A general knows the value of good
soldiers. In recent months, Rick Ross’ Triple C’s (Carol City Cartle) have
served the Miami native well in his lyrical and sometimes personal war with 50
Cent. Additionally, the duo (Torch & Gunplay) has done their best to
deflect criticism on Ross’ character in light of their mentor finally admitting
to being corrections officer.
Now after the positive buzz of
their street single “Yams” and a newly inked Def Jam contract, Triple C’s have
their sights set on lifting themselves from mere street soldiers to power
players in the game. With roots in both NY and Florida, the group’s aspirations
extend beyond achieving regional popularity.
AllHipHop.com: Those throughout the Miami area understand the
significance of your group name. But explain to the uninitiated why you
selected it and what it represents in regards to the overall direction of your
music.
Torch: It represents the territory [and] the crew [that]
originated from Carol City in Miami. But it has 20 different meanings: Close
Casket Capital, Cashing Checks Constant, Custom Cars & Cycles, and
Constantly Cookin’ Classics just to name a few. I’m from the Bronx, NY so this
ain’t just a Southern movement. It’s a worldwide situation.
Gunplay: Carol City
Cartel is a name repping for those dead or in jail behind real hood issues.
Dope, money, [and] respect.
Triple C’s “Yams” Video
AllHipHop.com: Hip-Hop, at least mainstream wise, appears to be moving
away from the grittier edge of gangsta rap. Even Rick Ross is incorporating
more melodic and radio-friendly tracks onto his new LP. Do you both feel that
you’ll have to make those concessions for your Def Jam debut?
Torch: We make good music, that’s what we do. This ain’t
ringtone rap; they just embrace our music so much they end up making ringtones
out of it. We don’t go into the studio thinking about mainstream radio or
trying to be “gangsta.” We just tell it how it is. For example our first single
“Yams,” that’s a street smash. It’s going mainstream and that wouldn’t be the
record you would usually hear on radio but the streets determine what you hear.
Gunplay: Hip-Hop is not getting away from the gritty side,
[but] the artists are. Hip-Hop loves the hood. Hip-Hop also loves to see
artists grow. That’s when they get away from the gritty side. Hip-Hop will
always be ghetto. That’s where it started.
“Ain’t nobody over there making good music, [or]
matter of fact, music at all. [It’s] just interviews, cartoons, and skits, the
Curly Springer Show.” —Torch
AllHipHop.com: Both of you have solo mixtapes and endeavors along with your Triple
C’s work. How difficult is it to adhere to a group format when both of you are
capable solo artists?
Torch: Not hard at all. We grew up together with this
music. We compliment each other’s styles so well it’s crazy. Me and Gun [are]
night and day. The music balances out so well that even on our solo albums you
should expect to see a lot of us featuring each other on them. Triple C’s Amerika’s
Most Wanted coming late Summer than
Gunplay solo Kill Switch. That
my solo joint Human Heroin
coming because I’m that boy! You look out for that.
Gunplay: We’ve been
a group for so long we mesh together great. Teamwork makes the dream work. We
all had solo intention from jump. Ross spearheaded the movement in order for
solo projects to come about.
Gunplay “How Ya Like Me Know” Video
AllHipHop.com: You’ve supported Rick Ross during his feud with 50 Cent.
Have you guys observed actions from either your camp or your rivals that you
feel crossed the lines of rap battle etiquette?
Torch: Ninety-five percent of that s**t
crossed the line. The f**ked up thing is these n****s ain’t killing nothing and
letting nothing die. N****s beefing with half the industry and you never hear
nothing come out of it but threats. Before the beef they was irrelevant and
when it’s all said and done they’ll be irrelevant again. Ain’t nobody over
there making good music, [or] matter of fact, music at all. [It’s] just
interviews, cartoons, and skits, the Curly Springer Show.
Gunplay : Of course
lines [have] been crossed. But that’s war. I’m happy it’s only entertainment.
The only things getting hurt are my fingers from typing so much. My guns don’t
get dusty. We can knock each other off at any time. Neither side really wants
that. This is a competitive business. I’m actually flattered that a Fortune 500
n***a is paying us attention. You got to beat the best to be the best, right?
“I can spot a fake n***a in the dark. Real
recognize real. You couldn’t talk about it if you ain’t live it. Ross says s**t
the world can relate to.” —Gunplay
AllHipHop.com: Ross recently acknowledged his past as a corrections
officer. Both of you have worked extensively with him on mixtapes and his
forthcoming album. Do either of you feel his initial, vehement denials damage
his integrity as an artist, do you feel it has no merit on his art?
Torch: Ross been a real n***a since the day I
met him and he’s going to be a real n***a until the day I die. Integrity? Not
at all. We [are] about that real. Try tricks and I’ll make you a believer
quick. The crazy s**t is the n***a pointing the fingers is a reputed snitch and
the whole world knows it! So does it affect his music? No! He is an incredible
artist that makes hit records!
Gunplay: I can spot
a fake n***a in the dark. Real recognize real. You couldn’t talk about it if
you ain’t live it. Ross says s**t the world can relate to. He talks about
issues n****s in the hood go through. At the end of the day that’s all the
merit you need, jack!
Torch “Careful What You Wish
For” Video
AllHipHop.com: Recently, 50 released a sex tape of Ross’ child’s mother
on a customized website. Does your camp plan to up the ante with similar
tactics or focus on handling the conflict through traditional lyrical means?
Torch: That’s somebody mother, man. That’s
crab sh*t. I ain’t really got no words for that. That goes hand and hand with
filming a n***a’s moms! And everybody knows lyrically our camp is killing them!
I don’t make Internet threats, n****s know what it is.
Gunplay: All we got
to do is make music to up the ante. We’ll be lowering ourselves to their level
by using those type of tactics. They can’t make good music anymore. They’re
forced to go that route. I don’t blame them. We revived their careers. They’re
trying to end ours. Look at the thanks we get [laughs].
AllHipHop.com: Outline for everyone what they can expect from Triple C in
2009 after Rick Ross’ Deeper Than Rap drops.
Torch: I got the mixtape bubbling Ski Mask
Music Volume 1
in thestreets right now that’s project platinum. People can download it for free at www.torchisny.com. Volume 2 [is] coming soon. I got a Streets
Is Watching type DVD
that’s about to drop in June. We just shot about 20 videos [for] Amerika’s
Most Wanted coming late
Summer featuring the smash single “Yams.” We shot a little street video you can
see but the real coming soon. I’m finishing up my solo project Human Heroin and than you look out for Specialyst,
that’s the hardest n****s coming out of NY.
Shout out to
the whole Maybach Music Group coming to Masspike Miles, Magazine Duece Pounn,
Young Breed, Scotty Boi, and the whole Haitian Magia. ’09 is ours. We’re
working on 2010 now. Shout to the whole BX, free Dolla Bill, free Hocus, [and]
free S-One!
Gunplay: Rick Ross’ Deeper Than Rap April 21. Triple C’s debut album Amerika’s Most Wanted on Maybach Music/Def Jam. Gunplay solo debut album Kill
Switch
. Torch solo album Human Heroin. Don’t let me kill nobody, man. I ain’t come this far togo to prison, jack! Gunplay is self-explanatory.
Triple C’s f/ Brisco “All
About It” Video
