What was it like growing up in Dominican Republic and how would you describe the local hip-hop scene?
It was nice, see Anne I think because I got to see so many things growing up that a lot of kids don’t get to see, and taste things that other people will never know. Like a damn orange from a tree that ain’t been fucked with by chemicals and crap, it’s a different taste, and over there it’s a different life. When people say “I’m poor” here they mean they can’t afford nice sneakers, poor is when you have to walk around naked because you can’t afford clothing. You don’t impress me with your sappy ass “Living in the hood broke” stories. Nigga try shitting out warms the size of shoe strings cause you can’t afford the doctor, then holla. That makes me appreciate things a lot more. Gives me a clearer vision.
What’s your earliest memory of hip-hop and what drove you into hip-hop?
Probably listening to Vico C, he was one of the first rappers I really got into. At the time I was doing poetry. But hearing Vico C really inspired me to rap, so I started to rap in Spanish when we moved to Harlem. Even the non Spanish-speaking kids sat around the table with us, Spanish kids, to hear me flow, They didn’t have a clue what I was saying but it was a lot of love. Then once I got into high school in 9th grade, I was forced to learn English. Then the transition to what I do now has been gradual since.
How would you describe your signature style?
Let me answer that in poetry form. This is called, “Just Me” by Minus P The Jack Veneno of Rap aka King of D Heights.
My voice sound like my nuts ain’t drop… but it’s just me.
My style sometimes a little nuts… but it’s just me.
I talk gangsta, I talk nice, I slap dick on a bitch’s mouth then tell her I love you in the same breath… But it’s just me.
Bitch you don’t like my music? Good, it’s just me…
No I ain’t signed, but you a bitch, so who wins? Just me!
Everything I do, is nothing like it, I can only describe it as… Just me…
Thank you. And I’ll take a bow now.
Which artists have influenced you and how have you adapted any of their styles into your own?
Vico C got me started, then the first CD’s I bought I think were the Chronic, 2Pac’s first joint, Snoop’s Doggy Style…I’m sure that was what first laid the groundwork for my music. However, in general, I try not to listen to too many artists for too long, so I do not get too influenced, I want my music to come from me. Say you lock me up in solitary, no television, no radio, no other dudes talking in your ear, and the only influence then is your heart “" that’s what I try to make.
You have Hispanic roots. Would you ever consider recording an entire album in Spanish?
My first work was all in Spanish, but as of now, my goal is to reach a wider audience with Latino style, all along letting them know where I come from and where I want to be.
When we last spoke you told me about your one man label. Do you still manage everything yourself or are you supported by a team these days?
I mean everything that happens goes trough me first, when I put my posters out for my latest mixtape I got hundreds of calls and e-mails with cats trying to be down with me, thinking I was like a label or something, hungry cats. And while I pride myself in coming here this far solo, having a team to help your cause, cats that are down is something that I thought about. With my man Da Blackness we got a little team together, Dirty Urine/Washington Heights Entertainment. Ya’ll hear about it, but its making my name grow that much more, by helping them I help me “" it all works.
How important have mixtapes been for your career so far?
Not that much honestly. I mean, I put out one mixtape “The Best in the Heights Vol. 1”, and that’s been great, but me doing verses for other mixtapes, has just minimally helped me. The problem is that these mixtapes are too spread out. So what I did 100 verses for 100 mixtapes? If those mixtapes spread out through the world I’m not developing a strong following, all I’m getting is 10 people here, 10 people all the way over there. I need to saturate the tri-state market, or any market, but saturate it, that’s why I’m killing Washington Heights right now. I run that shit when it comes to music. You can’t say Washington Heights without Minus P the King of the Heights being mentioned, feel me? So I do that, then spread out, it’s a wrap like an urban turban holla (laughs).
Every week I do at least 1 new track for some mixtape, it’s not so much that I expect that shit to help me, I mean I do it because that’s what I do, I enjoy writing, enjoy recording, and every now and then that brings me a lil bit of spending dough (laughs), get some new Bapes or something.
How do you look back on the release of your first album Welcome To The Heights; what things came out great and what would you have done differently?
I would have pushed it as hard as I pushed my current release. I moved 2000 units of that only, and got so much media coverage, my mixtape I pushed 5000 and posters and flyers, and did not get as much publicity because it was a mixtape. I could have thought it out better but you live and…
Your music has been featured in a movie called Havoc. Do you have any big screen ambitions?
Oh yeah, P crave the fame. I got big ambitions is just a matter of the right opportunity coming along. Like the thing with the Havoc movie we ended up setting up a lawsuit to sue New Line Cinema because they actually used the track without my permission. I mean we ended up settling out of court but the thing is the industry is shady, and unless the right situation comes along I’m not beat to get jacked for my product. I’m like 200 pounds. I ain’t starving feel me, Anne? Look at this chico right here, that’s like 20 pounds of solid grease, bitches love the jiggle though.
Do you have any other creative passions besides music that you are planning to pursue professionally?
No. I don’t want to be one of these guys that do 1000 things and then only put 5% into each. I’ll stick to music, even though there are other creative things I do to make that music work, and to make my career move. I just do that for me, I’ll do music till I’m in a reasonably good position to do something else as well.
You teamed up with Outthere to record an intro for VH1/Comedy Central/Chapelle Show star Patrice O’Neal. How did that come about?
When I was homeless for a minute, I ended up staying at my man’s crib Andrew, who is the guy I’m talking to at the end of “Best in the Heights Vol. 1”. Anyway he does websites, and became cool with Patrice O’Neal and did his site too. I used to record in his living room sleeping on his couch, he put two and two together and made that track happen once I got my life together. Patrice is also going to do a little skit for my next project, he a funny ass mothafucker. And now with this new show he got on VH1, it’s good for me too.
B-Real from Cypress Hill made an appearance on your mixtape. How important has he been for your career?
Shit, I got a hell of a lot of fans cause of that there. My man Outthere is actually on B-Real’s new project too. B-Real shows love to up and comers. If just 10 percent of artists were as helpful as that dude, I wouldn’t have to go around kicking niggaz asses and talking shit.
I know you had a clothing contract with Safari clothing last year. How is that going?
It’s great! We re-newed the contract again in December and since then, you might have seen rapper Chino XL, and Reggeaton artist Julio Voltio rocking Safari. Also in his new video Big Mato rocks Safari with NORE and Nina Sky. The video is called “Mas Maiz” and it is filmed and out soon! So look out for that, and you know I stay draped in Safari. Peep www.safaribrand.com because its growing real quick. Just remember who brought it to ya’ll.
What projects are you currently working on?
Since Best In The Heights Vol. 1 sold out and people seem to still want it, I’m putting together Best in the Heights Vol. 1.5, or maybe I’ll call it Vol 2. It’s going to be the hottest tracks from Vol 1. plus about 10 new ones. Also that will be hosted and distributed by DJ Radio, Kay Slays boy and winner of the Justos Rookie of the Year Award. He’s part of Street Sweepers; look out for that in the next 2 months. 5000 copies bringing that project to a solid 10.000. Working on another CD with Lou Roc and JayWise from Washington Heights, Dominican and Puerto Rican Cats, for a project which we got about 6 songs done for already, aiming for summer on that one.
What are your next collaborations?
Collaborations with my man Anonymous from NJ! Mr. Publicity, sold a billion copies sold. Mr. Hustle (laughs), of course with my Point Dot Period Entertainment Family E-Turnal. Subliminal
also got a video coming out next month with Da Blackness and E.R. Mac by Nom, just the music though. I’m going to worry about getting the product ready first, then worry about how to make it move in a wider scale “" maybe shop it around “" maybe shop for a deal, who knows. Trying to get my team moving as well, D.U. Dirty Urine, Washington Heights Entertainment. Dominicans up.
What do you hope to achieve with your music?
My name is staying longer on earth than my body will. That’s what it is, nothing impresses me no more, I ain’t here even for me no more. Sole reason I’m alive is to make my name live on. Peep my music, all I ask for is you go to my website www.minusp.com and peep, then go to my MySpace www.myspace.com/minusp and peep.
For more information visit: http://www.minusp.com
