Published: Friday - April 4, 2008
Words by Mayumi Jones & Anne van de Sande
40 Cal (Photo: n/a)
If you look further than Jim Jones, Juelz Santana and Cam'ron, you'll find Dipset's secret weapon, Calvin "40 Cal" Alan Byrd. He first gained momentum through Fight Klub, the underground event boasting competitions between battle rappers, who are judged on their ability to rap. With his flow, lyricism and showmanship, 40 Cal defeated Cardi on the MTV2 show. After creating a buzz in the mixtape circuit through his tapes, Broken Safety and Trigger Happy, the Dipset member is now gearing up for his debut album and some other solo projects.
Harlem's own gangster wasn't very talkative when sitting down with us on a lazy afternoon, but did want to set shed some light on Dipset, G-Unit and his latest project The Yellow Tape.
BallerStatus.com: What influenced the decision to call yourself 40 Cal?
40 Cal: That's easy because I'm from 140th and Lennox and my name is Calvin.
BallerStatus.com: Cam'ron, Juelz Santana, they are some pretty big names and quite an eclectic group. How did you find yourself drawn to this particular group or what influenced your decision?
40 Cal: I'm from Harlem. The people here like my music. I mean, you know, I represent them. They like what I'm part of more. I'm going to go with the best group that comes from Harlem. If I was in Queens, I'd be in G-Unit. If I was in Yonkers, I'd be on D-Block. I'm from Harlem, so it makes more sense, ya dig?
BallerStatus.com: For those who don't know, can you explain the difference between Diplomats and Dipset, the movement?
40 Cal: Truthfully, there ain't no real difference, it's just a different name. To explain it's like trying to say McDonalds and Mickey D's. Dipset is Mickey D's and Diplomats is McDonalds.
BallerStatus.com: The initial idea, being to change the path of hip0hop and the way hip-hop was going, do you feel like the movement is doing what it first intended to do today?
40 Cal: At first we were, but I think we got kind of stagnated with family issues.
BallerStatus.com: Family issues, as far as industry family or blood relations?
40 Cal: Kinda like all of the above because I'm part of the Diplomats.
BallerStatus.com: Who do you still admire today as a person or an artist, someone who influences you?
40 Cal: Cam'ron.
BallerStatus.com: What is hip-hop culture to you?
40 Cal: Anything just like taking it back, you know what I'm saying? From dancing to battling to beat boxing. That's a broad category, so it can mean a lot of things to a lot of people.
BallerStatus.com: How do you define hip-hop fpr yourself?
40 Cal: I think hip-hop is a genre of music that is growing by all force, going to do big things. It can be something small to a billion dollar industry. I feel like hip-hop is more than just an art form, it's a way of life.
BallerStatus.com: What is your creative process?
40 Cal: That's the best part, just making it... the whole process in the studio. I don't write, but I think or whatever I think kinda on a premeditated.
BallerStatus.com: So you just go off the top of your head when you get in the studio?
40 Cal: Yeah, like premeditated murder.
BallerStatus.com: As a women in the 21st century, there is a lot of controversy regarding lyrical content and materials being heard. How do you think that impacts the youth of today and how does Dipset positively influence the community?
40 Cal: We have an impact just on the youth. I mean hip-hop has a major impact on the youth, people they can relate to. It plays a big part. But at the end of the day, we're just entertainment. It's like your favorite movies, it's entertainment. We go to high schools, try and talk to kids, we do the turkey thing, and we donate money. We don't really like to talk about that because it becomes bragging rights to a lot of different artists.
BallerStatus.com: Is Dipset working on any new up and coming projects?
40 Cal: Yo, it's the same thing every year. I'm working on my new album, Cam'ron gonna drop his new album, Jim gonna drop his new album and Juelz I think he's gonna drop an album. We don't mess around. I told you it's going to happen like that. It happens like that every year.
BallerStatus.com: Are you working on anything that is really inspiring to you?
40 Cal: Yeah I'm working on... well working on, I'm lying, It's out. It's called The Yellow Tape 'cause the body and everything. It's got the DVD, my battles that no one's seen before and a whole CD of unheard music. And immediately after that, I'm coming out with this album called Mother, and that's crazy. I'm putting the finishing touches on that, that's just me.
BallerStatus.com: Do you know what the first single released will be from either or both albums?
40 Cal: I got a joint called "Shut 'Em Down" and another called "I'm On My Ish" featuring one of my artists.
BallerStatus.com: With the beef there used to be between Dipset and G-Unit...
40 Cal: There was never beef it was a Cam and 50 Cent thing. You know at the end of the day, it wasn't jumping off. It wasn't popping off and he wasn't giving a straight answer.
BallerStatus.com: So as said by Tupac, "My enemy is your enemy." do you take that stance when it comes to beef?
40 Cal: I used to, but as you get older, you just... I used to have friends that had all kinds of issues. You can't be out there like that anymore. Some people ain't worthy I guess. It's strategy for some people to just call you out to get attention or something like that, but they really ain't relevant like that.
BallerStatus.com: Is there anything else that you would like to add?
40 Cal: Get ready for hot punch lines, hot bars and good music. I'm trying to bring it back to good music. It's kinda hard, I see many people fall victim to bandwagon, trying to get people off the bandwagon and have individual thought. Not being afraid to stand up and say he's hot, or someone is going to say' why you like him over them?' Knowing in your heart that it's good music. I'm bamboozled by what people think is good music nowadays, to be like 'he is hot, the radio people say he's hot' and you know in your heart he's wack. Don't go around saying he's hot. At the end of the day, I represent good music.
BallerStatus.com: Who do you find yourself listening to?
40 Cal: I listen to like Big Mike and mixtapes. I can't really say any particular artists, but I think they narrow down the good artists. Whoever is on those, DJs. I wouldn't even want to say a name because someone will hold that against you. I mean there's beef between Jay-Z and Nas, and so I know anyone can fall victim.
Beyond Hip-Hop Shopping Guide: August 2008 Here's our August installment of the shopping guide for all your avid BallerStatus.com visitors who love the newest ... full story
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