The Face of Underground Hip-Hop Looks Like This

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What's up world? This is Cesper once again with 24HourLatino.com. Today I have a guest of honor with me. I have known about this man since 1999, which is around the time that I got deep into hip-hop. And it was a blessing to actually meet this man 10 years later and be able to sit down and talk with him. Not only do we meet when hip-hop is involved, but I have been able to vibe with this man on a daily basis (shoutout to 10th Floor Studios!). Without further adeux, I give you this exclusive one-on-one with The Luna Empire's main man, P-DOE.


P-Doe, what's good with you homie? Last time we sat down to do your bio, you had some 'big boy' projects lined up. What's good with that?

I'm feeling blessed. As you already know, I've been doing this for a long time, and now I'm finally ready to come out to the world. The last year alone, I completed 3 solid albums. Really, more than that, but these 3 are the ones that I'm dropping next year in 2010. I did an album for the streets of Dade County with my brother Desloc a.k.a. Piccalo, and I completed another album with my mentor, the infamous KRS-One. And last but not least, I am putting the finishing touches on my solo album. I'm also working on an album which includes new MMA superstar Level 1219 called "Negros With Chicos", a Dade County collaboration that the streets are definitely waiting for.


That sounds a little heavy. But if anybody can pull it off, I know it's you. It's a lot of hard work and most importantly, grind. So tell me what your grinds consists of.

I constantly... I live in the studio. My diversity is unlimited. I like to challenge myself by doing songs with young and up and coming artists. And at the same time my ghostwriting ability is getting out of hand.

So you ghostwrite as well... How do you prepare yourself, mentally, to sit down and write music for someone else?

The first thing I do is listen to some of their previous work. And then in my mind, I transform into them, and let my pen go.

Being that you've been so long into this artform we call Hip-Hop, I know you've came across some big people in the industry. Now, you still remain independant. What is like seeing the industry from both perspectives?

I love it! It keeps me brand new. I've worked with alot of legends, and I also work with new up and coming talent. I like to have total creative control and at the same time I like to work with anyone I want to. The experience that I've obtained is priceless.

Speaking of experience, I know you've gone a long way with one of Miami's most famous DJ's, I'm talking about DJ Khaled, I know from my personal following on the underground scene, that you indeed were Khaled's first official artist. What's the relationship between you guys now?

I'm proud of DJ Khaled. He is a workaholic, he worked very hard to get to the position he is in. Me personally, I respect him for his hard work and for all his accomplishments, he's the best, but you know me, we da blessed! I want to give a shoutout to a real Miami DJ with skills, DJ Craze.

Like I stated in my introudction, I've known about you for the past 10 years, although I have not been able to keep up with your recent publications, I do remember you working with fellow industry giants such as KRS-One and Fat Joe. What's it like being a small fish swimming with the big sharks. I mean, it has to feel amazing knowing that you get so much recognition where ever you go and you aren't even anywhere near your destination point.

It feels amazing, and it just reminds me of how big we actually are going to be, and it shows me the same. If I have accomplished all this being independant, can you imagine what a little industry help will do for me?

See, that's another thing I admire in an indie artist. A lot of indie artists catch big breaks here and there, you know they get clearances easier, they get promotions, things like that. But I know that you've done most of your work on your lonesome. True, you've made some connections out of this world, but for the most part, it's only P-Doe. And true you have had help along the way, but not enough to put you where you're at right this moment. which brings me to my next question, I want to know exactly what was going through your mind when you became the only indie artist to touch a VH1 stage, when you and Fat Joe performed for KRS-One at the VH1 Hip-Hop honors awards.

I was anxious to get out there on the stage, and at the same time I couldn't stop thinking about the powers above for letting this moment be. I remember, Fat Joe invited me and he wanted to surprise KRS-One with my presence so he had to keep me hidden in the trailer so nobody sees me and spoil the surprise for KRS. (P-Doe glances down and recollects, "damn") So right before we hit that stage, the emotions running through my body were unexplainable. It felt, like, finally the world is gonna get to see a glimpse at the future of Hip-Hop. See a lot of powerful DJ's in the industry don't want to help as much as they know they should because I am indie and financially they're not gonna benefit off of P-Doe's success, so when Fat Joe called me to do that show, it was a shocker. I'm always grateful to Joe Crack for that moment.

Wow.. that really blew me away. That's ironic because nowadays, it seems like Joe doesn't help anybody. You know about the rumors where he doesn't help out Pun's family, and the whole beef situation with Cuban Link. It seems like Joe turned his back on everything Pun put together. But he definitely shows you love. How's your vibe with Joe, as an artist and as a friend? Because only a friend would take action in inviting you on stage with him and going to the lengths of hiding you in his trailer to surprise KRS...

Me personally, I can only say good things about Joe. He's one of the few industry giants that shows P-Doe unconditional love. Fat Joe has shown me alot more love than Khaled, and Khaled has known me for a lot longer.

That's good, getting that kind of love especially in this industry is hard to find. Getting that kind of love for P-Doe, has it made it easier on your artistry but tougher on your career or easier on your career but tougher on your artistry. What I mean by that is your artistry is your craft, it's your talent, so getting love like that, has it made you view things, like, the way the industry manuevers, in a different perspective.

It has just motivated me and inspried me alot more, nothing has been easy, AT ALL. But definitely inspriational and motivational. It helps people respect me more, when I show them that performance, it definitely makes people respect me more seeing me on stage with those giants. But easy? Not at all, ha ha!

Of course that is what comes from being an indie artist. Hard work and dedication are just the minor things needed to succeed. What other main stream artists have you worked with that have contributed to the P-Doe resume?

Cool n Dre, which are like my brothers. Pitbull, which I'm also proud of. The legendary Kool and The Gang, of course KRS-One and Fat Joe, JT Money, and the list goes on. I just recently did a song with Wyclef's sister, Melky Jean which is phenomenal, and will be coming out in 2010.


P-Doe my brother, I wanna thank you for taking time out from your busy schedule to sit with me and fill me in on what's good with you these days. I hope to do this again sometime next year, after all your projects get released. And hopefully I can ask you how it feels to be an "indie platinum selling artist". You got any final statements and shoutouts?

Big shoutout to my family The Luna empire, the entire 1219, all the streets of Dade County to all the streets in New York City, and worldwide. Big shoutout goes to you, Cesper. And my entire family at the 10th Floor Studios, remember, no one man can stop what God has planned. P-Doe's time is inevitable.

 

 

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