How You Want That?

By: Ladessa Cobb - ladessa@seaspotmediagroup.com

I must admit my thinking was like most, when I was reintroduced to Loon, the next star in a long line of Sean "P.Diddy" Combs' Bad Boy Entertainment label. Loon would be to Mase what Shyne was to Biggie. But to my pleasant dismay my homework on Loon showed differently. With his solo debut you'll find out Loon and Puff's ties go way back. Their union is simply the second generation of a friendship that already existed.

Loon brings something to Hip-Hop that we haven't seen in a while: character! Yes, he too comes from not so humble beginnings, but Loon is smooth and has mastered what it means to move in silence. With most rappers identifying themselves with the likes of the Gotti(s), the Capone(s) and some of our other favorite gagsters, once again not Loon. If you haven't taken notice Loon also refers to himself as "Young Marcus".

LaDessa: In your songs you refer to yourself as Marcus, is that your government name?

Loon: No. Marcus is Marcus Graham from Eddie Murphy's Boomerang.

(As we laughed I understood why he sees himself in the smooth, well- dressed and charismatic character Murphy played. And yes Eartha Kitt's signature "Marcus Darling" will be heard on the album.)

LaDessa: I read somewhere you feel some pressure to re-establish the whole Bad Boy legacy. The pressure you feel is it because you feel the need to bring back the legendary energy Puff and Mase brought to hip-hip?

Loon: Not at all I am here to do my own thing! I am all about evolution, though their energy is legendary, so is the energy of Puff and Biggie. As an artist you feel pressure anyway but Bad Boy is large is stature but we are small in staff so the pressure falls on all of our shoulders.

LaDessa: When does your album drop?

Loon: September 30th.

(With Loon's manicured nail word play being heard all over the radio and his ability to transform a wife beater to a nice fitting tanky, you'd think the album would be right around the corner. Loon is no new cat to this game, he knows when the buzz is out you move strategically. Loon's album will drop during the promotion of his film and stage ventures. Loon has a role in "Death of a Dynasty" a Roc-A-Fella production and "Ball" a stage production sponsored by Nike.)

LaDessa: I am a huge E-40 fan and when I heard him on the remix to your new single I was so happy.

Loon: I have worked with E-40 before I am on the "Automatic" remix. He is the reason independent labels and artists are able to get these thirty million dollars deals.

LaDessa: Indeed he is.

LaDessa: Have you gotten to the point where you feel like all your hard work is worth it?

Loon: No doubt it has been worth it, my hard work enabled me to walk away from a notorious lifestyle.

LaDessa: When did you have your first Hip-Hop experience?

Loon: My Godfather George Jackson, who passed away in 2000, produced the movie Krush Groove.

LaDessa: What do you think it says about the growth of Hip-Hop, when companies like Chevy need Hip-Hop to sell their products?

Loon: Again I mention evolution. Hip-Hop has come full circle. Though Hip-Hop comes from grime and people used to steal electricity to have house parties. Companies like that know we are a driving force they had no choice but to recognize and know we are needed.

LaDessa: Kelis is not in your new video, is that because of the problems with you and Nas?

Loon: I did not have the privilege to have Kelis in the video because of a management situation. As far as Nas, that all started with K-Slay; I was on the original version of "Too Much for Me". Nas took issue with it and brought it to Slay. When I brought it to Nas' attention he denied it and that is where it ended for me. I don't want any problems; just let me do my "I Need a Girl" thing.

{Sidebar: Loon makes it perfectly clear that he is a man! Anything a man says once he should be able to say twice. Though Nas was on the radio release he sure was not in the video and K-Slay was quoted calling Nas a snake because of this.}

Never mind Loon being an east coast emcee, for god sake he's a Bad Boy artist and I hail from the West. We had to touch on Biggie and 'Pac.

{Sidebar: There is a saying in church that says "When you hear the truth if you can't say Amen, then say ouch.} Though I wanted to be mad at his comment I couldn't.

Loon: I was talking with someone about 'Pac the other day and I take nothing away from his ability. His music was fueled with more anger/hate than anything else. When the public took notice he would switch to a "Dear Momma" type sound. Biggie on the other hand was a visual tool for those in the hood who had money. Brothas had money but did not know how to spend it on the finer things. Biggie is the one who taught them how to spend their money.

Ouch! I know plenty of people who use 'Pac as a vehicle to get some funk jumped off. Nor did I see any of my peers wearing Coogie until Biggie. But what made me fans of both of them was their ability to bring you into the stories they told like "So Many Tears" or "Somebody's Gotta Die."

My interview with Loon was a very pleasant one, matter of fact he made me feel so comfortable it was as though I was having a conversation with a good friend. Look for Loon's solo debut on Bad Boy/Universal to be in stores September 30th or keep your ears tuned to the radio you can't miss him.

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