Joell Ortiz is ready to “keep it real.” While the rapper obtained an enormous buzz with his Aftermath signing and the release of mixtapes earlier this year, Ortiz has yet to release his Aftermath debut. Things seemed promising, but like with so many other rappers, nothing was released and label talks became sour. Now, Ortiz has opened up about his label situation, his feelings about Aftermath, what Interscope head Jimmy Iovine really thinks of him and he even gave everyone a promise.
“This is my keep it real, right now,” he recently said to a video camera for XXL magazine, before opening up about everything.
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“First, Aftermath called and said that Jimmy Iovine doesn’t want me there…I don’t even know Jimmy Iovine. I never even met him. [They said] ‘I don’t know what’s going on with Aftermath. The word is that they thinkin’ ’bout letting you go.’ I’m like, ‘Let me go? I got all this buzz, putting out good records, I’ve got XXL covers on my own!’ This information was comin’ from within Aftermath,” he boldly told XXL.
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“Then I’m in Atlanta, at the BET Hip-Hop Awards, and somebody comes up to me like, ‘I heard what’s goin’ on, fam.’ I’m like, ‘Alright, this is gettin’ crazy because now it’s not inside anymore.’“
Later, Ortiz agreed that his situation may seem like a dream come true. However, with the negative comments he’s heard, he spoke directly to Aftermath regarding his status with the label.
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“When you try to be a rapper, you think about a big time record deal, what better than Interscope and Dr. Dre and stuff like that? But, I ain’t gettin’ a chance to really get hands on with it. I don’t get to really talk to Dre. My thing is, ‘Yo, if you don’t want me there, let me go. Joell Ortiz worked too hard to sit around. I can’t sit around. People are waiting on me. People want to know what’s going on with Joell. They want to hear the next thing. Koch set me up lovely. I need to come out.” Ortiz‘ Koch Records release The Brick sold over 50,000 units despite limited marketing, promotion and radio exposure.
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Neverthteless, this has not discouraged Ortiz from hitting the pad and the booth.
“Right now, I’m recording. As of right now, I’m currently on Aftermath. As of right now, I want to release next year, but who knows?“
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After a second thought, Joell Ortiz came back with a promise.
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“I’ma make y’all a promise. I will drop next year.“
Time will tell, but DX will keep you posted.
