New Tony Yayo Interview

[prince]

BallerStatus.net: What's good, man?

Tony Yayo: Mark, what's going on BallerStatus! I'm in my sixth week, seventh week and I'm at 420,000 or something like that, so I'm good man. I had a big first week. I did 215,000 and I wish I could have done more, but my album dropped the same day as Kanye West and you know he had all kinds of promotions -- Pepsi commercials and all kinds of stuff like that. That took away from my sales and the Katrina thing happening, I think that took away from my sales, but I don't make excuses for nothing man. I still think the album is going strong.

BallerStatus.net: Any more singles or videos from the album?

Tony Yayo: I'm doing good now, but my next video is going to be "I Know You Don't Love Me" featuring 50, Banks and Buck.

BallerStatus.net: Any ideas for how that video is going to come out?

Tony Yayo: Actually, I'm going with the same director that did "So Seductive" -- Gil Green. He's good people.

BallerStatus.net: What's the next step for you? I understand you're about to release a mobile game for everyone's cell phone.

Tony Yayo: Yea, man, my next step is I'm getting into the virtual reality world. We got the "Bulletproof" video game with me, 50, Banks and Buck. We got a big check from that. And the other game you were talking about, it's called "Free Yayo."

BallerStatus.net: OK, that title sounds pretty self-explanatory, but tell me about the game.

Tony Yayo: Yea, "Free Yayo" is basically someone took me hostage and 50, Banks and Buck have to come save me. It's on your hand-held phone and it will be coming out real soon.

BallerStatus.net: Now, did the wireless developers come to you with that or you approached them?

Tony Yayo: They came to me with the idea, man. There's a lot of money in the video game world and I'm a big video game fan. I just went out and bought "Warriors" today, actually. I ain't even get to play it yet. Right now, I'm just excited for my game to come out.

BallerStatus.net: In a recent column I wrote, I called G-Unit the New York Yankees of rap because it seems as though -- just like the Yankees -- you guys have a knack for signing the hottest free agents, whether it's Mobb Deep or M.O.P. Do you believe that's an accurate perception?

Tony Yayo: Definitely. Of course man, we are the New York Yankees of rap. If you look at us right now, besides us and Jay-Z, everything we touch is doing the numbers it's supposed to do. If it wasn't for G-Unit and Jay-Z's camp, New York City wouldn't be winning right now.

BallerStatus.net: Well, do you agree with people that say New York is low right now?

Tony Yayo: Definitely. There are a lot of talented New York artists, but a lot of them aren't selling records like us. Beside Jay-Z and Roc-A-Fella, nobody is moving numbers like us. And since they (Roc-A-Fella) broke up, it's really all about Jay-Z.

BallerStatus.net: Are you personally or as a crew, are y'all tired of answering questions about the Game and D-Block.

Tony Yayo: Nah, I mean people want to know. The hood is the hood and people want to know what's going on. With the Game situation, he was just a disloyal dude. With D-Block and the Game, we look at it like what's the best way to get on right now? [Laughs] Get at the New York Yankees of the rap game. That's the best way to get on. There are dudes that don't even have deals that say, "Oh, I want to get signed, so I am going to get at G-Unit."

BallerStatus.net: So, where does it stand right now...

Tony Yayo: Oh, it doesn't even matter. It really depends on how 50, me, Banks and Buck feel that day. We might want to say something one day and not say anything the next. But if I got something to say, I'm going to let you know on wax or in the streets when I see you.

BallerStatus.net: What do you think is missing from hip-hop?

Tony Yayo: I think everyone is doing songs for their hood and not thinking about the world. You got to make music that people are going to dance to and have a good time to like "Candy Shop," "Disco Inferno," "On Fire," "Shorty Wanna Ride" and "So Seductive." That's the formula. Even Biggie was like that. He could make "What's Beef" and then do "Hypnotize." [Singing] Biggie, Biggie, Biggie...can't you see. Or he'll do "Gimme The Loot" and go on to "One More Chance." He had records for the clubs and records for the streets. Tupac did the same. He had "Hail Mary" and then did "Toss It Up" for the clubs. The best artists have records for the streets and records for the clubs. Big Pun, another one.

BallerStatus.net: When I seen y'all on tour, I see you as the dude that gets everyone hyped. Are you comfortable having that role to ignite the energy level?

Tony Yayo: Yea, I get everyone hyped. When I come around, everyone has fun. That's just kind of the dude I am. Life is great for me. I am blessed. I remember having nothing and now I have a million dollar home, all kinds of cars and my album just dropped six weeks ago. I'm doing better than good and better than most.

BallerStatus.net: Mase officially signed with G-Unit...

Tony Yayo: Yea, Mase is officially signed. You can catch him on the movie soundtrack.

BallerStatus.net: With Mase, he has a documented history with Jim Jones. Does G-Unit automatically inherit his issues now that he's with the team or just leave them to him?

Tony Yayo: Man, it is what it is. He's a part of the family now and once you're a part of the family, you're a part of the family. I know you know what that means.

BallerStatus.net: There have been stories surfacing forever about G-Unit signing Lil' Scrappy and recently about G-Unit signing Beanie Sigel. What's the status of those deals?

Tony Yayo: I don't know what's going on with Beanie Sigel, but I will say he's a good rapper and we all enjoy his music over here. Now, Scrappy he's like a part of the family. 50 really loves him. Everyone loves Scrappy.

BallerStatus.net: The streets are also talking about 50 signing Kool G. Rap. Is that close to being done?

Tony Yayo: From what I'm hearing...before I even say, Kool G. Rap is a rapper that everyone grew up listening to and we all enjoy his music, but to be honest, I'm not sure if he signed any papers for Fif' yet.

BallerStatus.net: Who does Yayo really want to work with?

Tony Yayo: Who would I want to work with!? I'm already on the Dream Team, so it's hard. Damn...but, I would love to do a song with Mary J. Blige.

BallerStatus.net: When 50 has a possible free agent in mind, does he come to you, Banks, Yayo and the rest of the team for feedback or you leave that to him?

Tony Yayo: Yea, when it came to Mobb Deep and M.O.P., 50 came to me and asked me what I thought and I said, "Man, that's big!" I've been a fan of Mobb Deep since "Shook Ones" and M.O.P. since "Guns and Roses" and all that. So, yea he always asks us.

BallerStatus.net: With G-Unit is it becoming a strength in numbers kind of deal or every artist signed is supposed to fill in a void?

Tony Yayo: G-Unit....man, there is a lot of talent over here. Everyone works and it's all about consistency. Banks has his second album done, Buck has his second album done, I got my second album done, Mobb Deep is coming in February and M.O.P. is working on their album. Olivia's album is done. It's all about work. Everyone's putting in work, it's crazy.

BallerStatus.net: There's been rumors about 50 not liking the fact that Dr. Dre is working with the Game on his album. Any truth to that?

Tony Yayo: Well man, I don't really know anything about that. I'm just focusing on my album. I don't know what's up with 50 and Dre and all that. From what I know they had a good relationship and still do.

BallerStatus.net: Tell us about "Bulletproof," the video game.

Tony Yayo: Man, that game is crazy. What makes it ironic is that same guy who wrote the script to 50's movie, wrote the script to the video game. That's what makes the game ironic and makes it stand out more than any other game out there. We have all kinds of music on there, from me, 50, Banks, Buck, Mobb Deep and M.O.P. The whole G-Unit is on the video game, as well as the soundtrack for the movie, "Get Rich or Die Tryin.'"

BallerStatus.net: What's next for the team?

Tony Yayo: In the middle of all the numbers and madness, we're still dropping mixtapes with Whoo Kid. We got Mixtape Mayhem that came out and like three mixtapes that came out this month. That's what it is. When we grind, we grind. My album is out, you got Behind Closed Doors with Olivia, you got Mobb Deep in February, Buck with Bunk Y'all, Banks is working on his second album. He just got bootlegged.

BallerStatus.net: How bad?

Tony Yayo: Banks had a whole album on the street called Blue Hefner that got leaked on the Internet, about 23 songs and he went back to the studio and did another 20. You gotta love it man. We work. This is a movement. This is an empire we're building. We got the new G-Unit sneakers coming out in November. It's the "Talk of New York," Tony Yayo. G-G-G-G-G-Unit. HERE WE GO NOW!

http://www.ballerstatus.net/features/read/id/17926920/

[WestCoasta]

I did 215,000 and I wish I could have done more, but my album dropped the same day as Kanye West and you know he had all kinds of promotions -- Pepsi commercials and all kinds of stuff like that. That took away from my sales and the Katrina thing happening, I think that took away from my sales, but I don't make excuses for nothing man. I still think the album is going strong.

[WestCoasta]

BallerStatus.net: What's the next step for you? I understand you're about to release a mobile game for everyone's cell phone.

Tony Yayo: Yea, man, my next step is I'm getting into the virtual reality world. We got the "Bulletproof" video game with me, 50, Banks and Buck. We got a big check from that. And the other game you were talking about, it's called "Free Yayo."

BallerStatus.net: OK, that title sounds pretty self-explanatory, but tell me about the game.

Tony Yayo: Yea, "Free Yayo" is basically someone took me hostage and 50, Banks and Buck have to come save me. It's on your hand-held phone and it will be coming out real soon.

what's going on

[ABN]

BallerStatus.net: What do you think is missing from hip-hop?

Tony Yayo: I think everyone is doing songs for their hood and not thinking about the world. You got to make music that people are going to dance to and have a good time to like "Candy Shop," "Disco Inferno," "On Fire," "Shorty Wanna Ride" and "So Seductive." That's the formula. Even Biggie was like that. He could make "What's Beef" and then do "Hypnotize." [Singing] Biggie, Biggie, Biggie...can't you see. Or he'll do "Gimme The Loot" and go on to "One More Chance." He had records for the clubs and records for the streets. Tupac did the same. He had "Hail Mary" and then did "Toss It Up" for the clubs. The best artists have records for the streets and records for the clubs. Big Pun, another one.

aint this the exact same thing they used to diss Ja Rule for doin?

[WestCoasta]

aint this the exact same thing they used to diss Ja Rule for doin?

yep.... now they're just as gay as Ja Rule 

[Sikotic™]

I love Yayo interviews. Dude is pure comedy. That shit about people need to make more "Candyshops" and "So Seductives" had me laughin' hard. And how at the beginning of every interview he's gotta blame his low record sales on Kanye and now the flood. Every interview, he hasn't failed yet.

[eS El Duque]

BallerStatus.net: OK, that title sounds pretty self-explanatory, but tell me about the game.

Tony Yayo: Yea, "Free Yayo" is basically someone took me hostage and 50, Banks and Buck have to come save me. It's on your hand-held phone and it will be coming out real soon.


hahhahah

[js83]

He still sounds lil bitter about his shitty record sales.

[GangstaBoogy]

BallerStatus.net: OK, that title sounds pretty self-explanatory, but tell me about the game.

Tony Yayo: Yea, "Free Yayo" is basically someone took me hostage and 50, Banks and Buck have to come save me. It's on your hand-held phone and it will be coming out real soon.

FUCK THAT! i better not see anybody playin this captain-save-a-yayo ass game. "free yayo". this muhfucka been out for like 2 years now - let it go!

[ChinBo37]

BallerStatus.net: OK, that title sounds pretty self-explanatory, but tell me about the game.

Tony Yayo: Yea, "Free Yayo" is basically someone took me hostage and 50, Banks and Buck have to come save me. It's on your hand-held phone and it will be coming out real soon.

FUCK THAT! i better not see anybody playin this captain-save-a-yayo ass game. "free yayo". this muhfucka been out for like 2 years now - let it go!

na man, not free him from prison, but free him from his kidnappers ... lol

[WestCoasta]

FUCK THAT! i better not see anybody playin this captain-save-a-yayo ass game. "free yayo". this muhfucka been out for like 2 years now - let it go!

na man, not free him from prison, but free him from his kidnappers ... lol

LMAO

[Bch]

yup same thing ja rule is doing, is doing
 
now they've turned into JA RULE, they talk so much about street this and street that were doing this 1 for the block

yeah ok

[T-Dogg]

Goddamn Yayo is a fool... That "Free Yayo" game man... Pure comedy. And people need to make more "Candyshops" and "So Seductives", ha ha ha... NO MAN, NO!

Yayo, I assure you - there's quite enough of mediocre club songs coming out these days.

[Cheese]

lol at that mobile phone game!! A tfirst i thought t was just gonna be a game for the computer, but now it appears to be a game the mobile phone!!!

[Dip Set Movementarian 4 Life]

i been lookin around for that Blue Hefner that leaked but i havent seen anything...didnt say anything about a Ma$e Murda album yet