Remedy: Words To Live By Interview 

With Hip Hop in an official "Code: Red-State of Alert", Remedy continues to represent real Hip Hop and the truth. His goal is simple, to keep hip-hop alive in its purest form. With so much going on with Remedy, and a recent verbal attack on him by Cilvaringz, another Wu-Tang affiliate, Wu-International have been trying to catch up with him since last year for an interview and only recently did he have time to answer all the fans question as he addresses the current state of hip-hop, religion, shared some of his hot songs from coming album, addressed the beef between him and Cilvaringz, his up coming projects and much much more, a very insightful and informative interview, its evident that Remedy has a lot to say and what he has to give is very much relevant and needed  today, don't just take my words for it, just read on. Enjoy!

Remedy:  We’ve been waiting for Priest to finalize his deal for “The Offering”. That’s finally coming now at the end of August. The album is sick man. Some of Priests best work. So we’re probably gonna wait till the top of the year. It will probably be on my imprint label, with distribution by Koch.

Wu-International: Yes, The Cappatalize Project came out in April. Anyway please tell us more about Code Red Ent, as in what is the roster of artists under Code Red Entertainment apart from your self? Remedy:  I’m in the works of finalizing a worldwide distribution deal with Koch. So it will be my imprint with distribution by Koch. We wanna try to put out 4-5 releases a year. The first few albums are: 1. Remedy and Priest – “Holy of Holies”-album 2. DJ Rated R/DJ Diggs/Mental Inst.-compilation album-“Crack Costs Money” feat. Raekwon, Havoc, Juelz Santana, Large Prof. Styles P, and many more. 3. JoJo Pellegrino – Full length LP.-untitled 4. White Rapper compilation-feat. RA the Rugged Man, Vinnie Paz of Jedi Mind Tricks, Remedy, JoJo Pella, Bless, Copywrite etc. 5. Remedy solo LP-untitled 6. King Just – LP- Wu-International: Wow, great line ups, You introduced us to a singing sensation on your first album,

Wu-International: You are equally an emcee as well as a producer, which did you start off doing first and which one would you say you prefer the most?
Remedy:  Well I started off Emceeing. I got songs I wrote when I was 9. As I got older, I took an interest in producing. But now-a-days, everyone’s a “so-called” producer. Kids got computers at the end of their beds, and say their producers now. They hear a Dre or Timberland beat, and they go make one just like it. They’re more like “re-producers”. The music now is so programmed. So predictable and synthetic. There are very few producers with their own sound. So I’m gonna say I prefer Emceeing. I like lyrics with meaning. That’s what Hip Hop came from. That’s what it’s about.

Wu-International:  How would you say you have grown lyrically as an artist or musically as a producer/Emcee since you first started out?
Remedy:  As you live, you learn and grow. The key is to be able to apply this to your artistry and lyrics. I think I’ve achieved this.

Wu-International: What are some of your favourite songs from your catalogue since you started out?
Remedy: Wow-Hmmm. –I love some of my older stuff like “Show No Weakness”. “Education” should and could’ve been a hit. I think the song “White boy” was ahead of it’s time. “Never Again” is my obvious classic. But right now I’m really feeling the new material I’ve been working on.

Wu-International: Speaking of that, I am sure you always get questions about the song “Never again” all the time, but "Never Again" came out more than 7 years ago but remains relevant to date and sounds as fresh every time one hears it, are you proud of this and what inspired you to write such a master piece?
Remedy: “Never Again” is truly timeless. They’ll be listening to this song 50 years from now. Will they be listening to “In Da Club” years from now? I doubt it. “Never Again” has probably made more people cry than any other rap song ever. Basically, everyday of my life is based on the impact that song has had. No one could’ve predicted this. I was inspired by the truth. I found out that my great uncle Boris was shot in his back. His family taken to the camps. Never to be seen again. Mankind has been recording time now for 5,000 years, and the Holocaust happened only sixty something years ago. I just couldn’t fathom the fact that the rest of the world just sat and watched while all this was happening. And pretty soon, all the people that were directly involved won’t be around anymore. That’s what makes what I do even more important for generations to come. To spread the message of “Never Again” for all races.

Wu-International: Real talk, you were putting together Never Again Testimony with the help of some organization, what is the reason behind the testimony and how is it going so far
Remedy:  So many people have approached or written me over the past few years. I was hearing all types of amazing testimony from people around the world. What “Never Again” meant to them, or how it made them feel, or where they were and what they were doing when they heard it. Who lost family and who’s family survived. They were incredible responses so I’m trying to document as many as I can. With the help of a publisher, we will print a book about just what “Never Again” means and what it’s done for people all over the world.

Wu-International:  Thanks, so what would you say you were trying to achieve with your music?
Remedy:  I still do this for the love. What Hip Hop lacks now is substance. Before the American dollar took over Hip Hop, it used to be very meaningful. I try to keep the lyrical content present, and give the people something to think about as well as enjoy.
 

Wu-International:  When you write a song, what emotion helps you make the best song? Anger, sadness, happiness, etc. or do you separate yourself from your emotions when you write? Remedy: I think it’s good to involve your emotions. After all, rap is considered one of the most realest forms of expression. So how can you be an MC and not express what your feeling? Emotions definitely help add substance to my work. If you separate yourself from your emotions, what do you really have left? The mental is the key to everything, as your body is just a physical form. Wu-International: Religious imagery seems to be a reoccurring theme in your music. Would you say you are a very religious person? Remedy:  I guess I have my own relationship with G-d. Am I religious? Probably not. I do study Torah and observe the High Holy Days, as well as

several other holidays. I guess I’m religious in my own ways. But the Orthodox and Hasidic might have a problem with me saying I’m religious. My plan is to become more involved and more religious as I get older. Right now I’m just a messenger, a prophet, sent from G-d. Wu-International: There's a new crop of Jewish artists on the hip hop scene recently who are making religion a central part of their music. Recently in UK, there was a TV documentary on Jew-hop and you were mentioned a number of times on it, what is your opinion of Jew-hop? Remedy:  Jew Hop? – I never heard of that. I am aware however of many Jewish artists that are out there and on the come up. I think it’s a great thing. They all know about me. I’m the father and these are my sons. G-d bless them all. Wu-International:  Could you tell us a little bit more about the Remedy-Israel program? Remedy:  The Remedy-Israel program is supported by many organizations worldwide. We work with colleges, youth groups, camps, clubs, and many special events. I perform and speak about Holocaust education, Judaism, and Israel. The program has been operating for a few years now, and has received a great response. Wu-International: You are considered to be a very lyrical and versatile artist on the underground, G-Clef from Chambermusik referred to you as a true B-Boy, do you really feel that you have been given the credit you truly deserve, despite all the strides you have made and the many milestones you have accomplished as an artist? How has the industry been to you? Remedy: The industry is cold. You know that. The only people who are truly acknowledged are the superstars. In most cases, even they only last a few years. Many rappers have come and gone since I’ve entered this game. I’m still here. Doing what I do. If your in “the know”, then your in “the know”. I am very aware and proud of who I am and what I’ve accomplished.

Wu-International: You redid Redman’s Tonight’s Da Night on your Code red album, if you could remake any hip-hop song, which song would you choose?
Remedy: I got a couple on my list. Stop the Violence, Self Destruction, The Symphony, and Burn Hollywood Burn to name a few.

Wu-International: You were featured on the movie Supernaturalz, how did you get involved with that movie?
Remedy:  This director that’s actually hot right now named Dale Restighini asked me to do it. I did it for the experience. It was a good time even though the movie wasn’t that good. We did have some good music on there.
 

Wu-International: What was that experience like and would you say you have caught the acting bug just like most rappers right now and is acting something you will seriously like to get into now or later? Remedy: I’m more into reality, not acting. America is infatuated with Hollywood and its actors and actresses because they can act. But what are they really like? People have no clue what so ever. It’s a little ridiculous. Wu-International: You recorded songs with Krumbsnatcha, Baby Sham and others as the group Supernaturalz, is this a real group or was it just something put together solely because of the movie? Remedy: It was put together for the movie but we did about 7 songs for the soundtrack. The music we did together was great. Too bad we never did anything else with it. Wu-International: Yes, I was fortunate to get a copy of the promo of those songs and their instrumentals as it never came officially. Moving along, you have toured around the globe, I saw you on the UK tour you did with Jojo Pellegrino some time back, great show, where would you say you had the most fun or best crowd during most of your tours?

Remedy:  That’s a tough one because we’ve done so many shows. I did 15,000 people in Russia, 25,000 in Israel. The energy at these events was incredible because of the size of them. However, there’s nothing like packing in a small venue and rockin it.

Wu-International: How has being an affiliate with the Wu affected your career? Name some advantages and disadvantages if any that fans may not be aware of?
Remedy:  The Wu is the foundation. That’s where I come from. That’s the grain. It’s great to be affiliated with one of the biggest and best groups ever. I’ve been fortunate enough to have had a lot of great experiences and opportunities. At the same time, I’ve kinda been branded and pigeon holed. I guess you gotta take the good with the bad.

Wu-International: True that, Who would you say you are closest to within the Wu?
Remedy:  Right now, probably RZA, Cappa, and Dirty (R.I.P.), We all went thru our stages. I used to fuck with Rae and Ghost every day. Then Deck, then this one, then that one, but I’m peace with everyone. It’s just a matter of who’s around and when I see them. Almost everyone’s been to my studio.

Wu-International: Speaking of the Wu, the fans have always been speculating about beef between you and Cilvaringz but nothing was made concrete until Ringz recently called your name out on some songs on his recent album “I”, do you have anything to say about this as in what started the misunderstanding, your thoughts etc?
Remedy: Oh word-That pussy said my name? He don’t even know me like that. If I ever see him again, I’m gonna give him a beating. Then I’ll post it on you tube. You have my word on that. If someone got beef with me, lets settle it. Internet gangstas- him and his crew are a bunch of clowns, suckas, fakes and wanna be’s. Everyone within the circle knows that. The real Wu and affiliates laugh at him. RZA once laughed and told me he “signed Rings for 10K. What a joke”. These cats don’t give a fuck about him. If he died tomorrow, no one would care. That’s just how it is. He’s still mad about that song probably. Get over it. It’s five years ago. When the song was done I spoke to RZA. He told me I could use it, as long as he (RZA) heard it first. So that’s what I did. Let me break it down for you. Rings and his little crew are a bunch of computer thugs, dick riding, Wu-Tang groupies. If they were bitches, they’d be getting fucked in their ass. For real. They have manipulated themselves into the position they’re in. They have given cats free production, got them tours and show money, and built a web site. Who wouldn’t accept these offerings? Now if Wu-Tang Corp.com was really run by Wu, Rings wouldn’t be the first thing you see on the site. Matter of fact, you wouldn’t see him at all. Real talk. Last week, I was in the studio with the Clan. I was speaking to Divine and Power about regaining control of the site. For the sake of the Wu and the real Wu fans. This will be done shortly, trust me. As for me, I am the grain. I’ve been right here, through the thick and thin. When the Wu was really doing it, I was right there, and still am. This kid was no where to be seen. He’s just a fan. That’s it. He gets no respect!!!

Wu-International: Wow, We were going to ask about the rumours going around about The Corp but you covered that already, thanks. It might interest you to know that what you just said tallies with what G-Clef recently addressed on his forum about The Corp just last week or so, interesting, Wu-Int would like to say peace to Ringz, G-Clef, Chambermusik and The Corp of course. Not dwelling too much on this topic, what would you say is the most interesting un-true rumour you've heard about yourself?
Remedy: Oh there’s a bunch of stupid shit out there. One is that my father is RZA’s lawyer, and that’s how I met Wu. That’s a joke. The truth is I was running with the Wu for years before I ever introduced my dad to any of them. Since then, our families have definitely done some things together, but my dad, by no means, is RZA’s lawyer.

Wu-International: Thanks again, on a lighter note, what would you say is the most rewarding aspect of being Remedy?
Remedy: The fact that I’m content with myself and happy with life. I enjoy working for me and doing whatever I wanna do.

Wu-International: Do you have any protégés that you're grooming to be a hot producers/emcee?
Remedy: Its tough to find real people these days. Everyone’s so programmed. Everyone knows everything. I don’t have time to groom or baby sit cats. It’s either man up and lets put that work in, or we can’t do anything.

Wu-International:  Ok, to round up, anything else you are working on that you will like to let us know as in movies, mixtapes, side projects, tours etc?
Remedy: Well-Thank G-d for ESPN. I’ve been working with them for three years now. Good people and a great network. My works been featured on the NBA Playoffs, Super bowl 40, March Madness, X games, the 25th Anniversary Special, etc. I got the Koch deal poppin right now. Get ready for mega releases. Check for those albums. Also, I’m invested in a top 1000 website in the world. Check it out: www.hidebehind.com Just did another small film with RA the Rugged Man and Vinnie Paz on it. Also, I’m building homes and acquiring buildings now as well. Lotta work to do. Working on a world tour. Wu-Tang Forever!!!!!!!!!!
 

Wu-International: Yes, Wu-Tang Forever!! Thanks very much for your time, I can appreciate you are a very busy person, we at Wu-International and the fans really appreciate this, so thanks again. Is there anything else you might want to add that we missed? Any final words for the people/fans who are reading this, Shout outs etc? Remedy: Yeah-Thanx man-I appreciate this. Peace to Wu-Tang Int, Look out for the “Holy of Holies”. Peace to the world. If you wanna check me out, or hit me up personally, feel free: www.myspace.com/remedyross  www.remedyross.com  www.remedyross.com/israel.html  or email me: remedy@remedyross.com or call the studio: 718-701-0143 P.E.A.C.E. - REMEDY

Thanks very much, great insightful interview, good luck with your future endeavours, looking forward to your albums and other good things you would be involved in. One!