Probably when I bought my house. I was about 26 at the time and it was my biggest, most hefty purchase. I was always the type of dude that was listening to people talk about jewelry and putting $100,000 and $200,000 around their neck, and I held on to my money. I always said my first big purchase was going to be my home. How fast did you see real money after “This Is Why I’m Hot” blew up? The turnaround was crazy. How fast it all happened was so ridiculous. Everybody says when it takes off, you’re gonna look back and say, “Damn, that was quick.” And that’s the truest statement I ever heard. 6 months before I purchased my home I was living in an attic. I didn’t have cable, didn’t have the internet, didn’t really have much heat going on. My mattress was on the floor, and there was nothing to do in my house except work on music. 6 months later I’m at the bank closing on an 8,000 plus square foot home, and thinking about how surreal the experience was. What’s the worst thing you’ve ever heard a critic say about you? I try not to listen to the critics, but we’ve all gotta admit they drive us to do better. The worst thing I’ve heard is that I’m not a true emcee. That I’m garbage; the worst thing to ever hit Hip Hop. I know my ability, and I know
“
ing in an I was liv idn’t have attic. I didn’t have cable, d rnet, didn’t the inte ave much really h on. My e th heat going w s as on mattres d there was floor, anto do in my nothingxcept work house e . 6 months on music at the bank later I’mon an 8,000 closing are foot plus squ d thinking home, anow surreal about h rience was. the expe
what I’m capable of, and anybody who sits in the studio with me can tell you. I have so many nonbelievers that come in the studio with me and once they see my creativity and the way I work, they’re like, “You’re good. You’re very talented, and I can’t see how certain people could even make these comments.” I think a lot of people overlooked me, and didn’t give me, or my project a chance to be heard. They just categorized me as a certain type of emcee just because I was selling ringtones. And I put this on the record: There’s nothing wrong with selling ringtones. If I could sell another 4 or 5 million ringtones, I’m taking it. There’s nothing in this world that you could convince me not to take the ringtones. On the flip side, what’s the best compliment you’ve heard? The best thing I could ever hear is that I’m one of the most underestimated emcees. I’ve had people write that, and a few people who have actually had a chance to work with me also said that. And that makes me feel good, because I’ve always been an underdog, and that’s the best time to overcome the controversy. For me to be an underdog and be underestimated, that just means when this new album comes out, I’m gonna shock the world because they don’t expect it from me. //
”
OZONE MAG // 57