Brass Knuckles, the long awaited album from Nelly is set to hit stores this Tuesday (September 16). In an exclusive interview with the St. Louis American the multi-platinum rapper dishes on his latest CD (his fifth studio album) with reporters Bill Beene and Kenya Vaughn.
Bill: Talk about your album title, “Brass Knuckles.”
Nelly: It’s kind of my Guns N Roses theory. That’s kind of the best way I can describe how hard the album will hit. I want to have something real symbolic of it. I wanted to have something other than Nelly just throwing his face on the cover, which some people at my label love. It’s not as melodic as my other albums, but it has some melodic songs on there. I got a song on there called “One and Only” that smooth like that. There’s a song on there with me and Usher that geared toward the ladies. Other than that, I got a song on there called “Hold Up” with LL and TI that’s a little crazy.
I got one with myself and Chuck D called “Self-esteem.” I got “Stepped on my Js.” I’m part of the reason Js come out on the weekend. We skipped school to go to the Galleria and Northwest Plaza, trying to be the first ones. It’s produced by Jermaine Dupri featuring myself and Ciara. It’s kind of like “Airforce Ones” and “Grillz” times ten. I like doing those type of songs that’s part of the culture of how I dress. It’s not like I do those songs because I try to repeat it, but you have to do what’s hot and do try to sound commercial.
Kenya. The first single didn’t connect with the audience.
Nelly. “Whatyonameis” ain’t even on the album. And was never intended to be. I was going through so much with my album, so I had make a stance. Luckily we got everything worked out and we got the album coming out soon. It’s kind of like when Prince had to put a symbol on his album, because I felt like it was stuff I should have been paid for a long time ago – “Country Grammar” money. They wanted to take their time in paying and it was like if you’re not going to pay me now you’re not going to pay me.
I’m not going to bash my label – everyone goes though something with their label. I don’t think they were trying to schist me. There was a thing in contract where I had to give a single by a certain time or something would’ve had to be given back.
Bill: How was it working with Babyface?
Nelly: It’s funny, because I did the Babyface joint, but I don’t know if it’s going to be on there. The flow of the album is something different. I won’t say I won’t use the song, because I love working with Babyface, so it might I add at the end of the year. The song is phenomenal. I did a lot of reconstructing because I’m always doing songs I might go to the studio tonight. The album is finished because if I get an idea I still like to put it down. (Note: The song will be featured on the long awaited CD)
Bill: You write from inspiration or what you need to do?
Nelly: Of course you write from inspiration. And I write from a perspective of how I think other people would feel in a situation that I was in at one time. I was that cat going to Forest Park on Sunday. I wanted to feel like, I’m fly-y-y-y-y.-y. We ‘bout to go to the park. That’s the kind of guy I am. I know some people want their music to be informative, but some people want a book to be informative.
Some people don’t want a song to teach them, some people would rather get taught in school. Everybody doesn’t want their entertainment to be educational. I think there’s room for both. I got a song with Chuck D. But I just enjoy kicking it. I love Common and Lupe, I love KRS-One. I know we went through something, but how could I not like the “The Bridge is Over,” “Love is Going to Get You.” But I also love NWA, Ghetto Boys, Eight Ball and MJG. But we do go too far sometime. Yo brother don’t dis a sister like that. I would never call a lady a b., but if you don’t want to be called a b don’t act like a b. I agree the brother shouldn’t cuss you, but don’t add to the cause. We need to loosen up and stop being so sensitive. We used to be a hard country.
