In a
momentous, history-making business move, two of the biggest names in hip hop,
the undisputed King of Crunk Lil Jon and East Coast don 50 Cent, have merged
forces to ensure the development of one of the south's most rapidly rising
recruits - Lil Scrappy. On this once-in-a-lifetime occasion, both
mega-platinum rappers and highly successful CEOs have chosen to superintend
Scrappy's BME/Reprise solo debut Bred 2 Die, Born 2 Live.What have you been up to lately?
Just been promoting the release of the new album. I’m also working on a movie called Trippin’ that will be starring Mekhi Pfieffer and Stacey Dash. It’s basically about a girl who sets up basketball players, rappers and other guys. I’m Stacey Dash’s cousin in the movie and she calls me when things are going down.
How did you get into the rap game?
I kept going until I made it, I handed out and sold CD’s and promoted clubs. I then got my stuff played on radio and it escalated from there.
What is the concept behind the Bred 2 Die, Born 2 Live album?
You know we’re all born to die but in the mean time make paper while you’re here. It’s about living your life.
How much has your tough childhood influenced your music?
It’s influenced my music a lot because I’ve seen and done a lot of things. People wanna be like me but they don’t wanna experience the pain I went through. Everybody can relate to being broke and being cut off.
Who have been your main inspirations?
My daughter and my mom. My daughter has gotta be wealthy and have everything she needs. Mom did what she could but me and my sister still struggled. I’m trying to make things better.
Who did you work with on this album?
Lil Jon and 50 Cent are the executive producers. Young Buck features on the first single Money In Da Bank. G’sup and Kandi also feature on a couple of tracks. Kandi is a beautiful worker she knows what the hell she’s doing and comes up with the hooks real fast, she can be a man and a woman at the same time.
How did you hook up with Lil Jon?
I was having problems with my manager and he basically discovered me. I was already working on some stuff and my manager was also managing 50 Cent as well. Young Buck introduced me to Fiddy then they started showing me love from then. I had an accident in a club where I was bottled and I lost some of my gums and had a hole in my mouth and shit. Nobody else called me apart from Fiddy who gave me some encouraging words to get me back up on my feet.
What’s it like to hang out with G-Unit?
It’s like you’ve got a hundred big brothers. Everybody’s showing you love and doing their own thing. Everybody’s there for a purpose.
What makes you different from other rappers?
I’m trying to be real. Some people are talking bout the game and things like that but I’m spitting for the real people.
www.lilscrappy.com
www.myspace.com/lilscrappy
By Rashmi Shastri - Jul 2006