Lunatic 63 chops it up with Chicago artist Boo (formerly of the group Boo & Gotti). Boo discusses his dealings with R. Kelly, Cash Money and his current projects. At the end of the interview, you can download his new single "Floss." 

Interview by Justin "Lunatic 63" Melo

Q:  We’re here with Boo formerly of Cash Money Records; how are you feeling right now?

Right now, I’m good. I’m promoting the new single, “Floss.” Moving around, hosting parties in Atlanta, LA, Chicago and I’m happy to be here. Everything is still good with Cash Money & Young Money. I have to say congrats to (Lil) Wayne for doing the 1.5 mil on sales. Keep getting it.

Q:  Let’s start off at your childhood; you were born and raised on the Westside of Chicago – How was life like growing up where you did?

No different than any other intercity place. The best thing is a good foundation as far as a mother and father supporting me and keeping me on the right road. The negative things that were accessible I didn’t draw to. I still did what I was going to do but I had that foundation to support me.

Q:  Did you ever have any run-ins with the law at a young age? How did that change you and make you a better person?

I had some minor run-ins with the law as far as just being an average kid. Hustling, smoking weed, petty fights, but I never did any time or anything like that.

Q:  Something very intersecting happened to you in the summer of 1999 when you ran into a music legend; take us back to that day and tell us that story.

That was a crazy day. That night in ‘99 was my life changing experience. I was out kicking it with my homies and we went to Rock ‘n Roll McDonalds. We bumped into R Kelly and it was a wrap from there. He saw something in me that he needed. He knew that I would do the best I could and give it a shot. Went to the studio the same night and had an album ready not too long after that. The rest is history.

Q:  What do you think it was about you that R. Kelly liked so much?

I feel that he liked that I was brave and took a chance on something I had never done. I didn’t lie about what I did and didn’t know. He saw my courage and that I had an aura of confidence. Any situation that came up, I would try to the best of my ability; Most of all, just me being who I am.

Q: Do you still keep in contact with R. Kelly? Did you follow his trial at all?

Yeah, but the most important thing is giving him my thankfulness musically and as a person. When I’m around, I don’t engage in questions about what he’s going through but just to support him as an artist and as my mentor. I don’t think I keep in touch like I should because he’s so busy. He’s my mentor and definitely changed my life but he’s not my life preserver. I don’t want to seem like I’m coming to him with my hand out. I want him to know that I’m doing this regardless and I’m bringing something to the table.

Q:  You got your first major break in the game when R. Kelly decided to feature you on his hit record, “We Ride” which also featured Jay-Z, Nore and Cam’Ron; tell us about the day you were asked to be on that record and what was your initial reaction like?

I didn’t believe it. I thought he was just saying something to get me motivated. It was something so far fetched considering that I hadn’t really been rapping. He was talking about what if I put so-and-so on the record or this person or that person. No one was really together, it was just us talking, and I didn’t know that this record was actually going to happen and be a part of the album.

Q:  Jermaine Dupri then got a hold of you; tell us how he did that and how that first conversation with him went?

JD went through R Kelly actually. The fiesta record was buzzing. JD said that he respected that track and flew us down to Atlanta. We went to the studio with JD and he played a beat for us. He wanted our opinion on the beat and what kind of song it was. He told us to write the track. Then, he left and just went to sleep. Then, he came back to get us at the studio to go to the club and we were already done with it. At the club that night, we met Baby.

Q:  You finally caught the attention of a major label in Cash Money Records; where there any other offers on the table? What about Cash Money made you decide to sign with them over any other labels?

We were real tight with Irv Gotti and a bunch of other people in the game. He said if things didn’t work out then, he would take us under his wing. We were looking at Jive, Cash Money and Def Jam. Those were the major labels. We went with Cash Money because it was more about him selling his self to us rather than the other way around. He was real persistent. He flew us out to New Orleans and said he didn’t want us to leave until we signed. He showed them the life there of how it was being in the game. We were impressed and the timing was perfect. We were just like, “How do we do this?!”

Q:  You then teamed up with close friend Gotti to make form a twosome. The group released the “Perfect Timing” album in 2004 with the help of the Lil Wayne featured, “Ain’t It Man” single. Looking back on that album, are you happy with how it turned out?

I think that it was the best album for new guys coming into the game. We put our heart and soul into that album.

Q:  How do you feel about the amount of promotion Cash Money put into it?

We didn’t have a lot of history like Dogg Pound or UGK. They didn’t understand our grind. People looked at the album like we came into the game from the top. It wasn’t on Cash Money for the promotion of the album, it was on us too. We didn’t do mix-tapes and things to promote ourselves and we didn’t prepare ourselves.  I have no regrets about it, though.

Q:  You then asked for your release from Cash Money; what ultimately lead you to make that request?

To be frank, it was more with (Lil) Wayne. He was going through a few things and talking about maybe leaving the label. He was calling Baby to say that he wanted me to ride with him. So, if I was going to make a move with him, I would have to leave Cash Money Records. I had to make a decision. It wasn’t about leaving Cash Money Records, but more about riding with (Lil) Wayne. If there was a better way I could’ve done it, I wish I would’ve known at the time. I was still too new in the game to understand how everything worked.

Q:  Thank you for giving us all of that background information; let’s now get into the present. You are signed to 404 Entertainment with your own distribution label, Mob Boss Entertainment – How did this deal come about?

It came about with my business partner and a mutual friend that knew the president of 404 while I was on a tour with Lil Wayne. They said they were starting up a distribution label in Atlanta. They heard and liked a few songs and were persistent about a venture and pushing MOB BOSS.

Q:  You are also working on your solo debut; give us the title and possible release date for the album.

I titled it “48 Minutes”. I’m a sports fanatic. Basketball is my first love besides my family. A professional basketball game is 48 minutes long. I feel that I’m in the professional game right now and I have to show out. I have to do this now. The album will released sometime in August but I don’t have a specific date yet.

Q:  Has a first single been picked out at this time? Is a video going to be shot for the record?

“Floss” is the first single. It’s being pushed like crazy. The next one will be the track featuring MJG; it’s called “Can I see Her.” MJG is also about to do a venture with 404. I’m about to shoot the video for Floss this week. It’s not a BET type video. It’s made for the internet to see what kind of response I get. Then, we’ll do the big one.

Q:  Are they any featured guest appearances or producers on it worth noting at this time?

The single right now, “Floss”, is produced by Knoxville and PC. I’m also working with Marvelous J and Serious on the production side. For appearances, I have MJG and Young Berg. I don’t want a whole lot of features because I want to prove I can stand on my own two feet.

Q:  What do you hope to achieve with this album?

I want to set myself as a household name. I want to start my own company and for people to understand that through the ups and downs I can still do it. I want people to recognize my talent – me as an artist.

Q:  Thank you for your time; do you have any last words for the fans before I let you go?

I pray and hope that ya’ll can understand me and dig what I’m trying to do. Keep God first and don’t burn any bridges. It’s a constant grind. Push Hard.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD "FLOSS" 

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