DX: So, in your opinion, do you think you’re portraying black women in a good light or a bad light?
P: I feel that anytime it’s honest then there is no right or wrong. When you’re trying to be something you’re not, that’s definitely wrong. But when you open up a door to show different types of females who are from all different places in the world, express and answer questions, honestly, then that’s not wrong. At the same time, anytime someone is not a part of something, they’ll be more judgmental than they’d be if they were a part of it. You go to the movies all the time and see the same things.

DX: Most of those ladies in that audition are fans of more of your female-themed songs, you know? So, what would be your top 5 favorite slow jams to listen to when kickin’ it with a shawty?
P: Aside from my own music [laughs]?

DX: Yeah, not your own shit… [Laughs]
P: I like a lot of the new shit that’s out right now. I like Jaheim’s “Never” record that’s out, right now. That’s one of my favorites right now. I like Ne-Yo’s song. I can’t think of the title right now, but that would have to be my second favorite. I like Musiq Soulchild’s “Teach Me” record. That’s a hot song. That a classic song, right there. I’m fuckin’ with that Usher track. That “Make Love in the Club” song is tough. My fifth one would have to be something like… Keith Sweat. That’d be my top five. [Laughs]

DX: The press is really bubbling about this “hipster” movement that’s they’re trying to tag onto people like The Cool Kids, Mickey Factz, Fresh Daily and others here in and outside of New York. Do you think that that – whatever it may be – could take away from your movement and what you guys are trying to do out of Florida?
P: It’s weird, bruh, because I was having this conversation with my homeboy on the plane. I asked him, “Why don’t you like the police?” I was thinking about it and to be what we’re a part of or to be where we’re from, we grow up differently than others. We glorify – what the streets call real – the most stupid, the most ignorant and rebellious ways of living. The higher you can achieve that shit, the more that we call you real. The reason why they don’t fuck with police is because they don’t let us be stupid. They ain’t gonna let us ride around with the music blasting. We done made ourselves believe that this is legal, that we can do that. But soon as your partner get killed or someone breaks into your house, they the first people you call. I never wanted to believe that trap shit. There’s no possible way that I’d get on the record and tell people that I sell anything! It’s weird that I’ve seen so many people risk it all for that cred. But on the other end, those that have made it in the game, I salute them, because they risked their freedom and put it on the line just to get their message across. It’s no different than this new movement you speak about. I got to salute that because anytime you’re willing to put it all out there on the line to get what you believe in, out, then I have no choice but to salute you. It’s easy to be like everyone else. It’s just risky as fuck to be an individual. I can never hate on a situation like that.

DX: Another situation that’s going on is the Sean Bell verdict that was made recently here in New York. I just got off the train where some kids – couldn’t be no more than 10, 11 – were saying “fuck the cops.” Do you think that those are the seeds of rebellion? Or are they just listening to too much rap music?
P: The world is about opinion. It’s no different than you saying that you don’t like my music. I’m cool with that because I don’t think that my music should be liked by everyone. I wasn’t here [in New York] to see how the verdict affected the people, but it seemed like it’s a pretty big situation. It’s weird, Kev, because the system is what it is. At the time [before the verdict], I thought it was all white cops who shot the brotha. But when I did my research and read more about the situation and learned who did what, I learned that the system is not just white and black. If you don’t have the finances to fight the system, you’ll lose. If you’re financially in a better place, your chances are ten times better because you’ll have someone who you’re paying to know every loophole. I done fucked up once and ended getting community service. I can buy my community service. They may give me 600 community service hours, but I can buy that for $1,200. For me to understand how life really works, it’s important to put myself in situations where you learn from the experience. You see celebrities who find themselves in trouble and they get a slap on the wrist. The system is designed for those who are financially more stable. Your punishment will be less. You can find the representation that most people less off can’t really get.

DX: My brother, Jelani and I, were accused of stealing two cars a few years ago during the 2004 elections. We were just registering people to vote, but they still brought out the state troopers, but we ended up able to fight the case. So, I agree with what you’re saying…
P: Bro, there’s a lot of ma’fuckas in the system who didn’t have that paper. If you ain’t got it, nine times out of 10, you’re going to find yourself in a fucked up situation.

DX: Moving away from “fucked up situations,” man… I know you like women, I love women, dude. A friend of mine wanted to know, "Why are you so nasty?"
P: I’m just honest. I got a record on my new album called, “I Feel Like F---in’” – but I don’t think that that’s nasty because who don’t feel like fuckin’? I just feel like, for me, I’ve always had that opportunity to make – what I like to call – principle music. I’m not the most lyrical dude, I don’t want to be that, but I want to make honest music. Continued on page 3 »