Spring Break
The Daily OrangeQ & A with rapper and collaborator Styles P
By Tim Goessling
Posted: 4/2/08, 11:39 PM EST Section: Feature
Rapper Styles P has been a part of the rap industry for more than 15 years doing solo work and collaborating with big name rappers like Akon and Ghostface Killah. Right before Styles P took the stage at the Schine Underground Wednesday night, he took the time to answer a few questions about his lyrics, fellow rappers and current events.
The Daily Orange: You spoke about your race on your song "I'm Black." How do you feel race has changed in America?
Styles P: I don't think it's changed much. I think people are pretty prejudiced and just not up front about it. And that's from black-white, fat-skinny, tall-small. If you take all the black out, Italian people aren't going to like Irish people. Irish people aren't going to like English people. Dominicans are gonna have a problem with Puerto Ricans. Everyone has some type of tug with each other - it's just not accepting each other's differences.
Who you listening to right now?
I'm listening to old school music right to tell you the truth. Prince, Marvin Gaye, Public Enemy.
What's the creative process like for you?
Smoke and listen to the beat.
That's it, that simple?
Simple. I smoke to the beat, and I listen to the beat. I rap over feeling. I'm not a good plan-out rapper. I got to hear the beat, and everything is off the moment. I just got to go off the feeling.
What's up with former D-Block member Jae Hood who recently left the group?
Screw Jae Hood. He was an unhappy artist, you know, which was understood. The way he went about it, being an Internet gangster, getting on stage with 50 was real disloyal. I mean, God bless him, I hope the best for him, I just think he's a sucka, the way he went about it.
On the presidential race?
I'm with Barack now. I like Barack, and I like Hillary too 'cause I like change, definitely go with Barack first, but after that I'll go with Hillary.
Out of all your songs, which one is your favorite one personally?
"I'm Black"
tpgoessl@syr.edu
The Daily Orange: You spoke about your race on your song "I'm Black." How do you feel race has changed in America?
Styles P: I don't think it's changed much. I think people are pretty prejudiced and just not up front about it. And that's from black-white, fat-skinny, tall-small. If you take all the black out, Italian people aren't going to like Irish people. Irish people aren't going to like English people. Dominicans are gonna have a problem with Puerto Ricans. Everyone has some type of tug with each other - it's just not accepting each other's differences.
Who you listening to right now?
I'm listening to old school music right to tell you the truth. Prince, Marvin Gaye, Public Enemy.
What's the creative process like for you?
Smoke and listen to the beat.
That's it, that simple?
Simple. I smoke to the beat, and I listen to the beat. I rap over feeling. I'm not a good plan-out rapper. I got to hear the beat, and everything is off the moment. I just got to go off the feeling.
What's up with former D-Block member Jae Hood who recently left the group?
Screw Jae Hood. He was an unhappy artist, you know, which was understood. The way he went about it, being an Internet gangster, getting on stage with 50 was real disloyal. I mean, God bless him, I hope the best for him, I just think he's a sucka, the way he went about it.
On the presidential race?
I'm with Barack now. I like Barack, and I like Hillary too 'cause I like change, definitely go with Barack first, but after that I'll go with Hillary.
Out of all your songs, which one is your favorite one personally?
"I'm Black"
tpgoessl@syr.edu
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