INTERVIEWS - Sean Price

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Sean Price is one of the most influential underground rappers in New York history. Coming from Brownsville, Brooklyn, Sean Price made a name for himself as a member of the Boot Camp Click and the rap duo Heltah Skeltah.

Most Recently, Sean Price released his second solo album, "Jesus Price Supastar", on
January 30, 2007, and is about to go on a 22 city tour to promote the album.

Underground Rap Scene caught up with Sean Price before he kicked off his nationwide tour, to speak with him about his journey in the rap game:

Underground Rap Scene:

Before we start, I want to thank you for taking the time to do this interview.

For you, what was it like coming up in Brownsville and trying to make it big in the Rap Game? Could you touch on the advantages and disadvantages of trying to make a name for yourself in the New York in the early nineties? Also, what’s your favorite part about being from Brownsville?

Sean Price:

It was cool. I came up at a time when a lot of rappers were starting to make a name for themselves and they were also coming out of BK. Cats like Biggie, Jay Z, M.O.P. Plus I grew up with my Boot Camp family who all lived around my way in Brownsville. I always say that Boot Camp Clik is more of a family than a rap group. I knew these cats from when I was like 9 years old.

The one disadvantage of coming up in Brooklyn is that you get watered down a bit because there is such an influx of writers out of BK who think they can rhyme. BUT they all suck. I got respect for Papoose and Uncle Murda but that is about it.

Underground Rap Scene:

How did you get your start in the rap game? How did you first meet up with what would become the Boot Camp Click?

Sean Price:

Really through Rock, of Heltah Skeltah. If it wasn’t for Rock I wouldn’t be rhyming. Then of course I linked up with Buckshot and Dru Ha and the rest is history. I got on a track off of Smif N Wessun’s Da Shinin album and then put out Nocturnal, which brought me into the limelight.

Underground Rap Scene:

Focusing on the Boot Camp Click for a minute, what were some of your favorite moments performing with the Boot Camp Click over the years? And do you feel that the Boot Camp Click accomplished everything that you guys set out to accomplish?

Sean Price:

The Chosen Few tour was fun (2002). We went out with Lyricist Lounge and the shows were packed. We also got to do some crazy shit, like go on the set of 106 & Park when nobody was in there. We got on Jenny Jone’s show. That tour was definitely fun.

In terms of whether we accomplished everything we set out to do…no. Anytime you feel like that than it’s the equivalent of settling and the minute you do that in this game you lose your edge. We got to keep working and striving to put out good quality music and stay relevant in the game.

Underground Rap Scene:

I know that in addition to being a member of the Boot Camp Click, you were also part of the group, Heltah Skeltah, which consisted of you and fellow Boot Camp Click member Rock. What did you accomplish with Heltah Skeltah?

Sean Price:

Well it was like Rock and the other guy, me being the other guy. LOL. Nah, we accomplished a lot. I mean selling the kind of numbers we did with our first release (Nocturnal) is always impressive. It’s not easy to sell those kinds of numbers…we were moving units near 350,000 which may not seem like a lot, but when I think about it today that shit is incredible.

Rock and I are working on a new album that should be released in the near future, potentially fall 2007. It’s called D.I.R.T. (Da Incredible Rap Team). Check for that.

Underground Rap Scene:

Looking toward the future, tell us a little bit about Heltah Skeltah’s upcoming album, D.I.R.T. What is it like being back in the studio producing the first Heltah Skeltah album since your 1998 release of Magnum Force?

Sean Price:

It’s cool. I wasn’t a huge fan of Magnum Force so I think we got something to prove this time out. I’ve completed two solo albums since then (Monkey Barz and Jesus Price Supastar) so I have had total control on beat selection. Now I got to work with Rock and that part of it is tough. We’ll get it figured out and when that happens I know the new album is going to be crazy. Plus there is demand for the project, which will generate press all on its own.

Underground Rap Scene:

Looking at Duck Down Records for a second, I know Heltah Skeltah was the first group to release an album under Duck Down Records with your 1996 album Nocturnal. What has Duck Down Records done for you over the years, and what do you feel you have done for them?

Sean Price:

Well Enta Da Stage and Da Shinin were Duck Down/Nervous Records, but yeah Nocturnal was one of the first records where we had broken lose from Nervous and established the Duck Down Label.

Duck Down Record’s is true to what they say and Dru Ha and Buckshot are probably two of the most honest/fair execs in the game. They aren’t going to paint any false images or say some fluff shit. Duck Down understands the Independent game right now as well and the team up there is working hard. I see NoHa and Dru Ha working long hours daily just trying to promote my name and my records.

Right now I feel like I’m Duck Down’s flagship MC. In the underground hip hop scene you better believe there are few people getting the same respect I’m getting and that’s real. I got to just keep making records and stick to this ignorant formula.

Underground Rap Scene:

I know that most recently, you released your album Jesus Price Supastar. Being the first solo album since Monkey Barz, what were you trying to accomplish with Jesus Price Supastar? Could you share some of your experiences working on this album, and what this album means to you?

Sean Price:

This album is to prove I’m no fluke. I didn’t just make one album and then disappear or take mad time off before I released my sophomore album. Jesus Price Supastar is a better album than Monkey Barz. All I got to do is keep improving and the public will catch on soon enough.

Underground Rap Scene:

What was it like working with the Justus league on Jesus Price Supastar?

Sean Price:

It’s funny…the studio down south that I recorded the album in with JL was attached to a church. LOL. I couldn’t smoke much while I was in there cuz I felt bad. Maybe I should stick to rhyming when I’m not high…I do better work.

Working with those cats is cool. 9th Wonder and Khrysis provided me with beats and I just went to work.

Underground Rap Scene:

One of the singles on Jesus Price Supastar is “Mess You Made”, and it looks like you guys had a lot of fun filming the video for that single. What was it like filming that video, and what message are you trying to get across with your single, “Mess You Made”?

Sean Price:

You got to have fun. If people see you enjoying what you’re doing it becomes all that more genuine. With Mess You Made it’s a reflection of the struggle I went through and continue to go through in this rap game. I took some years off from the rap game and when I wasn’t working I was working, but it was construction jobs and carhart suits. Dudes would ask when is your album dropping and I would just say I don’t know?

The video is hot though. We shot that at the Chop Shop…they actually hooked us up with the location and Dru Ha and NoHa directed the video. Working with the extras was funny. I still can’t believe they let me disrespect their haircuts like I did, but I guess people will do anything to get on film.

Underground Rap Scene:

Getting away from your music for a minute, what are you doing when you aren’t busy in the studio? How are you spending your time?

Sean Price:

I take naked walks in the street and harass old women. LOL. I spend my time with my kids…make sure they stay out of trouble.

Underground Rap Scene:

Who would you say is your biggest influence?

Sean Price:

My mother was definitely my biggest influence. She owned a record store when I was a little kid, so I grew up on music.

Underground Rap Scene:

Who are you listening to when you aren’t playing your own tracks?

Sean Price:

I listen to Uncle Murda and Papoose and of course my Boot Camp Clik family. I got Buckshot and 9th Wonder’s album (Chemistry) on.

Underground Rap Scene:

For anyone who hasn’t bought the Jesus Price Superstar album yet, let us know why they should go out and buy it right now?

Sean Price:

For starters, I’m 6’3” 250 pounds. If I find out u’re a friend of mine on myspace and leave corny messages about how nice I am but don’t have my album, Ima find you and knock you the fuck out. LOL.

It’s a good album, from start to finish. If you like albums you can listen to from track 1 to track done, then go cop my album.

Underground Rap Scene:

Could you touch on what you’ve learned from going on tour to promote your music and performing with other up-and-coming, as well as established artists?

Sean Price:

The road is important. You have a chance to get in front of new audiences. Don’t be afraid to perform new tracks, because it’s the only way you’ll start to get recognition and improve. People may know your older music, but u got to evolve and promote new tracks as well. I’ve been on tour with Ghosftace and the Boot Camp Clik last year and I’m bout to tour with Jedi Mind Trick’s next week for a 22 City USA Tour. That will be crazy.

Underground Rap Scene:

Now I know that the whole issue on whether or not Hip Hop is dead is causing a lot of heated debate nowadays. Since you have been around the rap game for a long time and have seen the rap game change over the years, I wanted to know your view on whether or not Hip Hop is Dead?

Sean Price:

If Nas would have heard my album, actually either of my albums he wouldn’t have said that. But I do understand where he’s coming from. All I got to do is continue to make consistent music and not worry about what people are saying. That shit was a good marketing campaign…and that’s it. Son sold well off that.

Underground Rap Scene:

Finally, since you’ve been around in the rap game since the early 90’s. Do you have any advice for these new rappers who are falling off the music scene as quickly as they are being signed?

Sean Price:

Yea create a solid album first not one solid track. People will discover quickly that u’re a fluke when you have 11 bad tracks and one hot track that gets radio play. Trust the savior!

Underground Rap Scene:

Thank you for your time.