grandgood

TWU: Right old ways of marketing records don’t seem to be working, which is worrying for the independent artists. When you talk about the endangered lyricist, is that what you are referring to?

RK: I think it’s deeper than that. Jay-Z has put himself pretty much in a position to become the first rap billionaire but I’m talking about the Ras Kass, people that maybe for whatever reason aren’t. Nas, he put himself in a position to at least be heard by the world and whatever happens then after that is about what politics does. I don’t buy a Jay-Z album, not because I don’t like Jay-Z but because Talib Kweli may need that record sale more. 50 Cent is still on his way to being a billionaire whether he sells one copy or a million in first week. So, I probably won’t buy a 50 Cent album, not because I don’t like his music, it’s just that there’s somebody that needs it more. I want to support Hip-Hop and make it better so I may have to buy a Common album, as opposed to buying an Eminem album. That’s what the ‘endangered lyricist’ is about, it’s about keeping the balance. No bees, no pollination, no trees, no oxygen, you know what I’m saying? I remember going to the studio when I was working on Goldyn Child and Nas came in like the day he dropped ‘Ether’ and was like ‘Goldyn Child didn’t come out. I went to the fucking record store and that shit wasn’t out.’ I was just like wow he gave a fuck! Nas is literally having a career-changing thing with ‘Ether,’ wakes up and thinks Ras Kass’ album’s coming out. We give a fuck and we support each other.

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