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Exclusive LAUNCH Artist Chat
10/25/1999 11:00 PM, LAUNCH
Billy Johnson Jr
Coordinating the schedules of two of hip-hop's busiest artists--who happen to live on opposite ends of the nation--wasn't exactly easy. But thanks to the powers-that-be, Westside Connect Gang member Mack 10 and Terror Squad frontman Fat Joe came together for an hour of brotherly camaraderie that should documented in the history books.
To kick of the Oct. 27 release of Thicker Than Water, the film in which they co-star, the two rapping actors discussed their characters, explained that this wasn't just another rap movie, and talked about their other film endeavors. A highlight of the chat was Fat Joe's prompt for more controversial questions.
At the midway point, Fat Joe interjected, "You haven't asked any controversial questions yet. That's how you clear things up." As edgier questions were ushered in, Joe quickly responded to a chatter who said the Terror Squad album didn't live up to its expectations. Joe also explained his use of the N-word. Mack 10 followed suit, adding onto Joe's responses, and answering questions about old feuds.
Though Fat Joe announced at the beginning of the chat that he could only participate for 20 minutes (he had a pending radio interview), once things got rolling, he couldn't leave. The two respected MCs, who couldn't stop patting each other on the back, maintained a comical and proactive disposition for the hour-long chat. Definitely among our best. Here's the transcript to prove it:
launch_host: Let's get started with Fat Joe...Mack 10 will be here momentarily...
launch_fat_joe: Hey, It's Fat Joe here! What's up, baby? What's the deal? I've got about 15, 20 minutes...
ninapanama: How did you two meet if both of you are in different parts of the country?
launch_fat_joe: We met at Minister Farrakhan's house after the death of Biggie and Tupac. We showed the East Coast and West Coast could get together. Hey, Mack 10's here! We made it to the big screen, Dog!
launch_mack_10: I miss you, Fat Joe!
launch_fat_joe: I'm just telling everyone how we met, how we originally met and kept in contact and talked to each other over the phone, and got along. One thing led to another. You said, come out here because I'm making a movie.
launch_mack_10: That's it. Right there.
ninapanama: What are your roles in the movie? How similar or different are they from how you two really are?
launch_mack_10: My role in the movie is similar to how I really live except that now, fortunately I don't live in the ghetto now.
launch_fat_joe: I play a character who's from the Bronx--the character is similar to me. I try and work hard with this rap game, always scratching at the door and stuff like that. Hard to get a firm grip. I've got that grip now.
faate: Mack, what made you decide to make a movie?
launch_mack_10: I didn't think nobody would put me in a movie. It never worked out before. I decided to make this opportunity for myself, as well as Fat Joe. We're both underdogs. We both deserve this sh-t.
launch_fat_joe: That's true, I used to see a lot of movies and would think, Damn! I coulda been dope for that role. Why didn't they call me?
sportythievz0505: What's it like working in the Movie Business then compared to the Rap industry
launch_mack_10: To me, the movie business is the same as rap. I've always had total control, freedom to do what I want creatively. This was my movie and I had room to do what I wanted to do. I'm sure if I did a movie for someone else, I'm sure it would be different.
launch_fat_joe: The movie was hard work. Rap is something that comes to me naturally. Acting comes natural too, but you have to do the same sh-t over and over and over again. It's real WORK. 12-14 hours per day, constantly working, not much time for rest. It definitely was hard work.
launch_mack_10: They don't know how hard we worked on this movie.
launch_fat_joe: We busted our ass, we both wanted this to be as successful as possible. We all gave 100%. Like all of Mack 10's artists, a lot of them hadn't been in movies before. It was hot. They all worked really hard.
tupac_mackaveli_7: Is the soundtrack out yet? Who's on it?
launch_mack_10: The soundtrack came out. It debuted at No. 8. 8-Ball's on there, Terror Squad. Noreaga.
launch_fat_joe: Yeah, people will fall in love with the characters and should like the soundtrack.
ninapanama: A lot of actors do not watch their films. Do you two plan to watch the film when it is finished?
launch_mack_10: I'm going to see this movie, I don't care where I've got to see it. I'm gonna sit in my chair and see me and my partners for myself on that big screen.
launch_fat_joe: What's crazy for me, I always wanted to see this movie in the Bronx, sneak in and not have anyone know that I'm in there and get the real response from the crowd. I think I'll have to see it in Atlanta or something because I'm on a radio promo tour.
marie_baie_des_anges: Are you currently looking into other movie roles?
launch_mack_10: Definitely looking to always step up my game a little bit. I may get something off this movie, I'm always looking to step it up a bit.
launch_fat_joe: I just finished making a movie with Q-Tip and Mary J. Blige. It was a cool experience; it wasn't as family oriented as the joint with Mack 10, but it was definitely a dope experience. It's called Prison Song.
firefly33_1999: AY MACK ALL US HOEZ WANNA KNOW--BOXERS OR BRIEFS???
launch_mack_10: I'm a gangsta. I wear boxers. Gotta let it hang, know what I'm saying?
marie_baie_des_anges: What other projects are you currently planning on?
launch_fat_joe: Right now, we are working on a new Terror Squad album. We're coming with a Cuban Link album. You just gotta stay on your job. Lots of other stuff too.,
launch_mack_10: I'm working on a new Westside Connection album. My solo album is coming out right after that: The Paper Route, it's called. Thicker Than Water soundtrack is out. And then Tec's album.
launch_fat_joe: My solo album will be out in the summer: Jealous Ones Still Envy. I'm amped up about that.
marie_baie_des_anges: How did you two prepare for the roles?
launch_mack_10: We would just vibe with each other. We just did it from the heart. There was no set way to do nothing. It's in all these theaters now. We can't believe this shi-t.
launch_fat_joe: It's a great combination man, he's got the West Coast lock, I've got the East Coast lock. We've got the diehard fans, the longevity. Nobody will be disappointed.
faate: Fat Joe, you still bomb walls?
launch_fat_joe: Not really, man. In NYC, The police are killing people for anything. It's a dangerous thing right now. Not worth it.
k_town24: fat joe i really enjoyed your collaborations with other latin artists like cypress hill and noreaga... any plans on a latin artist compilation?
launch_fat_joe: Like I said, we don't categorize, we like to work with everybody. But, speaking of that, I'm getting together with Jennifer Lopez--we're doing a video, I'm gonna try to have her sit on my lap.
faate: Mack, I just wanna say that its real cool that you been able to come out with the quality of music that you have, start your own label, and now make a movie and all of that.....inspiration to all us thas tryin to come up
k_town24: fat joe, i dont want to be offensive, but the Terror Squad album was not what it was hyped up to be. Dont you think there could have been better production on the album?
launch_fat_joe: As far as the Terror Squad album, I felt we put in work and definitely tried to step back and let the guys show what they got. I felt we delivered good music and as far as me, I'm totally impressed.
launch_mack_10: I'm with that Terror Squad record.
launch_fat_joe: As far as the compilation, collaboration, having six artists and have it make sense, that's a hard thing to do. You have different beats, different types of music and I think we definitely delivered.
launch_mack_10: I think sometimes the audience don't understand what it takes. They be spoiled. If that whole album was just you, nobody woulda said nothing. People need to understand that this is how new people get chances.
launch_fat_joe: Go see Thicker Than Water!
blkmeat_2000: Mack 10 whats up? Is it hard to keep it real in your business dealing with thivees in the business?
launch_mack_10: There ain't no thieves in the business. If there is, they keep it undercover. Nobody takes nothing from me.
launch_fat_joe: Me and Mack 10 have paid enough dues where he has his own label and -- as far as us, we're pretty well set up in the game.
msbitchnextsdoor: So any of you's married or have girlfriends?
launch_fat_joe: I'm engaged. She's a beautiful girl.
launch_mack_10: I got a girl, but I ain't engaged or nothin like that.
tru2da_game_in_miami: Did u all want anyone in your movie you couldn't get?
launch_mack_10: Nope.
DA_WORLDS_GREATEST_PLAYA: YOU THINK PAC HAD BIGGIE KILLED???
launch_fat_joe: That's b.s. man. How could he have Biggie killed if he died before Biggie? I think we should just let them rest in peace.
alcholik: Off the subject of the movie, what new artists do you see making a big impact in the future of hip hop?
launch_fat_joe: We're hoping that Cuban Link is a big success. His record comes out in February.
launch_fat_joe: I'm down south right now, that Li'l Wayne is a big thing.
launch_mack_10: I like Cuban Link. Armageddon. Boo Kapone. Chilldren Of Da Ghetto. I'm gonna put my money on them. I'm biased, gotta show a little favoritism. And Li'l Wayne.
puff140: What's your favorite thing about being rap artists?
launch_mack_10: The fact that whatever I'm thinking, I can let the whole world know. Get it off my chest and really be heard.
launch_fat_joe: The biggest thing I like about being a rap artist--I came from nothing and would never have believed that I could be a rapper and having mainstream success. Just seeing the whole rap game evolve and just to feel like, I have it all figured out. I just saw the Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg video--they coulda definitely made a crazier video; Hype Williams coulda got crazy. It was only right that Hype Williams took it back. I got it figured out, I understand that sh-t.
mc_92120: FAT JOE WAY DO U SAY THE WORD "NIGGA" WHEN YOU P RICAN
launch_fat_joe: Because where I come from, we figure the Puerto Ricans and blacks are the same thing.
launch_mack_10: Well said, Joe, you my nigga.
launch_fat_joe: If we learn to become one, we could be one nation. People get scared -- they want to divide and conquer us. But we feel like we're ONE.
Ed_Tastey: Does the film follow all other rapper's movies formula kill, kill, kill!?
launch_mack_10: Hell no. We don't follow nobody. There's some killin' in there because there's some gangsta sh-t going on. But there's a moral to the story. A really good moral.
launch_fat_joe: Every kid just wants something positive to happen in life. We both wanted to be musicians, we were always buggin' and illin' and stuff like that. But we had dreams. We all come from being dirt poor to being success stories. You can do what we did. It's not impossible. That's our message.
ninapanama: How do you know if girls you talk to are dealing with you and not the money and fame?
launch_mack_10: You never know.
launch_fat_joe: Girls are scandalous, man. Just like guys. How do they know when a guy's looking at them that it's not just because they have fat t-ts or a nice ass. It can always be deceiving. Even before I was in rap, I thought I knew a certain girl but she still turned around and f--ked another guy. But I'm no sucker for love.
LowriderGuy_99: Yo mack sup ok i got some questions for you. Ok for me im a tru lowrider fan and i would like to know what rides are you working on and is there going to be any more lowrider videos coming out soon?
launch_mack_10: I've got two hard top 64s and a rag top 57. I've got a hard top 64 that's gold. It's been rolling down Crenshaw for like two years. I'll be retiring it soon and brining out a red one.
tupac_mackaveli_7: What do you think about Kurupt's "callin out names" personnally I think it's tight
launch_mack_10: I haven't heard it.
southeastanimeman: Is there a chance for the Insane Clown Posse to do a track with Westside Connection or Mack 10
launch_mack_10: Who's that.
lilpassions: FAT JOE..JUST HAD TO GIVE YOU PROPS ON REPRESENTING THE LATIN COMMUNITY....BORICUA LOVE BABAY.....DID YOU EVER THINK THAT YOU WOULD BE SO SUCCESSFUL???
launch_fat_joe: Did you ever think you would be so rich???
launch_fat_joe: I had a dream, man, and I'm lucky that it's come true through hard work. I always thought I had the talent to be a big star. I still think I can take it to the next level. You have to keep setting bigger and bigger goals. You'll fall when you're satisfied and cool with where you're at. Just keep it going, keep it moving.
alcholik: What do you feel about the new white rappers like eminem and milkbone?
launch_mack_10: Eminem is a dope MC. I can't front and say he's no good. He's got rhymes.
launch_fat_joe: Eminem is definitely lyrical. I'm not too familiar with Milk Bone. He hasn't done anything for a while. Everlast is good too. I don't discrminate. A lot of niggas and Puerto Rican guys bought a lot of those "Ice Ice Baby" records.
launch_mack_10: And a lot of niggas bought that MC Hammer album too. He changed the whole game, baby.
bd80719: JOE, THAT'S MY POINT PA', WHY DON'T YOU TAKE THAT JUICE THAT YOU GOT AND TURN POLITICS IN THE BRONX UPSIDE DOWN/
launch_fat_joe: Eventually I do want to do it in the future. I'd like to be president or mayor of NYC. If Jesse Ventura can do this sh-t. Or Donald Trump. I can relate to the peoples' problems, but I would have to educate myself a lot more. That's a dream of mine too. I would like to give people that Robin Hood feel. I want to see politicians in the street. There's too many Uncle Tom politicians out there now.
DOKTOR777: Who do you think is funnier METH or REDMAN????????????
launch_fat_joe: I don't know. They're both talented and they work real well together.
chico_deluxo: Whats your favorite tv show on fox
launch_mack_10: I don't watch nothing but the football games. My favorite football team is the Dallas Cowboys.
launch_fat_joe: Same thing with me. The uniforms is so nice. The platinum and blue. They got the dope sh-t.
launch_mack_10: Hell yeah.
dat_n1gga_who_run_da_block_braz: what up B....i was just wondering what to you think about the Damu_Rida's after the dissed ya (mack 10)
launch_mack_10: I heard about that song, but I've never heard it. Just heard about it. I'm like this: I don't practice, I won't put the energy in dissing nobody back. It's not worthy of a dis. If they was already platinum or something, then yeah. They can get a dis back. They haven't even sold 10 records yet.
launch_fat_joe: F--k 'em.
launch_mack_10: Yeah, and go see Thicker Than Water.
da_gangsta_playa: mack when did you get afiliated with gang bangen on the streetz of inglewood ?
launch_mack_10: I've been affiliated with gang bangin' since I was born. I was born in Inglewood. It just happened like that because of the area I lived in. Whether you're active or not, you become affiliated no matter what.
k_town24: mack 10 have you made your peace with cypress hill?
launch_mack_10: I made peace with Cypress Hill. I got no problems with B-Real at all. Period. He's in the movie. Back to the gang bangin' sh-t--I'm past all that. I ain't with all that. I'm just trying to make a lot of money.
firefly33_1999: Do yall feel like u have reached ur goal in life, or do u feel u need to go higher?
launch_mack_10: There's always room to grow. I've reached certain goals, but there's always room to grow.
launch_fat_joe: I want to break new talent, bring new superstars to the game. That's where my heart is at right now.
CPR163: joey i been following you since "flo joe", man how i can get my demos noticed by A&R or record executives ?
launch_fat_joe: When I wanted to be a rapper, nobody believed in me, so I had to join neighborhood talent shows, anything to be noticed. I wanted to be anywhere that anyone in the record business would be. I would advise them to harass people like me and like Mack 10.I
launch_fat_joe: I don't like people harassing me, but the truth is persistence overcomes resistance... Who knows, you might be the next nigga.
firefly33_1999: HOW WOULD YALL LIKE DA FOLLOWIN GENERATIONS TO REMEMBER U AS??
launch_fat_joe: Our generation was a very confused generation that didn't do as much politically and socially as our predecessors did. We had it much easier. Our generation, a lot of blacks and Hispanics became very successful and millionaires, like Oprah Winfrey and sh-t like that. You look at Michael Jordan and Mike Tyson and sh-t and it helps young blacks and Puerto Ricans believe that they can become entrepreneurs.
launch_mack_10: I like Lil' Kim.
launch_fat_joe: I like Lauryn Hill. She is the best female MC.
fatavelli: this is for Fat Joe. How does it feel tocarry the latin rap flame on your shoulder.
launch_fat_joe: When I wanted to be a rapper there weren't so many Latinos from the East Coast doing it. My style of music--I jumped in the waters when nobody else wanted to. It feels really good now. If I'm not affiliated with the person who was at the forefront, I'll be very offended.
ALKOHOL_N_BOOTYCALLS: FAT JOE, HAVE U THOUGHT ABOUT BRINGIN IN A LIVE BAND INTO YOUR MUSIC , LIKE THE ROOTS AND TRIBE?
launch_fat_joe: Those are great groups, they're creative. I appreciate them, but I'm a hardcore hip-hopper. My sh-t is two turntables and a mic, some rowdy motherf--kers. Cute girls on the side.
cyusef: When is Mack 10 coming to New York to bust a flow with the ill hip hop artists?
launch_fat_joe: I look forward to seeing Mack 10 walking down the streets in peace and harmony in NYC.
CharlesFernando: dont you think that money is just a material thing and it is love and respect that counts?
launch_mack_10: I think they all count. Money, love, and respect.
launch_fat_joe: People don't respect niggas with no money. But love can't be bought. When you get success and have a lot of money, you're carrying 30 and 40 people--they're depending on you, there's a lot of love and respect right there.
Johnny_D_hSc: if you could do a song with any artist of the past who would it be?
launch_mack_10: It would have to be--the person who I look up to most from the past is Eazy E, because he created the type of music that I do. I admire him most out of all the guys who've passed.
launch_fat_joe: Me and Biggie were always tight, we had talked about me being his rhyming partner. But we never got to work together on a record, but he's somebody I definitely wanted to work with. Speaking of the dead, I didn't agree with everything Tupac did, but I wish he was alive so I could tell him I love him and respect what he did.
launch_fat_joe: We gotta go, but on Oct. 27, go support two niggas who came from nothing. Let's break some records. Go see Thicker Than Water. I would like to congratulate Mack 10 on a job well done on that movie.
launch_mack_10: Go get that Terror Squad record!
launch_host: Well folks, we are out of time. Mack 10 and Fat Joe have left the building.
at_joe: We gotta go, but on Oct. 27, go support two niggas who came from nothing. Let's break some records. Go see Thicker Than Water. I would like to congratulate Mack 10 on a job well done on that movie.
launch_mack_10: Go get that Terror Squad record!
launch_host: Well folks, we are out of time. Mack 10 and Fat Joe have left the building.
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