{mosimage}LOX member Styles P breaks down why he's such a "Supa Gangster – Extraordinary Gentleman" now that he's on with Koch.
What’s good with you P?
Doing good man.
How hyped are you now that you’re releasing this new lp now that your off Interscope?
I feel great – I feel great with this album. Just ready to get at ‘em, ya know?
Speaking of the release date – December is a heavy month – how you feeling on the release date schedule?
I feel great man. I got promotion this time around, so I’m chilling. The single “Blow ya Mind” is doing great. I just shot the video and I didn’t have anything last time. No video – no promotion.
I saw the video trailer for “Blow Ya Mind” and it looks fly. How’d you come up with that?
I really don’t know to tell you the truth. I just know the things that blow my mind – things that keep your mind far out.
How’d you come up with the name of the album because it is pretty common?
I named it after the individual I am. I was going to name it "5 Star General" but found out that Baby had that. So I had to figure out what best suits myself. I am what I am – gangsta and a gentleman but I felt I stepped it up a little bit as far as gangster and being a gentleman. I’ve matured in a lot of ways. The way I carry myself is much better. So that’s why I’m a super gangster not just a typical gangster.
What’s the difference between this drop and “Time is Money” – besides the label change-up?
I would say the vibe of it. You can hear the straight hip hop vibe I really wasn’t worried about the politics being on the major. I was just cool. I just wanted to make what I wanted to make. Felt comfortable about doing it and not worry about shit. So that’s exactly what I did.
What track on this album best describes your life at this point?
I don’t know. I couldn’t tell you that specifically. I would have to say the whole album in general. I made this album to give all of me. I would say, “Alone in the streets”.
Why “Alone in the streets”?
That’s where I’m at a lot. Once you hear the content of song you’ll be able to dig it. From how you roll and the things that are going in your mind and you think about certain shit. Shit like that.
You been in the game in the long time and you have such a loyal fan base – what’s the future hold for P and the LOX in general?
I think we are a 110% straight hip hop group. We do what we do we make music, our business is just beter as the years go on. We are straight forward with dudes we don’t bend over and kiss ass. We do what we gotta do. When we leave out we’re gonna leave a hell of a legacy and a hell of a catalogue. That’s how I look at it we’re leaving a mark on hip hop. I think it’s a time where it’s a lot of emcees that won’t be remembered in history.
Speaking of being remembered – is this the album you want to be remembered by or by everything?
Everything man. You never want to be remembered for one thing. Well, not me, I never want to be remembered for one specific thing. I want them to remember me by my audio work not just a certain body of work. My work in general – my catalogue from where I started to whenever I decide to leave. This album is definetly showing a pinnacle in my carreer. I’m making decisions I want to make – making albums I want to make and making music I want to make.
On the rap game – you have the same love for it – or feelin’ it needs something…?
I think it needs more emceeing. I think everything goes in cycles. It just need to go back to the cycle when people really started worrying about finishing their lyrics. I hope it goes back to that. But I’m happy the way its going because a lot of black men are getting paper. Let the chips fall where they lay.
On the album you got some great guest appearences on this album from Common – Black Thought – how’d that happen?
Just reached out to him.
He was eager to do it?
I speak with Black everytime I see him and got a lot of respect for the brother. Everytime I saw him I’d be like, “yo we need to do a joint together” and finally found a joint that I felt was right and called Black Thought told him about it and it was cool.
I gotta ask about the whole J-Hood dissing D Block – is there any love lost there?
Naw, I wish him the best. I don’t fuck with him but I wish him the best. I think what he did was unnecessary but he’s still a talented artist and hope he finds a home that’s suitable and good for him. I just feel what did was ignorant and wack but I wish him the best.
You think in a couple years you’d ever do a track with him?
I don’t know. I look at today and tomorrow. I ain’t really looking at a couple years. As far as shit like that I look at today and tomorrow and shit if it happens it happens If it don’t – I don’t know.
Switchin’ back to the label situation – what do you think has changed for artist between then and now for todays artist?
Decline of sales. With the internet and mp3’s, ipods and all that shit. I think last year T.I. was the only dude to go platinum. That’s part of the nature of hip hop. You give someone an album before it comes out on the internet – you can’t really expect anyone to sell anymore. Just gotta do your best and hope you survive.
What’s the future hold for you personally?
Album – I got a dvd coming out for called “Phantom Gangster Chronicles” rather a series of DVDs. Where I’m interviewing other rappers getting into their life. Actors – balls players – all sorts of entertainers – athletes. Also I got a carwash stepping that up as well and expanding. Just trying to keep it moving. Trying to land a couple realty shows and mini films.
Are you going to be more in the boardroom now that your’re basically on your own?
Yeah, I’m in the board room right now as we speak right now.
How’s that feel now that you’re the one behind the big desk?
It feels fucking great. It feels great. I can’t even describe it. Its like one day your working at the factory and next day your running the factory.
Any last thoughts for the public?
December 4th – 4th of December “super gangsta – extrodinary gentlemen” D-Block/Koch – be on the lookout for the Phantom Gangster Chronicles DVD’s and cop it and make sure you cop the phantom gangsta mixtape. It’s on and poppin’ – I’m off to the races. If you get the bootleg cool – just make sure you get the real one to.
