Video After The Jump
In this episode of "People's Party With Talib Kweli," Kweli and Jasmin Leigh sit down with rapper, songwriter, elite lyricist, and one of the true champions of the mix-tape era:
PAPOOSE
There's a ton of history covered with the mix-tape king during this thorough discussion. Here's a brief overview:
• The living legacy and influence of Rakim, Big Daddy Kane, and Kool G Rap.
• Working with Busta Rhymes on 'Touch It' remix and what it did for Pap's career.
• Pap Giving DJ Kay Slay his demo tape fresh off a prison bid.
• Defunding the police, prison reform, community policing, and black ownership.
• Signing a record deal with Jive for $1.5 million and the fallout that followed.
• The backlash from records like 'Change Gone Come' and 'Sharades'.
• The hip-hop marriage of Papoose and Remy Ma, and how they got together.
• Starring on 'Love & Hip Hop' and Pap's surprise about how his fans reacted.
• Papoose's latest album 'Endangered Species'.
• Covid-19 and its impact on the marginalized.
• Who will carry the torch for today's generation of emcees.
Don't miss a minute of this one, with plenty of jewels spread throughout this full hour and some change.
TIMESTAMPS:
2:50 -- Papoose and Talib trade statements of gratitude. Pap thanks Kweli for putting him on with his feature in 'The Beast', so early in his career. Talib notes how having him on the track kept his stock up during the mix-tape movement, and they go on to talk about who has the stronger 'hat game'. They also go into Pap's hometown of Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn, and he's asked what his experience was like growing up there, and if he thinks it's the best rap neighborhood on earth.
8:30 -- Talib brings up the fact that both him and Pap have had the honor to collab with the living legend Kool G Rap. They go on to talk about G Rap's underrated status as one of the most influential emcees in hip hop history. Jas asks Papoose where his name originated from, Talib and Pap give a shout out and rest in peace to Justo Faison and they discuss how important he was to the evolution of the mix-tape era and helping Papoose establish himself in the game.
13:16 -- Talib notes how much Pap's track 'Alphabetical Slaughter' impacted him, with it being one of those songs that exude hip hop in it's purest form. Pap goes on to talk about having a close ear to hip hop as a young child, and setting a high bar for himself as a future wordsmith after listening to Big Daddy Kane's album 'Long Live The Kane'. Pap is also asked about his experience working with Busta Rhymes on the 'Touch It' remix, and how they linked up.
19:12 -- Papoose is asked about giving DJ Kay Slay his first demo outside Hot97. The story highlights a crossroads in Papoose's life -- he was fresh out of Rikers Island prison and ready to risk everything to get his shot. They also discuss the day that Pap signed his deal and the importance of Kay Slay to the culture along with what he did for Pap's career and so many others, while he opened up doors for new artists when nobody else would give them a chance.
23:47 -- Papoose talks about his experience working with Violator Records CEO Chris Lighty. With Chris getting him casted in the De Niro/Pacino film 'Righteous Kill' with one quick phone call. Talib goes on to ask Pap for his take on defunding the police and prison reform, from a perspective of someone that's been through the system. They talk about community policing and black ownership being a vital piece of the solution to go along with reforms to these historically racist institutions.
31:39 -- Papoose speaks on signing with Jive Records in a deal worth $1.5 million, planning his debut album, 'The Nacirema Dream'. But later on Kay Slay revealed that he and Papoose had left Jive, saying that they had "almost (became) victims of A&R hell." Pap explains why he blames himself for signing with a big label in the first place and Jasmin asks Pap if he feels he was blackballed from other potential deals after the fallout with Jive Records. He speaks on learning from mistakes of the past and owning them in full.
36:02 -- Talib brings up Pap's song 'Change Gone Come' being a tribute to Sean Bell who was killed by the NYPD on his wedding day. Pap talks about the character assasiation by local newspapers and being targeted by the police after the song hit the airwaves. Showing up to his shows on horses, and telling clubs not to give him admission. Papoose is later asked about his wife Remy Ma, and why she is such a powerful emcee. Pap talks about how she's been able to silence the critics with her ability to dish out hits while writing at such a high level.
42:45 -- Papoose illustrates the time-line of how he and Remy found love. Being close friends during a turbulent time in Remy's life while she was on trial, leading to her getting locked up. He talks about the blessing in disguise that came along with learning how to communicate while incarcerated. Papoose goes on to speak about the relevance of the term 'black love' and what it means to him. Pap is also asked about the importance of being held up as a positive example in the realm of reality tv, and he talks about being surprised with the reception from fans to him starring in 'Love & Hip Hop'.
50:16 -- Talib thanks Pap for his conscious song '3rd Eye', dealing with some of today's most notable disparities and injustices. He asks Pap if he felt like it was his responsibility as a man and/or entertainer to write records like that. He speaks on learning about knowledge of self at a young age, and the privilege of growing up with teachers that made black history a priority. Papoose goes on to talk about the move to live instrumentation on his latest album 'Endangered Species', defines what the album title is pointing to, and working with bassist/producer Brady Watt.
58:11 -- Papoose is asked about his song 'Covid-19', and if he can give his take on the huge amount of mis-information about the sickness and how the virus is affecting black people and other marginalized communities more than others. Talib reflects on knowing he had covid in it's beginnings, despite all the negative test results, and Pap speaks on his uncle passing away on the hospital floor from cardiac arrest due to hospital overload. Finally Talib caps the show with asking Pap who he thinks will be carrying the torch for today's generation of emcees.
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