Black Truth News: We’re at a fundraiser right now that’s concentrating on the youth. A lot of people are familiar with the association that Jay- Z had with you when he was younger. Can you explain how important it is to serve as an inspiration to people in general, more specifically, young people?
JAZ- O: The main thing, is to understand our genre, which is hip hop, it’s big, but you know life is bigger than hip hop, and you know life is bigger than music and entertainment, and what I see with entertainment, what we do, it should be used as a vehicle, to be an example.
I mean you can make any type of record you want, but it’s how you present yourself, how you act in public, it’s how you talk to the youth. It’s how you talk to people, and how you correlate with people in general, it sets an example. I just think that’s important, how you interact with people. You know displaying your character as a human being. As I said, you can say what you want on a record, all the made-up stories and all that other shit, that’s cool. Buts what’s more important is going to the community, and talking with the people. I just think Real Human shit is more important.
Black Truth News: That human interaction that you speak about has been lost a bit with the emergence of social media. That’s kind of like the new hip hop. Everyone just gets on the computer. How important it is to keep that interaction going? What’s your opinion on the new way of communicating? Also, how do you feel about the direction hip hop is heading in?
JAZ-O: I mean it’s self-explanatory. I think it’s important personally because the media, the mainstream media directs our society in a certain direction. Like with the metro sexuality, the type of music, our style of dress. So I think it’s important to have a personal connection with the public, to let them know, even though the media represent you because that’s how people become familiar with the media. You have to let them know that’s not the real you. They may be you in general, but that’s not, particularly who you are.
Like anybody who knows me personally, know I don’t wear skinny jeans, and pastel colors, but that’s just me, I’m not judging, I’m using that as an example.
But when I’m talking about the correlation with the public; I mean far as setting good examples. You know just doing regular shit for the kids. Kids should get their education, not because it’s right, or wrong. It’s because you can’t even get it. a job at Mcdonald’s without your G.E.D or a high school diploma, So it ain’t about right or wrong necessarily. It’s about setting an example, so people can succeed in life because you know when people succeed in life, it translates into a better society as a whole. You know when people are doing well in general; they have less of a reason to go in your coat pocket. It’s just simple as that, and I say that because it’s about finances, and what I like to term, the “Jews” you wear inside. Not the “Jews” that you wear outside. The things that you have inside that you can share with people. You know knowledge is infinite, and you can always teach, somebody, no matter how old they are. So anything you can do, no matter if it’s just a look, a handshake, or if someone is a nickel short at the cash register, is something good to show love.
That love makes us artists come out to the people. Like my man Tone Jordan allow me to come to. Chi and connect with the people. To me, that’s everything right there. You know jumping on stage, the females, that’s the life, I’m going to keep it funky; but if we can connect, there is a possibility that we can overcome the hood, and make it so where it’s no hood at all. As far as the new era of music, I think the internet is an integral part of the growth of music in general, and far as the direction of the music. Only time will tell. It turns out to be the same thing. You know you have more opportunities for people with no talent whatsoever, to get the same amount of exposure as people with talent.