I spoke with Queens native Cee-Rock "The Fury" earlier this year to get the latest on himself, his views on the industry and his reasons for not using profanity in his lyrics.
You have been on the Hip Hop scene for a while now, how has the industry changed during that period?
I think the quality of music has changed dramatically. On the come-up you had to earn your stripes to get put on or to even get a record spot. Nowadays, it's all about who you know, how much you happen to 'pay for play' or who you had to 'Spitzer' to land yourself a record deal. Labels will sign just about anything these days and the quality of music doesn't seem to be a majority factor anymore. What happent to content, quality and substance?!
What sounds did you grow up on and what was the main influence that made you become a rap artist?
I grew up listening to the pioneers such as Run-DMC, Africa Bambaataa & Soul Sonic Force, Trecherous Three, Just-Ice, Funky Four Plus One, Crash Crew, Stetsasonic, Fat Boys....classic groups like that. Some of my biggest influence are Rakim, Public Enemy, Gangstarr, Slick Rick, A Tribe Called Quest, EPMD, Queen Latifah, MC Lyte, Kool Moe Dee, Brand Nubian, KRS-One, Main Source, Kool G Rap and Chubb Rock. I've also listen to James Brown, Parliment, Slave and Brothers Johnson. You gotta have the funk!
Coming from Queens, New York what is life really like for a rapper there with so many trying to make it?
Yeah, I'm born and bred straight out of Q*Sector/Linden Boulevard! I guess it was tough for many boroughs to make their mark but we were fortunate to have some legends come out of Queens. You had catz like the Juice Crew All Stars, Kwame, Salt & Pepa, Run-DMC and A Tribe Called Quest. The challenge was to make an impact like they did. They came out hard and made a serious mark. They were trendy and definitely a tough act to follow. My goal was not to follow but match and possibly surpass them by using my own chosen destiny of style, content and delivery. I built my own unchartered road that was custom made just for me. That is why there is only once Cee-Rock "The Fury".
Why did you make the decission not to use profanity in your lyrics and what are your views on the use of profanity in music?
I guess you can say it was my upbringing. Even though I was surrounded by such language in the concrete jungle, I never really had that taste for profanity. It would take something dramatic for me to curse out of the blue (like a bowling ball droppin' on my foot or losing a 10 million dollar lottery ticket). I was always articulate and very good with words so I simply avoided cursing. The radio would not play your music anyway back then if you had curses on them. You either had to make a radio edit or have the curse words reversed or bleeped out. Most records that had a bunch of curses on them that were bleeped out sounded like the 'emergency broadcast system' or like one big hospital flatline. It didn't even make much sense to play. I wanted my words and diction to be heard and concentrated on and I try to maintain that code to this very day.
You have toured around the world, mainly in Europe, where are some of your favourite spots you have been to?
I have alot of fun touring with this band called Souljahz from Denmark. We usually get these minivans and then we drive them onto big cruise ships and go over the oceans to the next country. I had fun in places like Finland, Lithuania and Slovenia. I had toured South Africa for the first time a little over a year ago and I was there for 2 months. That was definitely an experience. Hopefully, I will get a chance to go back there soon.
You have had some good link ups with labels over in Europe, naming Wolftown in the UK and !Handzup! in Denmark, how did these links come about?
I've been working with Wolftown for a few years now. I am like their official New York affiliate. You can still see me on their website. I've been featured on their albums and mixtapes for a while now. In fact, I will be on Late's upcoming mixtape this spring which should be hott. I met them networking (I believe it was on MySpace) and things just clicked from there.
!Handzup! is a label concept that I came up with that came to life with the help of Turmic Records. I am signed to Turmic Records (www.turmicrecords.com) but I wanted to make my mark with an urban imprint. Therefore, !Handzup! is the Hip-Hop/Urban/Soul subsidiary label of Turmic. I am also the A&R for !Handzup! (www.handzuprecords.com) as well as for Turmic Reords. Any artists out there interested in worldwide digital distribution through Turmic Records can contact me at
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
and if the music is bangin' we can make it happen. True story!
What has the reaction been like towards you and your music?
I've been compared to some of the best. I don't think I sound like anybody but I've been compared to artists such Chuck D, Ice Cube, Rakim, Kool G Rap, Redman, Nas, KRS-One, Freddie Foxx and others. I guess if you were to put them all in a blender you would get the essence of Cee-Rock "The Fury". The majority of my musical feedback has been very optimistic and positive. Catz like the way I put words together along with the way I deliver it.
Recently you have signed a deal with Abstract Urban in the UK who are also putting out Necro's music over here, what does the deal do for you?
Yeah, that was a good look for me. Much respect for Abstract Urban acknowledging a brotha and showin' me luv by signin' me. They believe in me and my music. The deal will make my name more known in the UK for starters. Through them I am distributed in the UK by Plastic Head Distribution (PDH) which is one of the biggest distributors over there. Since I now have worldwide physical distribution, I can now deal with any booking agency in the world in any territory that's interested in me. In case catz don't know about Abstract Urban, they are originally Abstract Sounds who started an urban division. Check me out at www.abstractsounds.co.uk/abstract_ceerockthefury.htm. You can go to the BANDS section there to see all the Hip-Hop artists that are currently signed through Abstract Urban. I can also be seen at www.myspace.com/abstracturban.
"Bringin' Da' Yowzah!!!" was your debut album released in 2005, how was that received for those who haven't heard the album what was it all about and who was involved?
Many consider it a Hip-Hop classic. However, it was not released under a major budget machine such as Universal or Interscope. We made only a few cds of it but made an incredible buzz from it nevertheless. Now through Abstract Urban they plan to re-release it and hit a little harder with it this time around. I am sure when people hear this album they will be pleased. Buy it and get your money's worth! Hopefully, we can get the ones we missed the first time and beyond. Every track on there is solid!
The guest features on the album were Promoe (of 'Looptroop Rockers') [SWE], Late [UK], 10Shott [UK], Coole High [Bklyn, NY], Tah Phrum Duh Bush [Bklyn, NY] and Mikey D (former frontman of 'Main Source')[Queens, NY]. The guest producers on the album were DJ Erase [SWE], DJ Pharfar [DK], Substance [UK], Juttla [UK] and of course myself.
You recently recorded a feature for a Rawkus project, can you tell us about that?
That was another good look. Rawkus Records have this project called the Rawkus 50 which is their signing of 50 artists who they feel are the future of Hip-Hop. My boy 12Bit (a.k.a. Twelvebit) is one of the Rawkus 50 (he is a producer). His album is entitled "Stranded On Planet Rock". He invited me to appear on his album project and was happy to acommodate him. I laced 5 tracks for this project. 12Bit is an incredible producer with the insight of DJ Premier, J Dilla and Pete Rock all fused together. The album is officially out now so just google the title and purchase the digital downloads. The jointz I feature on are "Lyssynup!", "Man Of The Infinite Moment", "Shimmery", "Hard To Believe" and "Black Barbaric Lingo". Headz can check out 12Bit at www.myspace.com/twelvebit. 12Bit is from Lund, Sweden. This just comes to show you that Hip-Hop is global and that there is incredible music being created each day in areas you may not have even considered. 12Bit will also be my tour deejay from time to time.
What is it like for you as an artist to appear on a release from one of the best inde labels hip hop has had?
It puts my name out there more on front street and it's like a major stamp of approval. People are asking even more these days, "Who is this Cee-Rock cat?" or "What's goin' on with that Fury dude?". Now that I got their attention I plan to smother them with some hott lyrical ear candy.
Who in the industry do you look up to? I look up to Chuck D, Rakim and KRS-One. They endured the test of time and proved time and time again that being true to self can make you a legend. Chuck D has the voice of power and opinion. Rakim has the ill vocal tone and lyrical gift of wisdom. KRS-One has the knowledge and intellect and skills to rip any mic he touches. These are the torches I plan to carry.
If you were to work with any producer or artist who would it be and why?
DJ Premier, Dr. Dre and J Dilla (rest in peace). DJ Premier has "street" written over him. He represents the backpackers and the headnod era. He got that adrenaline music that keeps you craving for more. Dr. Dre is a scientist and a sampling genius. Just check his track record....need I say more? J Dilla had a sound that was almost hipnotic and peaceful yet bangin' at the same time. He brought his beats to life and all who listened felt it. He died way too soon but his music and influence remains and will live on.
Outside of rap how do you spend your time? I'm mostly on the computer networking. I be on Skype, MySpace and IM. When I'm not on the computer I be writing lyrics or chillin' at the crib watchin' dvds or something. I go for night walks and drink an occasional beer and layin' back in the cut. I do a lot of networking at clubs too. If catz wanna network with me, I'm not hard to reach.
As a rapper what is your goal? I wanna be like that show 'Cheers' where everybody knows your name! After my shows, they are always glad they came :-). I wanna show catz how it's done to be a real emcee and also prove that you can be a highly respected emcee without all the unnesessary profanity and negativity that comes with it. Before I'm done the majority will know that Cee-Rock "The Fury" represented and brought the Yowzah as promised.
2008 has just begun, what do you have planned for the year? Got a lot in the works. Look out for me debut release through Abstract Urban of my album "Bringin' Da' Yowzah!!!". I am featured on The Last Days Of Disco's album coming out on BdPop/Universal Records Sweden (www.thelastdaysofdisco.com), Atjazz's album entitled "Full Circle" on Mantis Recordings (www.mantisrecordings.com), Beats And Styles album project (www.beatsandstyles.com), more projects with Wolftown Recordings (www.wolftownrecordings.com) and a bunch of other stuff. I recently did the Hip-Hop Subway Series with Kid Lucky and Beatboxer Entertainment in New York. We took over the 6 Train and ripped freestyles all the way Bronx-bound and back through Manhattan and Brooklyn. The year is still early and there's still much to do. Show me your luv and support out there. You only get one Cee-Rock "The Fury" in a lifetime. Make sure all you catz sign my guestbook at www.ceerockthefury.com and share your comments and feedback. Any booking agencies / mixtape deejays / radio / magazines / webzines / dvd / labels / artists / clubs / festivals / etc. interested in working with me, just holla and well can talk to make it happen correctly. One luv to all my friends, fans and, fans-to-be and one luv to Stu & Raw Roots!
Comments (2)
Write Comment
Please keep the topic of messages relevant to the subject of the article.
You have been on the Hip Hop scene for a while now, how has the industry changed during that period?
Comments (2)
