Cormega and Large Professor recently released their joint album, Mega Philosophy, and were asked about the significance of the collection given the current state of Hip Hop culture. “The culture needs it now more than ever because you got a lot of clowning going on, and you got a lot of grown men perpetuating childish behavior and it’s too much ignorance going on,” Cormega said during an interview with XXL.
Large Professor compared Hip Hop culture to Italian culture. “The foundation of [the culture] is being a little overshadowed right now by what’s popular, which is cool, but I always equate it to how when you go to Italy, pizza is revered,” he said. “With New York Hip Hop being overshadowed, it’s just like this is crazy. When you listen to the radio, the majority of everything is different. We’re just putting that out to the people to let them know that everybody is not swaying. Everyone is not trying to do trap music. We’re sticking to the roots of what we do.”
Cormega also said that he is planning on releasing two remixes to Mega Philosophy’s lead single, “Industry.” One remix is set to feature Cormega and Juice Crew members Craig G, Masta Ace, and Kool G Rap. The other is slated to feature Lord Jamar, Sadat X, Roc Marciano and Inspectah Deck.
The pair was also asked about their thoughts on young New York emcees.
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“New York has no identity,” Cormega said. “If you close your eyes and listen to the radio station in New York, you would think you was down south. And then they have playlists, so that means they’re not giving the local talent or new artists a shot.” Cormega had positive words to say about New York rapper Chris Rivers, the son of Big Pun. Rivers did an exclusive interview with HipHopDX in 2013.
Cormega was also asked about his one-time beef with Nas. “It’s not really something I think about anymore,” he said. “He has ears. When he brought me out in the Nokia Theater, that fucking crowd erupted,” he said in reference to a 2006 performance at the then Nokia Theatre Times Square. “After that, it was common sense that people wanted us to do music, but we’ve never done music. It’s not my fault. I’m not gonna be one of those artists that’s stagnating waiting for something,” Cormega said.
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