 Raekwon | KRS-One  |
Was he always into music or what?
I’m sure he always loved music. But the first time he ever been in the studio, I had took him. And he worked on my second album, Jealous One’s Envy, I put him on the song. And then I guess he had been in the studio for like maybe a year, a year and a half at most, and after that he came out on that ’98.
These days people talk about Pun as one of the greatest lyricists ever. Did Pun get that respect when he came out in 1998?
I think they gave him that respect. But I think they don’t give him enough credit, to be honest with you, that he deserves. I feel like if you go black and white paper, and you wrote everybody’s lyrics down, I believe—I know people might think I’m crazy—I think he’s the best lyricist to ever touch the game…that’s my opinion. If you go and you take a record like “The Dream Shatterer” and you put his lyrics in black and white paper—and you take your favorite rapper and you pick his best lyrics, you’d be really shocked to see who’s spitting the craziest most steamiest lyrics. You’d be really shocked.
Did he write his raps on paper?
A lot of rappers worked on paper but say they work off the top, too. It’s a fly thing to say. There’s nothing wrong with it. As long as you make a hot record and your record’s a hit, and your shit is crazy, that’s all that matters. Whether you work with paper or you work without, it doesn’t make a difference.
What did Pun bring to the table in his era?
First of all, the aspect that he was representing the Latinos on another level. I was out, and I signed him, but I was always on the underground level with like Diggin’ in The Crates I always kept it underground. He was the first Latino rapper to sell 2 million on his own solo artist. He was nominated for Grammys. All that is crazy. And then he was just bringing—at the end of the day, even though he had hits on his album, he was coming with crazy lyrical flows, killing the underground. So he had the full package.
Are there any lost tapes with Pun still to come out?
Nah man…Nothing.
How are things with his family these days?
I can’t really describe what it’s like ’cause you know me and his wife fell out. So I can’t really tell you.
Other than yourself and Pun, who are five rappers you’re listening to right now?
I don’t know, man…I guess we would have to go with the list of cronies. Well you know, I like Rick Ross. His album is really, really crazy. You know I fuck with Jeezy. I’m waiting for Kanye to start rappin’ again. What else is driving me crazy? I mean, tell you the truth, I ain’t really hear nuttin, that’s like, really blowing my mind these days man. I like Red Café outta New York. And I also like the kid Uncle Murder outta New York.
What about production-wise? Who are you feeling on the beats?
There’s this new producer I used on my album that by the time next year you’re gonna know he’s the new Mannie Fresh. His name is Shife. He’s out of Palm Beach Florida. The nigga is crazy. I’m messin with him. Of course, Jim Jonsin. I love the kid Infamous that did the “Hey Mr. Carter.”
What is the biggest difference from when you entered the game to now?
The music is definitely different now. When you see Kanye West doing a singing album and then you got Lil Wayne doing a rock album. Yo—music is different. It’s definitely diverse. People trying to take it to a different place. You know, it’s crazy. What’s the difference? The difference is New York was most dominant back in the day. All the hot music was coming out of New York. Now it’s more like the whole country. You got the south rockin’. You got the west rockin’. You got some of New York rocking. So we’re learning more about the rest of the country.
I guess that’s why you’re in Miami right now.
Yeah exactly.
What’s going on with the Terror Squad?
Well you know I put this guy down, he was down with Pistol Pete, Rob Cash. He’s a loyal dude and he’s really, really dope, so we about to take him under the wing. I also got this artist out of Miami called OZ—TS. Then I got this artist out of the Bronx, his name is TA—he’s TS. So we’re just getting the click together. Just definitely picking people that I feel are loyal, because loyal is the most important thing, and who are talented. And we’re gonna start working on that Terror Squad album and just make that fire.
You have a sneaker line coming, too?
Yeah I got a sneaker coming out. Sneaker comes out in September, in Sears and K-Mart. Affordable sneakers, $35. It’s called the Fat Joe Recession by Protégé—the same people who put out the Al Harrington sneaker recently. So that’s just for the kids. You know I’m a sneaker collector, a sneaker guru. I always wanted my own sneaker, but then again with these tough times I wanted to make sure that kids could actually afford it. So I’m looking forward to kids being able to be fly for a lot less. So you can get some sneakers and take your girl to the movies.
Press Play to watch Fat Joe's video for "300 Brolic" from his album, The Elephant In The Room (Virgin, 2008)
Press Play to listen to "We Thuggin'" feat. R. Kelly from the album Jealous Ones Still Envy (J.O.S.E.) (Atlantic, 2001)
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