CELEBRITY INTERVIEW: DRAKE

Finally. After months of everyone bumping Drake’s “Best I Ever Had”—sweat pants, hair-tied, chillin’ with no makeup on—the biggest song in the country finally gets a video. A video directed by Complex homie Kanye West, no less. And it couldn’t have come at a more perfect time. This past week, the Toronto native’s smash single rocketed up 24 spots to #3 on the Billboard charts, right as he solidified his much gossiped-about record deal.

Just before premiering the highly anticipated video (whatup, OnSMASH!), Drake stopped by the Complex office to discuss working with Kanye, the truth about his new deal, his handicapped experience at the 2009 BET Awards and his thoughts on World Star Hip Hop’s newfound love of Degrassi…

Interview By Damien Scott

Complex: Everyone’s been waiting on this video. Can you take us through the making of it?

Drake: Yeah. The video is directed by Kanye West. Basically we decided, as opposed to taking ourselves super serious, we just wanted to have some fun with it. Myself, being a young man, a young single man at that, I kind of wanted to be real about the way I function with women at this current point in my life. Which is, I don’t have one woman that I call my girl. There’s different girls in my life that play different roles and I see at different times, but collectively they kind of make up the roster of happiness for me [Laughs].

Complex: Understandable. So what’s the concept?

Drake: The concept of the video is, I’m a coach at a high school and the girls of my life are all on my high school basketball team. Throughout the video you see us prepping for this big championship game, and my team ends up losing. You see the looks on their faces at the end of the video, but the moral of the story, I guess, is win or lose, you can still be the best to somebody. When women see the video and see all the breast and ass, hopefully they don’t take offense. Hopefully they see the real meaning.

Complex: Well, now they’ll know.

Drake: [Laughs.] Now they’ll know.

Complex: Kanye is known as kind of a control freak. How was it working with him on set with him directing?

Drake: Me and Kanye have a great eye to eye. I can’t speak for anybody else, but I would give Kanye the utmost credit for actually being one of the most understanding creative people that I have worked with. I think me and Kanye have mutual respect for each another and I listen to what he has to say regardless, ’cause I trust him. I don’t really fight his suggestions [Laughs.] But he was great. It was a long day and I just thank him for dedicating the time he dedicated. He was great.

Complex: Speaking of basketball, you tore your ACL playing basketball, right?

Drake: Yes sir. It was intense casual, I guess [Laughs]. It was just a regular pick up game and I just took the wrong step.

Complex: Damn, that’s horrible. At the BET Awards this past Sunday, everyone was shocked to see you sitting on a stool. Did you ever think to yourself, Maybe I shouldn’t perform?

Drake: That, actually—to be honest—was a terrible idea that I’ll never do to myself again. [Laughs] But I was being pressed from different areas to perform, and I think what really happened at the BET Awards is with the passing of Mike, the climate really changed, as far as the award show goes. I don’t think it called for us to perform “Every Girl” and “Always Strapped,” and I think it was an award show filled with tributes and music and these genuine heartfelt speeches. And to sort of climax out of a very tongue-in-cheek point, and then people misconstruing Wayne’s daughters and her friends coming out on stage…

Complex: Yeah, it really was an awkward moment.

Drake: Yeah, it was just timed very poorly and it definitely wasn’t planned like that, but with that being said, it is what is. I believe in Wayne and myself and it’s nothing we can’t bounce back from. To anyone who was offended, my personal apologies, it wasn’t intended to offend anybody.

Complex: Watching it at home, the BET Awards seemed to be a mess. Did it seem that way in person?

Drake: Well, I can only speak for my portion of it. I had asked for something very specific for my performance and none of those were met, as far as production value, so…

Complex: That’s BET for you…

Drake: I understood my situation, as far as sitting in one place, and figured there was a way to make it interesting. But when I looked around and noticed that none of that was going on [laughs], I kind of just realized that it was going to be a loss for me. But at the end of the day, it is what it is.

Complex: How did you feel when you heard Mike passed?

Drake : Shocking. Because Michael is just one of those people that you just kind of expect to always be there—he’s Michael Jackson. He’s like one of those guys you never think about…

Complex: …as a real person?

Drake: Yeah. I just never thought Mike could die. And it’s tragic. I know before this tour, a lot of people never had the opportunity to see Mike perform. It’s unfortunate and I always find it interesting to see when people pass away and people find this new found love for the person

Complex: Yeah, a lot of people were saying if Mike never passed, a lot of the comedians would have still gone on making jokes and what not.

Drake: Yeah, you know it’s just…it’s a very interesting thing when somebody passes away and people sort of…the world loves Michael Jackson, I just think that there are certain people who use it as an opportunity to talk more. With that being said, I always appreciated what Mike did and my condolences go out to Mike’s family.

Complex: For real. Going back to your music, “Best I Ever Had” jumped to #3 on the Billboard charts. And then you announced yesterday that you signed your deal with Universal…

Drake: Nah…I definitely want to clear this up, I didn’t sign to Universal. I’m actually signed to… a lot of people were telling me, “Oh, you should do it independent.” I’m actually 100% independent. I signed to Cortez Bryant and G. Roberson, my managers, so I signed a joint venture between Aspire Music Group, which is them, and Young Money. So the only part that Universal plays is P&D [pressing and distribution]. I’m not a Universal artist. I’m signed to myself.

Complex: What does Young Money bring to the table?

Drake: Since the beginning of this, Lil’ Wayne has always put himself out there on behalf of me, from spitting my verse at the VMAs, to jumping on the songs that I needed him on and always promoting me. Right now it’s more about building up Young Money, as opposed to what Young Money brings to the table at this point. Obviously, what Young Money brings to the table is Lil’ Wayne. He’s a powerhouse and I felt it was only fair to stay loyal. I thought it was only fair for him to get that look and I wanted the YM logo on the album and to make sure that he knows that I don’t take what he did for me for granted.

Complex: You were entertaining other offers from Atlantic and Interscope, right?

Drake: I can definitely say that I wanted to be over at Interscope for a while, but it wouldn’t allow me to work with Wayne the way that I wanted to work with Wayne. I had to make a sacrifice. But with that being said, if we sell some records and people actually see how the record deal breaks down… Somebody told me they saw my deal the other day and they said it was one of the worst record deals in history [for] the label. That’s a good thing for me. I own everything, I have 100% creative control, I own all my masters, everything. I’m blessed to be in that situation. If we sell some records, I think we’ll just add to the historic pace that this has been going at.

Complex: There was a feeling that if you didn’t sign to a major label, that would signal the demise of the record industry.

Drake: I think that it all depends on the success on the project. I can have this conversation with you and tell you the impact I think it may have, especially when the details of the deal get out. But it’s all dependent on what I do. I first have to make the right album that will sell some records. With that being said, I definitely think it could cause a bit of a shift if we find a way to sell a million records.

Complex: What made you want to strive to stay independent?

Drake: Since I started, I’ve always been giving my music away for free…I’ve always kind of done it for the people, you know? So I just want them to still have some attachment to this project. I don’t want to lose my fans completely because they support me in a way that’s more than just listening to my music. They support me like we’re friends. They support me like they have emotions invested in it. So I want there to be a challenge to it, so when it drops, they’re looking at the numbers, they’re maybe even clicking it twice on iTunes just to prove a point. I want it to be fun, man. This shit is just not exciting if it’s so straight forward like, “I’m putting a record out, go to the store and buy it” and there’s so many people behind it, it has nothing to do with me. You know? It’s like, fuck it, let’s just have fun, let’s see if we can shake up the world, let’s see if we can fuck with the system. I just figure it’d make it more interesting on the album day.

Complex: There were rumors of a $4 million bonus…

Drake: [Laughs] Where is it? Tell me where it is, I’ll go pick it up right now. I got some money. I got a little money. I’ll be alright for a couple months.

Complex: Lately there have been a couple videos on World Star Hip-Hop showing you in your Degrassi days. It doesn’t seem like your past bothers you in any regard…

Drake: I think World Star Hip-Hop thinks it bothers me. There was a time in my life when I really lashed out against World Star Hip-Hop. And it wasn’t World Star Hip-Hop the site, ’cause I’m not gonna pretend like I don’t go there every day. It was just the way people look at World Star Hip-Hop as an outlet for them to talk about shit. There are artists that I feel could be doing a lot better for themselves that go on there and kill their own careers by just talking too much, and I think that they took that personally and now all they do is air Degrassi clips of me and potential things that could embarrass me. But with me, man…the great thing about me being me in this game is that I’ve been so honest up until this point, I really have nothing to hide, I don’t fear any clip, you know? It’s out there already, everyone knows that’s my story. At the end of the day, it’s part of me, it’s my stepping stone. I’m proud of every moment thus far.

CELEBRITY INTERVIEW: DRAKE

CHECK OUT THIS VID OF AN INTERVIEW MY ACE, MR. ILL SPITTER, LIGHT SKIN BROTHER REPPIN, RAPPER DRAKE DID WITH DJ SEMTEX. CHEERS & ENJOY

http://vodpod.com/watch/1705237-drake-interview-with-dj-semtex

MUSIC REVIEW: FLORIDA- R.O.O.T.S

PERSONALLY, I’M A FAN OF FLO-RIDA. I DIG HIS FLOW, & HIS SWAG ON WAX. HE KNOWS HE ISN’T SUPER LYRICAL, NOR DOES HE ATTEMPT TO BE. BUT HE DOES HAVE A GREAT BLEND OF COMMERCIAL & SUBSTANTIVE MUSIC ON HIS ALBUM, MUCH LIKE HE DID ON HIS FRESHMAN ALBUM, MAIL ON SUNDAY. SO CHECK IT THIS OTHER REVIEW, & THEN CHECK OUT HIS ALBUM. IT WON’T DISAPPOINT.

Flo Rida's 'R.O.O.T.S.'

From LL Cool J to Jay-Z and Lil Wayne, hip-hop always has prized larger-than-life icons whose alchemy of skills, style and swagger enabled them to scale the Billboard charts. But with rap finally submerged in the waters of the mainstream, it's only inevitable that it would emulate the superstar-as- cipher model pioneered by its pop kin.

"Right Round," Flo Rida's record-shattering, double-platinum first single from "R.O.O.T.S.," boasts production credits from Dr. Luke, the mastermind behind such smashes as Kelly Clarkson's "Since U Been Gone" and Katy Perry's "I Kissed a Girl." Interpolating Dead or Alive's "You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)," the song recasts rap as Hot Topic teen pop. It's a smart move. Gone are the illusions of hip-hop credibility that dogged "Mail on Sunday." In its stead, Flo Rida's Atlantic patrons have supplied him with billion-dollar beats, gluttonous hooks and a blinding chrome tint.

With an almost eerie facelessness, the Miami rapper inhabits the songs like Armani suits bought off the rack. He's enlisting a who's who of contemporary hit makers: will.i.am. and Akon ("Available,") Timbaland ("Touch Me,") Wyclef Jean ("Rewind,") Ne-Yo ("Be on You,") and Nelly Furtado ("Jump"). Flo Rida boasts an adroit double-timed flow, but his greatest achievement is his understanding of how to stay in the background, never overwhelming the electro-laced tracks.

Even the title song, a narrative of Flo Rida's gritty rise, is swathed in mammoth R&B hooks, baying ad-libs, dollar-sign synthesizers. There's an almost geometric symmetry to "R.O.O.T.S.' " pop precision, one that lends it a ruthless efficacy and anoints Flo Rida the first anonymous rap superstar.

-- Jeff Weiss

POP CULTURE: VIDEO IN REVIEW

KID CUDI

DAY & NITE

CHECK OUT THIS VIDEO BY AN UP & COMING, WHAT I CALL, ABSTRACT MC, KID CUDI. & TRUST THAT I MEAN THAT WITH THE UTOMOST RESPECT & REGARD FOR HIS STYLE AS AN ARTIST, PERIOD. I LOVE ART, AS I’VE STATED BEFORE ON HERE, & MANY TIMES TO ANYONE WHO’S AROUND. THIS IS A CURRENT FAVE OF MINE, AS I HOPE IT IS OF YOURS. ENJOY

LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tln5gGCs1cU

MUSIC ARTIST SPOTLIGHT

My homey from the other side of the tracks, Mr. Asher Roth, has dropped his debut studio album, Asleep in the Bread Aisle. I have it, of course, & let me just say that dude is dope. Yeah, he’s a white rapper. Yeah, he sounds a bit like Eminem, also a white rapper. But that’s basically where the similarities stop. Asher Roth’s flow is unorthodox, humorous, refreshing, & the message is quite admirable. Oh, & by the way, I love the title & the album cover. Crazy, no doubt. I put him in the same lane as creative cats like his ace Charles Hamilton, Kid Cudi, Mickey Fatcs, The Cool Kids, Kanye West, Gnarls Barkley, & a few others. That also happens to be my lane as well. Go figure. I have some interviews of him that I’ll be posting in the coming days, so be on the lookout, & whet your appetite with this article

By DAN AQUILANTE

Asher Roth was a hit at the Blender Theater -- in the crowd and onstage

WHAT if Opie busted out of Mayberry and became a rap star? You'd probably get an MC who looks a lot like Asher Roth, rap's latest phenomenon.

The 23-year-old made his NYC debut at the Blender Theater Tuesday, delivering a set that was eventful, energetic and entertaining.

The eventful part wasn't when Cee-Lo Green (the voice of Gnarls Barkley) joined him onstage to trade rhymes, but rather when the young white rapper was in the audience watching opening act Chester French.

Roth, who honed his hick-hop in rural Pennsylvania, got a taste of the street when he was sucker-punched by a guy who was subsequently dragged out of the theater by security.

Obviously, skinny Roth is tougher than he looks. Taking the stage -- on time! -- he joked with the sold-out crowd about the fight: "You know you made it when someone pays 30 bucks to smack you in the face."

The smack-barometer is telling, but Roth already has a pretty good idea he's "made it," considering that as of yesterday his

party-rap single "I Love College" had logged 36,128,311 MySpace plays and another 6 million views on YouTube.

Performed at the end of the show, the song struck a chord with hedonists -- young and old -- in the house when, with frat-boy charm, Roth rapped the lyrics, "Drink my beer and smoke my weed, but my good friends is all I need. Pass out at 3, wake up at 10, go out to eat and do it again, man, I love college, I love drinking, I love women and I love college."

Yeah, who wouldn't?

But this show, with Roth a blur of arm-waving and goofy dance moves, wasn't about that one tune. The hourlong set had a number of highlights including the marijuana motoring ode "Blunt Cruisin,' " and the very excellent "Lion's Roar" that featured vocalist Noah King on the sung verse. Cee-Lo's assistance on "Be My Self" was not only a good tune, the pairing was also an endorsement of Roth's skills.

Released this week, Roth's album is going to be one of this summer's most-listened-to records. It's titled "Asleep in the Bread Aisle," but make no mistake: He isn't bland white bread.