Your new album “The Brick” is through Koch but your signed to Interscope, how did that come about? I was in talks with Koch first before Dre had got wind of my demo. What happened was, my management had gotten the cd to Dr. Dre’s assistant who my manager was good friends with and she called back and was like “Dre wants this Kid” my manager responed like “thats good,” but she was like um no he wants to fly homes out like a.s.a.p.
So he flew you out?
Yeah he flew me out we did dinner with them and I met Dre in the studio. He told me he loved the music, I told him I love the beats, I was nervous as hell. He told me “I really flew you out to make sure you weren’t a knuckle head, I took a lot of losses in music before and I was just hoping you were a good kid.” I told him I’m just hear to do music so thats how that became about. But Koch was already in the workings.
So is this gonna be the only album off of Koch?
Yeah this is one off of Koch, “The Brick” April 24th.Now the title “The Brick” how did you chose it? Was it just the five “125 bar” tracks that inspired the name?
The 125’s did inspire the title, but in parentheses I had “Bodega Chronicles” under it to let you know that my album is actually like a picture in front of the corner store. That’s what it is, it’s what you see standing there because you get everything in front of the corner store you get the hustlers, you get the robbers, you get the sluts, you get the working man, you get it all. And im just a common guy like anybody else im a fan with a deal and thats the fealing of my album and as far as the “Bodega Chronicles” its the puerto rican kid from Brooklyn that used to be on the corner that’s getting a shot.Now as far as the title of the album, when you were thinking of the name, was there any fears of it being used against you negatively if say the sales don’t do as well especially with the pressure of it being your first album?
(Laughs) Yeah, but thats daring. Thats the kind of guy I am, I take chances. People that don’t take chances don’t go anywhere. Not me that ain’t happening, it’s to real. Like I’ve said im a fan first so I double, I triple, I quadruple checked my album. I have threw songs away I added songs. Its gonna be a word of mouth record, those who know me now they’ll go buy it, those who didn’t know are gonna get told by the ones who bought it.
With the spotlight shining back on the up and comers of New York such as Papoose, Saigon, and yourself all who have a reputation for being lyrical rappers, do you think with the state that the game is in right now there is still room for artist such as yourselves?
This is a question that a lot of people have asked me and Im always giving the same answer, rap is rhyming and lyricist do that the best, it’s coming back around. The reason that hip hop turned into what it turned into is because there is a lot more money being involved. So because of that niggas started talking about how much they can purchase a chain for, there’s a show called pimp my ride, there’s Mtv Cribs, its huge now, it’s the money. So dudes are straying away from what originally worked. That’s what let me know hip hop ain’t die, it just got sidetracked for a second, it got overwhelming. Big Daddy Kane, G Rap and em didn’t get a deal for 3 million or 1.5 mil out the gate as a new incoming artist! You taking dudes straight out the block and giving them money that they never had and all types of shit is happening to them in one week and it’s easy to get sidetracked. But im starting to see that it’s coming back, now everyone is taking a deep breath. Everyone is like hold on a second lets get back what was working, what started it, what made it get to the point were we can earn millions, and it was the art, the craft of hip hop. It was dudes rhyming over beats no catch no punches, no let’s make this record for the club, no direction of records just rhyming and if you landed in the club it was because the DJ was a fan of you and he put you in his bag and he played you later. That’s what im trying bring back.
Now as far as your influences go it’s no big secret that you’re a fan of Pun, you have even paid homage to him in your own track, but are there any other artist that haven given influence to your music and career?
I mean you got dudes like Jay-Z, that i was listening to young. You got Nas, you got Biggie Smalls, you even got the the early Lox, who i think came in with that witty shit that really don’t get mentioned enough. Those are the dudes I was listening to or paying close attention to. Even listening to Canibus when he came around.Question Canibus or LL Cool J?
LL Cool J pioneer can’t say nothing bad about him, great guy, but Canibus was dope though. Like I say, im a fan first, theres been plenty of times that i’ve heard that guy and been like damn. I was inspired by the early 90’s, the New York early 90’s I know what was going on there, The Purple Tape, im in that generation.Speaking of pioneers before you, you have appeared on tracks with Kool G Rap, Big Daddy Kane, Krs-One, and as of recent months Immortal Technique. Although the aformentioned names are great lyricist in their own rights any concerns over being pigeon holed as say a “Backpack Rapper”?
No. Everybody overthinks things sometimes. You can’t get pigeon holed when your bringing it to a broader stage. See people don’t know how to spoon feed. The audience it not always gonna be on your level mentally, so you have to find a way to dilute things. Babys when there born can’t drink flat out milk, you have to dilute it, it’s real heavy on them. You can’t be chanting positive rap, you can’t be out there saying listen you guys out there can’t be selling crack and killing your own, because dudes will be like well you come and pay my fucking bills then. But when you can tell them listen, I did and it’s wrong and I can tell you why, there’s a difference. You got to paint vivid pictures because the littlest part of the story sometimes has the biggest meaning. I mean we can all say “I sold crack”, weve all said it before “I sold crack and I shot guns”, but who’s gonna say, I sold crack to a pregnate woman and felt like crap afterwards. That’s how you become one with your audience, so that backpack shit don’t apply to someone who is just real. The same thing I do on Koch, is the same thing im going to do at Aftermath, its just on a bigger stage, with bigger names. The money is not gonna change me dude, you can’t way out a kid that did 25 years in the projects and say that the next five years is gonna make me and change me. I’ll never forget. I’ll never forget the cans of Spaghetti O’s in mid February, the sitting over by the stove because the heat didn’t work, I can’t forget that. Thats what drove me to get out of there.You’ve stated before in the past that a couple of A&Rs have criticized you on your weight, look, collaborations, and even on the online journal you had on HipHopGame.com because it didn’t adhere to the mindset of what a rapper is supposed to be nowadays, with that said, do you think that the game is stuck on appearances?
I just think that it goes back to the money that’s involved and the things they’re trying to sell. When hip hop first started niggas were selling dope beats and mcs. Now there selling producers and rappers. It is kinda materialistic, it’s selling sex to be honest. Ive been in meetings where like you said, they play records and be like “this dude is crazy but he needs to lose weight” or “this dude is crazy but I didn’t see that twinkle in his eyes” or “damn that record was crazy but he didn’t have a shape-up”. And im like I didn’t sign up for that! I signed up to rhyme, what are ya niggas talking about? But that didn’t stop me, I was like cool that’s what ya dudes see. I could have been with any of you labels, I met with you guys and all that, but it took some guy from the West to say “I don’t give a shit how he looks, hes coming over here, if i think hes overweight i’ll put him in a gym, but this kid has it.” Im glad, really glad that it didn’t work out with all these other labels. That last meeting with Dre was the last meeting I did and im here now, with two record deals, when I was fighting for one. It’s an accomplishment.
So how does it feel working under Dre knowing that he has shelved some of the projects of big name artists under his roster such as Rakim and Eve, do you think that adds pressure to you?
No, well it’s pressure being over there in general working with Dr. Dre a pioneer, NWA, you know the history. But as far as being shelved? No, because im excited and he’s excited, everyones excited. And I got a good work ethic, I bust my ass. I do songs on a daily basis because I love doing them. Imma make him excited, he’s a fan of rap, we’re all rap fans, you can’t deny what you hear. Even if hes focused on something different and someone comes and plays him something that has him like “what the hell was that?” It’s an easy transition to be like ok time to go because this is easy.So your not gonna be aiming records for clubs or radio your just planning to make good records?
Nah just making good records. The same way he told Em to do it. He didn’t change Eminem. “Hi my name is” was his first single, he(Dre) could have gone with any different record but he just put his angle on a bigger stage. Dre is like “that’s what you run with, that’s how you do it, that’s what i signed, imma get you the bigger audience.” That’s all he does and he’s going to put this kid that loves hip hop on, that wants that old feeling back on a big stage, and im going to perform.
COMMENTS
Okay, I COULDN'T take it anymore, hahahaa... this joint has been up FOR HOURS and NO ONE has posted; me, i ain't even read it but i couldn't stand seein' the donut any longer.
I read it, Sounds like a good dude. I'll give it a listen.
yea i read it....he cool but dre has got his eye on alot of dudes....i still think bishop gonna make the most noise...ither him or G. malone.....they from the West coast so keep a look out for they albums....
yeah your right eddie2110, you cant help but like this guy, Im gonna try and bu his Album when it comes out. Thanks Defsounds
it's good to see a full interview on defsounds, this is what we need more of, esp if this site wanna compete with allhiphop and all the others, as for joell ortiz, the guys is sick, he can rap rap, aftermath looks like it's got the next two to three years on lock . . .
50
Eminem
Dre (Detox)
Busta
Stat Quo
Bishop
Joell Ortiz
Raekwon
and god knows who else
Wait wait wait....
You know what you sound like? Someone who can make some change. Are you a writer? Budding journalist? If you'd seriously like to know, AHH should be watching out for US, not the other way around. Minus their occasional interviews and Illseed's rumors, what exactly are they?- Nothing. We've been here less than a year and are gaining ground.
Hell, our design even trumps theirs.
Back to you though. If you have some talent, you can always hit up Info@defsounds.com. I'm sure the boss would love to hear from someone with so many suggestions/ideas for how things should work. We look forward to hearing your thoughts.
Fullmetal you talking about me cuz I've been talking to Jokesta about writing for this site and it's been a while since we talked
Oh yeah... I forgot.... If you don't like the way we run things here...And AHH is so much better.....
GET THE FUCK OUTTA HERE!
*shows him the door*
worrrrrrrrrrrrd
NIGGA U AINT DA REAL DRE
THAT FAKE DRE MUST BE SOMEBODY FROM DIP-SET DOING THAT INTERNET HOMO SHIT AGAIN..WOOOWWW LIFE MUST BAD FOR HIM.
Sounds like Pun and he sounds like a cool dude hope his album cud make history. I think dis the man that gon bring back up N.y. back to our regular level
hopefully this dude lives up to his full potential he is suppossed to be as good as Pap in NY but i dont know about that im about to cop his album and see what this dude is about
dude is sick.
i heard him spit he got it i hope he dont get comfy and fall off. as 4 the album ima cop it. support real hiphop. 80s baby, 90s survivor. holla
i heard a few joints from him n every track was fire.hopes he stays hungry.
that shyt was crack!!!!...he's betta than 75% of da game rite now...oh and J.D. give him his bread man...he need it more than u do...that's a 1/2 nite @ magic city...
This dude is nice
in the famous wordz of phife dog the kid is booond.his word play is like well something that the game really deserves to have within the next few year, providing that he keeps it regular (real) he'll be in considreration of a valued mc he has something that no new mc has to day he has IT... WHAT EVER IT IS HE Has IT. HE HAS NO FLOW TO REMINECS ON WHICH IS GOOD HE TRULEY HOLDS HIS OWN W/SOME OF TODAY HIP HOP MC'SI GUESS THERE'S NOTHING MORE TO SAY BUT YO DO YOUR THING ORTIZ
Like dem Va niggaz said 4 and a half will get u in the game. 125 grams of pure raw lyrics. Str-8 Crack for yall hip hop junkies. Now the good Dr. Dre has his hands on him. I think I know who Game should give that chaing to. Real Music right here.
dis nigga is sickkkkkk wit it... joell ortiz rep it hard nigga
Good luck on your upcoming cd. Been listening to some of His music I must say this guy is probably the best fresh MC from BK. He can become the next best thing from Brooklyn. Following Hov and Biggie.
ANYONE LISTEN TO HIS SONG WIT AKON. KEEP ON CALLING. MAN GOOD SONG A REAL GOOD SONG.
RealTalk deserves no attention any longer. He said Jay-Z isn't a legend. Whether or not you like Jay-Z or not, whether you think he's the best of all time or not, there's really no doubt that he's up there as one of the best.
Besides, RealTalk blows at spelling, the fool is straight uneducated and we're supposed to be listening to this guy? Sargon gave him a chance to get educated in something (ancient history) but RealTalk, always the one to back down from anything intellectual, says "who kares!" Give me a fuckin break.
that man joel ortiz is nice he got talent....... his voice remind me of sheek louch jus alil bit ...dont think he spit n.e thin like him jus somethin about his voice sometimes sounds alitlle like sheek
joell is a torch no doubt let's just see how the world reacts to true hip hop
Heeeee HAaaaaaaaa! Machuman pussy! he likes 50 that aint real hip hop Joell Ortiz he make good music happy for ma bro he makin dough hope he gon support the hood n not fall off like da rest
LONG LIVE REAL HIP HOP
NY NY
new york track with murder was a BIG track !!
i love this shit
go ahead joell-
feier echten rap und werde glücklich
mutterficker