Interview by Lunatic 63

We’re chopping game up with B.Stille of the Nappy Roots, how you doing man?

I’m just basically on the road grinding right now. I’m rolling with the punches and putting everything in God’s hands.

That’s great man. Starting with the Nappy Roots, the first album “Watermelon, Chicken and Gritz” was on Atlantic Records and it was a huge success on the charts. Tell us about the recording process for that album.

Wow. First of all we got signed to Atlantic records in 1998 off of an independent CD that we made. That was one album with some guys who had only known each other for about two years and it ended up getting us signed to a major. The process of making the album that reached the stores took us from 1998 to 2002 – that’s four whole years of being in the same town with people that know you got signed to a major label and would ask us everyday “what’s going on?” and “when are you guys going to come out?.” Four years and we stayed grinding and developed the sound that you know as Nappy Roots today.

We ended up recording and re-recording a lot of stuff in Nashville and then in 2000 we went to Atlanta to soak up the Hip Hop scene down there. We fell in love with it and ended up finding a guy by the name of Groove Chambers who helped kick start everything musically and made our flavor what it is today. After that happened it was a wrap; we recorded the rest of the album in about six weeks while down in Atlanta  and ran into a lot of different artists such as T.I. who is very popular now and the YoungbloodZ were starting to pop off at the time. It was fun watching everyone down there blow up because at the time the south wasn’t really making much noise – you had Outkast and Goodie Mob and what Master P was doing; and then when we came out people started taking notice and saying “these southerners are coming up with something.” To be apart of the new south movement from being back in the studio to watching it all blow up makes us very glad. We give it up to them as a big family because we are big Atlanta supporters and they took us under there wing from the moment they heard our music and it got us to open the doors for other southern artists.

The album went platinum a few times and this was a time that downloading was becoming very popular and if it wasn’t for the computer we would have sold about 10 million records. We had close to 8-9 million downloads of our album and a lot of people got it and didn’t pay for it; but we do have a strong fan base to this day.

Wow that is really something man. The second album “Wooden Leather” was released a year and a half later, what was the difference in the recording process for that album and the debut?

We had money (laughs). We were able to be a bit more comfortable with the recording process; we also got to travel the world and that really opened our eyes to see past Kentucky. We got to see the world and explain it through the eyes of a country boy. I would have to say that the major difference was being able to go to Los Angeles and record with the likes of Kanye West, Lil Jon, David Banner and Raphael Saadiq who is a Grammy winner; Toni, Toni, Toni as well. We were pretty much living the life and telling everyone about it. We went from sleeping on floors and recording in apartment buildings to flying out to L.A., staying in nice hotels and recording with a bunch of different stars; we felt very confident on the second album.

The major difference was really our label falling apart at the same time we were hitting our peak. It wasn’t just Atlantic Records merging with Elektra because a lot of record labels were running off and doing that because the music industry was suffering and still is; so the major labels are teaming up together which meant that they were left with three times the artists and 1 1/3 the staff to work on their project. Everybody was getting fired and a lot of people over at Atlantic Records didn’t know if they would have a job next year – if you are unsure about your job, why would you bust your ass to put a group on that you may not even reap the benefits from? So it was a lot of major label politics and we didn’t foresee that happening; we had a lot to deal with. It wasn’t only us either; Fat Joe and Lil Kim got caught up in that as well. We are not bitter though because we ended up getting off of the label so basically we are all good and on that note in a much, much, much better situation right now.

Damn, that is some bullshit to go through. After that album R. Prophet left the group; why was that?

Well to tell you the truth we didn’t look at it like that. Our thing is that Nappy Roots is the strongest leg for us to stand on. Looking back I don’t consider that second project anything else but a success; we were top ten on USA Today and had many Hip Hop quotables.  We got 4 ½ half mics as well. A lot of people didn’t promote it the way it was suppose to be and that was not our fault. It kind of mentally bothers you when you put in that much hard work into a project and a lot of money as well and it doesn’t go the way you expect it go.

Mentally even though that wasn’t our fault, R. Prophet saw it another way. Nappy Roots was thinking we have to move on as a group and I would not want the responsibility of being a solo artist. I would not be selfish enough to say “y’all just chill and hangout while I do my solo career.” That is not me and I’m not sure how he is thinking because he is a good dude. At the same time Nappy Roots had to move on and nobody got kicked out or anything like that. He left and went his own way and we have to continue to go our way. If we see him in the club we will buy him a drink and vice versa I’m sure. There is no business, there is no competition as far as that goes.

Since then the internet only album “Inner State Music” was released, whose decision was it to drop this album before the release of “The Humdinger?”

Nappy Roots really believes in feeding our fans and the thing with us is that we don’t make music and then not go out and speak to the people and shake their hands; these people were coming up to us saying “what the fuck are y’all doing?” and we were being asked to bring out a new CD because the people we were running into were not feeling the shit they hear on the radio. That is when we said “fuck a record deal” and we had to go out here and give our fans what they want.

As a result of that album we got looked at by an independent distribution company and now we got a label deal off of that internet album and I’m glad we made that decision which was made to make sure we keep feeding our fans good music. Plus we keep making music anyway and needed something to do with it. Like I said everything happens for a reason and even in the book “48 laws of power” one of those is action and when action is used as a paper and used in the right manner actions can be very powerful and come back to hit you harder than if you hit them back to back to back.

Now we are coming back with “The Humdinger” album and its going to hit you really hard because we’ve been working on it for so long and there is so much we have to say. There is a lot of emotion involved in it and it shows on this album. “Inner State Music” served its purpose and did the fans well. As a result of it, we are in this great situation right now. We are not just signed as artists, we are CEO’s. We own the company and we pay for it.

What is going on with “The Humdinger” album? It’s suffered a few push backs, why is that?

It is big business. Everyone is talking about all the money they make off of their records but we know how it goes because we sold a lot of records in our history and when it comes to major labels, they get the money and the artists get the fame. It comes to a point were the fame is not important because that is going to come anyway. Rich people get famous simply because they’re rich. Look at Paris Hilton, what does she do? She has money and was born rich and that brought her fame. We are not signed to a major deal.

Perfection takes time; I don’t know what else to say about that. Really, it’s a situation were we do not want to release this album unless it has the right look around it. The hype has to be built around it because it’s timeless and classic music. For us to put it out under something without the proper attention wouldn’t do it any justice. We are waiting for the perfect opportunity and it is now here; it is time for “The “Humdinger.” The main reason for the pushback was that the money wasn’t right. We did not want to throw up this project and see if it sticks to the wall. We needed a major machine to believe in us and get us out there and we ended up having to push it back because it is too good of a record to put out half assed. 

So does that mean there is now a date in place for the album?

Yeah, right now we are looking at June; we are thinking about June 17. Being that we are independent we have more leeway and we are able to be more flexible with it. We are making sure the demand is there and so you know we are taking our time with it to make sure it is done right. We are pretty much looking at the summer going into the fall. But the wait is over; it will be out this year, June 17.

Does that mean we will never see the Nappy Roots on another major?

   Unless the majors make a real hell of a deal, no you will not. A lot of people are out here talking about how the indies are the way to go; you get to maintain your rights and you get the money you deserve. As an artist who puts in work, the most important thing is having control over your funds and knowing that your marketing budget is not going to be spent on flying the CEO out to Hawaii for a few days or some bullshit like that. Basically we are tired of being slaves for the system and Nappy Roots wants to change the game this time.

Who is on the album as far as guest appearances go?

We do have 5 artists in the group so there is not a lot of room for appearances. Of course we had to hook back up with Anthony Hamilton.

As a fan of the music as well, that is great to hear; The Nappy Roots have made some fantastic music with Anthony Hamilton.

Yeah we got another record on here with him; shouts out to Anthony Hamilton. This record is so good that it’s going to get us a word that starts with a “G” has two “M’s” in the middle and ends in a “Y.” I’m not going to let too much out of the bag, but the record is going to get us a Grammy nomination; that’s what’s going to happen. Again, Nappy Roots are a major group with five artists so there is not much room for collaborations; however we did hook up with two very talented females by the name of Slick & Rose; they are popular overseas and these girls are very talented. Once the people hear the work they did on our album, they are going to take off as well; that is one thing the Nappy Roots are good at - making other people famous.

If you could change one thing while at Atlantic Records, what would that be?

I would have changed the single selection and allow someone who actually listens to the group choose the singles. That is the thing with major labels; you have to deal with people who don’t even listen to hip hop. We had a long talk with the heads of the music department and the president of the label and we told them that they were not promoting us properly. I mean the music selection was good and we made some songs with artists for the CD that would have blown it out of the water. We did a record with Lil Jon when he was really popping; we had a song with the Ying Yang twins as well.  For the second album, I would have kept “Roun The Globe” as the lead single and then dropped the remix to it with the Ying Yang Twins to get the people in the clubs vibing with it as well. You have to hit people up with a balance. For the music we make, it didn’t reach people like it should of. So that is the main thing I would have have changed, the single selection on behalf of the heads at the label.

I understand that. You also have your own group popping right now, “Break Bread Squad” tell us about that.

Those are my boys, shouts out to them. Supa Syy and Monet Redd; basically they have been my dogs since I was just a little boy rapping. I have been with them since I was about 10 or 11; I met the Nappy Roots in college so I have known them even longer. We always said whichever of us made it in the industry had to go back and get the rest of the homies and that’s what I’m doing. I am now working on the keyboard so there won’t be any problem getting beats; there is also no problem with the mic or recording the music.  We are just doing our album right now; we have 18 songs completed and we have more recording sessions planned. We (Nappy Roots) are also taking them on the road with us to get them used to the rap star life. We have also been working with a Kentucky artist by the name of Kentucky Boy; he has also been on the road with us and he will be making some noise in the very near future. Basically we are just hooking up with people that the Nappy Roots feel are talented individuals; we’ve always been around these artists so we feel its necessary to go back and get them. Also shouts out goes to “Stick Boys” that is Fish Scales’ group. It’s like a bunch of families all doing it together; we are all family. Each one of has an artist or two as well as being solo artists in Nappy Roots. We are always in the studio recording a lot of music so we have a lot to put out and we have a lot of different artists that’s music needs to be heard. That is why we are making sure everyone I name has a different sound and give you a well rounded perspective of the people we hang around with.   

I see. Do you have any last words for the fans before I let you go?

I want to thank all the fans for holding us down for so long. We promise we are not going to leave again as long as they keep supporting us by buying the records. Don’t get any burned copies of our music; we don’t care what you do with the recipe but if you want us around, stand with us. It doesn’t require much, just about $13. We are giving the people a lot of good music and I know some people still bump the first album from a few years ago. That means we are giving the fans years and years of good material and $13 is a cheap price to pay for it. If we had one good song on the album, burn that shit, but the album is full of hits. For any promoters who want to book us, they can reach us at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

We are on tour right now some beautiful ladies in the industry; the A-Blaze models are holding us down. We are traveling with models now, how you like me now? Take that (laughs).

All other rappers who have yet to be discovered will be happy to know that we are working on a TV so we can go on the streets and look for artists that would never be exposed otherwise; so shouts out goes to “Street Idolz” and look out for that TV show coming to a hood near you!

Comments (6)

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written by PURPLE HULK, April 22, 2008

Good interview, Nappy Roots is extremely underrated, and for anyone that hasnt already heard their first 2 albums, I reccomend you listen to them, Watermelon Chicken and gritz is a classic, while Wooden Leather is a great album in its own right.

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written by Styles1, April 22, 2008

Good job Lunatic! This was a dope interview.

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written by Lunatic 63, April 22, 2008

props styles and purple hulk!

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written by KWB Exit 19, April 22, 2008

my dude you know I'm a regular in your interview comments so no need to tell you, that you work is on point cause I think I've stressed that too many times before

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written by Lunatic 63, April 22, 2008

I appreciate all the support u show me KWB.

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written by yunwest23, April 27, 2008

checc out my music on myspace

http://www.myspace.com/yunwest23

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