad it's going down, but people shouldn't look at the crew like that because we were all solo artists so there was no break up situation with us. When we got down it was no expectations, just to make quality music. Think about how most people who made an impact had no idea they were while it was happening.
The Juice Crew movie is currently in production, what is the story line and how much of an involvement do you and the other members have?
I'm not at liberty to say what the storyline is yet. I know Marley and Kane are producers in some capacity so I'm sure I'll get to have a say in how I am portrayed [in the film].
It seems that you are quite busy these days as you and Marley Marl are reconnecting again to record an album. What brought this on and how do you think the current, younger hip hop fan will react to it?
The album is called Operation: Take Back Hip Hop. I got features from Talib Kweli, Cormega, Rakka Iriscience from Dilated Peoples, Will Pack, KRS 1, Sadat X. On my last album, This Is Now,[Marley Marl and I] did a song called, “Let's Get Up” and the chemistry never changed but the thing is me and Marley tour all the time so we have continued to work together for years. As far as the younger generation, they can take it or leave it; I'm more or less speaking to my fan base. The younger generation's mindset is not that of the issues I address on the album, so I'd have visions of grandeur to think they would get it. But they are welcome to enjoy it.
What do you say about the many attempts to recreate the posse cut feel of "The Symphony"?
I feel honored by that because it shows the impact of good music and how far it can reach forward. Great songs- any genre- are timeless!
Since you’ve been involved in hip hop for so many years, what changes do you predict for the future?
I predict that the playing field will be leveled because the way music changes hands gives everyone a chance to be heard but it will still have to wait until the labels realize it. But the state of things may make them reconsider and look more closely at originality.
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