My Interview with Big Prodeje from South Central Cartel

Big Prodeje, a friend, father, mentor, and talented lyricist volunteered to partake in my interview; which was conducted 13 July 2008. Prodeje is apart of South Central Cartel, who first hit the scenes not too long after NWA in the early 90's. This young innovator and music mogul has since released 10 albums with South Central Cartel and countless other albums. In my interview, we touch on the past, present and future of Big Prodeje.

How did you get your foot in the door to cut your first record?

We got off our a**es and hit the streets. Performing anywhere we could get on at... Knocked ondoors daily, weekly, monthly and yearly. We did our own independent cd. We just made noise untilsomebody heard us. And eventually Quality Records gave us a shot.

It's no secret that the streets of South Central aren't very forgiving especially to the younger generation. How did you manage and did this motivate you to get out of the hood?

Yea the SC streets ain't no joke nor are any other ghetto streets for that matter. But I was apart of that element so felt no fear. I'm hood good so I blended right in. I'm one of the G'z I never felt the need to get away from the hood I still hang out till this day. My motivation was getting my family in a better place or at least making life a lil bit easier you feel me.

Do you think programs set to help disadvantaged/troubled youth are effective in urban communities?

To me there's far too few out let's to do justice in the hood. But at the same time somebody else has used the outlet they had to better their life. So my answer is if you really want a change and a better future you take advantage of the lil opportunity you get. But you see the track record we lose more youth than we save so there's a lot more that needs to be done.

How do you feel about your name being taken and used by a different rapper? Has he ever given you any props or acknowledged where he got his name from?

I used t be angry but I got over it. Naw there's no props expected we were here first real hip hopheads no that. But I respect MOBB DEEP for what they've been able to accomplish in this game. Me and Prodigy have a mutual homie, 40 Glocc; he told dude is peace so I'm peace as well. Were both grown a** men with no time for petty bulls***.

Did Universal Music Group drop SCC from the label or was the split a mutual decision? What was life like post UMG?

LOL...NAW THEY DID'NT DROP US. BUT THEY DID'NT DO WHAT WAS NECESSARY TO KEEP US HAPPY THERE NEITHER. SO WE WERE PISSED OFF ENOUGH TO DEMAND A RELEASE. Eventually we got one3 years later...My life felt no different post Def Jam they didn't give a f*** then I don't give a f*** now. I respect success so Russell Simmons, Lyor Cohen and Kevin Lyles I respect and admire. I blame the SCC issue on my self. I started and hand picked every member of that group. And when they needed me to step up and take control from Havoc I hesitated and it cost us major. The group basically disbanded after that. I've done what I could to keep a lil spark lit but it'll never be like it was. You live and you learn ya dig J

Who are your favorite artists out there past and present?

Past Rakim present Crooked I, Royce the 5'9 real rappers I like Lil Weeezy, Nas, Jay Z, Young Jeezy, Game and Kanye dope. Ain't no real crucial hood music being pushed to the ma**es so we only have what we hear. But lookout for Young Prodeje he fire!!!!!!!

How do you feel about Hip-hop? Do you think hip hop is dead?

I think the kind of hip hop I respect is dead. I don't feel this new s*** in my soul it's not speaking to me like the old school hip hop does.

I think Hip-Hop these days is a joke. No ones rapping about anything real. You have to check out SCC, old school NWA, Talib Kwali, and Common to get real Hip-Hop today. Would you agree?

Yea I agree completely.

How many hours do you spend in the studio?

24/7 lol

Were drugs ever a problem among the group in the past? If so how did that affect the group?

Not that I know of. I'm drug free hahaha. Naw we never had a real issue with drugs. One of our early members had a drug issue but we wont get in to that right now.

What was life like behind the scenes in the early years of SCC? And now?

In the hay day it as hectic as fuck but all hood good as well. We were out getting paid to do what we love doing so you know it was all grits and gravy.. and today I'm just as busy and just ascommitted same motivation. To keep the hood good.

Would you ever consider going mainstream again or do you feel that going mainstream is selling out?

I'm open to a major deal if I'm in control creatively. I wont sell my soul for it though. Meaning I wont do it just for a bigger check . I have to be on a team of real people that want to see me do big thangs. And are willing to work hard just like I am to achieve the goals set forth.

Do you have any beef with any artists? I would hope not because you and NWA are one in the same. Both of your groups are legends in Cali.

Naw I'm on cruise control these days. Don't start no s*** there wont be none. Yadig!!!

So, I heard that you are doing some more work with L.
V, the singer from the early 90's hit Gangsta's Paradise and from some of SCC's early work (Gz are on the move).
Yes, I did my homework. Is there a solo album in the making coming out for him or is it all hush hush for now?

Me and LV never really stopped doing music together. We're always doing songs. He's working on his solo right now. But we are planning to do an LV and PRODEJE project soon.

I see that you have a new album, Chucc'n it up, coming out this summer. Do you have a set date on when that album drops?

Actually that's an old cd that was pirated online my new joint was HOOD 2 DA GOOD but that gotleaked and pirated online as well... So I'm doing the hood goodstreet anthems as we speak .basically a trumped up version of the one that got leaked. A few remixes new joints etc...

Any other upcoming projects? Tours?

Yea I have a new group coming in September called. G-N-T GANGSTA NATION TRUEZ. IM STARTING A NEW MOVEMENT... SO BE ON THE LOOK OUT FOR THAT. THERE'S NO NEW SCC CD'S IN THE NEAR FUTURE. ME AND HAVIKK ARE DOING A BIG HAV AND BIG PROD PROJECT AS WELL. Were going to Japan and Europe to do some touring maybe something in the States next year.

So for all you SCC fans out there, no worries, Big Prod and the crew stay true and will be coming to a city near you!

You can check out music, pictures, and more from SCC by clicking here.