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Return Of The Mecca: CL Smooth
* HHN Classic Interview - December '05 *
Hip Hop has seen its share of dynamic duos throughout the years. From Eric B and Rakim to Guru and Premier (Gangstarr) to DJ Jazzy Jeff and the artist formerly known as The Fresh Prince, some of our most memorable music has been offered by the MC and DJ/Producer tandem. In 1992, two friends from Mt. Vernon, NY brought us a timeless classic that still remains a favorite amongst diehard and casual hip-hop fans alike. The single "T.R.O.Y. (They Reminisce Over You)" and subsequent debut LP, Mecca and The Soul Brother catapulted Pete Rock and CL Smooth into hip hop's elite. Pete Rock became one of the premier producers of his time and CL Smooth's uniquely crisp and articulate flow gained him high regard as well as collaborations with a variety of artists including Run -DMC, Mary J. Blige and Johnny Gill.
After another classic album, 1994's The Main Ingredient, Pete Rock and CL Smooth dissolved as a group. Pete Rock continued to produce for outside artists and released a number of solo albums. CL Smooth became one of hip-hop's most memorable disappearing acts, vanishing completely off the radar.
In 2005, after a decade of silence, the 'Mecca Don' resurfaced through the mixtape circuit with a new found hunger and passion for his craft. With a new EP (American Me) and label situation (Shaman Works), CL Smooth's comeback mission has begun. Here are his words on hip-hop, Pete Rock and where he has been for the last ten years as I caught up
with him at a recent comeback show in NYC.
DS: First off, what took you so long and where the f#$% have you been?
CL: (Laughs) Just cultivating my craft man.I mean, I believe there's a time for everything and you just wait for that moment.you nurture that moment and when that moment comes you're prepared. Nothing happens before it's time.it's like a fine wine you have to Nurture it, you have to sit on it and let that sh@# go when it's time and you have to be prepared for it so I'm very blessed with what's going on and I think that time off has allowed me to find myself and come back with a greater strength and a greater love for the game.
DS: Now The Main Ingredient was like '94 -'95, so we're talking ten years that you've been out the game.
CL: Yes. Ten years. An impossible task right now in this music business that we're in.
DS: What I have heard so far.just the feat of coming back is incredible enough but what I'm hearing is so on point. How were you able to keep your swords so sharp?
CL: I think just living whatever I'm speaking. I'm not creating a character. I'm creating a man, an artist. So I'm not going into character. I'm not speaking on what somebody else did, I'm speaking on what I'm feeling. My soul; my inner sanctimony is what I'm touching so when I come to people my tools are supposed to be sharp with the teachers and the leaders that I've exposed and that I've allowed my self to be exposed to. I had some great teachers in my life from
grandfathers to uncles to best friends and I think it should be an impossible task for the music business but everyone loves an underdog right now and when your back is turned that's the best time to come down and strike.
DS: Now getting into your flow specifically.my opinion is that in '92,'93, '94 you had a lot of dudes screaming on the mic. You had your Onyx's and Busta's and such. You always had a more methodical,laid back flow which ten years later is pretty much the standard amongst today's emcees. How do feel coming back and not having to change too much of your formula in order to fit in?
CL: I just think that when you love something so much you're going to come to the table with your 'A' game. You're not gonna come unsure or with question marks; you're gonna come with your program; you're gonna lay it out and execute it the best way you can. What I do appreciate is the homage that. your favorite rappers. I'm their favorite rapper, so in
that blessing, in that whole state, I have to represent that or come out that seat. So I didn't feel any way about coming the way I am. People wanted me to come this way and they were waiting for me but they didn't know if I still had that hunger. People in the street would ask me "yo when you coming back?" And I would have to say "I don't know. I really
don't know". And that was being honest because I didn't have that true love or that killer instinct. I had to nurture that and build it and I had to go through certain things to know what I'm talking about and live through it so that it could be real and believable because I'm coming out with believability. So if I come with my same formula plus ten years later I'm gonna win and everyone loves a winner.
DS: I mention you and G. Rap (Kool G. Rap) in the same breath as far as being before your time in terms of content and flow. Both of you have been able to maintain the same level of respect as lyricists. At the same time you both are considered amongst the most underrated as far as hip hop legends go. Do you feel like the fact that you've maintained
the same status or skill level has also hurt you in terms of receiving the credit or respect that other rappers from your era garner.
CL: I'm a humble person and I believe in the art of it and just the hip hop aura of it from since I was a kid so I don't really look for accolades. Bob Marley is a perfect example. When he was alive he hardly received any accolades. He received all of the accolades after he died. I'm still here so I don't expect anyone to give anything or place me in the "top 5s" or "top 10" or "top 50" even. What I'm looking for is absolution. I'm looking for the definitive answer of is this the
greatest comeback in rap history from an artist that's living right now. That's what I'm looking for and if I get there then let the chips fall where they may but I'm not that spoiled. I'm here to grind. I'm here to tough it out. I'm here to stake it. I'm not here to come around and pout because you didn't put me here. I'm going to make my own niche and I think power is not something you ask for. You take that sh@#!
DS: Powerful.well let's talk about the project. When are you dropping? What's it called? Who's doing production? Who's featured?
CL: I think I'm taking it back to the essence of '91 when I first hit people with the six song EP (All Souled Out). American Me is that! American Me is that plus 100! I'm hitting you with this six song EP because you don't need to wait. You need to either. validate these six songs without an album and want an album. So I'm not thinking ahead I'm thinking now. This is what I want to do now. I'm dealing with new producers.people wanna know can you make it without Pete Rock. I think I can. I'm dealing Mike Lowe and Arsonist of the Heatmakerz. Two dudes! I don't need 100 dudes on a six song EP. I need two lethal killers who know my history; who know what type of musical background I come from and can capitalize and expound on it. So I'm happy and my creative juices are flowing and I can take over. American Me I feel is
my greatest work.
DS: I wanted to know about the "Magic Hour" joint that you did with AZ. How did that collabo come about and what other collaborations can we look forward to?
CL: Me and AZ came from the same stable and I feel that it was an honor to work with him rather than him work with me. I think collabos are very special so I don't plan to do a lot but I plan to do the special ones. I think whatever the people want to hear is what I want to do. They think the next collaboration should be with Jill Scott. so I want to do what
the people want me to do. I don't wanna just do what I want to do because homie likes me or homegirl likes me. Mainly I look at it (with my project) that I'm trying to bring it back to the essence. I'm not watered down! I have to make whole songs.artists have to be able to do whole f'ing songs. You can't come to me when you have to grab this one
and that one to make a hit record.cuz I'm not feeling that.
DS: Now the last time I saw you live was probably a year and a half ago in Philly at Club Transit. You were with Pete Rock. What's in the future, or rather, is there a future for you two?
CL: Not at all. I don't feel there is a future because. first of all, to come at it on a positive level because I'm not bitter.I'm very happy where I am. I think it takes adversity to find the man.to find out who you are. and through adversity I found out who we are and what we meant to each other. My thing is, if we set a certain standard in this and we
built a foundation on it.anything under that is unsatisfactory. If we're not going to create to win and we're just gonna create to please you or me then that's not where I want to go. So I'm here with American Me and I know that he would love to see at this level. Whether he likes me or not Pete Rock loves CL Smooth at this level.to hate that, you hate
the game.
DS: Do you have any last words for your people?
CL: I just want to say God bless. It's an honor to be here. It's an honor for people to still put me here and place me in the game to win.And I'm not here to fit in; I'm here to take the f@#$ over. By any means, I'm stickin' for the people and I'm ridin' for the people and I'm just totally blessed and I'm happy and excited about what's to come.
Hip Hop has seen its share of dynamic duos throughout the years. From Eric B and Rakim to Guru and Premier (Gangstarr) to DJ Jazzy Jeff and the artist formerly known as The Fresh Prince, some of our most memorable music has been offered by the MC and DJ/Producer tandem. In 1992, two friends from Mt. Vernon, NY brought us a timeless classic that still remains a favorite amongst diehard and casual hip-hop fans alike. The single "T.R.O.Y. (They Reminisce Over You)" and subsequent debut LP, Mecca and The Soul Brother catapulted Pete Rock and CL Smooth into hip hop's elite. Pete Rock became one of the premier producers of his time and CL Smooth's uniquely crisp and articulate flow gained him high regard as well as collaborations with a variety of artists including Run -DMC, Mary J. Blige and Johnny Gill.
After another classic album, 1994's The Main Ingredient, Pete Rock and CL Smooth dissolved as a group. Pete Rock continued to produce for outside artists and released a number of solo albums. CL Smooth became one of hip-hop's most memorable disappearing acts, vanishing completely off the radar.
In 2005, after a decade of silence, the 'Mecca Don' resurfaced through the mixtape circuit with a new found hunger and passion for his craft. With a new EP (American Me) and label situation (Shaman Works), CL Smooth's comeback mission has begun. Here are his words on hip-hop, Pete Rock and where he has been for the last ten years as I caught up
with him at a recent comeback show in NYC.
DS: First off, what took you so long and where the f#$% have you been?
CL: (Laughs) Just cultivating my craft man.I mean, I believe there's a time for everything and you just wait for that moment.you nurture that moment and when that moment comes you're prepared. Nothing happens before it's time.it's like a fine wine you have to Nurture it, you have to sit on it and let that sh@# go when it's time and you have to be prepared for it so I'm very blessed with what's going on and I think that time off has allowed me to find myself and come back with a greater strength and a greater love for the game.
DS: Now The Main Ingredient was like '94 -'95, so we're talking ten years that you've been out the game.
CL: Yes. Ten years. An impossible task right now in this music business that we're in.
CL: I think just living whatever I'm speaking. I'm not creating a character. I'm creating a man, an artist. So I'm not going into character. I'm not speaking on what somebody else did, I'm speaking on what I'm feeling. My soul; my inner sanctimony is what I'm touching so when I come to people my tools are supposed to be sharp with the teachers and the leaders that I've exposed and that I've allowed my self to be exposed to. I had some great teachers in my life from
grandfathers to uncles to best friends and I think it should be an impossible task for the music business but everyone loves an underdog right now and when your back is turned that's the best time to come down and strike.
DS: Now getting into your flow specifically.my opinion is that in '92,'93, '94 you had a lot of dudes screaming on the mic. You had your Onyx's and Busta's and such. You always had a more methodical,laid back flow which ten years later is pretty much the standard amongst today's emcees. How do feel coming back and not having to change too much of your formula in order to fit in?
CL: I just think that when you love something so much you're going to come to the table with your 'A' game. You're not gonna come unsure or with question marks; you're gonna come with your program; you're gonna lay it out and execute it the best way you can. What I do appreciate is the homage that. your favorite rappers. I'm their favorite rapper, so in
that blessing, in that whole state, I have to represent that or come out that seat. So I didn't feel any way about coming the way I am. People wanted me to come this way and they were waiting for me but they didn't know if I still had that hunger. People in the street would ask me "yo when you coming back?" And I would have to say "I don't know. I really
don't know". And that was being honest because I didn't have that true love or that killer instinct. I had to nurture that and build it and I had to go through certain things to know what I'm talking about and live through it so that it could be real and believable because I'm coming out with believability. So if I come with my same formula plus ten years later I'm gonna win and everyone loves a winner.
DS: I mention you and G. Rap (Kool G. Rap) in the same breath as far as being before your time in terms of content and flow. Both of you have been able to maintain the same level of respect as lyricists. At the same time you both are considered amongst the most underrated as far as hip hop legends go. Do you feel like the fact that you've maintained
the same status or skill level has also hurt you in terms of receiving the credit or respect that other rappers from your era garner.
CL: I'm a humble person and I believe in the art of it and just the hip hop aura of it from since I was a kid so I don't really look for accolades. Bob Marley is a perfect example. When he was alive he hardly received any accolades. He received all of the accolades after he died. I'm still here so I don't expect anyone to give anything or place me in the "top 5s" or "top 10" or "top 50" even. What I'm looking for is absolution. I'm looking for the definitive answer of is this the
greatest comeback in rap history from an artist that's living right now. That's what I'm looking for and if I get there then let the chips fall where they may but I'm not that spoiled. I'm here to grind. I'm here to tough it out. I'm here to stake it. I'm not here to come around and pout because you didn't put me here. I'm going to make my own niche and I think power is not something you ask for. You take that sh@#!
DS: Powerful.well let's talk about the project. When are you dropping? What's it called? Who's doing production? Who's featured?
CL: I think I'm taking it back to the essence of '91 when I first hit people with the six song EP (All Souled Out). American Me is that! American Me is that plus 100! I'm hitting you with this six song EP because you don't need to wait. You need to either. validate these six songs without an album and want an album. So I'm not thinking ahead I'm thinking now. This is what I want to do now. I'm dealing with new producers.people wanna know can you make it without Pete Rock. I think I can. I'm dealing Mike Lowe and Arsonist of the Heatmakerz. Two dudes! I don't need 100 dudes on a six song EP. I need two lethal killers who know my history; who know what type of musical background I come from and can capitalize and expound on it. So I'm happy and my creative juices are flowing and I can take over. American Me I feel is
my greatest work.
DS: I wanted to know about the "Magic Hour" joint that you did with AZ. How did that collabo come about and what other collaborations can we look forward to?
CL: Me and AZ came from the same stable and I feel that it was an honor to work with him rather than him work with me. I think collabos are very special so I don't plan to do a lot but I plan to do the special ones. I think whatever the people want to hear is what I want to do. They think the next collaboration should be with Jill Scott. so I want to do what
the people want me to do. I don't wanna just do what I want to do because homie likes me or homegirl likes me. Mainly I look at it (with my project) that I'm trying to bring it back to the essence. I'm not watered down! I have to make whole songs.artists have to be able to do whole f'ing songs. You can't come to me when you have to grab this one
and that one to make a hit record.cuz I'm not feeling that.
DS: Now the last time I saw you live was probably a year and a half ago in Philly at Club Transit. You were with Pete Rock. What's in the future, or rather, is there a future for you two?
CL: Not at all. I don't feel there is a future because. first of all, to come at it on a positive level because I'm not bitter.I'm very happy where I am. I think it takes adversity to find the man.to find out who you are. and through adversity I found out who we are and what we meant to each other. My thing is, if we set a certain standard in this and we
built a foundation on it.anything under that is unsatisfactory. If we're not going to create to win and we're just gonna create to please you or me then that's not where I want to go. So I'm here with American Me and I know that he would love to see at this level. Whether he likes me or not Pete Rock loves CL Smooth at this level.to hate that, you hate
the game.
DS: Do you have any last words for your people?
CL: I just want to say God bless. It's an honor to be here. It's an honor for people to still put me here and place me in the game to win.And I'm not here to fit in; I'm here to take the f@#$ over. By any means, I'm stickin' for the people and I'm ridin' for the people and I'm just totally blessed and I'm happy and excited about what's to come.
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