Cormega returns to prove he’s a better MC and squash his beef with Nas on his 2nd CD.
To the hip-hop heads who typecast Cormega as a Queensbridge rapper who only rhymes about guns and drugs, pay attention. “This album, ‘The True Meaning‘ has songs catered toward women, songs that have DJing and scratching,” explains the MC better known for being kicked out of Nas’ supergroup The Firm than for his own critically-acclaimed albums, ‘The Testament‘ and ‘The Realness‘. “I tried to bring the embodiment of hip-hop into this album and step up as a lyricist.” Boosted by an upgraded production team including Large Professor, The Alchemist and Hi-Tek, Mega believes he has restructured his club from one that had player potential to a championship contender.
“I take rap seriously,” Cormega assures. “I don’t try to be like any other artist. I try to push the envelope and challenge myself. A lot of people respected my last album. But I don’t want to be a Queensbridge artist. I want to be universal. I don’t want to be a thug rapper or thought of as one-dimensional. I want to be an artist in all senses of the word.” On June 25, fans can judge whether his actions speak louder than his words. “I love all my songs,” boasts the rhyme addict and founder of his own Legal Hustle label. “They’re like my kids. I put my heart into every song. The women are gonna love “Soul Food.” “Live Ya Life” is an uplifting, inspirational record. But I don’t want to come out like I’m the Jesse Jackson of rap. So I’ll probably leak a street joint and then drop that.”
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These days, Mega stays focused on better artistry and business. “I was on a major [Def Jam], but my album never came out. It was a blessing though because I learned a lot. Now I have all the power so it’s strenuous but also beneficial because I have to be hands-on with everything. I pick my own music, book studio sessions and market my product. I know what the fans want. And my CD hits the stores when I want.” Mega’s enjoying the indie life. “I don’t base my life on blowing up. As long as I’m content, I’m content. I’d rather make five albums that people love instead of that one Platinum/multi-Platinum album that’s wack.”
Most import though is Mega would like to be known as his own man, and not as the Frazier to Nas’ Ali. “Frazier is one of the best boxers of all time,” emphasizes Mega. “But he will only be remembered for the “Thrilla In Manila.” At the same time, controversy generates publicity. I don’t want my career to be based on Mega dissing Nas. My song “Love In, Love Out” is not dissing Nas. That’s from the heart. I’m basically just telling people what happened from The Firm up to me and Nas not being cool. Nas won’t take offense. As for “Slick Response [this track will be featured on mixtapes, not this album],” of course he’ll take offense because I was clowning him. But why wouldn’t I? Didn’t he make a record dissing me [“Destroy & Rebuild“]? Nas and Nature are dissing me on a Clue tape. Nas dissed me on “Hate Me Now” and I quote, “People want to copy me on big things.” I’m not an offensive person. I’m a defensive person. From “Hate Me Now” the line “You the illest, who’s the realest, we all know the answer to that.” He’s talking about me, not Jay-Z. I got Illmatic in my car right now. Nas is one of the greatest artists ever. Me and Nas go through differences but that’s my friend. Nas’ mother recently passed and I’m hurt behind that. Why can’t people just accept me as an artist? I sold over 100,000 records in 3 months. I’ve been shelved for 5 years and I still have a voice. After this album there won’t be any more songs dissing Nas, unless he makes one so powerful I have to respond.”
As for his response to Nas’ disses on “Destroy & Rebuild,” Mega is more understanding than upset. “He had to say that. Nas grew up with me. He knows how I get down. If you listen to “One Love” on Illmatic, “What’s up with Cormega? Hold the fort down. Represent to the fullest.” Nas knows I’m a gangster. Cormega as an artist, you can like me or hate me. But nobody’s ever tested my street credibility. The only thing that bothered me on that record is when he said “Cormega can suck my d**k.” I couldn’t sleep at night when I heard that. I had to make “A Slick Response.” If I didn’t, my fans would be mad at me.”
