Tame One: Notty Headed Terror

As one half of the legendary Artifacts, Tame One has always represented "real hip-hop" to the fullest. The Artifacts' debut album, Between A Rock And A Hard Place is a perennial classic, which featured the timeless song "Wrong Side Of The Tracks," as well as bangers such as "C'mon Wit Da Get Down" and "Lower Da Boom." With Tame and El Da Sensei's follow up, That's Them, ending up a disappointment, the two eventually decided to go their own ways.

Since then, Tame has been busy reviving his career. His solo debut, When Rappers Attack, was one 2003's strongest underground albums, while in 2004 he hooked up with Cage for the underrated Leak Bros album. With his latest release, OG Bobby Johnson, set to drop on Eastern Conference Records, Tame One is out to prove all the doubters wrong once again.

BallerStatus.com: Let's start off with your new album. Why the title OG Bobby Johnson?

Tame One: I compare my status in the recording industry to the character in the movie "South Central," OG Bobby Johnson. It's not gang related; it's just a comparison from putting in work. I put in a lot of work for a lot of years, and I just want to be acknowledged as such. Especially for those who may not know of Tame One from the Artifacts days. Those who think I came out of nowhere.

BallerStatus.com: So it's the OG part where you and Bobby Johnson meet?

Tame One: Yeah, exactly.

BallerStatus.com: How would you say this album differs from When Rappers Attack?

Tame One: When Rappers Attack was catering to the typical New York crowd, as Bobby Johnson is more of a Newark, New Jersey sound. It's more personal than When Rappers Attack was.

BallerStatus.com: Now you say Bobby Johnson is more of a Newark, New Jersey sound, but what is the difference between the sounds in Newark and New York City, because I live in Jersey, and I'm not even sure of the difference?

Tame One: I can't explain it. It's just the general feeling. My mentality when I did When Rappers Attack was I felt as if I was rapping for New York crowds, whereas 98 percent of Bobby Johnson was conceived in New Jersey. It's more personal for me.

BallerStatus.com: So When Rappers Attack was more on the battle tip than this album?

Tame One: Yeah, basically.

BallerStatus.com: I see you have a large variety of producers on the album. Was that your intention to go with a variety, instead of just Mighty Mi and a few others?

Tame One: No, I have yet to meet one producer that could do my entire album.

BallerStatus.com: Not one producer, even a Primo or Pete Rock?

Tame One: I never worked with them, so I couldn't say. They probably could, but I never worked with them so I can't say.

BallerStatus.com: How did you hook up with all of these producers then? Was it just over time, building relationships?

Tame One: Yep, for the most part it's my Boon Squad representatives from home plus the Dusted Dons, and Camu from the Weathermen. So it's basically all my peoples. Oh, that's right! Everyone thinks I had a budget for this album.

BallerStatus.com: So no budget?

Tame One: No.

BallerStatus.com: Besides getting f---ed up, what other topics and issues are you talking about on this album?

Tame One: Objectively, the usual braggadocios sh--. Freaking lyrical styles, bullsh--ting, all of that. I touched on graffiti topics here and there. This album is more stylized. It's not what I'm saying; it's how I'm saying it.

BallerStatus.com: How much drugs does Tame One actually do?

Tame One: Lots!

BallerStatus.com: What kind of drugs?

Tame One: I refuse to incriminate myself. I plead the FIFTH! (singing loudly) One, two, three, four...FIFTH! (once again sings loudly)

BallerStatus.com: What is your favorite type of drug?

Tame One: Marijuana.

BallerStatus.com: Not leak?


Tame One: No.
BallerStatus.com: I have never done leak, how does that feel in comparison to just smoking weed?

Tame One: It's more psychotropic. It takes your mind somewhere, it's more psychosomatic. You get visuals, hallucinations, all of that.

BallerStatus.com: Favorite type of weed?

Tame One: Dro!

BallerStatus.com: Bong or Blunts?

Tame One: Blunt, I'm an old head. Yeah, I understand the bong gives you a cleaner hit and all of that, but when I started puffin', I started with the cigars and all of that. Old habits die hard.

BallerStatus.com: Overall, what is your main goal with this album?

Tame One: I just want people to know that the kid is still here, and I can still deliver songs. I wanted to prove that I could make a cohesive album. I am supposed to be so off the hook, so burnt out from past drug experiences, and all of that. So ok, if I'm so burnt out, then how do I keep coming up with this amazing body of work? How does he do it? He is burnt out, but he just did When Rappers Attack, followed by Leak Bros. Then OG Bobby Johnson, all back to back to back. I'm just trying to show progress instead of the process.

BallerStatus.com: EC (Eastern Conference) Records was one of the hottest underground labels three or fours years ago, but now it seems like they have died down. Do you agree?

Tame One: Yep!

BallerStatus.com: In your opinion, why do you think that is true?

Tame One: Probably because they are having distribution problems, plus their roster is going through its changes. It's not really my place to say, but in my personal opinion those are the reasons.

BallerStatus.com: Were you happy with how they handled the Leak Bros album, considering a lot of people feel it was not promoted correctly?

Tame One: Yeah, that too.

BallerStatus.com: Do you feel a lot of people overlooked the Leak Bros album?

Tame One: Yeah, yeah, most definitely.

BallerStatus.com: What do you think about the current state of New Jersey hip-hop?

Tame One: It's still thriving, but it's still slept on. In my opinion -- for the unsigned groups in Jersey -- they keep thinking someone from New York is going to magically appear in their basement or studio, and offer them a deal; nobody wants to go to New York, and network.

BallerStatus.com: Any new groups or emcees that you are feeling from Jersey right now?

Tame One: The Dusted Dons, who are all over my album. The Boon Squad, Double O, there is mad talent. There are so many people I can't think of them off hand. Jersey has an untapped well of talent.

BallerStatus.com: What do you think about Joe Budden?

Tame One: I don't.

BallerStatus.com: You don't listen to his music?

Tame One: I heard the album, but I don't sit around dwelling about that man.

BallerStatus.com: Reason I'm asking is because I feel he is one of the best Jersey has to offer now, and people sleep on him.

Tame One: He's straight man. He had a video in heavy rotation, was running with Clue and them. He's straight, he ain't struggling; he got a Hummer.

BallerStatus.com: I still think he's slept on, because nobody really talks about him anymore, but that's me.

Tame One: Well, I blame that on Def Jam.

BallerStatus.com: I'm gonna name two Jersey emcees, and you tell me which one you think is better. First up, Redman or Treach?

Tame One: Redman.

BallerStatus.com: Why is that?

Tame One: Lyrically.

BallerStatus.com: You don't feel Treach is underrated lyrically?

Tame One: No.

BallerStatus.com: Even in his prime, you don't feel Treach is underrated?

Tame One: Nah.

BallerStatus.com: Next up, Lauryn Hill or Queen Latifah?

Tame One: Lauryn Hill.

BallerStatus.com: Why is that?

Tame One: She has more range. She hits more subjects.

BallerStatus.com: Finally, the Lords Of The Underground or The Outsiderz?

Tame One: The Outs.

BallerStatus.com: Why?

Tame One: They have more battle styles, while the Lords, it seems like they were just making songs, like fillers; just making songs to have them. The Outs, they are more battle ready, and they have more lyrical style.

BallerStatus.com: So you weren't feeling the Lords debut?

Tame One: Yeah, "Funky Child", that was classic, you crazy?

BallerStatus.com: Yeah, but you were just saying that they had filler material.

Tame One: Come on man, songs like the religious song they had. That reminded me of stuff they had back in the day, with Run DMC or the Fat Boys, when they would say, "Ok, you need a reggae, and R&B song for an album." You know what I mean? As opposed to having a wide variety, it seemed like they were doing more filler material.

BallerStatus.com: What's next for you?

Tame One: The Spazmatic LP, produced exclusively by Xing N Fox. The Slow Suicide Stimulus LP, which is Tame One and the Dusted Dons. I'm on Cage's Hell's Winter album, the new Vast Aire album, and I'm trying to get on Yak Ballz new EP, which is on EC Records. I'm on the SA Smash album, and besides that I'm trying to stay busy, and build my catalogue up.

BallerStatus.com: And for future releases are you still going to be on Eastern Conference Records, or are you going to move on?

Tame One: Undetermined. We haven't sat down at the negotiating table yet.

BallerStatus.com: Any last words?

Tame One: OG Bobby Johnson, OG Bobby Johnson, OG Bobby Johnson and OG Bobby Johnson. Give it a listen!

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