ilikehoagies
09-07-2007, 07:34 PM
Little Brother (Big Pooh)
http://artofrhyme.com/imagez/pooh_int.jpg
So how are you doing man?
Big Pooh: I'm good man. Just interview day, you know? [Laughs]
I hear you. So why'd you decide to name the album The Getback?
Pooh: Just getting back to worrying about making music, not worrying about all the other bullshit that this game can bring you. Whether it's our label situation, our group going from three to two, people's criticism of the last record or the lack of
sales from the last record or whatever. They are on that outside bullshit. We just wanted to get back to having fun and making music., remembering why we started doing this shit in the first place. Sometimes you lose sight of that when you're caught up with the politics and bullshit in the music business. You lose sight of why you started making music in the first place. We had to take time and remember why we make music and that's what we tried to do.
Who are the guests and producers that contributed?
Pooh: Of course we had my man Khyrsis. Illmind, he did the bulk of the project. 9th wonder did a joint. We got Hi Tek, Denaun Porter and Nottz. We got two relatively new comers, my man Zo, and my man Rashid.
How'd the Lil Wayne collaboration come about? Did you guys reach out to him or the other way around?
Pooh: I reached out to him. Originally we met in Houston at the All Star game at the top of 06. My dude had a radio station or whatever and that's when we found out he was actually a fan of our group. We briefly spoke and it so happened that we were supposed to get up for "The Dedication 2", but that never went down. He ended up rapping over the "Loving' It" beat. When we were going about making this project, we heard a joint and we could hear him on it. I ended up two-waying him and he hit me back. I shot the joint to him and two days later he kicked the joint right back to us.
Is that the 9th Wonder produced track?
Pooh: Yeah.
When you start an album are you looking for a certain type of vibe or approach, or do you just pick the beats that sound dope?
Pooh: When we do records we first try to generally find out where we want to go with the record and what we want to accomplish with the record. That's when the task of picking beats comes about. We don't necessarily pick what we think is the dopest beat. People make that mistake a lot. They try to go find the dopest beat but every beat ain't made for you. Shiiiiiit, I know we probably passed up a couple beats that were probably crazy! Just wasn't for us. We just look for the beats that fit what we're looking for, that fit what we are trying to do. Sometimes they come right at you, sometimes they take a while.
Is there going to be a special guest appearance by Percy Miracles?
Pooh: Nah, no more Percy Miracles. Phonte decided to kill that character. So yeah, no more Percy Miracles.
I notice you kept it pretty short at 11 tracks.
Pooh: Keeping it short was actually a goal that we had set out to do. We were used to making the longer version albums with a lot of skits and things. For this record we decided to do something we haven't done yet and that was to make a scaled down record. As far as it being 11 tracks, we were actually going to go back and add a track or two. We just felt like we were forcing it. After just listening to what we had, we decided the 11 tracks were sufficient enough.
So there wasn't any difficulty feeling like you left anything out, it just kind of worked perfect?
Pooh: Yeah, it just worked out. I mean we recorded more than eleven tracks. It was like trying to fit a circle in a square peg. So it was like fuck it, run with the eleven. Let's stop trying to force these other tracks on here.
Any solo tracks?
Pooh: Nah, no solo tracks this record.
Is there going to be a video for "Good Clothes" or any other singles?
Pooh: I have no idea. That's what happens when you're playing with someone else's money, you know? [Laughs] We aren't in control of none of that. Everyone's been asking if there is going to be a video or saying the album probably got pushed back because there ain't no video yet. None of that shit is in our control. We don't control the budget; we don't control the money or lack of money. We're not in control of none of that shit. All we can control is making the music. We could easily go out there and shoot a little cheap video ourselves, but would it really do that song justice? We don't think it will, so that's why we haven't done that yet.
How do you feel about the album being pushed back?
Pooh: I'm pissed the fuck off. It's a mixed bag of emotions. Pissed, frustrated, angry, you're ready to give up, disappointed. Especially with this type of push back. It has nothing to do with us. It's not because we didn't do this or that in time. We kept getting reassurances from our label saying that we would make our day, or if we we're going to be pushed back, we would be pushed back a week. But a fucking month? That hit us like running into a brick wall.
How'd you end up choosing ABB Records to release The Get Back?
Pooh: It was one of those things where we had originally signed to them. Back in 02, we had signed a three album record deal. We ended up doing The Listening, that was one, and The Minstrel Show released through Atlantic, that was the second. When we decided that we didn't want to be on Atlantic anymore, we ended up going to ABB for this last record. I'm trying to show a little bit of loyalty. We had originally signed for three albums and we knew we didn't want to sign another major label deal. Like I said, trying to show some loyalty. We figured end it with a bang and give them this last record. That's turned into to a fucking nightmare right now. It's one of the choices we made.
What's it been like as opposed to working with Atlantic Records?
Pooh: The major difference is money and resources. That's the major difference. Atlantic can cut a check tomorrow if need be. They have long arms; they can reach many people at one time. When you're with an independent your resources are limited, money's limited. It's just some thing,s you know? That's why they're independent, you know I'm saying? [Laughs]
Do you hold your breath as the release date gets closer hoping it doesn't leak?
Pooh: We weren't really worried about that. Most of the leaks happen is either because someone at your label leaks it out or someone in the press leaks out promos you sent for them to review. We didn't press a large quantity of promo records to send out to press. The label's small so we had an understanding that "keeps that shit to yourself". Not too worried about leaks this go around.
What do you think of the Okayplayer community? Do you think it's supportive?
Pooh: It can be. It can be very critical, blatantly disrespectful; it can be a whole bunch of things. That's what you get when you're on the internet. You get a mixed bag of all those things. I personally look at it as entertainment. I don't get too wrapped up in it. Everybody has their own opinion, everybody has their own perception of how they think things should go or assume how things work. 95% of the time motherfuckers don't know what they are talking about. It's the internet at the end of the day.
We know Phonte is working on an EP with Zo. There's word you have another solo album coming out?
Pooh: Oh yeah, I got a couple records coming out. The first one is called Dirty Pretty Things. It'll be out hopefully in February. That's going to be like my street album in preparation for my actual second record, The Measure of a Man. That will be out later in 08.
What's the deal with Foreign Exchange?
Pooh: I believe they are almost finished with the record. They have been going hard at it. I know last time I checked that had like eight or nine joints finished. They have been going hard, so sometime in 08.
You've been supportive of Peter Rosenberg's show on Hot 97, tell us a little about that.
Pooh: Yeah man, that's our dude from way back. We had actually met him when he was doing radio in DC. Real cool people, part of the Low Budget crew out of Maryland. Kenn Starr, Oddisee, Kev Brown and all of them. They are real supportive of our movement and we are real supportive of their movement. We'll always support Pete and I wish him the best.
Important question, how do you feel about R. Kelly's trial get delayed again until Spring of 08?
Pooh: Man that shit is going to keep getting pushed back.
[Laughs]
Pooh: R. Kelly got money cuz! You got money, you can do shit like that. Anyone else they would've been gone to trial, been got convicted, been in the midst of doing their jail time already.
Fellow Justus League member Median's Relief drops the same day as The Getback, what do you think of the album?
Pooh: I haven't heard it.
You haven't heard it??
Pooh: Nah, I haven't heard it. I wish Median the best but it's not a thing where like I hear everything that comes out the camp. I haven't spoken to Median in a while. It's not a situation where we talk like once a week or once a month or whatever. I do wish him the best though his album finally is getting released.
If you get a chance you have to listen to "Brenda's Baby". Ill track.
Pooh: I heard some of that though. I remember hearing a piece of that.
Anything else you'd like to add?
Pooh: Thanks for supporting Little Brother. The Getback will be on the way soon, hopefully. We won't disappoint ya'll.
Drew & Andy
http://artofrhyme.com/Interviews/AORInterviews.php?id=50 (http://www.arizonabeats.com/forum/redirector.php?url=%68%74%74%70%3a%2f%2f%61%72%74% 6f%66%72%68%79%6d%65%2e%63%6f%6d%2f%49%6e%74%65%72 %76%69%65%77%73%2f%41%4f%52%49%6e%74%65%72%76%69%6 5%77%73%2e%70%68%70%3f%69%64%3d%35%30)
http://artofrhyme.com/imagez/pooh_int.jpg
So how are you doing man?
Big Pooh: I'm good man. Just interview day, you know? [Laughs]
I hear you. So why'd you decide to name the album The Getback?
Pooh: Just getting back to worrying about making music, not worrying about all the other bullshit that this game can bring you. Whether it's our label situation, our group going from three to two, people's criticism of the last record or the lack of
sales from the last record or whatever. They are on that outside bullshit. We just wanted to get back to having fun and making music., remembering why we started doing this shit in the first place. Sometimes you lose sight of that when you're caught up with the politics and bullshit in the music business. You lose sight of why you started making music in the first place. We had to take time and remember why we make music and that's what we tried to do.
Who are the guests and producers that contributed?
Pooh: Of course we had my man Khyrsis. Illmind, he did the bulk of the project. 9th wonder did a joint. We got Hi Tek, Denaun Porter and Nottz. We got two relatively new comers, my man Zo, and my man Rashid.
How'd the Lil Wayne collaboration come about? Did you guys reach out to him or the other way around?
Pooh: I reached out to him. Originally we met in Houston at the All Star game at the top of 06. My dude had a radio station or whatever and that's when we found out he was actually a fan of our group. We briefly spoke and it so happened that we were supposed to get up for "The Dedication 2", but that never went down. He ended up rapping over the "Loving' It" beat. When we were going about making this project, we heard a joint and we could hear him on it. I ended up two-waying him and he hit me back. I shot the joint to him and two days later he kicked the joint right back to us.
Is that the 9th Wonder produced track?
Pooh: Yeah.
When you start an album are you looking for a certain type of vibe or approach, or do you just pick the beats that sound dope?
Pooh: When we do records we first try to generally find out where we want to go with the record and what we want to accomplish with the record. That's when the task of picking beats comes about. We don't necessarily pick what we think is the dopest beat. People make that mistake a lot. They try to go find the dopest beat but every beat ain't made for you. Shiiiiiit, I know we probably passed up a couple beats that were probably crazy! Just wasn't for us. We just look for the beats that fit what we're looking for, that fit what we are trying to do. Sometimes they come right at you, sometimes they take a while.
Is there going to be a special guest appearance by Percy Miracles?
Pooh: Nah, no more Percy Miracles. Phonte decided to kill that character. So yeah, no more Percy Miracles.
I notice you kept it pretty short at 11 tracks.
Pooh: Keeping it short was actually a goal that we had set out to do. We were used to making the longer version albums with a lot of skits and things. For this record we decided to do something we haven't done yet and that was to make a scaled down record. As far as it being 11 tracks, we were actually going to go back and add a track or two. We just felt like we were forcing it. After just listening to what we had, we decided the 11 tracks were sufficient enough.
So there wasn't any difficulty feeling like you left anything out, it just kind of worked perfect?
Pooh: Yeah, it just worked out. I mean we recorded more than eleven tracks. It was like trying to fit a circle in a square peg. So it was like fuck it, run with the eleven. Let's stop trying to force these other tracks on here.
Any solo tracks?
Pooh: Nah, no solo tracks this record.
Is there going to be a video for "Good Clothes" or any other singles?
Pooh: I have no idea. That's what happens when you're playing with someone else's money, you know? [Laughs] We aren't in control of none of that. Everyone's been asking if there is going to be a video or saying the album probably got pushed back because there ain't no video yet. None of that shit is in our control. We don't control the budget; we don't control the money or lack of money. We're not in control of none of that shit. All we can control is making the music. We could easily go out there and shoot a little cheap video ourselves, but would it really do that song justice? We don't think it will, so that's why we haven't done that yet.
How do you feel about the album being pushed back?
Pooh: I'm pissed the fuck off. It's a mixed bag of emotions. Pissed, frustrated, angry, you're ready to give up, disappointed. Especially with this type of push back. It has nothing to do with us. It's not because we didn't do this or that in time. We kept getting reassurances from our label saying that we would make our day, or if we we're going to be pushed back, we would be pushed back a week. But a fucking month? That hit us like running into a brick wall.
How'd you end up choosing ABB Records to release The Get Back?
Pooh: It was one of those things where we had originally signed to them. Back in 02, we had signed a three album record deal. We ended up doing The Listening, that was one, and The Minstrel Show released through Atlantic, that was the second. When we decided that we didn't want to be on Atlantic anymore, we ended up going to ABB for this last record. I'm trying to show a little bit of loyalty. We had originally signed for three albums and we knew we didn't want to sign another major label deal. Like I said, trying to show some loyalty. We figured end it with a bang and give them this last record. That's turned into to a fucking nightmare right now. It's one of the choices we made.
What's it been like as opposed to working with Atlantic Records?
Pooh: The major difference is money and resources. That's the major difference. Atlantic can cut a check tomorrow if need be. They have long arms; they can reach many people at one time. When you're with an independent your resources are limited, money's limited. It's just some thing,s you know? That's why they're independent, you know I'm saying? [Laughs]
Do you hold your breath as the release date gets closer hoping it doesn't leak?
Pooh: We weren't really worried about that. Most of the leaks happen is either because someone at your label leaks it out or someone in the press leaks out promos you sent for them to review. We didn't press a large quantity of promo records to send out to press. The label's small so we had an understanding that "keeps that shit to yourself". Not too worried about leaks this go around.
What do you think of the Okayplayer community? Do you think it's supportive?
Pooh: It can be. It can be very critical, blatantly disrespectful; it can be a whole bunch of things. That's what you get when you're on the internet. You get a mixed bag of all those things. I personally look at it as entertainment. I don't get too wrapped up in it. Everybody has their own opinion, everybody has their own perception of how they think things should go or assume how things work. 95% of the time motherfuckers don't know what they are talking about. It's the internet at the end of the day.
We know Phonte is working on an EP with Zo. There's word you have another solo album coming out?
Pooh: Oh yeah, I got a couple records coming out. The first one is called Dirty Pretty Things. It'll be out hopefully in February. That's going to be like my street album in preparation for my actual second record, The Measure of a Man. That will be out later in 08.
What's the deal with Foreign Exchange?
Pooh: I believe they are almost finished with the record. They have been going hard at it. I know last time I checked that had like eight or nine joints finished. They have been going hard, so sometime in 08.
You've been supportive of Peter Rosenberg's show on Hot 97, tell us a little about that.
Pooh: Yeah man, that's our dude from way back. We had actually met him when he was doing radio in DC. Real cool people, part of the Low Budget crew out of Maryland. Kenn Starr, Oddisee, Kev Brown and all of them. They are real supportive of our movement and we are real supportive of their movement. We'll always support Pete and I wish him the best.
Important question, how do you feel about R. Kelly's trial get delayed again until Spring of 08?
Pooh: Man that shit is going to keep getting pushed back.
[Laughs]
Pooh: R. Kelly got money cuz! You got money, you can do shit like that. Anyone else they would've been gone to trial, been got convicted, been in the midst of doing their jail time already.
Fellow Justus League member Median's Relief drops the same day as The Getback, what do you think of the album?
Pooh: I haven't heard it.
You haven't heard it??
Pooh: Nah, I haven't heard it. I wish Median the best but it's not a thing where like I hear everything that comes out the camp. I haven't spoken to Median in a while. It's not a situation where we talk like once a week or once a month or whatever. I do wish him the best though his album finally is getting released.
If you get a chance you have to listen to "Brenda's Baby". Ill track.
Pooh: I heard some of that though. I remember hearing a piece of that.
Anything else you'd like to add?
Pooh: Thanks for supporting Little Brother. The Getback will be on the way soon, hopefully. We won't disappoint ya'll.
Drew & Andy
http://artofrhyme.com/Interviews/AORInterviews.php?id=50 (http://www.arizonabeats.com/forum/redirector.php?url=%68%74%74%70%3a%2f%2f%61%72%74% 6f%66%72%68%79%6d%65%2e%63%6f%6d%2f%49%6e%74%65%72 %76%69%65%77%73%2f%41%4f%52%49%6e%74%65%72%76%69%6 5%77%73%2e%70%68%70%3f%69%64%3d%35%30)