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Experience is the best resource to draw
from. As living human beings we all have
experiences but its those particular
situations that make great storytelling.
Colon reveals that his lyrics draw from
how he has lived, how his struggles have
increased his passion for expression and
the journey has humbled him.
It’s
known that one must struggle in order to
become a great writer. Is that true in
your case?
Pete
Colon: I think that is a hundred percent
true. Struggle gives your words
substance. Anyone can be creative. But
it takes a real writer that has been
through some things that can really
paint a picture and can relate and at
the same time learn from it.
Your
music is being featured on a documentary
about Eazy E. Eazy E brought the gangsta
life of the west coast for the world to
view. He also died of AIDS. Talk about
your music being featured on this film;
the opportunities you as an artist
entrepreneur plan to create and how
learning from your mistakes as well as
others helps you avoid most of life’s
possible pitfalls.
Pete
Colon: The song that was picked we’re
hoping will be a success. It’s a lot of
paperwork. Do what it do. All I can do
is what I do cause that is what I know.
I’m going with what’s right for me. It’s
like my first song. You can like me or
not but I’m going to be me all day every
day. I was once told that they believe
I’m the balance of hip hop because I was
born and raised in the Bronx/Harlem; I
was poor all my life. I have that kind
of humility. I also have an intellectual
side where I can paint that picture.
Once you understand something you can
make change. I feel that is kind of what
my music is going to do. You don’t have
to dig too deep to find the message…
just listen. I grew up all around
domestic violence, family friends, my
own personal relationships; I have a
song called “Consequences”. That is the
attempt at making my change in music.
I’m basically trying to bring some sense
of reality back to music. I think hip
hop is watered down and so diluted that
you can’t tell what’s real. I’m not
knocking music. It’s entertainment. But
I think I have a unity back to the
music. I don’t change to my surroundings
I let them adapt to me. I’m more like a
leader but I’m humble about it.
You talk
about changing the game. Do you think
there is truth in the phrase ‘Hip Hop is
dead’?
Pete
Colon: Right now I get compared to Nas,
TI and Eminem. I don’t see myself as
none of them but I respect what they do.
Me personally, I look at it like this,
to a certain extent I am like Talib and
Common but I guess the way that I do it
don’t come across as preaching. What
separates me form other people is I have
culture. Me I have more of a universal
sound because of where I’m from and
been. My mind state is not at just
rapping. It’s a stepping stone. The
medium of my voice is getting
recognized. I want to act, write
children’s books. Books that a child can
relate to. I’m not trying to preach. I
feel you. I’ve been there. A lot of
these rappers are telling the same
story. Yeah, you’re telling the story
but it’s the same as the next guy. When
I started out I didn’t want to be
categorized… I just want to be Pete
Colon.
New
artist’s always say they want to bring
the real back to the game. And then they
fall into the trappings like big houses
and bling.
Pete
Colon: I have someone right now shopping
a deal. They say they can push me as a
person and not an artist. I couldn’t see
myself in a mansion w/20 rooms. I don’t
need all that. I’ve been poor most of my
life but I’ve been around money.
So
having money and fast women don’t
impress you?
Pete
Colon: Exactly. I got involved with
women at a young age. I’ve lived that
life that rappers want to live. They are
fresh out the hood and they get money
dumped on them and they don’t know how
to deal with it. I was put here for a
reason. I didn’t choose to be here.
Why were
you trying to not be a rapper?
Pete
Colon: Because it comes easily to me and
I’m a person that likes a challenge.
What brought me back into it were the
fans. The real people that I don’t know
from a hole in the wall with tears in
their eyes. Once that happened I had no
choice. I’m going to give you Pete cause
this is me. I went into the army for the
work ethic. My father wasn’t around so I
needed maturity. A lot of rappers don’t
realize that once you put that work
in... People believe in me. When people
promote me they listen to my music… and
people remember me. If and when people
say rap it up I’m secure in that. Even
if I just do it on a website or a CD …
I’m fine with that.
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