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Since the beginning, the combination of a DJ and an MC has been a quintessential part of Hip-Hop. The scene of two turntables and a mic, were almost instantaneous but as time goes on, some things get left behind.The MC/DJ tandem of today resembles more of a MC/beat machine combination.

DJ Jazzy Jeff lost The Fresh Prince to the Hollywood A-List, Pete Rock and C.L. Smooth let creative differences get between them, and Eric B. and Rakim parted ways over a decade ago. But for those who still long for the golden years, there’s still a few duos out there that can bring you back to a simpler time.


One of Hip-Hop’s newly formed alliances doing just that, is the team of Brooklyn’s own Red Café and Queens-bred DJ Envy.

If you’re well in-tuned with the mixtape circuit, then the names of Red Café and DJ Envy should come to no surprise. But if you’re unfamiliar, then most likely, you’ll be introduced to them soon enough.

Brooklyn native Red Café has made more of an impact with no record deal than most MC’s with solid careers. If you don’t believe that fact, then ask the artists that he keeps relevant by ghostwriting their hits.

After creating a buzz for himself through the underground scene, he bounced from label to label with no safety net. It was clear to see that Red fell victim to industry rule 4080; but he still kept his name alive on the streets with songs like "Bling Blaow" featuring fellow Brooklynite Fabolous, along with making other numerous guest appearances.

As for Hot 97’s own DJ Envy, the Queens born record specialist has also endured his own share of heartbreak via the entertainment industry. His first album The Desert Storm Mixta pe: Blok Party was released back in 2003. And even though it had a cast of the best MC’s the game has to offer, it fell short of expectation.

After taking a four-year hiatus from making studio albums, he decided to hook up with Red Café and give it one more go-around. So now Brooklyn meets Queens to form The Co-Op.

The first time the two boroughs met, Jay-Z and Nas gave Hip-Hop fans one of the most historical battles ever witnessed, and made even bigger history by joining as one. Now lets see what an MC from Brooklyn and a DJ from Queens can do to cement their names into history this time around.



What can people expect to hear from your album; The Co-Op?

Red Café: You’re going to hear things like; uncompromised Hip-Hop. The things that you need, and what’s missing. Like as of this year, we’ve been getting some good music, especially from people like Kanye [West], 50 [Cent], Common, and Fabolous. Just some of that good stuff that the East has to offer.


How did you guys first come together for the project?

Red Café: Well Envy called me up and said he wanted to do it. [Laughing] Nah, I’m just kidding… Um it was basically just watching each other’s grind. He saw me putting in my work on the street, and I saw him doing what he was doing on a nightly basis. Like in the clubs, in the streets, and on the radio. And he appreciated my grind, just like I appreciated his, and it only made sense. We did a mixtape together, and the demand was so crazy. So we decided to really get together, and make this thing an entity.


How was the atmosphere like in the studio?

Red Café: We bumped heads. When two creative minds come together, you’re always going to have different views. But none of us are stubborn; like we always go for what’s best for the project. We defenitly had some disagreements, but at the end of the day we did what was best for the project.


Throughout your careers, you've both gone through typical record label drama. How do you maintain focus to still create music?

Envy: From my last experience, I wasn’t going to make another album. But with those experiences, we basically used them to get stronger. And that’s what we did with this project. It’s been 90% us, and 10% Koch. We’ve been able to basically take advantage of what we’ve learned, and what got f**ked up in the past; and relate it to this situation. And basically overcome all the past bullsh*t.

Red, a lot of people consider you as a featured artist and really not someone who can carry an album. What are your thoughts on that?

Red Café: I’d tell them to get that Co-Op album. Then you’ll be able to see what I’m capable of. I know I’ve been doing a lot of mixtapes. And after you’ve done something for a certain period of time, [they] kind of stereotype you. But if you did your homework, and check the records I put out, and the stuff I did on mixtapes; you can make a track listing of those songs. And it will be better than a lot of the “bs” that’s been thrown around for the past few years.

For the nonbelievers, just come and take a listen to that Co-Op album, and it will change your train of thought.

Envy, do you plan on working with other MC’s on future projects?

Envy: We actually have two projects that we’re working on. One of them is going to be Red’s solo album, and then my solo album. Then we have a couple of acts that we have to break. We have a lot of stuff in front of us that we still have to do, so we’re defenitly going to be working.

Red, how did you first get into ghostwriting?

Red Café: Well I’m actually working on a project right now, for a big artist. I’m helping [him] put together the project. Like I said before, I put good records together. I’ve been through different things with record companies, because I wouldn’t compromise myself. I wouldn’t do certain things that I didn’t feel were right for me. I felt like; “you know what?” “I’m not going to just got out there, and do this bullsh*t just for $2.00.” I always had other hustles. So I’ve been able to say things like; “this isn’t going to work for me.”

All the producers I dealt with saw the talent I had with writing, as well as producing my own records. All the artists in doubt; when [they] help with their records, they holla. This is a business, and I don’t put [their] business out there. If there’s anything you want to know, you can always read the credits. It’s there in black and white.

Envy, you're on Hot 97, Sirius Satellite's Hip-Hop Nation, and a monthly show on Cable's Music Choice. Is it hard to juggle all that and still make music?

Envy: Everything is just time management, you know. I try to do as much as I can, and knock it out. Like I sleep about one hour a day. And I don’t feel like I can stop, until I’m sitting on that beach. What’s those things that Jay-Z be wearing? You know? Those flip-flop sandals?

Chancletas… [Laughing]

Envy: Yeah those! I don’t feel like I can stop until I’m doing all of that. [Laughs]

Do you think its possible for an artist to over saturate himself or herself in any way possible?

Red Café: Well you have to spark some type of interest. For me you can never over saturate yourself; unless you over saturate yourself with too many hits before your record comes out.

For the most part, if you do something interesting, and that’s different from all the other stuff you’ve done; then that’s going to make you soar like an eagle. So its only over saturation if you’re doing too much of the same thing. If that happens, then the people won’t want to hear it anymore. But if you’re diverse and able to do different things, then nah. Like right now, look at Akon and look at T-Pain. When Akon comes with his record, T-Pain is coming with a record that’s totally different.

So what are your feelings towards the project? Nervous? Anxious? Or both?

Red Café: Mainly anxious, we’re not nervous. Because [we] know what [we] did when [we] went into the studio. We make great records, and it is what it is. Like we accomplished what we set out to do. This is something that hasn’t been done in a long time, and we did it. And we feel great about it, and I think this is something that’s going to be remembered.

A lot of artists always say that [they] have a good album on their hands. So what’s going to make your project that album that people talk about?

Envy: Because it’s a great album, and it’s a classic. I know [you] speak to a lot of artists all the time; and a lot of artists say [their] album is a classic. But this album was well thought out, well planned, and well put together. And I don’t think anybody would be upset or disappointed in this album. I think it speaks for itself, and I promise; you won’t be disappointed.

source-sixshot

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