Smashing up Europe on his Rap Mayhem Tour
Quote from Vinnie moments after his sold out show in Italy at the weekend…
“I’ve done a lot of things in my life. Music has done things for me I never imagined, but performing in front of 1,300 kids in Italy… where I’m from? Where my father is from? It was the most beautiful experience of my life. I felt my father with me. They chanted my name: “Vin-Cen-Zo, Vin-Cen-Zo.” I cried onstage for the first time in my life. For the first time in my life, I felt like I did my father proud. I can retire now. It’s been a good run. Thanks…”
Welcome to DMCWORLD Vinnie. Do you think Philadelphia has been given enough respect in rap game history? Hilltop Hustlers, Schooly D, DJ Miz, Cash Money, Tuff Crew..there were some big players back in the day making music in your home city…
“Hey Dan! We’ve always been the little brother to New York. Philly’s rap history runs deep though, the people who know their hip-hop history know that and recognize that.”
The way you started out in the music industry is so similar to thousands of others. Rhyming outside a record store, writing graffiti, smoking blunts inhume made studios, making rough tracks on shit equipment. What was it like for an Italian kid throwing down lines amongst all those dudes – did it take a while for them to take you seriously?
“Of course, but hip hop has always been an art form where you’ve had to earn your stripes. i wouldn’t have expected anything less.”
How big a moment for you was pressing up ‘Souls From The Street’ onto vinyl. That must have made the whole journey seem real?
It did. Taking it from Stoupe’s bedroom to actual vinyl made it real and motivated us to go further.”
You have just kicked off the European leg of the Rap Mayhem Tour with Ill, Pharoahe Monch and O.C.&A.G – you hate touring, it depresses you, you love your own bed! How are you handling it, we understand touring is where the money is…
“I complain, but, at the end of the day, I know I’m lucky that I get to do what I do.”
Which country do you always love returning to?
“Sweden has always shown us a lot of love, but the crowds across Europe and the UK in general are always hype.”
You have an amazingly loyal fan base all across the globe. How important is it to keep it real, you never try and trick your fans like so many others do…
“That’s our whole business model: respect the fans. We try to do stuff that we liked as fans or that we would’ve wanted to see artists do when we were coming up as fans.”
I read an article somewhere where they something like 28 out of 30 artists signed to major labels admitted that their A&R’s always try and persuade them to write records about girls, cars, clothes and cribs. What are your thoughts on that?
“That’s what you get when you sign up to be a part of that world. There’s no use complaining about it after the fact. If you want creative control, put your money where your mouth is and do your own thing.”
So your brand new solo album ‘God Of The Serengeti’ hits the shops on Monday – a well used line from yourself is that “records are like girlfriends, you always like the one that you’re with right now the best”. So, is this your best yet?
“I think so, but that’s really for the fans to decide.”
The subject matter on the album contain references to religion, war, politics, mythology, conspiracy theories and the paranormal. Which track’s lyrics are you most proudest of?
I don’t really dissect my own music like that. That’s in the fans’ hands now.”
The way you process a song is different to many others. Things that happened 20 days ago don’t get a look in, things that happened 20 years ago are more prominent in your mind when you are writing stuff. Dude, you have a lot of shit stored up in your head…how does that work for you?
“Figuring out what goes on in my head is a mystery.”
The production and guest MCs duties on this all-killer-no-filler long player are mind blowing. Who really stood out for you on the album?
“They’re all meaningful to me in different ways, but obviously getting a chance to work with legends like DJ Premier, Scarface and Mobb Deep are career highlights for me.”
What’s coming next from you studio wise, how far down the line are you with another Heavy Metal Kings record?
“After this tour, Bill and I are getting back to work on HMK 2.”
The last JMT album was obviously notable for Stoupe’s absence. You have moaned many a time over the years about his slowness in the studio – your first album that you recorded in his parents basement took nine months. It took a further three years to complete ‘Violent By Design’. Looking back, is there any resentment from your part thinking, man, we could have so much more prolific over the years – or are you happy how the journey has mapped out? As you say, slow motion is better than no motion….
“Resentment and regret are a waste of time. We’ve always been a quality over quantity operation, So hopefully Stoupe, Jus and I have left some music in our trail that stands the test of time.”
What does the future hold for yourself and Stoupe? Have the personality clashes killed off this partnership?
“Never say never. We may work together again somewhere down the road, but we’re both happy doing things on our own right now.”
What is the best piece of advice you can offer to the thousands of aspiring kids reading this who want to follow you into this cray industry?
“Stay in school.”
Over at DMC we’re feeling that there is a real lack of music fans out there right now, shit, we all used to just enjoy the music! Now everyone wants a piece of the industry be it DJing, promoting, whatever. Thoughts on that?
“We need more fans…fans that are purely fans. It’s OK to just be a fan.”
You’ve always stated you ‘DONT GIVE A FUCK’. And you really don’t. You know you have been a good son, a good brother and you have had an amazing career – man, selling 500,000 albums with no record deal is no mean shit. So what are your thoughts on how the internet has given kids hiding behind their computers giving you critique on line?
“There are some legit sites that do real music journalism with real critics with real journalistic credentials and integrity. Those outlets are respectable. The rest of these dudes with cut-and-paste blogs, twitter accounts and whatnot who cast stones and then hide in anonymity don’t deserve anyone’s respect. They should feel lucky the internet has given them a forum to be heard.”
Vinnie Paz – ‘God Of The Serengeti’ out now on Enemy Soil
“To be able to work with legends that I came up listening to, like DJ Premier, Scarface, Mobb Deep, The Beatnuts, Tragedy Khadafi and Kool G. Rap is a blessing and an honor” Vinnie Paz
Tracklisting:
1. ‘Shadow of the Guillotine’ (featuring Q-Unique) produced by DJ Lethal
2. ‘Slum Chemist’ produced by C-Lance
3. ‘The Oracle’ produced by DJ Premier
4. ‘And Your Blood Will Blot Out the Sun’ (featuring Immortal Technique & Poison Pen) produced by Tony Kenyatta
5. ‘Last Breath’ (featuring Chris Rivers aka Baby Pun & Whispers) produced by C-Lance
6. ‘Crime Library’ (featuring Blaq Poet) produced by Marco Polo
7. ‘Feign Submission (Interlude)’ produced by JBL the Titan
8. ‘Duel to the Death’ (featuring Mobb Deep) produced by Stu Bangas
9. ‘Problem Solver’ (featuring Scarface) produced by The Arcitype
10. ‘Battle Hymn’ (featuring Apathy, King Syze, Crypt the Warchild, Jus Allah, Esoteric, Blacastan, Celph Titled & Planetary) produced by Mr. Green
11. ‘Geometry of Business’ (featuring La Coka Nostra) produced by Havoc
12. ‘Jake LaMotta’ produced by Illinformed
13. ‘7 Fires of Prophecy’ (featuring Tragedy Khadafi) produced by Beatnick Dee
14. ‘Cheesesteaks’ produced by Psycho Les 3
15. ‘Cold, Dark, and Empty’ (featuring FT & Smoke) produced by Jack of All Trades
16. ‘Razor Gloves’ (featuring R.A. the Rugged Man) produced by MTK
17. ‘Wolves Amongst the Sheep’ (featuring Kool G Rap & Block McCloud) produced by C-Lance
18. ‘You Can’t Be Neutral On a Moving Train’ produced by C-Lance, JBL the Titan
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