new Remedy interview
Remedy - Code Red
</SPAN itxtvisited="1">Posted: 8/7/2008 9:20:22 AM by Jon Michael
It’s not everyday that a Jewish kid from Staten Island gets to become one of Wu-Tang’s closest affiliates, in their heyday mind you, but that was just the case for veteran MC, Remedy. Having attended high school with Method Man, Raekwon, and Inspectah Deck as well as a passion for hip-hop placed Remedy in the perfect spot to stake his claim in hip-hop culture.After honing his skills and putting in work he appeared on the Killa Bees album.
From that point on Remedy was a force to be reckoned with on the mic and an MC on the rise. Always an original talent Remedy has embraced and incorporated his Jewish culture into his music and is never scared to take a political stance in his rhymes. Sixshot.com caught up with Remedy to discuss the new Killa Bees album, RemedyIsrael, and his work with ESPN.
Sixshot.Com: What's good man? How’s everything?
Remedy: I'm great, thanks. Everything is taking its course.
Sixshot.Com: So tell me, how did you get involved with the hip-hop scene in Staten Island?
Remedy: Man, it started a long time ago. I was into music since a little kid. I went to an interracial high school where football was like a second family. A lot of bl ack cats would help educate me with KRS, Rakim, and the Chuck D's etc. That was when Hip Hop was about something. I was into all types of music, but Hip Hop really intrigued me. I was in high school with Meth, back then he was Shaquan tha Panty Raider, Deck, and Rae too.
Sixshot.Com: How did you become such a close affiliate of the Wu-Tang Clan?
Remedy: Well, obviously it's a Shaolin thing. Everybody was running around, you know, hustling etc. etc. I always made "real music" so you know what they say, "real recognize real". We just started building, musically and intellectually, one day at a time. The rest is history.
Sixshot.Com: "Never Again" was a deep song. Tell us about that.
Remedy: Well, Never Again speaks for itself. It's timeless. I was doing some research and found out that my great uncle Boris was murdered and his family was taken to the camps, never to be seen again. Mankind has been recording time for about 5,000 years. And the Holocaust only happened 60 something years ago. It's just sick how the whole world just sat and watched while millions of people were murdered, tortured, enslaved, raped, robbed, and persecuted. What a fuckin’ world. This song has become an anthem and people will be listening to it for thousands of years. What a blessing!
Sixshot.Com: You were on Wu-Tang Killa Bees: The Swarm. What was that experience like?
Remedy: That was great. It really helped introduce me to the world. Damn, I gotta plaque for that and everything. I think it's over 1 million sold. It really had a major role in the effect "Never Again" had. I never thought one song would be able to touch so many people. Almost everyday of my life is based off that, G-d bless RZA for putting me on that. Matter of fact, we're working on The Return of The Swarm right now.
Sixshot.Com: You work wit ESPN and a lot of sports shows. How did you get into that?
Remedy: Actually, ESPN found me. I got a phone call one day. This guy said ESPN wanted to use one of my songs for the entire NBA playoffs. Couldn't refuse that. It's really turned into a nice relationship for the past four years. I've been featured on NBA Tonite, NFL Sunday countdown, Superbowl 40, 25th Anniversary, X-games, and many more.
Sixshot.Com: When did you really start to get into production?
Remedy: I was always fascinated with music and production. In the early 90's I copped an ASR and MPC. Those pieces helped originate some great Hip-Hop.
Sixshot.Com: You released Cappadonna's album, "The Struggle" through your label. Were you happy wit the response?
Remedy: Not really. We all felt the Struggle was a strong album with a great representation of the actual struggle, as well as similarities to the Pillage. But everything is a struggle when you’re independent. You got to be prepared for that.
Sixshot.Com: You're recording an album wit Killah Priest, how is that coming along?
Remedy: Yeah yo, that’s my new baby right now. It's called "Holy of Holies". It’s Hip Hop like you've never heard before. No fucking, no bitches, no whips, no guns, no ice, no drugs, no shit! This is sacred, holy hip-hop. It's spiritual and uplifting. We're making a timeless album. It’s something people will listen to 200 years from now.
Sixshot.Com: I know you're close with fellow Staten Island MC, JoJo Pellegrino. Ever think of signing him?
Remedy: Actually, for Jo to get where he needs to go, I think he needs major label support. Jo could be the next "one" if he had the right opportunity. Saying that, I'm working with him right now on some digital shit, his "Flawless Execution" album, as well as some real live indie stuff.
Sixshot.Com: Tell us about The Secret Weapon.
Remedy: Well, that's just one of many working titles. I got the Holy album, and I got one on some new Remedy shit. Just been recording and stacking material. The way the industry is now, I see no reason to rush anything.
Sixshot.Com: What can we expect from Remedy Presents: New York to Israel Volume 1?
Remedy: This is an album I recorded while living in Israel for a few months. It was a great experience. The album combines some NY hip-hop with some really talented MC's. We're trying to set a new standard in hip-hop in Israel. The Israeli people have kind of been misled about hip-hop. They watch way too much MTV.
Sixshot.Com: How important is your Jewish faith to you?
Remedy: Extremely important. Hip Hop is the form of communication for the new generation. It's considered one of the most realest forms of expression so for me not to incorporate who and what I am in my music wouldn't make any sense.
Sixshot.Com: Was it rough being a white kid associated with such a hardcore rap group?
Remedy: You know, it had its ups and downs. On one hand I stuck out as the only white mc down with the Wu. On the other hand, there were plenty of cats, both black and white, fighting for the same position. Sometimes you could feel the animosity and tension. I guess it all comes with the territory.
Sixshot.Com: Were you happy with the responses you got from The Genuine Article and Code: Red?
Remedy: They both had their pros and cons. The Genuine Article sold over 100,000 records, independently, that’s like platinum for a major, 8 dollars a pop. My first album had a great response. I fucked up the Code Red album by using a bad distributor that I believed in. I've paid for many of my mistakes.
Sixshot.Com: What is RemedyIsrael?
Remedy: RemedyIsrael is a program I started a few years back. I bring the music and concepts of Remedy and Israel to colleges, high schools, camps, and various organizations and events. We have successfully toured the world with this program, and gotten some great feedback. Hopefully, we will continue to do the same for the future.
Sixshot.Com: Are there a lot of talented artists in Israel?
Remedy: Hell yeah, you'd be amazed at the level of talent in Israel. It probably has something to do with its location and situation. The feelings you get when you're there are like no others in the world.
Sixshot.Com: Anything you would like to say to your fans at Sixshot.Com?
Remedy: I just want to say thanks and G-d bless and please support real hip-hop music.The game has spun out of control and it is up to the true hip-hop purists to save it.Also, to get at me and check me out, go to www.myspace.com/remedyross, www.remedyross.com, [email protected], or call the studio: 718-701-0143.
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by Art Vandelay
Bookmarks