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In the midst of all the commotion over movies like Fahrenheit 911 and former Loxmember Jadakiss’ “ Why", you would think that this Air Force enlisted artist would bring some serious noise to the game? Well, think again.
Like some of his predecessors such as Heavy D, Will Smith and Mase , Bobby Cheeks brings back what Hip Hop most certainly needs right now. To party!
Straight from the streets of Jersey, Bobby Cheeks introduces himself to the world of rap by stamping your hand and allowing entrance into the club. With his first release "Ya’ll came to party" currently playing on BET, Bobby’s chance of making not only a first impression but a lasting one are second to none.
Late night on Broadway, I dropped my babies outside the New Amsterdam Theatre, where we had free tickets to The Lion King. Finally finding off-street parking about 4 blocks away and taking a couple of wrong turns, I made my way back to the theatre only to find closed doors and lights out!
Frustrated and not enough change to use the Internet Café, I kindly flip-flopped my ass, with back-pack and Snapple in hand, back to my car.
Wait till 10!
A whole hour.
What to do?
I threw on the radio .
Now coincidently, most of my favorite stations were all playing the same weak ass song. So, upon weighing my options of throwing in a CD or committing suicide out my car window…I chose the CD.
The speakers was pumpin’ with serious head bangers like “ Paper Thin" by MC Lyte, KRS One’ “ Step Into A World" and the Hip Hop classic “ I Ain’t No Joke" by Eric B & Rakim. Dat’s music right there. Straight from the streets. Real Hip Hop. Not b*@#$t laced over intense beats so dope that you forget the mind-numbing verses in the background and buy that BS anyway.
But Ok. I’m a fair person. I gotta interview this cat, so might as well hear it now, while I’m wasting time anyway. In goes Bobby Cheeks, A Soldiers Story. Now, I’ve already read his press kit, which I was pretty impressed by its deluxe packaging. So, as the music starts, I wait for the mind-numbing to begin and the drool to dribble down my chin. I, unconsciously and simultaneously, twist my lips, raise my eyebrows and bob my head. Not Bad!
This dude even has a track 123f/KRS 1. After listening to the album, twice, I figured this guy was real good for his first run out the gate. Prior to our phone interview, I came up with some questions. But, after the first two, I pretty much let loose off the top of my head. With publicist in the room, Bobby was so cool and calm, our words flowed together, like I was bangin’ beats on the table and he was rhymin' along:
Q. When I was listening to your CD I was surprised not to hear any reference to being in the Service. I mean, with all that’s going on right now. That would be a huge jump for your album. Why wouldn’t you mention that?
Being in the service is my job. It’s what I do for a living. That would be like you rapping about your job. It’s really on the low. The music I make and the military are two separate things. I don’t use the military as a gimmick.
Q. Your album had some nice party joints on it. Even a couple that refer to personal issues and situations what made you decide to be so “open"?
It’s a reflection of my life. That’s why I named it A Soldiers Story. To see that I’m a soldier in the sense of how I grew up.
Q. What was it like working with the legendary KRS-One?
Great. Nothing better than that except working with Buc Shot .
Q. With all that’s going on right now with your album and still being in the service, how has it been for you?
It’s hectic.
Q. Who are some of your favorite artists that have inspired you?
I would have to say Jay-Z and definitely Tupac .
Q. How much creative control did you have on this album?
We’re [UMG] a whole unit. Basically, we would go in and put together what works. Afterwards, we’d all sit back, take a listen and judge.
Q . What’s the difference between your albumand others?
More versatile.
Q. Right now you’re still in the service. But when your time is up, will you re-enlist or make music your fulltime thing?
It depends on how this album goes. If it goes the way I want it to. Then I will definitely not re-enlist.
What is most impressive about this young brother is NOT his swagger, NOT his lyrics, and NOT the Name-Brand artists on the album. But when I asked, again, “Why didn’t he mention his armed service background on the album", he stated , “I’m not a killer. But I’m going to war. Most stand on corners talking bout’ guns and war they need to put on a uniform and go to war. But I find most with the excuse that it’s the white man’s army. And that’s not true."
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