Memphis Bleek

Memphis Bleek

THE FUTURE LOOKS BLEEK
With His Street-Credible Sophomore Set, Jay-Z Protégé Memphis Bleek Is Ready to Blow Up
Growing up in Brooklyn's Marcy housing project, Memphis Bleek never planned to become one of rap's hottest rising stars, but now he's rhymin' and stealin' with hip-hop's finest MCs. Since Jay-Z signed him to Roc-a-Fella records in 1995, Bleek has ripped guest shots on blazing singles such as "Money, Cash, Hoes" from Jay's Vol. 2: Hard Knock Life and "Hey Papi" from the Nutty Professor II: The Klumps soundtrack. Bleek, however, has his own story to tell -- one that he relayed on his gritty, gold-selling debut Coming of Age. Prior to the release of his follow-up, The Understanding, Barnes & Noble.com's Abby Addis spoke to Bleek about his new disc and his relationship with his mentor Jay-Z.

Barnes & Noble.com: Tell me about The Understanding.

Memphis Bleek: The Understanding is basically an album about my feelings. It's the complete understanding of the rap game and my personal growth. When I came into the game I was a teenager. Now I'm grown, so I'm speaking about that and my experiences in the industry.

B&N.com: You worked with a lot of artists on this disc. What are your favorite tracks?

MB: I have Carl Thomas, Missy Elliott, Twista, Jay-Z, Beanie Sigel, and my group, the Co-Defendants, on the album. I don't have any favorite song in particular. I love all of them. Each one is a part of me.

B&N.com: How long did it take you to complete the album?

MB: Well, I was working on a movie, Get Down to Lay Down, with Beanie Sigel and working on the Dynasty album at the same time. So it took about three months.

B&N.com: What's your relationship with Jay-Z like?

MB: I grew up with Jay. I used to kick my rhymes to him, and he was like, "Keep writing, keep writing. One day you're going to be nice." Once he got on, I automatically got a deal. I just had to ask for it.

B&N.com: When did you start rapping?

MB: When I was young I used to watch groups like Another Bad Creation. Watching them do their thing made me feel that I could make it too. I didn't think of it as, "One day I'll be on TV and go on a worldwide tour with [my music]." I was just rhyming for fun.

B&N.com: What inspires you?

MB: The music. Once I hear the music, I get into it and then I want to start rapping. It's all a feeling thing. I express what's in my heart. I can't dance, so maybe that's why I put words together so well. [laughs]

B&N.com: What kind of music do you listen to?

MB: I listen to R&B and all of my [hip-hop] family members, of course. I like Donell Jones. R. Kelly's TP-2.Com is one of the best albums out right now, and I really like him because he does his own musical arrangements and [writes] his music. I think every artist should do that.

B&N.com: What are your plans for the future?

MB: I recently started my own production company, Get Low Management. So I'm just trying to put out my group, the Co-Defendants, and make them burst off. Then Jay-Z and I are going on tour in February 2001.

B&N.com: What's been the highlight of your career so far?

MB: I like performing for an audience. It's exciting to have people recite [lyrics] that I wrote. They recite along with you like they were there when you wrote it. I love that feeling. That's the best feeling in the world for me.

December 8, 2000