Juelz
and Cam'ron have been working together since 2000 along with another Harlem
rapper, Jim Jones as a group called The Diplomats. Juelz was featured on
many tracks on Cam'ron's album Come Home With Me. In 2002 Juelz
received more publicity with his featured spot on the songs "Oh Boy" and "Hey
Ma".In late 2005 Juelz released What the Game's Been Missing. This album was greeted with rave reviews and an impressive first week sales figures. The album's success was propelled by the singles "There It Go (The Whistle Song)", "Shottas" (featuring Sizzla). He's about to release yet another mix tape in early November.
How was the tour for you?
It was beautiful to tour; it was my first tour by me as just Juelz Santana. We also had Lil' Wayne, Ne-Yo and Chris Brown. We had a lot of fun and got to meet a lot of new people being on the road. It was good to go out there, perform by myself and get all that love.
What did you guys get up to together backstage?
We did everything backstage including basketball and there were a lot of jokes.
What was important to you about going on tour?
I liked this tour because a lot of my shows are in clubs so I don't get to perform for kids. They can't come to the clubs at one in the morning to see me, ya dig?
Yeah, I dig, it’s probably their bed time. I hear you built your own studio; do you make more music now than you did before?
I ain’t getting rid of that studio! I’ve been doing a lot of music. I’m going hard now because when I was on tour I was writing so I have a lot of material. It’s so crazy right now.
How do you feel you’ve grown as an artist since you started out in the music business?
I’ve changed in many ways. Being with The Diplomats I’ve become my own artist and have tracks that people recognise. I’ve got my own fan base now and people know me as Juelz Santana. I think I’ve proved myself with my second album and have funded my own videos; you can’t just sit back on your ass you have to get up and do something. If people see you doing that they’ll want to help you. I know when to take charge now and my feet are on the ground. There are people around me who care about me and my future.
What do you think of people saying you’ve gone commercial?
I’ve never gone commercial, ya dig? We accidentally crossed over. We come from the streets. People back in the day were buying Santana’s Town mix tapes. People who have gone platinum think they’ve crossed over. It’s like not being who you were anymore.
You’ve worked with some UK artists such as Rouge, would you do more work with artists from the UK?
If the situation presents itself then I would love to do it. I would, definitely. I like the town and I like the energy they bring to the game.
Any plans to visit London?
I hope to come to London real soon; I’m just getting my stuff done in the States first. I haven’t touched London in the way I want to touch it yet. I can’t wait to get over there; I hear I got love over there.
Yeah you’re right, you do. It’s kind of like Papoose. We don’t hear enough of him but the hip hop heads want to see more, especially the kids. How does your son inspire your music?
Right now in every way. He’s my energy and the reason I do music. I only have to see him to be inspired. He knows all my songs. I wouldn’t take him on tour yet because he’s only two years old but I took my nephew.
This one’s for the ladies, do you have a girl right now? What’s your type?
Nah, I don’t have a girl right now. I don’t really have a type, nobody special. I like to chill and hang out. I got so much time where I’m busy when I get free time I like to relax and enjoy my free time, ya dig?
www.juelz.com
By Rashmi Shastri - Oct 2006