Exclusive Interview – The Clipse

Rap duo the Clipse has signed a 5-year, multimillion dollar contract with music mogul Rick Rubin at Sony/Columbia Records.

A&R rep Hip-Hop-who has helped guided the careers of Jay-Z and Kanye West and helped to broker the Clipse deal-said he personally sought out the pair. “I been a fan of the Clipse since I first heard them,” Hip-Hop said via statement. “And I ain’t a fan of too many things. Every song they come with it, lyrically. They were on a real short list when I got to Sony; I was going all the way to make this happen. We trying to be more of an artist-friendly company, and focus on artists we really love. I liked them three years ago, I liked them yesterday, and I feel like they can be a group with a future.”

Clipse – consisting of Virgina brothers Pusha T and Malice – first hit the airwaves in 2002 with their platinum debut, Lord Willin’. In late 2006, they dropped the critically acclaimed Hell Hath No Fury and have since released several volumes of the “We Got It 4 Cheap” mixtape series.

Their multimillion dollar contract with Columbia accommodates not only forthcoming Clipse albums, but also solo efforts from each brother, and collective recordings with MCs Ab-Liva and Sandman. Together, the foursome comprises the Re-Up Gang, which will enjoy 50/50 profit sharing with Columbia and will retain ownership of their masters at deal’s end. A Re-Up release is slated for March of ‘08, followed by a Clipse album scheduled for this summer. “The Clipse represent everything that we’ve all known Rick Rubin to represent: hip-hop in its purest form,” said Pusha T via statement. “To know that the head guy is a creative guy as well, that makes me feel good. I come from being surrounded by creativity. And I felt like in going forward, I wanted to be able to put out as much music as I wanted to. That was my goal. That’s been the one thing that’s hindered the Clipse. And Sony’s allowing us to do that.”

The group’s manager, Tony Draper, said there were several deals on the table, “but only one label stepped up to the plate; that was Rick Rubin and Hip-Hop.” Clipse join a roster of urban acts including the recently signed Jim Jones and Beyoncé.

Five Questions with The Clipse

1. What does it feel like to be signed by legendary producer Rick Ruben at Sony?

Its a dream come true. We look at Rick as a fore runner of hip hop. He and Russell are the guys from behind the scenes that I noticed in my younger years of hip hop. I feel like the Clipse will have a fighting chance now, being that Rick is a very creative guy. He know trials that the artist go through as well as the business side of the game.

2. What do you hope to accomplish with the new album?

We feel like the restraints have been lifted off of us from our previous work. We look forward to being more creative with our new album. Letting the vibe come together and just get our vision out to the fans.

3. What do the Clipse bring to the table that is missing from the game?

Authenticity! We bring lyrically driven hip hop to fill the MC void from the late 80s thru mid 90s.

4. Who is Malice?
The Malicious…Malice is a B-Boy like any other B-Boy that loves hip hop. I love beats, freestyle, break dancing, beat boxing, etc. I’m just a B-Boy who got his chance to make an imprint in the game and let his vision be heard.

5. What happens when u put Malice and Pusha T together?

When u put both of us together u get the Good, the Bad and the Ugly. We like the tag team duo from hell… the wonder twins! Nobody can beat us. Then with our group Re-Up Gang (Clipse, Ab-liva and Sandman) we’re like the Fantastic 4. We all paint such vivid pictures in our rhymes it seems like we be using all of the colors in the 64 pack crayola box and other rappers are only using the 12 pack box.

Final Words:

Shout to our management Tony Dreper for his professionalism and business savvy. Also Tony Gonzalez for his hustle, and for always keeping the Clipse’s best interest in mind at all times. Re-Up Gang and Clipse album comin in ‘08… be on the look out!