STATEMENT FROM SLY BOOGY   (February 7, 2006) | Posted By: Lil Jay

     

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When can we all expect your next album “Mistaken Identity?”

I really can’t tell you if “Mistaken Identity” will ever drop. “Mistaken Identity,” is the title of the album that was scheduled for release on April 19, 2005 under the agreement between Bolo and J Records. According to Bolo’s attorney, Bolo is in the process of terminating their business relationship with J Records.


How is the recording of your new album going?

It’s going well. I have some heaters from some of the most talented producers I’ve ever met.


What artists and producers will be featured on your next project?

Well I’m hoping to get Crooked I and I would like to do some more collaborations with the rest of the cats that were on the California remix. I also wanna reach out to more West Coast artists as well. As far as artists in other regions, from the East, I wouldn’t mind working with Papoose. Saigon, M.O.P., and Sean Price from Boot Camp Clik are some other East Coast artists I would definitely like to work with. As far as the South, I would say Luda and Lil Wayne. As far as the Midwest, I would say J-Dilla, formerly of Slum Village. As far as vocalists I would like to work with Dwelle, Elizabeth Bingham, and Martha Ambrosia. I’ve been a fan of all of these artists for quite some time now. As far as production I am currently working with some known and unknown producers.


Is the album being released on Bolo Entertainment?

Unfortunately I don’t have the answer to that question.


Some claim that Sway and King Tech are the main reason why you are being held back, is that true?

I can’t say whether it is true or not however I can give you the possible reasons why people may be making that statement. First of all they may have read the July 28th, 2005 article on ballerstatus.net. In that article it was mentioned that there were creative differences. That statement is true, however there weren’t any explanations given to help people gather a clear understanding of what “creative differences” meant.

Back in late 2001 I began working with Tech and he gave me a CD of about 30 beats that he himself produced. I felt that most of them were decent ideas however; the two that stood out to me were the ones that I wrote the songs “Summertime” (Judgment Day Album) and “Flow” (True Crimes L.A.) to. After signing a production deal in early 2002 with Bolo Entertainment (Sway and King Tech’s production company; formerly known as Urban Legends), Tech was the main one I was working with creatively. Eventually Tech began receiving beats from various outside producers, which we spent countless hours listening to. It was at this point that I began to realize we had a difference in musical tastes.

Due to Tech’s level of experience and knowledge I would write to the beats he recommended as well as the beats I favored. It started to become somewhat of a challenge, and very time consuming, having to write to instrumentals that Tech and I did not mutually agree on. In 2002 it was brought to my attention that Bolo had been engaging in talks with J Records. Shortly after, Bolo entered into an agreement with J records on my behalf.

The songs that Tech and I recorded were submitted to Larry Jackson (A&R rep for J Records). Larry heard the songs and said they were good songs however; he felt that there were none worthy of being a set up single for the album. Tech strongly disagreed with Larry’s opinion. Now Tech had become very passionate about the project and was very protective of it. He would express concerns about the project falling into the wrong hands and getting ruined.

At some point communications between Bolo and me had ceased temporarily due to conflicts of interests. Bolo appointed Kenneth Armstrong (my DJ known as KMP) as a liaison to facilitate communications between me, Bolo, and J Records. This arrangement resulted in faulty communications between the three of us. I had started receiving phone calls from Larry Jackson at J Records and we had begun to develop a relationship on a friendship level. Larry was a cool cat. One day he called me and asked me if I wanted to work with Scott Storch and I said absolutely. So I ended up meeting with Scott and recording “Thatz My Name” and “It’s Nuthin.” Larry felt like “Thatz My Name” was a perfect set up single but Sway and Tech disagreed, stating that it was too “West Coast.” Despite this J Records released it. The song received an excellent response. J Records filmed a video for it shortly after the release. From what I was told by the liaison (KMP), the video didn’t really get much air-time. When the momentum began to decrease Larry gave me the instrumental for the song “If You Got Crew.” I wrote the verses and recorded it shortly after. Larry suggested releasing “If You Got Crew,” which is a song featuring Jagged Edge (So So Def), as the follow up single. He felt like the song would be a good national lead single. Again, Sway and Tech disagreed saying that the song was too soft and it was too early for that type of song. They felt like “It’s Nuthin” would be a more fitting single for that time. From what I was told there was finally a compromise….”If You Got Crew” on the A-side and “It’s Nuthin’” on the B-side. The February 23rd to March 1st 2005 BDS report showed that “If You Got Crew” received 654 spins on the East Coast, 1,352 spins in the South, 875 spins on the West Coast, and 616 spins in the Midwest which is a total of 3,497 spins. “It’s Nuthin’” received 22 spins on the East Coast, 56 spins in the South, 1,451 spins on the West Coast, and 56 spins in the Midwest which is a total of 1,611 spins. What I found quite interesting was “It’s Nuthin” received 416 spins on KPWR while “If You Got Crew” only received seven.

From what I was told by J Records they very excited about “If You Got Crew.” They designed an artist development plan which encompassed a scheduled promotional tour, photo shoot, video shoot, and marketing strategy. I remember being on conference calls with DJs from around the country and receiving positive feedback for “If You Got Crew.” I expressed to Bolo the desire to show gratitude to the all of the DJs and radio personnel that supported the records but Bolo strongly advised me against developing any relationships with radio personnel. When the spins started to die down for both singles it was decided that another single was necessary. Bolo feared that J Records, given J Records short track record with developing hip hop artists, lacked the experience to break the project without Bolo’s direction and radio relationships. At that time Larry had said that the enthusiasm at the label had diminished and that they were ready to shelve the project.

During this time I had received a phone call from Sway expressing extreme displeasure in my correspondence with Larry Jackson. Sway also stated that any continued correspondence between me and Larry could result in Larry’s termination from J Records. He said that because of this, he hadn’t been able allow himself to give the project his full support. He then told me that he didn’t think it was a good idea for me to correspond with Larry or anyone at J Records.

I submitted more song concepts via email (mp3) to Bolo in early 2005. Sway sent me an email on May 7th of 2005 in response to one of the emailed songs saying that he liked the song and that he would reach out to me in a few days. After a week or so went by I made several attempts to contact Sway and received no return phone calls. I contacted the “liaison” and asked if he had received any correspondence from anyone and he stated that his phone calls were not being returned either. After several more unsuccessful attempts to contact Sway, I called Larry Jackson and he informed me that the project had been dropped. I don’t think Sway and Tech would intentionally hold me back however there is a possibility that things have been misconstrued. I’ve admired Sway and Tech since the Wake Up Show first came to Southern California and I’ve always envisioned them as being pro-artist above anything else. The Wake Up Show has launched the careers of such artists as Eminem.


What have you been up to lately?

I’ve just been writing, recording, doing shows, and spending time with my loved ones. I’ve also been reflecting on what has been happening for the past four years.


Will you and Dirty Birdy be releasing a full length album anytime soon?

That has always been our childhood dream. That would be a beautiful thing.


How as an emcee do you think you’ve changed from Judgment Day up to now?

I think I’ve grown to a level where I can now create music for more than one type of audience. Judgment Day was more for the lyrical heads. My new material caters to a broader demographic. I’m noticing more of a mixture of age, race, and gender at my shows. I think that has to do with the fact that I was able to get production with a more professional and developed quality.


What are your greatest achievements in life?

I would consider my most outstanding achievement to be my perseverance through
tribulations.


What do you think is your most defining characteristic as an emcee?

I think it would be my delivery. I like to change my style on every song. I custom craft most of my material to the music so every song has a different flow pattern. I don’t just like to write lyrics and match them up all the time.


What do you think of the commercialism of hip hop right now and do you think it’s
showing respect to all the pioneers?

I think it’s our individual choice if we want to show respect to the pioneers. I’ll always pay homage to the pioneers. Hip hop pioneers are like war veterans; they put in the work and they don’t get the acknowledgement they deserve.


A lot of rappers go from music to movies…is that something you’re interested in
getting into?

Absolutely. I’d like to be a part of something that’s based on a true story. I’ve always been intrigued with movies that portray something that actually happened in real life.


Who or what is your inspiration for what you do?

Right now I would have to say kids, family, and friends. Seeing the smiles on kid’s faces at shows is very inspiring. I remember doing a show for a Juvenile Detention Center and the kids showing a lot of love. They were very excited and they weren’t ashamed to show it. Family showing support and sharing the excitement is also very inspiring.


Are you planning an overseas tour?

Not at the moment.


What will you be doing with all of your unreleased material?

I will probably compile them together on a CD for my own listening pleasure.


Is there anything in your career that you now look back on and could have done differently and now regret?

No. I don’t regret anything. I’ve learned a lot and it has been a blessing.


So what can we expect from Sly Boogy in 2006?

You can expect to become better acquainted with who I am. I especially want to thank all my fans who have supported me over the past four years.