PAPOOSE  (August 2005) | Interview By: Nima

      Dubcnn.com spoke to one of Tupac's Soldiers and close friends Nuttso. He spoke about his upcoming solo album, working with Paris, one of the funniest things that went down when they were outside the club with Tupac, how many unreleased songs he got with Tupac, Afeni shakur, Upcoming Tupac album in 2006, Why there ain't no Blood and Crips in Oakland, His upcoming DVD, and so much more. Please feel free to send any feedback regarding the interview to: nima@dubcnn.com



Huge thanks to Papoose for taking time out to answer the questions fans wanted to know! (Interview was done by phone in August 2005)

Questions Asked By : Nima

Papoose Gave Dubcnn.com A Shoutout! Check That Here

Full Interview In Audio : Here

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dubcnn.com: I know you're good at self promotion, so go head and let all the people that don't know about you yet who you are and what you're about!

Papoose, the most lyrical one, Bedstuy Brooklyn, you understand what I'm saying, Streetsweepers Entertainment. The movement. The family. So right now man, the most anticipated, the most talented artist out. I'm coming hard man. I came up, rising, I got the mixtape scene going crazy, I got the airwaves going crazy, I got the magazines going crazy. If you ain't heard me, that means you ain't listening! My album is gonna make history. I'm not just here to bluff ya'll, nah man. Papoose album is gone make history, The Nacirema Dream.


dubcnn.com: Papoose is very unusual name... What is a Papoose?

Basically man, Papoose wasn't a fabricated or a made up name. When I was born, as a child, my grandma, God bless her soul, called me that way. Instead of saying "Baby", the indians say "Papoose". And she thought I looked like an indian baby, she gave me the name Papoose.


dubcnn.com: Do you still keep in touch with Kool G Rap? I know you used to be affiliated with him...

I spoke to him not too long ago, he's working on a project he wanted me to be a part of. So you know, I definitely still stay in contact with G-Rap, he's a legend!


dubcnn.com: Was it Kay Slay's idea to push you as his new artist?

I mean he heard me, and he was like "we should get together". And I damn sure agreed!


dubcnn.com: How did you feel when he approached you?

I approached him trying to get my music played, I was on the grind pickin' my own CD's up, and I approached Kay Slay. Long story short, he took the CD's, and after he listened to them and did his homework, he called me up! And as far as how I felt, it was a honour man! I mean Kay Slay is the hottest street DJ! That was a honour.


dubcnn.com: Does having Kay Slay as your manager hurt you sometimes?

Actually man, I'm signed with Streetsweepers Entertainment, so he's not even my management. But any affiliation with Kay Slay could never hurt me, it could only help me, cause Kay Slay is a real individual. And as far as him dealing with other artists, he's not pushing them. I mean he supports real Hip-Hop, he supports real music, anybody that's doing it for real, he's guaranteed to be on Kay Slay's show. He supports other dudes also as a DJ, but me and him and Streetsweepers Entertainment, that's a whole other entity, like that ain't got nothin' to do with his job as a DJ. This is a different business.


dubcnn.com: Your old stuff is very hardcore, murder rap, super lyrical. On your latest 2 mixtapes, you've been having more universal stuff, with mass appeal. Are you making that transition right now?

You know, I've always been versatile from day one. I represent that. I feel like everybody that's signed to a label, is signed as an artist. You gotta be artist, you should not be unable to make different type of songs. I'm definitely versatile, I don't want people to think I can just do that one style, nah! I come from all angles, 360 degrees!


dubcnn.com: How hard do you think it will be for you to elevate from a mixtape rapper to a rapper with mass appeal?

It shouldn't be hard. My records is in rotation around the world already! I'm the only unsigned artist that's been in full rotation! You know what I'm saying? So I already proved that I can take it to that level. But as far as going platinum and selling records, you just gotta pay attention and you will see it. The success will happen, like I said my career is more like a volcano man! It's been bubbling for years and years, and when it explodes and really errupts, everybody gone see what's really popping.


dubcnn.com: What's your label situation right now? Are you getting any offers from majors yet?

Right about now, we got so many options man! But a record deal is not a question for us, it's an option. I try to get the best deal possible, and we when lock it in, we gonna make it official for everybody.


dubcnn.com: Who would be your ideal label to put your album out on?

Nobody in particular, I'm trying to get the marketing and promotion. Like I said, it's alot of things on the table right now, I don't really wanna think too much about it, to mess nothing up, but it's alot of good labels, alot of people wanna come in and participate, so we gonna make the best decision possible.


dubcnn.com: How different will your album be from the mixtapes?

It's gonna be the same talent. As far as the difference from the mixtapes, the album is gonna be on a whole other level. I'm gonna elevate myself.


dubcnn.com: You've already put out alot of concept songs on mixtapes, are you afraid to run out of ideas?

I'll probably run out of blood before I run out of ideas and concepts. Definitely man, like I said, I do this from the heart. It's natural for me, like walking down the street. I'll probably forget how to walk before I forget how to make a good record.


dubcnn.com: How long have you been rhyming?

I've been rhyming my whole life.


dubcnn.com: Who did you look up to when you were coming up?

Big Daddy Kane, Kool G Rap, Rakim, them old school cats..


dubcnn.com: Are you personally a fan of West Coast Hip Hop?

I like everybody, WC is my homie! Out on the West Coast, we just did a song with him.


dubcnn.com: Any chance of a Crooked I/Papoose collabo?

Crooked I? I don't know who that is...


dubcnn.com: You ain't heard of him? He used to be on Death Row...

Nah... It does sound kinda familiar, you gone have to send me something.


dubcnn.com: You have a strong buzz right now. When is The Nacirema Dream dropping?

Right now there is no set date for it, I'm trying to push it out sometime before the end of the year though!


dubcnn.com: Do you have any guest appearances planned?

Like I said, I don't really wanna think about it too much, and blow chances or nothing, but I got alot of big people from alot of hot places man, people recognize talent like this. The album is gonna be phenomenal.


dubcnn.com: What about production?

I'm gonna have alot of producers man, anybody that's popping. You know what I'm saying?


dubcnn.com: How would you describe yourself as an artist in 1 word?

Oh man, phenomenon. I'm a fan of Hip-Hop first. And my talent as an artist is incredible, above average. I'm a artist, a true artist.


dubcnn.com: If a fan has enough money to buy only 1 album, he has 10 to choose from though, why should he pick yours?

Cause my record will most likely capture what every one of them 10 records capture, only in one record. Ten records that anybody can put together, would equal to my one record. Put it like that. Put them 10 records on a scale, and they weigh about the same much. Not even saying the same content, but just saying that, my worldplay is some vivid that I can summarize what it would take somebody 10 songs for and put it in one song.


dubcnn.com: Do you feel Hip-Hop will be moving away from the Dirty South wave that's on right now?

Oh everybody got their time man. You know what I'm saying? Everybody get their time at the top. I'm not saying it's gonna move away, I'm not hating on nobody, I'm just saying it comes around to everybody.


dubcnn.com: How can producers get at you to submit beats?

I got so many beats coming at me and so many different things coming at me man, like I can't even really put out a number for that, a phone number or something, cause that's crazy right now. I got beats coming to me left and right man, I got shows coming at me left and right, I'm just doing what's best in my ability and stay on top of this shit. Anybody that knows me, ya'll know how to get at me!


dubcnn.com: Where would you like to see yourself in 5 years?

Oh man, on top of the world! Trying to make history, and make my mark. Move on, elevate, on top of the game though, top of the world!


dubcnn.com: Is there anything else you'd like to let everybody know?

Stay tuned, it's more to come. The best is yet to come! Anybody that's followed me, they know what I'm about! You know I deliver when it's come down to it. Stay tuned, and don't believe the hype, don't believe the rumours, the nonsense. Look for actual facts. Papoose, Streetsweepers Entertainment, the album is coming soon!