Kool G Rap: Living Legend

Kool G Rap is arguably one of the greatest MCs to ever touch a mic. As one of the godfathers of gangsta rap, the Queens native has influenced an entire generation with his complex rhyme patterns, vivid stories and vintage flow.

Kool G Rap is largely responsible for the rhyme style and content you hear today, as artists such as Raekwon, Big Pun and the entire Queens Bridge (Nas, Mobb Deep, Cormega, etc) have build their sound upon the foundation that G Rap set in the 80's. But, unlike many of his running mates during that era, G Rap has managed to remain relevant throughout all of the changes the hip-hop culture has endured. He is still one of the most consistent MCs and has lyrically never lost a step, outshining all those who dare to get on a track with him.

With Kool G Rap currently looking for a new label, as he is working on his new album and mixtape, this is an important period of time for G Rap. While he may be an artist that sways away from the spotlight, Kool G Rap invited BallerStatus.com inside his world for an intriguing look into the mind of a hip-hop legend.

BallerStatus.net: What was it like growing up in Queens for you?

Kool G Rap: By growing up in Queens, I basically experienced the same thing a kid would experience growing up in Brooklyn, Manhattan or where ever. I went through a learning experience for that part of my life. I was maturing kind of quick for a kid and I was being defensive, because in almost every hood, you have people out there that are going to test you. Even at a young age, other kids try to test you, so I have been in a few fights. Actually, a lot of fights, but not to focus on all the negative aspects, because it was fun living in Queens too. But, I did a few of the bad things that kids in the hood do [laughter]. I went with older kids to rob houses and sh--, but nothing real real crazy. Just regular normal stuff. A lot of legends came from around my way in Queens -- a lot of hood legends, but nothing too far off from somebody growing up in another other grimy and gutter borough in New York.

BallerStatus.net: How would you say your surroundings or environment helped shape you into the man you are today?

Kool G Rap: It helped shape me a lot, because I started off in this game spitting about what I saw going on around me and experiences I went through first hand as well -- as far as dealing drugs, the history of pimpin' and gun play. It shaped me a lot, as far as the rapper I became -- the streets and the places I grew up in had everything to do with it. Outside of that, there are also other inspirational rappers that influenced me also like [Kool] Moe Dee, Melle Mel, Silver Fox, Grandmaster Caz and The Furious Five in general. But, the streets played a major role in the rapper and man G Rap became. It made me street smart.

BallerStatus.net: You were just running off some of the legends of this game, but do you remember your first memory of hip-hop?

Kool G Rap: When I was maybe 10 years old, 11 at the most, I remember going to a park jam and first starting to witness DJs spinning records and scratching. That was my first brush with hip-hop. And then after that, a lot of people would make tapes of break beats, so I remember the break dancing and stuff like that. I then started participating at a young age because of that. And I would start mimicking raps I heard before, until I got older and I started to create my own stuff.

BallerStatus.net: A lot of people have one album they always listened to growing up that holds a special place in their heart. Do you have that one album?

Kool G Rap: Well, back then, I didn't really listen to albums, because those were pretty much the single days. My mother had a stack of 45's and I remember people like Al Greene, Isaac Hayes, James Brown and Aretha Franklin. That was the stuff I was hearing all the time in my household, so there really wasn't one album. When I started listening to albums I was much older.

BallerStatus.net: Obviously, you are one of the godfathers of gangster rap, but you were an MC whose music had substance. Nowadays, there are a lot of MCs representing gangsta rap, but do you think the substance and creativity is missing, as a lot just follow the same generic patterns and really aren't setting trends?

Kool G Rap: When I was doing it, it was really that era. It was the era with a lot of drug dealing, homicides and illegal activities. Compare that to today, as far as New York goes, the drug dealing game is like done. That is over with and is a thing of the past. That is a thing from the mid 80's to maybe the late 90's. That is when it really started dying down. Around '96, I think things changed a lot. So, the rappers coming out today are rapping about something that is far gone. There is still some activity, but it's not like it used to be, because there is a whole different flow with that game now. But, I am rapping from a point when Pablo Escobar was still alive. When Jackson Heights, which is a neighborhood right next to Corona, was one of the drug capitals of America. That's because of a cartel that Pablo was dealing with. He brought his product to the states and there was a cartel that ran from Miami all the way up to Jackson Heights in Queens, New York. So, I'm talking from a real brush with that whole game. Everything all these rappers are talking about, with the bricks and all of that -- when I started it was really those times. It's not that time anymore, at least, not like it was. That is why the substance is missing, because it's not from the heart. Somebody is just following a legend, a legacy or history. They are not actually living in that era or those times.

BallerStatus.net: When you listen to classic albums like Raekwon's Only Built 4 Cuban Linx and others, which are obviously built upon your style and foundation, are you flattered? How do you feel?

Kool G Rap: Oh man, I'm definitely honored by that. It is definitely flattering and an honor to know that I had influenced, in some direction, rappers that are considered to be some of the great rappers when they came out and made their mark in the game. That is definitely an honor to me.

BallerStatus.net: In the booklet for the last R.A. The Rugged Man album, he stated that you are the best MC ever, and if anybody disagrees they are mistaken. So, when I interviewed him, I asked why he thought you are the greatest and he said because of your longevity and the fact you ripped every MC you were ever on a track with throughout history. But, do you consider yourself the greatest ever?

Kool G Rap: (Chuckles) I definitely consider myself one of the greats, but I'm not really into patting myself on the back. To me, G Rap is the greatest when the masses say G Rap is the greatest. But, I appreciate the compliment from R.A. Rugged Man. But, once I get a few hundred thousand more people saying the same thing, that is when G Rap will become the greatest rapper of all times. Not saying that I'm not, but that is not a decision I feel I can make. I can't place myself in that category, and to me, the masses have to do that. The masses are who gives you your ranking. But, I know I have been pretty consistent throughout the years. I never really fell into a place where I started sounding dated or outdated. Even with features with other rappers, nobody ever made me sound old school. I always kept up and I always try to keep up with the times. Whether that be through changing your flow or slang. And I know that is something that hasn't been repeated too much from rappers in my era. So, I can say that -- that I have definitely been the most consistent thus far.

BallerStatus.net: You said you need a couple more thousand to embrace you in order to be considered the greatest. But, do you think that is realistic? Because with the corporate takeover of hip-hop, a lot of the youth is being brainwashed to think that what they hear on the radio or see on TV is real hip-hop. And a lot of them don't even know about the accomplishments of G Rap, Rakim, Krs-One, Melle Mel or Grandmaster Caz. Most probably think Eminem is the greatest ever. So, can you really base it off popularity when talking about the greatest ever?

Kool G Rap: That is why I said a couple to a few hundred thousand people saying that, because there is still a G Rap fan base that is at least two hundred thousand strong. That is why I didn't say nothing like, to the million mark, or to the gold mark. Because, that could be people outside of my generation, which are the kids that know nothing about a G Rap. And that could be people that were never really into the lyrical part of hip-hop. They might like hip-hop because it makes them dance and they just embrace those types of party records. That is why I said a couple hundred to a few thousand people, meaning three hundred thousand the most. Because those can still be people from my era.

BallerStatus.net: Do you think the media is to blame for the lack of education these younger fans have of the history of hip-hop?

Kool G Rap: Yeah, definitely. Like you said, they base everything off of popularity these days. It's like this, when they do countdown the greatest rappers of all time, it's always the ones who are more popular than others who make the list. It's not necessarily being based off skills. It's based on popularity. It's like when Kanye West blew up -- not to discredit that dude in any way -- but I read some people writing that duke is the best of the times. I think Kanye West is a good rapper and I don't take nothing from him, but as far as the best of the times, you still have Nas, Jay-z and Eminem. So, that is a hell of a statement for somebody to say. But, he might have been more popular at the time and he was hot, so that is probably why they said that.

BallerStatus.net: Looking back at Giacanna Story, were you happy on how it came out and was received by the public?

Kool G Rap: From what I have heard and saw in write ups, I think it was received well. Giacanna Story and Roots Of Evil were two of my most slept on albums and they were released on independent labels. They didn't quite sell the normal numbers that G Rap sells on a major label, but they are the two most recognizable albums that I have ever done -- along with 4,5,6 as well.

BallerStatus.net: You weren't happy on the promotion, correct?

Kool G Rap: Well, there is only so much Koch Records can do. They didn't really put too much into it, because that is not what they are really about. They are not a label who puts massive promotion and marketing into any of their projects. They pretty much go off the strength of the name of the artist and how much street buzz they have. That is the driving force of your sales when you are released through a Koch Records, unless you have a joint venture with them through your own label and you are putting up your own money to do things. They are not a label who's good for breaking artists or reintroducing artists that have been on a five year hiatus, which I was on. So, I got caught in their normal operations.

BallerStatus.net: Another album I felt was slept on was The Click Of Respect. Do you feel it's tricky to release crew albums nowadays, because there is a stigma against them? I mean, so many rappers have come out with click albums and as you probably know, most of them are garbage.

Kool G Rap: I think if that album had more promotion and buzz around it, I think a lot of people would have embraced it. I think the album didn't succeed in doing what it should have just because a lot of people didn't know about it. People didn't know it was released and didn't know G Rap had anything to do with it. People didn't know that G Rap introduced a group called 5 Family Click. There are a handful of people that really knew about it. So, as far as the stigma thing goes, I don't think that would have applied to that particular album because it was a hot album. Some click albums are not that great, but The Click Of Respect album was an official album. All the ratings it got from the U.S. and abroad were great.

BallerStatus.net: Let's get into your current situation. Have you signed with a label yet for your upcoming album?

Kool G Rap: Nah, I haven't signed with a label yet. There is nothing too crazy, as far as labels reaching out, but there is interest. But, nothing that exceed some talks on the phone, at this moment. But, it's still kind of early in the game and I know a few dudes have their eye out for me, and they are curious to see what happens. Because they see me bubblin' up under the surface and I have proved that G Rap can rise from complete silence to stirring up the waters again. So, I think some people don't know what to expect at this moment. They want to know if G Rap is going to get hot again, so they are keeping their eye on me.

BallerStatus.net: Have you begun recording for your new album?

Kool G Rap: Yeah, pretty much. The same time I was doing this new mixtape, I was recording for the album. I just focused more of the attention on the mixtape itself, because that is going to be the first release.

BallerStatus.net: When is the mixtape dropping?

Kool G Rap: I don't have a definite street date for it yet, but it should be out very soon.

BallerStatus.net: And the mixtape is with Green Lantern, correct?

Kool G Rap: Yeah, it's hosted by Green Lantern. I have some good features on the mixtape, as well as some very credible producers. I don't wanna say a whole lot, as far as the features, because I want to catch people off guard. I wanna let them know about the mixtape, but I don't want to give them everything.

BallerStatus.net: What's the name of the mixtape?

Kool G Rap: Top 5 Dead Or Alive -- it has 18 cuts on it.

BallerStatus.net: And is it all new joints, or is it mixed in with freestyles?

Kool G Rap: There are a few freestyles, but I would say 90 percent of it is original songs and production.

BallerStatus.net: Who's doing the production?

Kool G Rap: I'll give some of them away -- Scram Jones, Yogi, D.R. Period and the rest is up-and-coming dudes. Producers who don't have a brand name yet, but they have fire.

BallerStatus.net: I know a lot of people would love for you to work with Alchemist again after you stole the show on Mobb Deep's "The Realest." Do you ever plan to work with him again?

Kool G Rap: Yeah, I would love to work with Alchemist in the future. He is definitely a hot producer. I'll definitely try to lock that down in the near future and hopefully for the next album.

BallerStatus.net: With the new album, how is the vibe so far? How is it sounding?

Kool G Rap: It's coming out good because I have been vibing good with this mixtape, and it's pretty much the same vibe. It's all the same zone, but the album is not finished yet. I have more room to vibe and grow for that.

BallerStatus.net: So it's a little too early to be talking about the album fully then, right?

Kool G Rap: Oh yeah, its way early for me to say a whole lot about the album. It's still in its early stages, even though I have accumulated a certain amount of songs. But, it is kind of early.

BallerStatus.net: Let's say a younger hip-hop fan is reading this interview now, if there was one song of yours you wanted them to hear, which represented everything you stand for, which one would it be and why?

Kool G Rap: Wow, I don't even think I could sum it up in one song. I would probably have to give them a couple of titles and at least two albums. I don't think I have one song which defines G Rap entirely. Because I am so versatile; I can be a story teller, I can paint pictures for you and I can amaze you with wordplay. Those are all different songs. I can also get real gutter with it as well. And it's a difference to me, because I personally like stuff that is lyrical, because a good lyricist really puts his wordplay together. It takes thought, intelligence, time and dedication to do that. Anybody who is very lyrical is somebody who works hard at what they do. And I like gutter hip-hop because it's raw. It's potent music, straight up with no cut on it. This is the streets and I can very much relate to the streets. I have dealt with some of the grimiest dudes and grimiest conditions. I have been there before, so that is why I love gutter hip-hop.

BallerStatus.net: When you sit down to write a rhyme and you go into your vintage wordplay and story telling tracks, how much time do you put into it? How long does it usually take you?

Kool G Rap: Well, it depends. Some stuff comes kind of quick, while other things take some time. But, I was never an artist that could wrap up a project in two or three months. It always took me at least a year to put together an album I felt comfortable with. So, a lot of work goes into what I do.

BallerStatus.net: You have always seemed like a guy who sways away from the spotlight and really isn't for all the drama, glamour and media attention? Do you think that is a fair characterization of yourself?

Kool G Rap: Oh yeah, definitely! I'm not a person who really likes the spotlight. It's crazy, because of the profession I picked, but that is how my personality and character is. I'm not a person who really likes to be the center of attraction all the time. I don't mind it sometimes, which is the reason why I do what I do, but too much of it is unattractive to me.

BallerStatus.net: What is the biggest difference between the G Rap of the 80's/early 90's and today? Is there a big difference?

Kool G Rap: Yeah, there is very much a difference. I'm not exactly living that same lifestyle to the tee that I was living in the mid 80's and all of that. But, the creative part is still there and always will be regardless of where I'm at, as far as location or age. Also, my lifestyle is different, as far as household and family lifestyle. And I just matured a lot, because you can never gain too much knowledge. I learned a lot more over the years.

BallerStatus.net: What did you think of that Roots track on their last album when Black Thought changed his voice to sound like you?

Kool G Rap: I think that was incredible. I did shows with Thought, when [Big Daddy] Kane and me actually came out and performed with him. And I was at one of the sound checks one time and I heard the record and I actually thought it was me. I actually thought somebody took my accapellas, found it, or got it from Marley Marl, and just placed it over a new track. It took me a little minute to catch on [laughs]. That is how convincing that dude was, and I give him a lot of props for that. He did it real good.

BallerStatus.net: Tell me your overall vision for the future?

Kool G Rap: My overall vision for the future is to eventually fall behind the scenes and let my young cannons do it.

BallerStatus.net: When it's all said and done, what do you want to be remembered for?

Kool G Rap: Just for the greatness that I think I contributed to the game and influencing a whole movement, which I think I did. When I came out, there really wasn't too many street rappers; at least from this side of the country. But to my knowledge, there wasn't a whole lot of street rappers. And if there was any even touching on the subject, nobody quite did it the way a G Rap did at the time. Years later, you hear the Nas', Raekwon's, the Big Pun's, the Jay-z's -- its like a whole arsenal of rappers right now that basically write along the same lines that I used to write. Years and decades after that fact, so I pretty much call that a movement. That is what I would like to be remembered for: influencing hip-hop the way it is today -- in the most accepted way it is today. Because even the crossover and mainstream records, they are very much street orientated.

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