Within the last sixteen months Plies will have released
three albums. The latest, Da REAList
debuts both digitally and in stores on December 16th. Striving to
remain relevant, this “Lil Pakistan” aka Ft. Myers, FL native has been immersed
in a strenuous work schedule. “I’ve already shot four or five of the videos and
we’re about to shoot three more,” reveals Plies.
Staying in a constant work mode rather than misusing his
assets on fleeting pleasures, Plies is focused on furthering his impact on his
community and as his career. The time is now. “I don’t mind working as much
as I can because that keeps me occupied. I feel like there’s
a lot of things that I need to talk about. Being able to drop
albums every four to six months, everything comes to an end at some point. [But] any
time you ain’t sacrificing quality that’s always a
good thing.” He continues, “This new album Da REAList, a lot of people say it’s my
best work that I’ve ever done.”
“Put It On Ya” (featuring Chris J)
is the current single that has some zealous fans mesmerized with Plies. Chris
J, the initial artist signed to Big Gates Records, is among the invited few who
are featured on Da REAList. Plies explains,
“I want to establish myself on my own terms.”
However, an honestly embarrassed chuckle introduces his next
statement, “There’s two or three R&B collaborations that I’ve done just because I can’t
sing. I had the
opportunity to work with Sean Garrett; he’s a gifted writer. A lot of people
that I had the [chance] to work with, I’m blessed that they respected me enough
to even take part in my situation. I feel like front to back from track one to
16; it’s a hell of a body of work.”
Plies “Put It On Ya” Video
The philanthropic spirit that Plies
possesses and work he has put in has endeared itself to those that are
incarcerated. One song that applies, “Second Chance,” is one his personal favorites from Da REAList.
“It’s talking about people that are currently incarcerated, some of ‘em deserve a second chance. But, unfortunately a lot of ‘em may not be granted that second chance. That s**t mean
everything to me because those are factual situations. And to make factual
music, that’s the beautiful part of it. That’s the most gratifying
ingredient of my success. I make what I like to call reality music. And at the end of the day that’s what people value
most about my situation.”
On staying grounded
despite his growing fame.
“Remaining humble has always been my most important concern.
I know a lot of times I do radio and I do other things, interviews and s**t,
and people always say, ‘Damn, he’s talking about something totally different
that what I thought he would.’ I’m the same n***a, it’s just that I’m humble.
But, you don’t expect me to be humble in the midst of the success that I’ve
experienced.
“One thing I’ve always known about street n****s is that
street n****s is never supposed to be professional, ever. They’re supposed to
be ignorant all the time. I tried that way and it just didn’t work for me. I
got a better understanding of what life is all about. That’s always been
important to me. My biggest concern was to make sure the game never changed me.
And one thing I learned about negativity is that being a part of the culture
that we’re part of, we don’t embrace success.
“One thing about negativity, it gets you more attention and
a lot of mutherf**kas know
that as well. You get less attention when you’re speaking about something
positive. And that’s why a lot of people talk negative about certain individuals
and certain situations. People only start criticizing once you become somebody
for people to even care about you. I wake up every morning and I thank God for
my situation, the criticism that comes with being a success, that’s just part
of it. If I stay true to who I am I can deal with anything that comes my way.”
Plies “Heard of Me” Video
On
female fans and his commitment, to the mic.
“I got one of the best situations as far as with females. I
don’t like to call them fans. I feel like that’s an understatement. I call them
supporters because that’s just what they are. With my first album, second album
and now with my third album they’re shaping up to something I never expected. I
got a diverse following.
“A year and a half ago it was primarily a minority
following. But as we all know, the majority of what I’ll say ‘suburban America’
gravitates towards what the minority cultures create. I can kinda say that with my situation…it’s great when muthf**kas love your music and
they love you. I think that’s a beautiful situation to be a part of. And I feel currently at an early stage,
I’m creating that kind of situation for myself.
“I always tell people that my situation requires too much of
my time. I don’t think with the amount of hours I dedicate to my music and with
me traveling around the country, me being part of the things I’m a part of right
now, it don’t really allow me to be a good partner when it comes to a committed
relationship. I feel like the thing that has happened to my itinerary and my
workload it’ll open itself up at some point for me to be part of a true
committed relationship.”
On the powers that be
strangling the life out of Hip-Hop and what he plans to do to revive it.
“I just feel like I’m a part of a situation that’ll always
be rich in culture. I’m just one small part of it. Me being from the South,
it’s a whole different climate. I thank the people all the time who went out on a limb to create an avenue for a person like
myself to provide a living and to be a provider for my family.
“For me, I just think it’s so important for me to utilize
the s**t that I’ve obtained from an artist’s perspective to be able to build a
support system for the people that need me the most. Whether that’s the parents
that are currently incarcerated – I got a situation right now where I’m
actually reading letters for another situation that I’m a part of, it’s called
Under My Wings. It’s a program that I created to allow people from ages eight
to 18, if you feel like you have a child that’s headed astray, I’m offering
myself to be they big brother. Those things are the most important things to me; outside of selling records.
“We have a power vision situation, non-profit organization
that was created by my brother Big Gates, who is currently incarcerated. But,
we were able to give away $10,000 scholarships for the first time this year;
one for a male and one for a female [from the Somebody Loves You Scholarship
Fund]. Those are the things that are the most important to me, and mean more to
me than any amount of ringtones that I can sell or any amount of people that
can show up at a sold out show. Because, truly that’s where
my heart is at. Any time I have the opportunity to utilize my blessing
to bless other people I think that speaks volumes of who I am as a person.”
What he thinks
history will focus on the most regarding the 2008 Presidential Election.
“I think the whole Democratic side of our lives has always
been the trickle down effect. We grow up, especially from a minority
standpoint, an African-American standpoint, we grow up
in the Baptist religion [and] we’re born into Democratic ideals. I always tell
people to challenge themselves and do what works for them. Unfortunately, Democrat
is supposed to be less fortunate and Republican is supposed to be the more
successful people in this world. Any time that you allow yourself to become
predictable it’s always a problem. White folks understand how important it is
not to be predictable.
“With us from a Democratic standpoint, people don’t respect
our vote because they know what we’re gonna do. If we
had more Republicans people would fight for the African-American vote more than
they do. Because the Democratic that’s running for office feels he’s guaranteed
to get our vote, period. And the Republican party they
don’t f**k with us because they feel like they ain’t gonna get our vote anyway. If we had an even share of
Democrats and Republicans people would fight for the African-American vote more
than they do now.”
On
the challenge of being a parent and excelling in his profession.
“This is a selfish thing that I’m a part of; I have to put
my responsibilities off on other people just in order to chase my aspirations,
from a career standpoint. That’s something that I’m not proud of. My son has been the biggest blessing in
my life, ever. For me to be on the road as much as I am; it’s something that
I’m not proud of as a father. I tell people this all the time. I don’t care
about being the best rapper alive I care about being the best father alive.
“I feel like from a father’s standpoint, all of the time
that I miss with my son, money can’t replace that for me. That’s a huge
decision that I’m going back and forth with myself now. Because, I feel like my
son got too much, in my opinion, to offer the world. And for me to allow him to
take it all in with just one parent in his life, full-time. It’s something that
I’m going back and forth with. And I definitely am challenging myself to find
time to be able to be that full-time father.”
