-Avier Wanjou Brass-

CousinS!

Papoose is a true lyricist. Every line and metaphor hits you, and it’s a never ending punch, causing anyone to tap out in defeat. Like many of the big names in Hip-Hop, Papoose rightfully deserves to be up there with the greats. Is Papoose underrated? That is the dying question. There’s no doubt that he deserves recognition for every lyric he has contributed to Hip-Hop. That is why it was important for the “Thought I Was Gonna Stop” rapper, to sit down with Tune Core. So here are a few take-aways from his interview.

His Upbringing Influenced Papoose to Become a Rapper:

Growing up in an enormous family (Papoose’s grandmother had 17 children, including 90 cousins), music was very prominent in his upbringing. At the age of 5, Papoose recalls his aunt taking him to the park jams, where the future emcee became attracted to Hip-Hop. When Papoose was 8, after discussing rhymes with his cousin; is what inspired him to become a rapper. Yes, Papoose did try beatboxing, but his flow was “whack”. With the mindset of nobody beating him, Papoose became a battle rapper. Despite not considering himself a “battle rapper,” he felt he “can do it all”.  Yet one thing the emcee regrets: putting all his eggs in one basket. As he explains, staying in school makes you a better emcee. And you necessarily don’t have to be a rapper to be in the industry.

Papoose and DJ Kay Slay didn’t start on good terms

Within this complex interview, Papoose discussed many topics. It is over an hour-long interview with detailed conversations. Papoose discusses his mixtape days, how being an emcee then is different from now, to meeting DJ Klay Slay. Papoose admits he waited for the legendary DJ to play his record (in the snow, below 4 degrees, by the way) after giving him his CD. When Papoose noticed that Slay was not playing his record, Papoose called into the radio station, where Papoose and the DJ exchanged some words on the air. After the death of Papoose’s mentor, Slay reached out to the rapper by telling him he’s going on the radio. And the rest is history. 

The Falling Out with Jive records:

The take-away from the interview is not the explanation behind one of “Alphabetical Slaughter”, but the hype around him at the time with record labels wanting to sign him. In the beginning, Papoose claims that Nas wanted him to be a part of Def Jam, where Nas was joining Jay-Z. A few other labels chimed in, but Jive offered the most money (1.5 million). Even though Papoose wanted to sign with Nas, he ended up signing with Jive, which he cites as one of the worst decisions of his life. In detail, Papoose claims that people within the label felt a way about him dealing directly with their boss and “feeling left out.” In return, they sabotaged his project and wanted to get him off the label as soon as his record with Snoop Dogg came out. The whole situation between Papoose and Jive is messy, but hopefully, this can give a lot of retrospect for future upcoming artists.

His Love and Hip-Hop Days:

Papoose and now wife, Remy Ma, did not want to join the mega-series Love and Hip Hop. The producers reached out to the Hip Hop couple, when XXL did a feature with Papoose following him throughout the day, as he prepares to visit Remy in jail. They took photos of him at the supermarket and even him carrying the food into the facility. People fell in love with their unique love story. Yet Papoose and Remy were not buying it until Remy came home and they joined the show. At first, Papoose thought he was going to get “clowned” for displaying love for his wife on the show. Actually, he received the complete opposite, taking the rapper by surprise. 

Papoose on his retirement

Yes. Papoose is retiring. Papoose feels that it’s time to walk away from the mic, spend time with his family, and spend time on investments. He has a couple of businesses that include, luxury transportation services, trucking business, and real estate. Like you and I, many people don’t want him to retire, including Busta Rhymes. The Brooklyn rapper says he will consider it, but it seems he has made up his mind. Honestly, he has been rapping since the age of 8, so I don’t blame him. 

Be sure to tap in and let us know in the comments what you all thought of the interview?