With the release of their debut album Tough Luv this past Tuesday (Feb. 24), Young Chris and Neef Buck of the Young Gunz are attempting to translate their two successful singles—“Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop” and “No Better Love”—into sales.
But Roc-A-Fella veteran Memphis Bleek insists the Philly-bred duo should not only pay attention to the sound of cash registers, but also the sound of the fans on the streets.
“Now it’s the public opinion,” Bleek told AllHipHop.com from the Young Gunz’s album recent release party in New York. “It’s what the public is going to accept it as. That’s what you gotta worry about, and if you can take criticism.”
Admonishments aside, Neef said he is just happy that the album is in stores, considering how long he and Chris have been signed to the label, and all the adversity they have faced.
“It feels good, man. We blessed,” he said. “We’ve been holding down The Roc probably for like four years. Been through battles and the war, you know, the ups and downs. Now it’s finally us, Chris and Neef.”
Though Neef was impatient regarding the release of Tough Luv, he admitted the time waiting gave him a chance to learn the business aspect of the music industry.
Chris also disclosed he was educated on the industry, citing specifically that Jay-Z told them to keep on eye on their money. Chris, however, is more philosophical about the four years it took to for him and Neef to release an album after signing to The Roc.
“All good comes to those who wait, you know?” he said. “[Now] It’s time. We been killing the mixtapes, the streets know what we about, and now we got the radios. They loving us now. It’s like we ready now, know what I’m saying?”
And now that Chris and Neef are ready, they plan to stay successful by taking some more advice from Jay, who knows a thing or two about the subject.
“He told us when we first met him to write 16 [bars] everyday,” Chris explained. “He gave us the example of an athlete, how they rich and how they (still) practice everyday.
“And then just watching him, and his work efforts, (and) what he got. He working like his mom is still in the ‘hood. He don’t got to do that no more. [We] just learn by watching him.”
The Young Gunz will be featured on “Get Fresh With The Roc,” a special look at the Roc-A-Fella empire that airs on BET tonight at 7:30.
Tough Luv is in stores now, and features guest appearances by Beanie Sigel, Cam’ron and Juelz Santana.
