Since Jay-Z took the title of president and CEO of Def Jam in January of 2005, a number of artists ranging from DMX and Method Man to LL Cool J have voiced their displeasure over how their projects have been handled. Now that Jay-Z has decided to step down, Roc-A-Fella artists Freeway and Beanie Sigel can be added to the list. In a recent interview with DJ Whoo Kid on Sirius Satellite Radio’sShade 45 Channel, both artists voiced dissatisfaction and confusion, among other things, over Jay-Z’s departure and the promotion of their own albums.
“I heard it’s official, but I found out off the Internet,” explained Freeway [click to listen] when asked about Jay-Z’s departure. Freeway said he was currently touring in support of his sophomore album, Free At Last, but plans to visit the Def Jam offices next week for some clarification. In the meantime, he has plans of his own. “I’m in the lab working on that next one right now called Freedom of Speech,” he added. “We getting the State Property thing back together…me and Beans.”
While Beanie Sigel didn’t mention any particular names, he was quite candid about his feelings on the situation.
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“It’s crazy when the outside has their views and opinions and they see certain shit,” says Beans [click to listen]. “Everybody’s got that homie or that dude in their squad, [and] you know this nigga is a rotten motherfucker, but that’s still your man. So you pick up for him and you cover his faults and all that, but…that shit’s crazy.”
The nearly 14 minute interview found Beanie Sigel speaking on his album as well as his labelmate Freeway’s, censorship and the possible release of a new mixtape entitled “True American Gangster.”
“I’m a keep it all the way funky,” says Beanie Sigel. “This go around, on this album I’ve been in a lot of trouble and other little shit. These folks are trying to censor my music and find shit, so I can only get so crazy. I’ve got 36 days until I get off of parole, man, and I’m packing my motherfuckin’ bag.”
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Along with Memphis Bleek, Beanie Sigel and Freeway serve as the last links to the second generation of artists signed Roc-A-Fella Records. After being signed in 1998, Beanie Sigel saw his first three albums The Truth, The Reason and The B. Coming sell upwards of 500,000 copies. He had similar hopes for The Solution, which was released on Dec. 11, 2007, but the album sold 68,102 copies during its first week of release. Freeway, who released his sophomore album, Free At Last, on Nov. 20, 2007 saw first week sales of 36,000.
