Yelawolf talks Race, Interscope, Longevity

[BumShiv]

http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.1 ... -longevity

Catfish Billy gives his take on the term "white rapper," and landing a deal with Interscope, as well as plans for the future.

As Yelawolf's Radioactive hit shelves this week, the Shady Records signee spoke on an oft-discussed topic: race in Hip Hop.

"I don't hate the term 'white rapper,'" he explained. "It's fully relevant and will always be... It's important to hold to the culture as it is, no matter how abrasive that [term] might sound or it might be. Race is still real and you got to recognize it."

In an interview with Billboard, the emcee explained how things got rolling after he took part in Wiz Khalifa's "Deal or No Deal" tour. "After that [tour], things just started happening," said Yela, who then explained why Interscope was a good fit for him. "The big difference is walking into a meeting with Jimmy Iovine at his house as opposed to an office, and getting congratulations for all we've done, and they're just saying, bluntly, 'We just want to be involved. We want to be a docking station for you to come and refuel and go back out and do what you do.' That's exactly what they said, 'fuel station.' It feels right-important."

Yelawolf revealed lofty goals for himself. "We all want longevity. I have a ten-year goal, so I could be like David Grohl or something. I want to be like [Eminem], [Jay-Z], Anthony Kiedis, Kid Rock. They're getting older and they're great, touring the world, making a good living. That's the goal I'm trying to achieve."

[cheeseburger]

I think Yela's gonna be around for a long time. Especially if Em puts him on an album and people who aren't hardcore fans will find out about him.

Sure hope so, he´s dope live from what ive seen.

[Sam.]

No offence to the OP but I'm tired of so many Yela's Topics being made, while the Albums discussion thread lies stagnated.

[mdemaz]

Gotta love longevity...
It's one important thing you need to survive.