This week’s Footage Fa Dayz features Cash Money Records’ CEO’s Ronald “Slim” Williams and his brother, Bryan “Baby” Williams.

 

The year was 1999 and this was one of the first major tours of the Detroit area for the Cash Money crew, who are featured backstage at the State Theater.

 

The host, Champtown, talked to the young rap CEO’s just before they took to the stage. Baby’s words make one realize just how long they have been releasing their brand of New Orleans Hip-Hop.

 

“We got eight years in the game already,” Baby said in 1999. “Independent we was the biggest to ever come out. We are already living legends.”

 

Baby also confirms in the interview that fellow New Orleans rapper/CEO Master P blocked a deal the brother’s almost signed with Priority.

 

“That was a situation that happened. Priority wanted to bring us over there. It wasn’ t that we was trying to sign with Priority, but when P found that out, he was like if they come we gonna kite. We wasn’t trippin I know the old n***a and we still aint trippin. I aint sweatin what the next n***a do, period.”

 

Baby is currently on the America’s Most Wanted Tour with Cash Money/Young Money artists Lil Wayne, Drake, Nicki Minaj, Jae Millz and others.

 

Young Jeezy and Soulja Boy are also on the tour. video platformvideo managementvideo solutionsfree video player

There have been rumors and gossip, and one-sided interviews but finally, Princess, one of the female members of Crime Mob is ready to speak. With her new mix tape Dirty Pop Princess released and giving her the independence she deserves, she can finally spread her colorful wings. It seemed as though drama simply followed the members of Crime Mob through the years. However, Princess is hoping to move past that, and is growing up from the past experiences. Although she’s got a new movement, she’s still has a foot in the past too. In this interview, he engages the here and now, the past and the future. That’s her music.

[Editor’s Note: to read Diamond’s recent interview, click here.]

AllHipHop.com: How did you first become involved with rap?

Princess: My brother started rapping and he would write it down on paper. I was always good with memorization. So he would rap around the house without writing it down and then be like “ damn what did I say?” I could remember the rap for him. He started helping me with raps and telling me how to say certain things and it became a passion for me.

AllHipHop.com: So you started off with your brother writing your raps for you?

Princess: To prove myself my brother wrote a couple of raps for me. I caught on so easily. I started rapping at about 15. I started writing my own stuff the next year.

AllHipHop.com: How did you meet the members of Crime Mob?

Princess: The group was already together. Some of the members ended up recording at our house. I told my brother I wanted to rap and I had to audition. My brother started out helping me with my raps and I got in and was the first and only female in the group. I started writing my own rhymes.

AllHipHop.com: At that point who was in the group?

Princess: Honestly, everybody was in Crime Mob. My Brother, Psycho Black, ….. We had a lot of homeboys who were affiliated with us but I was the first girl.

AllHipHop.com: How old are you?

Princess: I’m 22.

AllHipHop.com: You’re so young.

Princess: I’m grown! (laughs) Being in the industry makes your older mentally.

AllHipHop.com: Ok, you’re grown. (laughs) You come together, and everything is cool. You have the smash hit with “Rock Your Hips“. You are at the pinnacle of your career. Why did you guys break up?

Princess: (sighs) Oh Lord.

AllHipHop.com: (laughs) She sighs.

Princess: Honestly and I’m going to stress honestly because there has not been a lot of honesty. We were young and we always had our problems but the music is what brought us together. When we started out everybody wasn’t making the same amount and that started affecting our music. Everybody gets paid off what you do. The first album was recorded in two weeks. It was basically recorded at my parents house. After the album comes out we started getting checks. We see so and so gets this amount for a hook. This person gets this amount for a beat. People were trying to make sure they were on every song. But there is no way that everybody can be on every song. It wasn’t about quality it started being about quantity and that’s never good. We grew apart. People started having their own agendas. The group shows started slowing down. We started doing shows individually. That was a big thing if one person got a show and another didn’t then that became a big thing. If you don’t want to do a show then that is one you! If you only want to do group shows then that’s you. If the group isn’t working I’m still going to be working.

AllHipHop.com: Sounds like it was jealousy towards other people having more individual success.

Princess: I wouldn’t say jealousy cause it’s a strong word but it really was. It hurts me to think that it was like that because we all came up together. If I was doing something I let everybody know I was doing it. If you did not want to do it then that is fine but I’m still doing it. When you go behind the groups back to do something totally different then something isn’t right with that.

AllHipHop.com: Who went behind who’s back?

Princess: It was bigger than doing shows. The biggest thing was the whole thing with Diamond. People don’t understand how deep it goes. It wasn’t just a beef. It was disrespect. We were supposed to have a group album with just the boys, then me and her do an album , and then everybody do whatever they want to do, after that we come back and do a group album and be finished with our contract in 2 years. She switched managers which I knew about because she asked me did I want to change managers and I said she can do her own thing as far as management. She took that and ran with it. We did not know about it till right before the Dirty Awards. She was nominated for Southern Chick Of The Year. Crime Mob was nominated for Best Group. Either way it was a win for the group. We are at the Dirty Awards not the Grammy’s.

AllHipHop.com: Is it true that you guys kicked her out the group for her not allowing you to go on stage with her?

Princess: The truth is that she told somebody who was close to the group that it was going to be a big surprise at the Dirty Awards. She had already planned all this. She set her chips up the day before. We was like she wants to walk the red carpet by herself then let her do it. She had already separated herself. Scrappy announced that she had a solo project at the awards. So that doesn’t make sense if we had just kicked her out five hours earlier. Why would he announce that. It’s sad that people make drama to benefit themselves. If you a rapper then you should be about your music and not drama.

AllHipHop.com: What’s up with the video footage of the your guys arguing at Soulja Boys Birthday party?

Princess: Really… How can I put this?

AllHipHop.com: Just say what you want to say.

Princess: It’s crazy because it is bringing back stuff that I am already over. To answer the question, I was talking to somebody and she wanted to make a scene. Me not being that mature that as I should have been at the time. Looking at the footage, I got a lot of calls like why didn’t you rap against her? She was talking “oh your hair, your CD and you’re trying to be Rihanna“. I was like what? Are you on something? It was really shocking to me. I couldn’t say anything. Her and I were cool and she really changed. She showed her ass.

AllHipHop.com: How did it start?

Princess: I was talking to a friend about studio time. I was there maybe 3 hours before her and I had taken pictures with everybody. There was two specific girls that I was talking to the whole night and they went over and got Diamonds autograph or picture. We were far enough that I couldn’t hear what she was saying to them but close enough that if she yelled I could hear her. So she turns around and says “ See Princess they don’t want your autograph.” It was crazy because I was not worried about her. Do you. That was uncalled for. That is what brought the attention to us. They started putting it together like bam! Diamond and Princess are right here. People started to crowd around and she started “conversating.” But when the cameras started coming around she was like “Oh look at your hair” Like it was a jonesing session. That’s why I was looking crazy. It was like a flip of the switch once the cameras came on. She became Diamond. Brittany left. At the end of the day I do not do the drama thing.

AllHipHop.com: We can switch gears and get off the drama thing. You have told your side so everyone can be the judge for themselves. What projects are you working on? I know you have a mix tape out called Dirty Pop Princess. What’s happening with that?

Princess: Shouts out to Bobby Black and Ricky. They are the ones that are going hard for me. I’m in the process of writing a poetry book. I’m in the gym. I’m doing everything behind the scenes, Acting classes, vocal classes. I feel like I can put music out but I don’t want to be seen until the right time. I got to get all my ducks in line. When I come back out its going to be Bam! This b#### grew up. Feel me? People are going to respect because there will be a big difference. I’m in the studio writing. I have a song on Killa Mike’s Album. I did a song with Bizarre recently. I’m doing a lot of other projects with a lot of other people who I cannot name because it is still in the works. I did some shows in Germany recently. I’m going to Japan for the Dirty Pop movement. They like the loud colors. Overseas loves it. I’m trying to get that overseas money.

AllHipHop.com: Have you got picked up by a label:

Princess: That’s kind of sensitive legally. What I can say is that I am in the process of leaving Warner Brothers. I pray about it everyday.

AllHipHop.com: Why do you want to leave them?

Princess: It’s not a disrespect but the urban market over there is two steps behind. I would rather go independent. Rather than be stuck on a label that wants to use you as a test dummy. Even though on both albums they got way more than their money back. As far as ring tones, downloads. I still would rather get distribution and move on. You don’t really need a label. You might as well work for yourself and go independent. I’m talking to two different independent labels now.

AllHipHop.com: Are you going to do a video for any songs on your mixtape? Still in the works. The mix tape is out.

Princess: I’m going to send a few things out soon.

AllHipHop.com: Switching gears. For your male fans what do you like in a guy? Are you in a relationship?

Princess: I am and I am so happy. You got me giggling. I have learned a lot in this relationship.

AllHipHop.com: Is he an industry dude?

Princess: No, no, no, no. (laughs) I have done that and it’s cool but I am very personal when it comes to being outside of Princess.

AllHipHop.com: How long have you been with this guy?

Princess: Two years.

AllHipHop.com: Oh, sorry fellas.

Princess: This is the longest relationship I have been in. He is still locked up. So I have to deal with that. Visitation, and the phone. My bill is like $1000. Its cool though because that is my best friend. He knows stuff that no one else knows, I’m getting emotional talking about it. I thought I knew what love was before but I know it now. He will be out in 2 weeks. If I wasn’t in a relationship my type of guys is a god fearing church going man, a family man, have a job and have his own. Even though I am in the music industry he has to be able to take care of me. Emotionally, physically, financially. He has to be fun to be with. I like to go out of town and have fun.

AllHipHop.com: Do you talk to any of the group members?

Princess: I talk to the guys.

AllHipHop.com: So it is just you and Diamond who aren’t talking?

Princess: Yes and it is so funny because sometimes I have to hit her up just on the business tip. I text her and she is like who is this? I’m like oh god never mind. Its so crazy because you are spending too much energy on the wrong thing. If it ain’t beef get over it. If its all love get over it.

Former Snoop Dogg affiliate Tray Deee currently resides in the California

Men’s Colony State Prison in San Luis Obispo, CA.  In 2005, the West Coast artist was hit with an “up to” 12-year sentence for attemped murder. Presently, his earliest possible release his in 2013, although he could be freed sooner due to jail overcrowding and budget

problems. His career didn’t start in Colony State Prison and, if he has his way, it won’t end there either. The Long Beach rapper, better

known to his family as Tracy Davis, brought his unique sound, style and

flow of hard-core gangster rap to the Hip-Hop world in the middle of the 90’s.

Introduced by Snoop Dogg on the song “21 Jump Street” off of the

Murder Was The Case soundtrack, Tray parlayed that in to further

guest features on the Death Row albums label such as Dogg Food,

The Dogg Father, Glidlock’d Soundtrack, and Gang Related

Soundtrack. Tray Deee was also previously a member of The LBC Crew

which had a successful single off of the Thin Line Between Love And

Hate soundtrack called “Beware of my Crew.”

In 2000, Tray teamed up with Snoop Dogg and Goldie Loc to form Tha

Eastsidaz which was in honor of the area they hailed from, the Eastside

of Long Beach. Through Snoop Dogg’s label Doggystyle Records and with

the distribution help from TVT Records, Tha Eastsidaz released their

platinum selling debut, Snoop Dogg Presents Tha Eastsidaz, propelled

by the DJ Battlecat produced single “G’d Up.”  Tha Eastsidaz

appeared on Snoop Dogg’s The Last Meal LP and then went on

to release their sophomore album, Duces N Trayz: The Old Fashioned

Way.  Not long after that release trouble ensued for the group

as money disputes arose between the members. 

Tray Deee claimed

that he and Goldie Loc were not receiving their legal share of the group’s

money and the group was then disbanded despite an unofficial street

release of a project the group recorded called Khaki’s N Chucks.

Before the troubles between the group members could be resolved, Tray

Deee was convicted of the aforementioned  attempted murder charge.AllHipHop.com reached out to the West

Coast veteran to update the Hip-Hop

world on his well being, thoughts and current status.  Much has changed with the O.G.  

AllHipHop.com: First off, can you please

let us and your fans know how you are currently doing?

Tray Deee:  All praise be to Allah,

I’m solid. My health is firm, my stamina is formidable, my focus is

sharp, and my spirit is serene.

AllHipHop.com:  What are you doing

to maintain yourself during your incarceration?

Tray Deee: My program is laid back

but disciplined. I keep my circle small and circumnavigate all stagnative,

non-productive issues. I go to work at the canteen warehouse at 7:45

a.m. and miss the yard until I get off 3:45 p.m. – which is yard recall

for count time. I squeeze in some physical fitness, shower, and play

chess or write a letter until it’s time to call it a night. I collaborate

with various individuals on diverse projects to maintain an influx of

capital, and a small number of homies and friends chunk me a bone every

now and again to make sure I ain’t scufflin’ and wanting for nothing. Good lookin’ out y’all!

AllHipHop.com: Word has it that you

no longer associate yourself with your former Eastsidaz group-mates

Snoop Dogg and Goldie Loc. Is that true?

Tray Deee: Essentially, although about

5 or 6 weeks ago, I finally enjoyed a warm conversation with Snoop Dogg

after over 5 years of no communication whatsoever. We agreed to let

the past go like water under the proverbial bridge and we even shared

a few genuine laughs. We still have some existing financial discrepancies

left to resolve and from our roughly 10 minute conversation, I could

not gauge whether or not he is yet prepared to face that reality. Honestly,

I once cared for the dude like the little brother that I never had.

So, while I detest the circumstances which led to our dissolution and

resulting enmity, I can’t proclaim any lingering hatred for Snoop

because my love for him was authentic. Insha-Allah which means “God-willing”,

everything will work out for the best in due time.  

Now Goldie Loc, he has never exhibited

any degree of loyalty toward me. When our contractual abuse was uncovered

by our then manager, I instructed Goldie that the only chance we had

at rectifying the situation is if we stood unified, but he continued

to run behind Snoop which caused me to appear as the trouble-maker/bad

guy. The few times I’ve managed to speak with him since my incarceration,

he’s been evasive or outright lied to me.

AllHipHop.com: Is it possible to ever

reunite with Snoop Dogg or Goldie Loc once you are released from Prison?

Tray Deee: I would hope that Snoop

Dogg and I could recapture that vibe that we once shared, and salvage

the wonderful history that we created. It’s his call at this point.

Barring some extraordinary events transpiring between now and my release,

I have no interest of f***in’ with Goldie Loc ever again – except

to be compensated by him for prominently featured on his C.D. “My personal pedigree and

the environment that I come from is the foundation of gangsterism. 

Pushin’ a G-Line for me was as natural as a Norwegian becoming a fisherman,

or someone born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah being a Mormon.”-Tray Deee

AllHipHop.com: Are there any other

artists that you still associate yourself with?

Tray Deee: Coniyac, formerly of Doggy’s

Angels, is my fiancée’ and she has been my backbone through this

whole ordeal. 40 Glocc has been loyal and dependable from day one as

well. Fredwreck, West Coast producer and current host of MTV Arabia,

stays in touch as does another bomb West Coast producer by the name

of Scratch. The Lady of Rage used to write me and so did Ms. Toi. I’ve

received one kite from Bad Azz and a postcard from Xzibit while he was

in Tokyo. Those are all that come to mind at this time.

AllHipHop.com: Do you have any unreleased

music that you plan on releasing while you’re locked up? And do you

plan on continuing with your rap career upon your release?

Tray Deee: Truthfully, I don’t have

many unreleased tracks. As for me recording any new material once I

touch down, I’m going to first consult with a few reputable and knowledgeable

industry executives to figure it out from there. Metaphorically, all

of the stars have to be aligned for me to re-enter the game as an artist.

AllHipHop.com: Now that you are older,

what is your view on the gangster lifestyle? Has it changed any since

your incarceration?

Tray Deee: My personal pedigree and

the environment that I come from is the foundation of gangsterism. 

Pushin’ a G-Line for me was as natural as a Norwegian becoming a fisherman,

or someone born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah being a Mormon. Los

Angeles and its surrounding county of urban warzones; Long Beach, Compton,

Watts, Lynwood and Gardena is the birthplace of the Crips, Bloods and

Surenos (Mexican-American street gangs). Gang-bangin’ is prevalent

on almost every block in these communities: Hangin’ out, slangin’

dope, shoot-outs, assaults, and all else that this particular lifestyle

entails. So my view on anything gangster is this: Either you breathe,

think, act, sleep and dream gangsta s### or else you’re simply perpetrating

– period, point blank. Much has changed now that I am older. I’m

a totally committed Muslim now, so I understand the significance of

life now, and therefore I approach people and situations differently.

Change is essential to growth and I have perceptually expanded considerably.

AllHipHop.com: Aside from music, do

you have any other plans for yourself once you are released?

Tray Deee: I have many plans to execute

once I shake this joint. My initial goal is to reunite with my children

and redevelop the special bond that a father shares with his seeds.

Business-wise, I intend to have my semi-autobiography published and

accomplish short-term objectives until I settle into what best suits

my interest at that time.

AllHipHop.com: Are you able to keep

up with any new music that is coming out? If so, what are your thoughts

on what you are hearing?

Tray Deee: Yes. I have an AM/FM radio

with a cassette and CD player, so I do lend an ear to what’s supposed

to be the new hotness – and for the most part what crosses my ear

is crossover pop, pseudo-techno and vocoder trash. Then again, I don’t

have access to any underground radio shows, so I can’t speak on the

full spectrum of rap. I hear Glasses Malone is tight. I like Game and

I feel that he’s improved with each release. Crooked I is one of my

favorite artists, and I dig Plies style as well as Young Jeezy. Oh,

and I am waiting to hear Bishop Lamont’s project.

AllHipHop.com: Tray Deee, thank you

taking the time to answer these questions. Do you have anything that

you would like to tell your fans and the rest of the audience out there?

Tray Deee: Much love to all of the

real Big Tray Deee/Eastsidaz fans. Y’all weather the storm out there,

have faith in the Creator and trust that it gets greater later. Peace!