Even many die-hard Tupac Shakur fans do not know that before the legendary artist’s passing he created a group for himself, childhood friend Yaki Kadafi, and a then 13-year-old ‘Pac christened Candyman 187. The trio was collectively known as The Havenotz.
“If you know about Thug Life, it stood for ‘The Hate You Give Little Infants Fucks Everybody,’ and we were supposed to be the infants, we were supposed to be the lost generation,” explained the now 27-year-old Candyman of The Havenotz to HipHopDX on Wednesday (July 27th). “It was like, when they talk about society the best way to judge our society is by its children. And, I was the child. So it was like, Look at these children, and look at what you’ve put them through, and look at how they’re being raised.”
Candyman 187 Explains Meeting Tupac Shakur As A Youth
Candyman was raised in Los Angeles, California but made frequent trips to visit family on the east coast. And because of a familial connection, he first met Tupac as a troublesome 10 year-old.
“[I was] just doing a lot of stupid things,” he recalled of the juvenile hell he was raising circa 1993, “and we all shared a lot of the same family members and people just kinda brought us together over time. And Tupac knew I had came from a pretty crazy background, and my life was pretty hectic. And he saw I guess – I’m speaking from what the elders have told me, is that he felt that he saw a lot of him in me, and that kinda drew him to me.”
The ‘Pac influence is clearly evident in Candyman’s recent video, “Show Em All.”
“He was a big brother, a father figure, a mentor and a teacher,” said Candyman of Tupac’s role in his life during his wonder years. “If it wasn’t for him and Kadafi, I wouldn’t be here. And I’ll always appreciate them and love them for that, but I feel like at this point in my life everything I’m doing, every step I take, every move I make, everything I do is in their memory but at the same time you won’t hear a lot of songs where I’m like, ‘This is dedicated to Tupac.’ Or, ‘This is dedicated to Kadafi.’ ‘Cause, I feel like my whole life is dedicated to them. Everything I do is representing them. And the best way I can show them love and respect is by growing up and being successful.”
While an unofficial Havenotz EP was compiled and released by fans in 2009 from loose tracks Candyman recorded in recent years and let leak to the ‘Net, 187 is hesitant to let loose of the original Havenotz music that was recorded in the mid-‘90s.
“It’ll come out eventually,” he explained, “but like I said, my biggest thing is I don’t want my career and my name to be based on it. … I wanna be remembered as Candyman, not ‘Tupac’s Candyman.’ For me I feel like every teacher wants the student to surpass them, or at least meet ‘em at the level they expected from them. And I don’t think I can do that by being in his shadow, or releasing the music we did, or putting him on every song I do.”
“On the Internet a lotta cats will be like, ‘Oh, he’s ridin’ off of ‘Pac’s name,’” he added. “And people that know me know that’s [as] far from the truth as it could be. I’m big into books and philosophy, and [in] The 48 Laws of Power one of the things it says is you don’t ever wanna be in somebody so great’s shadow that you can’t get out of it. And that was my thing, I never wanted to be Tupac’s robot. ‘Cause I don’t think that’s what Tupac expected of me. He expected all of us to go out there and be our own men. That’s why he treated us [like men] and taught us the things that he did over time was so we could go out there and make a living for ourselves.”
While Candyman promises the original Havenotz music will eventually see the light of day, and that a new lineup of The Havenotz will soon release music, his first priority is his first official solo project in the more than 15 years since his early recordings with Tupac.
“My life kinda took a spiral after a few things, and I had to get my head right,” he explained to DX of the delay in getting his first formal product ready for release, his daring double-disc debut, If Tomorrow Never Comes: Chasing The Pain (due online and in stores this fall.)
“I was talking to basically a person that’s like my mother, Yaasmyn Fula,” he explained of the origins of his album title. “That was Kadafi’s mom. I was talking to her and she was like, ‘One of my favorite quotes was always James Dean’s ‘live as if you will die today, and dream as if you will live forever.’ … And she was like, ‘You know you always live your life – all you boys, all my sons always lived your life like tomorrow was never coming.’ And I was like, ‘Well, coming from where we came from, and going through the things we did, tomorrow was never promised to us.”
Candyman 187 Explains How Snoop Dogg Helped Him After Years Apart
A self-admitted “gamble” for a first album, Candyman’s 24-song platter will be a safer bet for consumers to put their money on thanks to appearances from established names like Jim Jones, E-40, Yo-Yo, Digital Underground, and legendary funksters George Clinton and Bootsy Collins. The album’s lead single, the Electro-driven “High Off The Fame,” features a surprisingly high-profile cameo from Snoop Dogg.
“From back in the day, with my relationship with Tupac, [I] already had a relationship with Snoop [Dogg],” explained Candyman of how he collared the doggfather for his first official single produced by longtime Snoop sound provider Meech Wells. “So, it seemed like it was the only right way to go for the first single. And being an artist from California, and from Los Angeles, I wanted to rep the west coast without hatin’ on any other side of the world.”
“It surprised me, to be honest with you,” he added of Snoop’s appearance, “’cause I hadn’t talked to him or seen him in years. And to see him be as humble as he was, and as cool about it as he was, was really cool. And after me and him really had a good sit-down talk he was like, ‘I really feel like you’re doing a lot for the west coast … and I wanna show you love and support you however I can.’”
Another artist that grew from the N.W.A. family tree has shown his love and support to Candyman 187: one of the original members of N.W.A.’s posse who a few years later would top the charts with his smooth smash “Knockin’ Boots,” a hit ironically produced by Johnny J, the now deceased former lead producer for Tupac.
“I do,” replied 187 when asked if he gets mistaken for the original Candyman. “That’s part of the reason why ‘Pac put the 187 in the name when he gave it to me. … I do get confused for him. And much love and respect to him. That dude put it down before I ever could, so I always gotta give it up to people that were here before me. … I ran into him at a show I did with Digital Underground and we talked about it and it was all cool.”
Follow Candyman 187 on Twitter (@Candyman187) and Facebook.
Another dude looking to ride on Pacs rep. It didn’t work for Fatal and the others so why would it work for this guy. Same can be said about Lil Cease trying to keep himself relevant by talking about Big.
Its cool if Pacs and Bigs friends and family so love but don’t use them to build your own career, get rich off them.
ANOTHER FACELESS COWARD THROWING WILD COMPUTER HATER DARTS ….GROW A PAIR AND DO HOME WORK
Did you read the article? He sayin’ that he doesn’t want to ride off Pac’s fame… Re-read the article before making comments on things you don’t know.
Candyman is a pathological liar, it would be unwise to believe anything he says about this or any other topic.
Wow you haters are funny. Read the article and see the real. If hrs fake how come all Pac’s people know him and deal with him. Even Kastro from the outlawz gives him props and works with him. Shock g, storm, Yaasmyn lol they must all be liars too haha.
Either way props to another black man doing his thing. Do you bra bra get your money and show these idiots.
Candyman 187 is a liar. he never met Tupac. ask Treach, ask Young Noble, ask Muszamil or any one of Tupac’s personal friends.
Just to let you all know, this website is ment to check to credibility of its sources and the people they interview.
Candyman 187 has been told in the past not to perpetrate this bullshit story of his.
he has been warned by alot of personal friends of pac, he also had shock g fooled. dont be taken by this shit talker.
FIRST OF PUNK!I WAS PERSONALLY AT AN EVENT AND FUND RAISER FOR MUTULU SHAKUR AND TUPACS B DAY GIVEN BY CANDY MAN 187 IN NEW YORK AT THE CORAL ROOM WHERE TREACH AND MANY OTHER ASSOC.OF PAC WERE PRESENT AND ACTUALLY SPOKE TO TREACH MYSELF AS WELL AS MOPREME ,SHOCK AND MORE. TREACH WHO WAS WITH FREDDY FOXX AND SHED TEARS ON STAGE OUT OF LOVE FOR PAC AFTER PERFORMING HAD NO NOTICABLE PROBLEMS AND WAS COOL AS FUCK AND A REAL GOOD DUDE TO MEET SO DONT GET YA TEETH KNOCKED TO THE BACK OF YOUR THROAT ADAM RAPEOLOGY ALDO…………
Sooo the pictures Of him shock g, Yaasmyn and stories shared by them and Kastro and all Pac’s fam are bullshit lol? Oh yeah you would know cause you know these people personally lol
great interview by an even greater artist. May you continue to get blessed. Hip hop needs the new life your breathing into it. Salute
Very intriguing, I’m definitely interested in seeing what this guy brings to the game. Love both the songs so far and his message as well as his articulation. You can tell Tupac mentored him but I love that he’s not trying to make a living off Tupac’s name. He’s got a deep message and a very street edge. And it doesn’t hurt that he’s cute!
Real ass interview by a real ass dude. Keep your eyes on the prize and don’t stress these bitches who wish they were you. Can’t wait for your album so please hurry up and drop it.
Peace from the east coast.
Funny how Young Noble said he had no idea who this dude was when fans addressed him about it a few years ago.
I don’t know what the inter-workings are of how this dude snaked his way into their circle, but I don’t buy his shit for one minute. Let’s move past the possibility of him knowing Pac, so what if you did? Quit using Pac as some form of street-cred to try and further a career for yourself. Pac had A LOT of close homies that he had plans to do songs with, plans to do all sorts of shit with and they’re not running around vomiting Pac’s name, every chance they get.
Young Noble said in one of his interviews that him and Pac discussed Noble running a clothing line. Well, you don’t hear Noble running around spewing all this shit about him and Pac running a clothing line. He mentioned it in an interview, it happened, it’s in the past, and Noble has moved on.
Candyman just can’t go two seconds without mentioning Pac and this alleged group. Maybe he did meet Pac, maybe at some point Pac casually mentioned something like “Oh, man, we should start a group”. But, Candyman tries to sell this shit like Pac, Yak and himself sat down in a boardroom and drew up contracts and plans to make this rap group. Nope, I’m not buying it. It’s funny how this dude was nowhere to be seen all through Pac’s career and through the 90’s. Then, all of a sudden, he shows up with this story in the last few years about how Pac was some close homie of his, even though nobody has ever heard of this dude.
People keep saying shit like, Shock knows him, Yak’s Mom knows him…. Yeah? So what? There are all kinds of people that lie and scam their way into people’s lives with made up, bullshit stories, and people buy all kinds of shit and believe them. People get scammed everyday by liars that weasel into other people’s lives. Where are all the pics of Candyman and Pac together? This dude was so close to Pac… Pac always had cameras around him. There are a million pics of Pac out there, fan pics and professional pics, pics of Pac with his homies. Show me one pic of Pac with Candyman, cause I’ve never seen one. I find it hard to believe they had major plans to start some rap shit and this dude is not present in any pictures or videos with Pac that I’ve ever seen or heard about, all the documentaries and movies about Pac, all the interviews with Pac’s friends and relatives. I’ve never seen anyone mention a Candyman and furthermore, if they were such close friends with this plan to start a group, how is it Candyman was never interviewed for any of these Pac movies or documentaries?
And then his supporters use this bullshit, “Troublesome” line to support their claims. “Say my name three times like Candyman”. Sorry, Pac was referencing the movie, plain and simple. But, nice try on attempting to add more credibility to your already lame ass story. First of all, it’s clearly a reference to the movie and secondly, nobody knew who the fuck this Candyman dude was. So why the hell would Pac be talking about some 12 year old kid in his song that nobody knows? Yeah, he wouldn’t be. And Pac always talks about the “Have-nots” in his songs, referring to people who are poor and have nothing, not referencing some bullshit rap group this guy made up. If Pac wanted to create the “Havenotz” why did he go off with Yak and his other homies and push this “Outlawz” group? Seems odd. I mean, in reality, Pac always wanted to start this bad ass “Havenotz” group with a 12 year old. LOL!
I’m not sure why I spent all this time typing this, nobody reads these boards anymore, but God, this guy has annoyed the shit out of me since he showed up on the scene with his BS. Candyman, I don’t know how you did it, but you have apparently fooled a few of Pac’s old friends and for that I tip my hat to you.
Nice novel buddy. Candyman 187 is the truth. I have had Kastro, Yaasmyn, Shock G, Leila Steinberg, Ray Luv, Sekiwya Shakur, and many others confirm this. The reason he wasnt in documentaries is because he refused to them. Candyman isn’t the one with Pac’s name in his mouth, infact as someone who interviewed him he hates talking about Pac and Yak. You even see it in this interview he clarifies that he is not trying to live off them. The media won’t give him a break, and fags like you love to run around and write novels!
Anyways amazing music, talented lyricist, true mc. Congratulations on all your success brother.
Nice novel buddy. Candyman 187 is the truth. I have had Kastro, Yaasmyn, Shock G, Leila Steinberg, Ray Luv, Sekiwya Shakur, and many others confirm this. The reason he wasnt in documentaries is because he refused to them. Candyman isn’t the one with Pac’s name in his mouth, infact as someone who interviewed him he hates talking about Pac and Yak. You even see it in this interview he clarifies that he is not trying to live off them. The media won’t give him a break, and fags like you love to run around and write novels!
Anyways amazing music, talented lyricist, true mc. Congratulations on all your success brother.
Sorry, still not buying it. Let’s see some pics of him and Pac. You mean to tell me there’s not one single picture of him and pac together? And that someone wouldn’t have gotten it out in the world? Bullshit. Like I saidm explain to me why him and Yak went off and started Outlawz when Pac was so serious about this bad ass Havenotz group?
Good day.
And furthermore, left me additionally clarify, I’m not saying he may not have known or met Pac. I’m just saying, quit pushing this BS Havenotz thing like Pac wrote up a business plan for this group. And quit saying 2Pac was your mentor. For someone who doesn’t like to talk about Pac, every article I’ve ever seen written about Candyman has “2Pac” or “Tupac” in the headline. For someone who doesn’t like to use 2Pac as a stepping stone, you’d think he’d tell these websites not to splash it all over the headline and instead keep the focus soley on Candyman.
Yet, every article I’ve ever read says “2Pac’s protege”. That’s another issue I have. You may have known Pac or met him, but you’re not a God damn protege. The Outlawz are Pac’s proteges. That’s why Pac started the Outlawz with them, his homies, not some ten year old kid who had wet dreams about Pac being his Dad.
And another thing, your persona, your pictures… The bullet proof vest… Really? Nobody is trying to kill you, you don’t need a bullet proof vest. You’re not 2Pac. You’re not Biggie. You’re not 50 Cent.
You met Pac? Fine. Be your own artist. Stop doing the interviews that splash 2Pac all over the headlines and call you “2Pac’s protege”. Be your own artist and make some music. I can live with that. A lot of people met 2Pac. A lot of people made casual, verbal agreements to do things with 2Pac. They’re not running the net doing interviews talking about how they came from Pac’s nut and were his best friend. Candyman was an acquaintance of 2Pac, not his step child, now move on and make your music!
This dude is a bad ass, everything he says is true, wait till the album drops….haters can hate all they want, but in reality it is all about the music…And this shit is untouchable.