Legendz

Imagine this. You have left your major label placement to venture out into the independent world. Your material doesn't include much of street soldiering or reaping the benefits of the fast life. And your last platinum album was released 10 years ago. Doesn't sound like a recipe for rap success, does it?



But before you scream next, understand Nappy Roots are experiencing a revival of sorts. With the first release off of their impending album “The Humdinger”, getting more spins than a private dancer, the five man crew is expecting a warm reception from those who remember and those who don't. The feel good song “Good Day” is shifting the admitted country boys back into the spotlight. And with the help of their fans, their talent and each other; they plan to stay there.



Sitting down with Yo! Raps, Big V of Nappy Roots discusses the past, present and future of the group; the industry they call home and one humdinger of an album.



The first thing I want to ask you about is your new release “The Humdinger”…



Big V: “The Humdinger” is our best work yet. It's coming out August 5th. It's got a lot of energy; a lot of creativity. If you've got Watermelon, Chicken and Gritz or you have Wooden Leather. It's a combination of them both.



So how about the lyrical content? Can the fans expect anything different? Is there any artistic evolution going on in the group?



Big V: Well we always do something different. We're not going to conform to the norm. We're going to give you real concepts. We're going to make you feel good with songs like "Good Day." We're going to steal your heart with songs such as "Down N Out" and threw Anthony Hamilton on that thang. You know it's always a banger with that boy. You know we got some new moves. We got some new sounds. Were going to let people know we're just having a ball you know?



Now I do know the album was a long time in the making. Did you face any issues or obstacles with the project or were you just taking your time to make sure it was perfect?



Big V: Aw man, issues and obstacles with the project; all of that. You know we left Atlantic Records. So we're independent now. They didn't like the direction we were going in. We didn't like the direction they were going in. So it was best to get a divorce and keep it moving. We realized that we wanted to drive the ship and we had more music to give. They got a lot of things going on and the best thing to do was to go our own way. And you know we decided to get off the label. Once you're off, you know, you entertain other things. Everybody has the next best thing for you. So after we filtered that out, weeded that out you know this thing and that, here we are; The Nappy Roots, The Humdinger. It´s a few years later and were not going nowhere this time. You're going to hear a lot more from Nappy Roots.



I know when you parted ways with Atlantic there was talk about you just wanting to be independent and not wanting to sign with a major again. Do you still feel that way?



Big V: Well, every other day it changes. It's like we can do this or we can do that. You know if you work independent and it works out that way. And if it doesn't and you decide to go with a major, either way at the end of the day it's about a win and people getting the message from Nappy Roots. It's more of a vehicle to get the music out, but it doesn't matter to us. Slow burn, fast burn; were going to do the work. So independent is really not that different from major because we're going to do the work anyway.



I know a lot of artists talk about taking the independent route because they appreciate the creative autonomy and they don't have the suits breathing down their neck.



Big V: Right…



And it does seem that the majors don't like to mess with rappers who don't talk about money, hoes and clothes. So do you feel like you have more creative leeway with being independent?



Big V: It is. You have all the freedom to say what you want to say. But the record labels only sell what America wants. And America at large, America on the grand scale they want to hear money, hoes, clothes and other things. You know what I mean? So we do what we do. We stay in our lane. Of course, they are going to sell more. That's how it is. America wants to give rappers a hard time for what they say or what they do, but at the same time that's all they will buy. When you are dealing with a money making business, they really don't give a fuck what happens or about being responsible. Their job is to make money. They just sell music.



Let me ask you this. How long has it been since R. Prophet left the group?



Big V: He's been gone for two years now. He hasn't recorded with us in two years.



Do you know what going on with his solo endeavour? Do you stay in contact with him?



Big V: We see him around. 'm not really concerned. He went his way and we went ours. You know, he chose to go solo. Creatively, we were just going in two different directions. You know? He wanted to do the solo thing more than he wanted to do Nappy Roots things. So we let him go solo. And you know we pray for him and we will see him at the finish line. You know, it's cool. There is no beef. We were just going in two different directions.



I got a chance to go over the tracklist for “The Humdinger” and I guess the first thing that stood out to me was the track "No Static" features Greg Nice. Is that Greg Nice, THE Greg Nice?



Big V: The Greg Nice from Nice and Smooth.



Where did you all find him?



Big V: Well we always liked his energy. You know Nappy Roots believes that if you were hot then, you're always hot. You're a star no matter what the TV or the cameras do for you. You know when I grew up; I always thought I wanted to do a song with him. I love his energy and I wanted him to vibe with Nappy Roots. You know that was one of the best songs I've ever heard. Sometimes I rhyme slow, sometimes I rhyme quick. And it was like man, we got to link up with those guys. And Greg Nice was real receptive to it. We didn't want to sample it. We didn't want to sample it at all. We wanted the actual feel of working with him.



You know when I first thought about it, it sounded like an odd combination; Greg Nice and Nappy Roots. How did you incorporate him into your sound without him coming off sounding Southern?



Big V: Well you know Nappy Roots aren't Southern. Geographically we are in the middle of the world. So we have no real influence on that's not South, or that's not North or that's not West. We are smack dab in the middle. So we do it all. With five members in Nappy Roots, we are that diverse.



So I heard this time you worked with a lot of different producers. Who do you have on the album?



Big V: Aw Man, on this album, we worked producers such as with Sol Messiah. We worked with Grove Chambers who brought you "Aw Naw" on Watermelon, Chicken and Gritz. We got us some new dudes because we wanted to bring in some new sounds. We hooked up with producers like Mr. DJ. Man, we got Rick Rock. Some new guys that's really hungry to bring you a new sound. And that's what we wanted to do with the Humdinger, the mother of all mothers. You know what I mean?



[Laughs] Yeah, I got ya…



Big V: [Laughs] Well, you know you go and pick up someone's album and it´s like whatyacallem produced that and it sounds like something else. You know what I mean? Nappy Roots don't want to do that. We don't want to get pigeon holed or nothing like that. That's just what we do.



Now your first major release; “Watermelon, Chicken and Gritz” went Platinum, but that was almost ten years ago. Do you feel like the younger fans will remember that? Or do you think you will have to re-introduce to yourself to the market?



Big V: Well I think we already did that with “Good Day”. What you think?



Yeah. Well, I haven't been anywhere else since it dropped, but I know it's getting good play here in Atlanta.



Big V: We're not really resting on what we've done. We are looking forward to what we are going to do. It's a great chance to re-create yourself. And “Watermelon, Chicken and Gritz” was “Watermelon, Chicken and Gritz”. We are thankful for those days and they were great times. You know with “Aw Naw” and “Poor Folks” and songs like that. But right now, that “Good Day” is like whoa. For some one who is five or six, seven eight nine or ten; they could be like I like this group. They have never seen us before.



So tell me about the Nappy Roots Entertainment Group. This is your personal label, correct?



Big V: Yes and no. Nappy Roots Entertainment Group (NREG), definitely Nappy Roots is going to be involved but it ain't going to be just Nappy Roots. We don't want to plague the label to where oh, well I don't fuck with NREG because Nappy Roots is all they about. We're going to try to make NREG a label that's known for good music no matter who's on it, whether it be Nappy Roots, Greg Nice, Common, Talib Kweli or whoever. You know what I mean? And that's what NREG really want to do; create good music. So, when Nappy Roots can't do it no more, someone else can do it.



So is there anyone else signed to the label at this point?



Big V: Ah naw, just all of us.



Are you looking to sign anyone else in the future?



Big V: Naw, don't want the headache of other artists. You know what I mean? Because after Nappy Roots we all have solo projects. We really want to get into those and movies and different things. So we really don't want the headache of housing another artist. You know [other artists are like], "What about my shit? You said you were going to …." Get the hell out of my face! I don't want to deal with that. I would like to find producers. They bring new sounds. You know they feed themselves. They're like cats. They can lick themselves clean. [Laughs]



So you said movies? You have actors in the group?



Big V: Aw man we write scripts. I guess I'm the actor in the group, the most comedic. We have some things going on; a lot of different concepts. Fish Scales has a scene in a project. Unsigned Hype is coming real soon. We're getting involved in everything. We just try to keep young minds around so we don't get old. Always looking for the next punch. So Nappy Roots isn't faking in the game and we keep it moving.



You know that brings me to my next question. What keeps the group together? I think about when I was in college and everybody groups up and makes all these plans, but by graduation, most of those plans and those groups have been dismantled. How did y'all keep yourselves together then and now?



Big V: I think we are family by love and not by blood. And just realizing that we're nothing without each other. Every dollar I ever made was because Skinny Deville was rapping. Or every truck he ever drove was because Skillz was strong. And every time I fed my kid I realized how much B. Stille had a hand in that. And I never turned by back on that. And I think they live by the same rule. I am and I am because we are. I don't know what keeps us together. It ain't been money. You know what I mean? It's a marriage, so tlil death do us part. We are all late 20's and 30, so we are grown up now and seeing the game for what it is.



Now this is totally off the subject. But have you heard of this DJ dual Greg Street has challenged Jermaine Dupri to?



Big V: Yeah, they're having fun with it. It's a family and family fights. Cain killed Abel right?



I just want to ask you who you think is going to win.



Big V: Man. I wish both of them success. Greg's a great guy. He's resurrecting careers and you know Nappy Roots is always in his corner. We're proud of both of them for being successful black men, first. And both are powerful guys. It's just entertainment and they both mean a lot to music. They both mean a lot to the South. They both mean a lot to hip hop. But Greg Street got a special place in our hearts. Whoever has the next son is going to name him Street something.



Well I think that's all I have for you. Is there anything you want to add?



Big V: August 5th, “The Humdinger” is coming out. Be on the look out. Nappy Roots is back to stay. And we are going to continue to celebrate music and have a "Good Day."



And is there anywhere the folks can go to check for what you have going on? Any websites?



Big V: We are on MySpace and everybody vote for Obama. We are also at www.nappyroots.com. And we are going to bring you tour dates there. We are actually doing some things with Senator Obama.



Really?



Big V: Yes, yes, yes. We are growing a little bit. You know we can't all be rappers grabbing our crotch or with our tennis shoes undone. Some of them aren't for the cause but Nappy Roots will always be for the cause. You can see it all at www.nappyroots.com and let's have a good day with him in office. It can't get no worse, right? But thanks for your time.