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Interview
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Napoleon: The Kingpin With Da Inkpen Interview
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From Cryme Syndicate to Wu-Syndicate and
currently Syndicate, the journey started a long time for this
lyrical trio. Based out of the VA beach region, the
Wu-Syndicate (Joe Mafia, Myerlansky, and Napoleon) have been
hammering out hip-hop tracks for a number of years. Formerly
known as Crime Syndicate, the group formed their own independent
label, Slot Time Records. They hooked up with local producers DJ
Devastator, Tata, and The Dread cutting demos and pressing
singles.
They managed to create a big buzz
on the underground scene especially in VA which made the talented producer The RZA from the
Wu-Tang Clan notice them immediately and quickly snatched them up, initiated them into
the Wu-Tang Killa Beez fam and signed them to Wu-Tang
records/Priority alongside Killarmy, Sunz Of Man, A.I.G., Black
Knights, Cappadonna and a host of others.
In 98’ the group got its
first break with the track “Where Was Heaven”, featured on the
compilation album, “The Swarm” (Wu-Tang/Priority Records). “The
Swarm” (Gold Album) peaked at #4 on the Billboard Rap Album
Chart. |
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Just months before “The
Syndicate” album dropped, Corey Hart (Napoleon) was incarcerated
due to a prior 1997 felony charge. In 99’ Wu-Tang/Priority
Records released the groups debut album, “Myalansky
& Joe Mafia Presents Wu-Syndicate”. Even though they
were unable to tour, being that Napoleon was on a majority of
their hit songs, the group successfully sold over 500,000 albums
to date and it is still currently sort after to date.
The “Lutunza Hit”, One of the songs off “The
Wu-Syndicate” (Gold
Album) was also on the “Wu-Chronicles” (Platinum Album).
Strangely after all the success, the group went all quiet, with
individual member going in and out of lock down. Joe Mafia
released an online album around 2002 and nothing has been heard
from none of them since. Napoleon came out and has been making
major moves since then without the fans actually knowing much
about this, Having
performed at shows with successful artists of the 90’s such as
Method Man, Shaq, Redman, Ras Kass, and Biggie Smalls (before
his bad boy success), Napoleon has proven himself to the
industry.
Upon release in 2002, Napoleon hit the studio and recorded the
smash hit, “Seven City Anthem”, which was in heavy rotation on
the hottest radio station in VA, 103 JAMZ. Napoleon is currently
working on his solo album entitled, “KingPin With Da Inkpen”,
with promises of appearances from Ghostface Killah (Wu-Tang
Clan), Nicole Ray (who is
also in the “Seven City Anthem” and signed to Rock-a-Fella
Records), Jay-Z, Nas, Jim Jones, The Clipse, Crook Nitty, and his
Wu-Syndicate comrades Joe Mafia and Myalansky. Napoleon is prepared to be known in the
21st century as “The KingPin with Da Inkpen”. The album is
currently finished and about to come out, Wu-International got
hold of this very busy man who managed to get some time out his
hectic schedules to briefly answer some of the questions the
fans have been waiting about 4 years to ask. Very brief but
informative, and after the album drops we hopefully will follow
up with a more detailed interview, Enjoy!! |
I like to say thanks first and foremost for
taking the time to answer these questions, highly
appreciated, and will also point out that nothing will be
altered, edited or changed when this is published online.
Wu-International: Peace Napoleon, How are you?
Napoleon: Peace I'm just formulating my blueprint
Wu-International: Let’s go back to the very very
beginning, how and when did you get into your craft
(Emceeing), what made you pick up the mic and realised you
had that gift?
Napoleon: I was motivated by poverty
Wu-International: Please tell us about the humble
beginning of the group Syndicate, How did you meet with Joe
Mafia & Myalansky to form a group?
Napoleon: Me and Joe had a group first and we had a show
in Myalansky home town and he opened up for us and we just
clicked
Wu-International: So how did the group get initiated
into the Wu-Tang fam, how did you get signed into Wu-Tang
records?
Napoleon: Through street associates
Wu-International: SThe Wu-Syndicate album released in
1999 on Wu-Tang records still is one of my favourite albums
to date, it’s a timeless classic, the chemistry, topic,
styles displayed by all of you on that album is still
untouched to date, the album read Wu-Tang Presents Myalansky
& Joe Mafia only, was there any specific reasons your name
was not included on the album cover even though you were all
over the tracks?
Napoleon: I was incarcerated so they tried to conceal
that I got locked 2 months before the album dropped
Wu-International: I got the group’s first single
released on slot time records way before you signed with WU,
“Cryme Syndicate & Where was heaven” and you were known
simply as Cryme Syndicate, and then to Wu-Syndicate and
possible simple as The Syndicate at a later date, What is
the real or current name of the group?
Napoleon: Syndicate
Question: Word has it the group is still under
contract with the Wu or RZA/Diggs Publishing to be
exact, is this true?
Napoleon: Well, personally I’m not
Wu-International: What is your current relationship with
the Wu members especially The RZA right now?
Napoleon: I’m cool wit RZA
Wu-International: Who would you say you are most
closest to or still in touch with from the Clan or even Wu
fam?
Napoleon: Ghostface
Wu-International: You done a song with Ghostface Killah,
would they be a lot of Wu collabos in the future?
Napoleon: Yes probably with Raekwon
Wu-International: You are currently the most visible
right now, you are also working on your solo project, what
is the status of the group right now, are y'all still
together? Where is Joe Mafia & Myalansky, will there ever be
an album from the group again?
Napoleon: Yes and yes
Wu-International: You were made aware to the world
around 1999 with your crew Wu-Syndicate and after that
nothing much was heard from you and the group up till now,
it seems you have quite a following, mostly Wu fans anyways,
the fans have forever been asking after the group on our
site frequently, first question is did you know that you had
such a dedicated fan base? And secondly where have you been
and what have you been doing?
Napoleon: I’m not really aware of the fan base
but I would |
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love
to get to know them by me being locked up I missed
that part of the game.
Wu-International: Ok, thanks for the group
questions, you are currently working on an album
“Kingpin Wit Da Inkpen” please tell us more about
the album, how are you feeling about it?
Napoleon: Jim Jones, Clipse, Ghostface, Nas,
my man Quan from just a moment, L.E.S., I got styles
P, Fat Joe, Daz, Serious Jones on my intro its
crazy.
Wu-International: How many songs will be on the
album?
Napoleon: 21
Wu-International: A number of major heads on the
album, when we spoke you told me LES produced a song
with you, Nas & Jay-Z, what a combo, what’s the
title of the song, how did the collabo come about?
Napoleon: Song is called money cars clothes
Wu-International: What was it like working with
2 of the greatest in the game right now?
Napoleon: Its natural I always been
around major cats
Wu-International: You also got Ghostface Killah
on your album, he’s a monster on the mic, how did
that come about?
Napoleon: I linked wit ghost played the track
and we took it from there
Wu-International: You obviously got your VA
residents Clipse on a song as well, since the
syndicates, they have been quite few names out of VA,
such as Mad Skillz, then Clipse, what’s your take on
the hip-hop scene in VA?
Napoleon: its on the rise
Wu-International: Do you think VA has finally
got its shine, or do you think it is still
overlooked even though there have been people as
yourself, The Clipse and more who have been really
blowing it up?
Napoleon: The whole state is riding on me
Wu-International: The few songs I have heard so
far are mad hot! I love “Already famous and Teflon
Don” do you have a favourite song on the album you
like to tell us about, and what will the first
single be?
Napoleon: Teflon don will not be on the album
but my single will be money cars clothes
Wu-International: When I called you said your
album was ready, when do you plan to release it?
Napoleon: Once I get wit the right situation
Wu-International: Will this album be released
via the indie route or are you looking to drop it
through a major?
Napoleon: I’m in a major bidding war right
now
Wu-International: That’s great, Kingpin wit Da
inkpen, interesting title, pretty much tells us what
we need to know but is there any special reason you
have called the album that?
Napoleon: My movement is like the rise of
Scarface coming from Cuba this album is really Cuban
linx 2
Wu-International: We compiled a summary of 2006
on our main page for the new year and one of the
most anticipated albums for 2007 was yours within
the Wu fans we interviewed, Are you anxious as to
how well it will be received especially as you have
been away for a while?
Napoleon: I can’t wait
Wu-International: What are the concepts,
message or topics covered on the album?
Napoleon: Every day struggle wit lyrical content
Wu-International: I am personally looking
forward to that album, If you were to work with only
one producer on a full album, who would be your
number 1, 2 and 3 choices?
Napoleon: L.E.S., Kanye West, Dr. Dre |
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Wu-International: Speaking of producers, you
worked with DJ Devastator on the Wu Syndicate album,
he is crazy with the beats, Was he a member or the
producer of the group and do you still work with
him?
Napoleon: He was an in-house producer for us I
still kick it wit DJ
Wu-International: How do you think you have
developed in your style, lyrics and subject matter
since you first came out?
Napoleon: I got more control
Wu-International: You obviously have your own
imprint, or label? Illuminate network? Please tell
us more about this network and who else is involved
in it as in artists or more?
Napoleon: That's all me right there, I got
artist under me though that's crazy
Wu-International: A trend in hip-hop right now
is putting out a mixtape before an album or
afterwards, will you be following suit?
Napoleon: Nope |
Wu-International: You must have a massive stack
of music from the past that is not even released,
will you be looking to releasing them as side
projects, mixtapes or even as online albums for the
fans?
Napoleon: Everything will be on albums
Wu-International: You are in a very
interesting position right now, You came out during
hip-hop’s golden age, and you are still doing it and
still at an age to be viewed as a young and coming
artist, as well as an established artist with a
solid group album on your belt, how do you see your
self in that regard?
Napoleon: its a great situation
Wu-International: You have obviously worked
with a lot of major and great mc’s, is there someone
out there that you have not worked with that you
would like to work with?
Napoleon: Game and Lil' Wayne
Wu-International: On a related note, who are
you currently listening to or feeling at this moment
in time, hip-hop and non hip-hop?
Napoleon: Game, Jay –Z, and Nas
Wu-International: What would you say sets you
aside from most of the emcees out there right now?
Napoleon: I got a real story to tell
Wu-International: What do you do for hobbies, or
get up to normally apart from the music thing?
Napoleon: I play basketball, I’m nice
Wu-International: What do you think of
myspace.com and do you feel that myspace is an
alternative media outlet that gives you a more
personal connection with your fans?
Napoleon: I love myspace its great for
networking
Wu-International: Rappers moving on to acting is
another trend in hip-hop, have you caught the acting
bug yet and is that something you would consider
doing?
Napoleon: Yes but I want to write the script
Wu-International: Ok, after this album drops,
what is next on the menu in 2007 for Napoleon, as in
albums, movies, mixtapes, etc?
Napoleon: Already famous the mini movie
Wu-International: Thanks very very much for your
time, I can appreciate you are a very busy at this
moment. Wu-International and the fans really
appreciate this, so thanks again. Good luck with the
album and we hope to see a Wu-Syndicate album in
future too, the fans would kill for one. Is there
anything else you might want to add that we missed?
Final words for the people who are reading this,
Shout outs etc?
Napoleon: Thank you for the support Wu-Int,
all fans can send fan mail to 611 Chilsom ln.
Suffolk, VA 23434 or hit me on myspace.com/artistnapoleon
Wu-International: Thank you, One! |
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