wanted to do. For example, I didn’t have a budget to actually put out an album
but I was supposed to have a budget. But they spent my budget and utilized
my budget toward other things, which took away from me being able to release
my project or go into the studio. I was just used.
FP: In the book, obviously you’re referring to Puff Daddy as the devil and I
know you address this in your book, but can you talk a little bit about that
reference?
MC: Well, more than just Puffy as the devil,
we’re looking at the industry and we’re look-
ing at the people that control the things that
you and I read, the things that we should
read and the things that they don’t want us
to read. We’re looking at the things that we
hear. You know like media, for example, as
a whole industry is so evil. When you look at
Lucifer, when he was in the heavens he was
the director of the choirs and he became wise
to the point that he though he could do things
they way that he wanted to. He felt that he was
pretty, he didn’t want to listen to nobody and
then it was a war between right and wrong.
So when you look at the industry that we have
today…we’re looking at the people who stand
behind Puff, that make Puff who he is. It’s a
real evil system. In order for us to be heard and
break this code of silence, we have to speak up.
And it’s not just Puff. If you look at a lot of enter-
tainers, a lot of entertainers are women singing
a song about a man but they’re really in love with
women. We’re talking about men singing a song
to women but they’re really in love with men. You
just look at the industry for what it is.
FP: After you started seeing Puff’s true colors, why did you stay for so
long after, according to you, you found out he really wasn’t about helping
other people?
MC: I guess it’s because my mission that I was on was bigger than just for me.
My mission was like OK, I’m not going to run just because. I’m not going to
run, I’m not going to go around you. If my Lord told me to walk a straight path,
if you’re in my path then I’m going to walk through you.
Fame is something…you know, it’s a two-way street. You can have fame but
some of the things that you do for fame, for money…man makes the money,
money don’t make the man. So money was never really a motive for me. Try-
ing to just make a way to live for myself was one thing, but money was never a
won’t allow it and I’m not scared of you. I’ll call FP: Why do you think that people continue to
motive.
you all the way out.” And that’s what I did. Part of idolize Puff when he treats them like you say
me doing this book was saying you’re not going
he does?
FP: Since the release of your book, have you had any problems or threats
to play me. If a label gives you $500k for you to
MC: It’s hard out here first of all. So once you’re
from Puffy or Bad Boy?
release a project on me, then I want to see that
$500k being utilized on me. Not on buying no boat
out there you’re trying it on your own and you’ve
been blackballed. You’re like there’s no way in the
MC: Not really. I really haven’t because the book is just so true. Everything in
or paying for no plane tickets that ain’t got nothing
world I’mma get through. So in order for me to
there is just so truthful and I don’t think that there’s anything that anyone can
to do with me, or paying for your studio time.
feel like I’m going to make it, I’m going to have to
say. And then also, it’s not like he can say he wants to talk to me. If I don’t FP: Just for the sake of people who are aspir-
stay with him. Women can relate to this fully; you
want to talk to him then it’s nothing that he can say to me. Even if he tries to ing to be artists, can you explain with your
reach out to me, it’s nothing that we can talk about. It’s like talking to a wall. I
in a bad relationship with a guy who pays the bills.
publishing situation how you ended up losing
don’t want to talk to him, that’s the thing. He reached out, and I don’t know if
your publishing to Bad Boy?
It’s like do I leave and go out here and work hard
he was just jokingly doing it, on Myspace. He sent a friend request to me but,
on my own or do I just stay and take it? But at
of course, I denied that friend request. You know the cornerstone of friendship
MC: What they do is a third party deal. Some-
some point in time you have to wake up and real-
is trust and in this case he betrayed it. I say this: You know how it is to have a
thing similar to what Yung Joc is complaining
ize that nothing is going to become of this for you.
broken heart, right?
about now signing to Black Entertainment. When
I came to Bad Boy, I was introduced to Sean
FP: So what’s next for you?
FP: Yes.
“Puffy” Combs by a third party member. And MC: Well, really the book is the only thing that I
MC: You have a broken heart and then you have a broken spirit. Broken spirits before Bad Boy would sign me they wanted me to have going on at this moment. It’s the only thing
are worse than a broken heart. And in this case he’s broken my spirit. He’s sign to a production deal. So I signed a produc-
I can really keep my focus on. But after this book
broken plenty of other people’s spirits that were once signed to Bad Boy. I’m
tion deal and then once I signed the production
I want to do artist consulting so I can help people
not the only artist that was signed and shelved and never allowed the opportu-
deal Puff would come buy the copyrights to use
make better decisions about their careers – the
nity to become. It’s other artists as well and the effect that they have is similar
me as an artist from the production company. So
music industry do’s and the don’ts, things to watch
to the effect that I have.
then, that’s when you get lost in the sauce.
out for in the contracts. I just want to make sure
FP: At the end of the day, how did you finally end up getting out of your
Now in the production deal…for example, Puff that not too many other artists get the same treat-
situation with Bad Boy?
would offer me $50k for half my publishing. But
ment.
MC: I sat back and I was like “you know what? I’m going to hit rock bottom. If let’s say my publishing is worth $5 million but you
*To read the complete uncut interview with
that’s what it takes, I’m going to hit rock bottom.” I’m not scared because once offered me $50k up front. If you knew my publish-
you hit the bottom, then the only thing you can do is rise. ing was going to be worth $5 million, then why not
Mark Curry visit www.frontpageconnect.com.
Then I called Puff and I wasn’t getting no calls. Then I said, “Yo, Puff, I’m at
offer me $2 million for my publishing? Why $50k?
Mark Curry will be signing copies of Danc-
rock bottom here and I need your help.” And there was no help. Then I said,
That means, basically, you telling me you want to
ing With the Devil on July 10 at the Feel Good
“I realize who you are. You’re very selfish and self righteous.” So I was like
sign me and the only thing you expect or hope to
Fridays Midnight Book Signing at the Whitney,
“alright, you’re not going to play me. Not from where I come from. My Father
make is $100k. It’s just so many ways that they located at 4421 Woodward, Detroit, from 9
work you out of it. p.m.-2 a.m.
The Michigan FrontPage • July 10, 2009 11
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