|
|
BG, March 23, 1999
BG, the true OG of the Cash Money crew, released his first nationwide solo release, Chopper City in the Ghetto, in April, but the album is actually his fifth since 1995. Well-known in the south, BG is more than ready to follow in the footsteps of label-mate Juvenile and reach multi-platinum status.
The success of Juvenile's "Ha" has really put Cash Money in the spotlight right now. What's next for Cash Money and what's goin' on with you?
"I got the single runnin' on the radio right now, "Cash Money Is An Army," and that's just promotin' this album, Chopper City in the Ghetto."
Talk a little about Cash Money Records and the whole scene in the South. People are sayin' it's gonna be the next No Limit.
"I can't put us in the shoes of No Limit. Cash Money is Cash Money. No Limit is No Limit. You can never judge us in the same category, 'cause there ain't no comparison."
So what's it like between the two camps -- straight competition?
"There ain't no competition. Cash Money is the sh--, and you can't compare No Limit to Cash Money. I cannot really discuss them. It's straight Cash Money right here. Leave them b----a-- n----- out of the conversation."
Who all do have from your camp on your album?
"I got all the regular rappers, you know, the Big Tymers, Juvenile, the Hot Boys and BG. We ain't got no long roster. We got a small click, but at the same time, we large. It's just my camp."
You're known for puttin' in long hours. That's one of the reasons why when they reorganized the whole roster, they kept you as one of the cornerstones, right?
"I mean, 'cause I was the realest n---- on the label. I've been down with Cash Money since '92. Me and Bryan (Williams) and Ronald (Williams), the two executives of our company, we really don't have a business relationship. It's just straight love over here. They semi-raised me when my daddy got killed."
What do think about the expanded popularity of what you guys doin'? Like when you get the attention of Jay-Z and he decides he wants to be put on the "Ha" remix?
"I'm lovin' that, man, 'cause you know, comin' up in our time, ain't too many people blew up from New Orleans. For us to come through and just f--- the industry up like that, it just makes us feel good about ourselves. That let us know that we were doin' somethin' and we're catchin' America's ear, and they're respectin' our minds. So we respect their minds for respectin' ours."
Do you feel like the South has replaced the West in some ways? The West is still there, but they're not as prominent, and the South is just comin' on strong.
"Yeah, and it ain't no secret either. I never really banged too much from the West or the East but major acts like Biggie and Pac and N.W.A, you know? I really was always on the South s---. We got our own sound. We got our own style. We just do our own thing. You know we got lyrics, man. We can't be faded down here. I can't really even speak on that too highly, 'cause I disregard the East and the West. It's all about Cash Money."
You just had a solo album last year. How do you feel about crankin' 'em out so quick?
"We be rap hustlin'. It's just like that. I'm a dog when I come down to that studio. I'd come out every 90 days if they let me. It just don't stop with me. I could drop an album every month, 'cause I got lyrics and I got skills, man, and Fresh got the tracks. We don't stop. We ain't gonna be puttin' out just one album a year. You know how some people might come out with a smash hit, and you might not hear another album from them for another two or three years. We flippin'. We hustlin'. It's like that, and BG, he's an all-around rap hustla."
How have things changed now that you've got a distribution deal and Cash Money is gettin' known nationwide?
"Ain't too much changed, 'cause before the distribution deal we had money, we was ridin' Benzes and Lexuses. The only thing that changed, to me, is the publicity and anticipation worldwide on what we're gonna do next. And just the expansion of our music hittin' the West Coast, East Coast, up North, 'cause we already had down South on lock. So the distribution deal just gave us that boost that we needed to let the rest of the world know that it's all gravy."
-- Mason Storm, The 411 Online
1999
BG
Chopper City in the Ghetto
Click here to read The 411 online's review
Click here to find out how to buy this album
All contents ©1994-2000 The 411 Online