The story of the Mafia has been told countless times. Brooklyn-based group founded by Notorious B.I.G. emerges to, not only back the legendary rapper, by to go on to gold and platinum success. Tragedy strikes. Group members regroup but some eventually splinter off. Neither B.I.G. and Kim nor are with the group any more. With the existing group, lead by Lil’ Cease, has been forced to fend for themselves when without The King of New York or The Queen Bee. The remaining members are aware of the public queries, but trust that the questions will be answered when they drop their next album.
Will Junior M.A.F.I.A. hit the streets again and reign on top like they did in the early 90’s? Read on and you be the judge…
AllHipHop.com: We seen the break-up of many different groups (Terror Squad, Hit Squad, N.W.A.) in these groups and many more the artist all embark on a solo career. Some of the members were successful some were not. What makes you think Junior M.A.F.I.A. will garner that same success without Lil Kim?
Cease: Kim was the star, and this made her more visible so no one could really be seen. I feel everybody gets what they deserve, she was hungry and went off the buzz she got and rightfully so she deserved it. I would have done the same thing. However, I do feel she didn’t follow up with the success afterwards for the Mafia. But, we are still here all the original members from day one. She is doing her thing and we are doing ours.
AllHipHop: What other releases can we expect or guest appearances from you?
Cease: I did something on Bleek’s album (M.A.D.E.) The Mafia album is done and we are getting ready to flood the streets with “The best of the Mafia Mix-Tape”. The mix-tape will be all the stuff you never heard and some new s###. A lot of paper work had to be done over when we left Atlantic (Records). I had to sit back and learn the business, where the money goes and how it gets broken down. We out of the contract with Atlantic so we are free agents now.
AllHipHop: I heard you on the State Property Album Vol. II on the song titled “Game”, how did that come about?
Cease: One day Peedie Crack called me up and told me he was coming to Brooklyn so I went to pick him up and we went to my man Henny Loc house. We heard the beat and laid down some vocals to it. The next thing I know Peedie Crack calls me from Quad studio and said they wanted to buy the beat. It was all good, so Beanie Siegel and Young Chris jumped on the song and laid their vocals down.. With the Roc it’s some regular s###, no star studded s###. The Roc is like a 2nd home to me. Anything that is poppin’ they extend themselves to me and get me up on it.
AllHipHop: So you aren’t signed? Where would you want to go?
Cease: We are not currently signed to a label. As individuals we are doing separate projects. Chico got Lenox Hill Entertainment. I’m doing my thing making guest appearances. But, on the whole the Mafia is not signed to a label. We will sign with anybody who is trying to support a n####. I wouldn’t mind being on the Roc, Aftermath or Bleek’s label, Get Low Records. You can’t always get what you want. So I’m willing to roll with any label that is out there that is willing to market and promote me.
Chico: Its up in the air. I’m going the independent routed on my own label called Lenoxx Hill Entertainment that will be distribute by Landspeed. If the negotiation is done right they will distribute my album. If not the album will be distribute through Avatar distribution. This will be done until The Mafia finds a home.
AllHipHop: Chico, you currently have a single out? Is that correct? What is the single called?
Chico: The lead single is called “Gangster Cuz” and is produced by “Baby Paul. It’s me Lil Cease and Banger on that one.
AllHipHop: Cease, you’re on a song with Bleek that appears on his album. Tell me about that one?
Cease: It’s called “I wouldn’t change a thing”. It’s me, Bleek and Geda K who is signed to Bleek’s label “Get Low Records”. The producer is some cat from Philly. I heard the beat with the chorus already in the song and I caught the vibe and laid down my vocals to it. So Bleek took it and put it on his album.
AllHipHop: What producers can we expect to see on this upcoming album Chico?
Chico: A lot of the producers are unknown but they that got hot material. My man Tone ( Da Grand), Jonathan, Teamsters (Busta, Xhibit, Biggie) based in Norfolk Virginia, Jack One, Ruthless Black….
AllHipHop: What is the most memorable moment that you had being in the presence of Biggie Smalls?
Cease: That a hard one to answer because there is so many memorable moments with Biggie, I can’t just narrow it down to one particular one. Just knowing someone who was so real and good hearted. Big was just good person. He was a n#### who couldn’t drive but brought 4 or 5 cars so his people could drive. He didn’t know how to drive and didn’t have a license to drive. He showed the utmost love to everybody that came in his presence. If he loved you he showed you love. I never saw anybody do that. Today, it’s a remake of what Biggie did. So when you hear story of n####’s buying everything up for their peoples cause they got that from B.I.
Chico: It’s crazy, the funniest s### that happen was when we were in North Carolina we got snowed in. Biggie said we should stay two extra days and do more shows to get some money. The airport was shut down the roads were nasty. We went out and when we came back it was all ice outside. We were staying in a fly ass hotel, so we”ll go out and when we came back we couldn’t get back into our room because of all of the ice. We had to make a human chain to get Biggie to the room. Just imagine all of these little dudes trying to get Biggie in the room. Mind you, we were all drunk and falling down. It was so funny we laughed and joked about it for like two hours.
AllHipHop: Any features in films for y’all?
Cease: I did one movie called “Paper Soldier” for the Roc. Dame Dash called me for “Death Of A Dynasty” but I was in Miami in the studio for that one and couldn’t make it. If the script is right, I’ll star in it. But, my first love is the music and I got to master that craft first. I have concepts and ideas for movies so one never knows.
AllHipHop: Last words?
Chico: I’m coming out with a compilation album called “Mafia Style” and I’m working with some cats from around the way 50 Grand, Drama, Flawless, Mello, and a R&B cat name Freaky (Skin Deep) did a the hook for Lil Kim (Tired of Playing Games). Early next year.
Cease: Look out for the mixtape. The M.A.F.I.A. album is on the way. It will probably be called Mafia: the Meaning of Family or Riot Music next year.