"Touch the Sky" was the first time a lot of people heard of you. Yet, Kanye West is not on this album. Did you feel like you needed to do your own thing?
We're working with Kanye...we're still recording. I was only saying that Kanye is not on the version that got leaked to the internet. It's still an on-going process, but I don't want to have an artist on my record based on big names or popularity, but Kanye and I have a great relationship. I have Needlez on this album as well.No doubt. What lessons have your learned from being on so many different labels?
All labels are the same. The people change but the bottom line never changes. The bottom line is to sell records, in some instances, by any means necessary. You should always maintain your creative control. I would never sign to any label where I don't have 100% creative control, and just understand that all labels are the same...until you sell a billion records, then you're a completely different animal.I feel you. What are your thoughts on the two big losses this year - Proof and J Dilla?
It's crazy, I was actually in L.A. when Dilla passed away, and they did like a Release Party at the store for his abum at a clothing store called Union. I remember they had a shirt in there and it was fresh. It had a man with a donut head at the back. And then later, I went on some website they said "Dilla passed away" and I was like "oh snap! I was just looking at his T-Shirt for the release party like yesterday." It's a really heavy loss for hip-hop. The Proof situation was just like "What!?" That's crazy. It doesn't scare me or shock me or nothing, people get shot all the time.See that's the thing: some people say "these things happen all the time" and others are like "this black-on-black violence has to stop"...
All violence needs to stop, not just black-on-black violence.Absolutely. Any last words for your fans?
The album is coming. It's not pushed back. June 27th, June 26th in the U.K. Thanks for the articles, it kind of took a load off the people.No, thanks for your time man.
