Published: Monday - January 15, 2007
Words by Joe "JayRich" Robinson
8 Ball (Photo: 8 Ways Entertainment)
As most know, the South's reign on hip-hop has not ended. However, they've continued to do it at a time in which records sales are sagging and hit songs don't translate into moving many units. No sales, not to worry when the ringtones and the independent labels can rake in the cash necessary to feed many rapper's monetary lusts and greed. It proves to be even sweeter for the legends who've been shouldering the load when it came to providing quality hip-hop. No, 8 Ball and MJG may not go platinum in this era, but 8 Ball can at least say this, "We still matter."
8 Ball, along with longtime partner in rhyme MJG, has survived and maintained their position as relevant MCs. 8 Ball's done it in a period where legends are getting snubbed without any major label love. On the other hand, being from the South has prepared this breed of MC from putting his hopes in the hands of the "white collars." 8 Ball has since formed 8Wayz Entertainment and signed his own roster just like those same "white collars."
The rapper took time to speak with BallerStatus to describe the Southern scenery post-Oscar. And also provides his opinion on the Southern movement, why MJG and he took so long to drop solo LPs, and if legends get the respect they deserve.
BallerStatus.com: What's the music like ever since last year's events with Three 6 Mafia winning the Oscar and the South dominating the airwaves?
8 Ball: I don't think it really changed that much. The music still the same it's just more money going around.
BallerStatus.com: Are you happy with what's being played on the radio?
8 Ball: I not a real big radio listener, but I feel like they play what the people wanna hear. As far as hip-hop goes, I don't think we've ever been this diverse in the game.
BallerStatus.com: Down South you're a legend, but do you feel you get the proper respect when you travel out of state?
8 Ball: As far as fanfare, we do most of our shows in the Midwest, Houston and the Florida regions. We don't do too much in the West Coast or the Northern regions.
BallerStatus.com: The next group album with Bad Boy, is Diddy going to have the same presence he had on the last album?
8 Ball: Nah, not really; it's pretty much going to be us.
BallerStatus.com: As far as the music goes, are you going to switch up more or will you stick with the Orangemound sound?
8 Ball: That's always going to be us. Whatever come out our mouths is going to be the Orangemound sound. We ain't go never change that. But, at the same time, you don't want to do too much of the same thing because people go start saying, "That's the same ol' sh--."
BallerStatus.com: Everything has been said though; how do you keep being original without going too far?
8 Ball: Well, it's hard 'cause music is music and life is life; every love song is pretty much the same, but they still make em. Every n---- talk about getting married or f---ing a bitch.
BallerStatus.com: Do you feel like the younger generation respects what the veterans have done for the hip-hop music genre?
8 Ball: Somewhat; I don't think we get a lot of the honors like we should. I'm happy with the things we do get because it's cats that's been around longer than we have and they non-existent. There's people around two, three years ago and they're non-existent now. We still blessed. Motherf---ers still call to do interviews and we still do shows. But, it always could be better.
BallerStatus.com: Speaking of features, you did Lloyd Banks' "Ice Man," how did that happen, Young Buck?
8 Ball: My manager and Lloyd manager real cool and that's how it all came together.
BallerStatus.com: A lot of people say artists down South fair better in the music business because they have to push their own product harder than other regions. Outside of the music itself, what do you guys tend to do to make more money?
8 Ball: Everybody venture outside the music. Like I got 8 Ways Entertainment coming with a movie. We just keep it moving and whatever we can make money doing we go for it.
BallerStatus.com: Most journalists that critique music come from Northern regions, do you feel like Southern artists get a fair shot when their album is reviewed by a New Yorker?
8 Ball: Honestly bruh, it's just a pen on the paper. I've met many people from all walks of life that love our music and think that there's nothing greater. It really just depends on the person.
BallerStatus.com: Why did you and MJG wait so long to finally make solo albums?
8 Ball: I don't know [laughs]. We really don't move on a set schedule. Light Up the Bomb, that ain't no solo joint, it's a compilation. It's me and the artists on my label, but I do have a solo album coming though.
BallerStatus.com: Over the years, you've been one of few artists that uses so many flows. Does that come from experimenting or it's something more natural?
8 Ball: It just come from the music; it's just the flow of the beat. The music create the flow; we do it too, but I just go off the music.
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