On the 10-year anniversary of the release of Cormega’s classic debut album The Realness, the rapper spoke with AntiSellout.com and revisited the emotions that he felt upon the album’s release as well as what led to the creation of The Realness.
“July 24, 2001 I will never forget that day. That’s the day The Realness came out. It was like having my first kid. It was my first album that came out. I was crazy happy,” said Cormega. “I seen the posters everywhere. When you walking down the street and you hearing cars drive by with your shit it’s crazy. It resonates with you and it makes you feel appreciated. It makes you feel like you did what you [were] supposed to do.”
Ironically, if it weren’t for Def Jam’s alleged greediness The Realness would have likely never been released. According to Cormega he was initially going to release The Testament but once he was close to a deal with TVT Records, Def Jam kept upping the amount of money they were owed by the rapper. This led him to create a new album, The Realness.
“There was never supposed to be a Realness. My energy was towards The Testament. When I got off Def Jam I wanted The Testament, I was gonna put out The Testament. The Testament would’ve came out that summer, but Def Jam’s reluctance…My project was 250,000 so I had to give them back they 250,000. I knew that,” Cormega explained. “But also in the industry when you sit on music it depreciates, it doesn’t appreciate. I’m not Tupac. So for them to be owed 250,000 and then when I got a deal with TVT, ready to be signed, that’s gonna pay that 250,000 Def Jam raises it to 350,000. That was them saying ‘fuck me.’ So I said ‘Fuck you, ya’ll hold that Testament shit I’mma make my own album.’ And I made The Realness.”
Released on July 24, 2001 The Realness featured appearances from Mobb Deep and Tragedy Khadafi as well as production from The Alchemist, Sha Money XL, and more.
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album is dope but not a classic dumbass.
Not a classic??! Get the fuck out of here!
One off the best album ever!
CORMEGA RAW FOREVER!
This is a TRUE classic. Perfect Hip Hop.
Should have been the 4th member of The Firm. The Realness is dope.
I just wish you would be able to purchase The Realness and True Meaning for a reasonable price. I hope Legal Hustle reissues them soon sooner than later.
you can get it for a reasonable price….FREE!!!! download them shits and then when they get re-released go cop em
You can buy it on Amazon for a good price.
Classic to me, the poetry there was absolutely amazing: ”I see a little snotty nosed with his sneakers on backwards sleepin’ on a mattress when I go to make a sale at times I wonder, are we goin’ straight to Hell or does God realize we’re tryin’ to make it as well?”
”I realize my nigga Blue is – a reminder of my past like Greek ruins yet his seek keeps bloomin’ uneffected by police intrusions or street illusions we were consumed wit.”
”You know the wisdom is reflected the knowledge when its manifested
If not fed in due time the mind is anerexic”
Better than Stillmatic, way more consistsent.
Cormega is one of the realest. One of last few real Hip Hop albums.
Mega is by far one of the most respected ARTIST’S (meaning not just rapper) in my opinion. He epitomizes the term “NO SELL OUT”.
Nas filming his Nasty video is Queens. AZ and Cormega spotted on set!!! HELL YEAH!
Nice.