Ever since you said, "Def Jam lost their soul. They forgot how to build an artist, so I'll remind them," have you noticed any major improvement over there?
(Hesitates for about 10 seconds...) You know what, I'm not even gonna lie. I can't say. Ask anyone at Def Jam, I only show my face three times a year. I'll be a fool to tell you, "Well, it don't look like they're treating me right." Only thing I know is, I'm coming into this game...not as an artist. I'm coming as an asset. That's why I show my face three times a year. To let them know, I'm self-generated. I don't need to come up here (Def Jam offices) to look for a check, when I come up here it's like a breath of fresh air. "Oh, Redman's in the building? Sh*t, we better get around him, we might not see him again." What I see going on is another issue with Def Jam and the artists that don't even have to be, because you know everybody's a grown man here. Jay-Z is a grown-a** man and he was an artist, and I'm sure he understands what an artist needs. Now, if that artist wasn't getting what they're supposed to, then of course something needs to be done. But I don't think that's the kind of thing you bring out to the public. I don't give a f**k what Def Jam do, I'll let them know that when I'm out on these damn roads I'm shaking these motherf***n hands on my own. I don't need no third party. Like if I had to meet you and you say you need an interview, you don't have to go through all these things to get me on the phone. I'll be like "Yo, listen, just call me right quick and we'll be direct with it. And I think people respect that a little more than a third party.That's real.
When you go out there with that kind of attitude, you're letting them know "this n****a is gonna do his thing regardless if we do our job." I know the pressure that's on right now. I got to succeed in what I do. I know what's going with Method Man and LL Cool J. I know what's going on, man.You see yourself going to a different label in the future?
No. Maybe. I ain't gon' lie, I tried to get over there with Slim Shady. Big up to Eminem. He was down to come get me. Def Jam was like "Nah, you're staying right here." So, I'm cool. I'm happy here.Em has a lot of respect for you, it seems. Being one of the best emcees ever, what 5 emcees would be on your team in a contest?
It would be me, Erick Sermon, Supernatural, Eminem, KRS-One. [Ed's note: It took Red approximately three minutes to finally decide on his fave five.]How soon should we expect another Red & Meth or Def Squad album?
I'm glad you asked. It's in the mix right now. Matter of fact, EPMD is in the studios working on an album. Then after that, Erick Sermon is doing the Def Squad album.Any final words for the fans?
March 27, Red Gone Wild. After that I'm on the road. Y'all look on the website funkdoc.com or gillahouse.net for mixtapes. I'm opening up an all Action sneaker store in Staten Island. Everybody thinks I'm opening up a shoe store, it's not a shoe store. I am starting a women shoe line but I'm not opening it up at a store yet. it's gonna be an Action footwear store. To all my women, the shoe store is coming.We appreciate your time, Red.
Thank you, man.