JayRich: Why isn’t Dr.Dre on your upcoming album when you did some good work with him?

Governor: “Just the politics. We go put on the mixtape and let the people decide.”

JayRich: Was it the politics of the industry or somebody at Interscope being a asshole?

Governor: “Interscope.”

JayRich: Why didn’t they wanna release it?

Governor: “Uh…….It was just that we couldn’t come to an agreement on the money for the songs. They felt that they were supposed to get the larger percentage of it….I don’t know.”

JayRich: You plan on doing some more music with Dr.Dre?

Governor: “(Pause) I would love too; but, being the dude that I am, I don’t think it’ll happen. I’ll put it like this; if I become a multiplatinum artist, let’s talk about it. I don’t operate like that; I’m not in it for the money. I want to last in this business and do me. It’ll be hard to go back and do that when all the hard work I put in and my dream had to be put on hold like that cuz of another rich man’s ego.”

JayRich: Did he find you based on the music you did with 50 Cent?

Governor: “Oh yeah. 50 got to L.A. first.”

JayRich: Do you plan on working with 50 again?

Governor: “Hey, like I said; I would like to, but Governor (giggle) has a problem with the Interscope system. (laughs)

JayRich: You had a quote; “Everybody wants to dance for Massir.” Can you breakdown who you were talking about?

Governor: “That’s the vibe I got from the labels. They were saying we live in a Hip-Hop world and they felt that R&B was dead. They felt if you didn’t have a gimmick or weren’t tied to a street camp, you wouldn’t work out. So, when I say that, I know that soul music isn’t dead because I’m still here. But, that’s consensus I got from the people pressing the button. Why?

JayRich: I was about to ask you that?

Governor: “Because we live in a Hip-Hop society and they look at art like stock and bond and the market isn’t supposed to be fast; it’s supposed to be slow.”

JayRich: But even rap albums get pushed back and held for long periods; why?

Governor: “Most guys in Hip-Hop have a street affiliation and a following (going into their deals). A lot of guys get to the majors after getting a following and all they have to do is take you to the next level. Soul music 9 times outta 10 you trying to get signed, you’re not going to get the same buzz you can get doing rap. So when the label is working with you they trying to plug you here and there and they have you moving slow. Do you have enough T.V. shows done; do you have enough tours, etc.”

JayRich: I would put you over based on the power of your music alone.

Governor: “Hey man, that’s how I feel and that’s how my team feels. The battle with the label it changes. They deal with so many different aspects. The fans who have heard my music feel the same way and these are the people that have to buy the record! It’s confusing to me. Hey, Atlantic giving me what they can and I’m taking what I get.”

JayRich: Is most of your music based on your past relationships?

Governor: “I listen to enough music and the general theme, especially in Hip-Hop, is hustlin. Everybody don’t hustle man! The kids don’t need to hear that all the time. They can’t get anything else out of life. These young kids as a whole…some people don’t hit the block, some people don’t know what it’s like to have a drop top, some people don’t know what’s it’s like to have 5 or 6 women. Some people would rather have a traditional relationship with one woman. It’s seems that for you to be accepted in mainstream, you have to talk about using drugs, a lot of women, and it’s gets to the point where enough is enough. We’re all humans and we’re sexual by nature; but, damn can you put some restraints on it for the kids. The shit that gets said….It doesn’t even have to get said for people to get their point across. It seems that the more vulgar you can be, Hey! That works.”

JayRich: Would you compare yourself with Nate Dogg or Akon since you’ve been exclusively on hooks?

Governor: “Both of those guys have careers because they do what they do. In some aspects, yes; but, Akon hasn’t been around long enough. I wanna be as much active in the music. I wanna say something and stand for something. The music of Marvin Gaye or Donny Hathaway doesn’t get confused with anyone else and that’s what I want. I want to have timeless music. The songs on my album are from 5 or 6 years ago.”

JayRich: It’s funny how you bring up Marvin; you remind me of him when I hear you, but it’s your own way.

Governor: “I appreciate that and I respect that. There’s not too many things that haven’t been done; so stop looking so hard for that. I take things from the greats and make em’ mine. I don’t sound like Marvin, but I carry the same passion. Them boys loved they music. You can’t deny it when you hear it.”

JayRich: A lot of guys shy away from politics; are you the same way?

Governor: “I do me. That’s what defines an artist. You can talk about love or you can what open up about the stuff that’s going on. It’s going to be here after you’re gone. I can only put my people on to what I know and what I’ve read. A lot of people don’t know it and I’m gonna put it out there.”

JayRich: I wanna thank you for your time; any last remarks you got?

Governor: “Go check out the music I did with Dr. Dre on www.governor-world.com. You will never get to buy that stuff in a store.

JayRich: Is it free?

Governor: “You can download it, but you got to pay for shipping and handling.”

–By Joe”JayRich”Robinson

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