The MP3:

"Hate from the heart, they hate from within / And not realizing they're hating their own skin"

"Hate" is a term that we are all familiar with, a word that can be defined as an extreme dislike for something or someone. In his latest single from Tha Blaqprint, Blaq Poet and guest artist N.O.R.E. talk about all the hating that goes on in their neighborhood, chiefly the kind aimed directly at them because of their success. With a well-crafted and laidback beat courtesy of the legendary DJ Premier, Blaq and N.O.R.E. provide contrast to the track with their aggressive hardcore flows and confrontational lyrics that relay a simple and obvious message: Stop all the hating. Blaq Poet and N.O.R.E., however, have risen above this way of life and continue to bang out good music, much to the disdain of all their haters.

Interview:

In an exclusive interview with Audible Treats, Blaq Poet and DJ Premier opened up about the "Hate" track and the current state of hip-hop and the music industry.

AT: Tell me in your own words what this song is about.

Blaq Poet: "The song is about hate, about how people always be hating on people, especially when they start doing good."
Premo: "The song is about the state of mind that black people face in the wake of their success when you come from the projects. They support you until you have officially made it, then here comes the HATE from those same people that smile in your face."

AT: How did you link up with N.O.R.E. on this track?

Blaq Poet: "Me and N.O.R.E. been tight since way before he popped off, you know, so it was only a matter of time before we got together for a track like this."
Premo: "N.O.R.E. Has been a longtime friend in the industry, and the talk of doing a song one day finally came to light with a quick phone call. Plus he is from the Lefrak Projects and both from Queens... AUTOMATIC YES !!!!"

AT: What is your take on leaking songs?

Blaq Poet: Nowadays, leaking your track is a form of promotion. If your track leaks, it's all good, you have to get it out there. What it comes down to is if your track don't leak, it's not hot!"
Premo: "I think that leaking songs depends on who understands the knowledge of WHEN a leak should go out, and to what DJ's they are leaking out to. The majority of the DJ's on my personal list started at 36 and has now increased to 200 DJ's. I communicate with the ones that are not handcuffed to play what they think is a HOT record, not a playlist from the Program Director; that kills the progress of a good record's set up for more anticipation from the supporters to want to spend money on an album that they can trust will be worth their investment."

AT: Do you think leaking tracks helps or hurts your career?

Blaq Poet: "Before it blew up it used to be seen as hurting. Once it started getting big though, and the labels started seeing it happening it became a tool, they saw they could use it to promote your music. You want your tracks to get leaked."
Premo: "Hip-hop has ALWAYS based on leaking new shit early. It was all originated from what real DJ's call MIXSHOW (cutting, scratching, mixing) and being the tastemaker of breaking new records. If the hip-hop culture had a union of some sort, there would not be so many problems within its structure. My timing of leaking records is great because I have an outlet such as my weekly radio show that is dedicated to sticking to that script."

AT: What do you think about the current status of the music industry?

Blaq Poet: It's poppin! Hip-hop and RnB are still thriving and mixing, you've seen what people like Rick Ross and 50 (Cent) have been doing using the RnB influence in their music. Everything is healthy, hip-hop is good, and the recession didn’t even effect the industry; people are always going to want to eat and listen to their music."
Premo: "The current status of the music industry is very bad for major labels (they stopped caring about the quality of the product and the A&R's at hip hop labels have lost their minds on picking the next good artist to sign). Independent labels have a lot more to offer since hip-hop started from here. Majors were so late signing rap labels to joint ventures after they saw dollar signs. It was good for a while until majors started to kill our culture off by telling us that we are too old to do this after the age of 30. I saw it coming and went right back to independence. We truly care about our customers and we can make what we want, when we want; any indie label that puts out quality product will totally survive.Year Round=QUALITY !"

AT: Where do you think the music industry and hip-hop are heading? What's next for the industry?

Blaq Poet: "With hip-hop, the sky is the limit, you can't say which way its gonna go. Who knows, maybe country hip-hop is going to be the next big thing, I have no idea, I'm waiting to see, too."
Premo: "With the Internet, we are working on a website that will deliver all of the interesting things that I feel that my audience would love to see and buy, from T-shirts, to mix CD's, to rare footage that NO ONE HAS, DVD's,etc. I have been a music junkie since my birth, and I am following in the footsteps of the ones that came before me by making valuable availability of all sorts to the masses and thinking like they think. Just because I am of celebrity status, does not mean that I can't come down from my throne and be amongst the little people, they make the world go round. I never take that "I am above you" approach and stay humble throughout. Only when I'm on stage live is when I flip out, and rightfully so. The supporters spent their money to come out and see a great show. After the last song is played, I'm right back to humble, I win regardless."

Web editors contact Dan (at) audibletreats.com for interview requests. Print editors contact Michelle.

For Blaq’s bio and to check out his EPK, amongst other goodies, please visit: http://www.audibletreats.com/download/blaqpoet

Like what you hear? Keep up with Blaq Poet and other artists like Freddie Foxxx, Ill Bill, and Black Milk on the Fat Beats Blog where you can learn about upcoming performances, releases, and in-store appearances.

Also, check out this video on the history of Fat Beats Records, bringing you fresh, independent hip hop since 1994.


The Background:

Blaq Poet, a Queensbridge, NY native, first made a name for himself in 1987, entering his name into the legendary battle of Queens vs. The Bronx with his song "Beat You Down," a scathing attack on KRS-One. Later, honoring a dead friend and namesake, he formed the hardcore rap group Screwball, comprised of other QB spitters Hostyle, Solo, and Poet’s cousin KL. Elsewhere, he appeared on the anthemic LP Nas Presents Queensbridge’s Finest, alongside Jungle and Cormega on “Straight Outta Q.B.” Blaq Poet’s refusal to dilute his subject matter or soften his cadence attracted the interest of rap’s most legendary producer, DJ Premier. Preemo, along with fellow luminaries Pete Rock and Marley Marl, laced Screwball’s Y2K album with Poet’s beloved boom-bap. A second album, Loyalty, would follow the next year, thereafter the Screwed Up compilation in 2004. Premier also lent his sonic signature to Poet’s 2006 solid solo debut, Rewind: Deja Screw. Preemo then inked Blaq Poet to his own Year Round Records label. Blaq Poet's new album, Tha Blaqprint, will be available this spring via Year Round Records via Fat Beats Distribution.