Spring Break
Jadakiss stops in Storrs to promote new album
WHUS DJ interviews rapper, talks modern-day hip-hop and NCAA basketball
Stephen Ortiz
Issue date: 4/6/09 Section: Focus
Rapper Jadakiss made a special press tour stop on campus Friday afternoon at WHUS's office. The platinum selling artist was signing autographs and taking pictures with students and fans to promote of his new album, "The Last Kiss," which hits stores tomorrow.
Sixth-semester psychology major Philip Rei, also known as DJ Felipe on his Thursday night show, Rap Attack and Political Fact, had the exclusive interview with Jadakiss.
"Def Jam called us up and asked if anyone wanted to do an interview and I said 'I'm sure someone around here would,'" said Brendan Sudol, 6th-semester political science major and music director.
"His management and I had been communicating through e-mail and they wanted to do a meet and greet with the students," said Rei.
Donned in an all blue sweat suit and Detroit Tigers hat, Jadakiss greeted the group of students eagerly awaiting his arrival with high fives and handshakes.
Rei asked a series of questions relating to Jadakiss' new album, his influences in rap music future work with his group The Lox and his rocky past with 50 Cent.
One of the more interesting points Jadakiss made was in response to Rei's question concerning the commercial turn hip-hop has taken in recent times.
"Soulja [Boy] never said he was a gangster or that he sold drugs. He just came in doing him, that's always beautiful," said Jadakiss. "He's more original than a lot of these artists. It's a business, they're always gonna shut the hard dudes out, the underdogs. Even in the NBA, if you got tattoos and braids, you're not going to get as much commercials as a clean-cut player."
When discussing March Madness and NCAA basketball, Jadakiss revealed that he is a big supporter of UConn basketball and gave his respects to all the players old and new.
"Big shotout to all the UConn Huskies," he said. "I've been checking out UConn since Tate George!"
Catch the complete interview this Thursday night on Rei's show, which airs from 11 p.m. - 1 a.m. on 91.7 FM or streaming online at WHUS.org, and check out the review of Jadakiss' new album also on Thursday in The Daily Campus Focus section.
Sixth-semester psychology major Philip Rei, also known as DJ Felipe on his Thursday night show, Rap Attack and Political Fact, had the exclusive interview with Jadakiss.
"Def Jam called us up and asked if anyone wanted to do an interview and I said 'I'm sure someone around here would,'" said Brendan Sudol, 6th-semester political science major and music director.
"His management and I had been communicating through e-mail and they wanted to do a meet and greet with the students," said Rei.
Donned in an all blue sweat suit and Detroit Tigers hat, Jadakiss greeted the group of students eagerly awaiting his arrival with high fives and handshakes.
Rei asked a series of questions relating to Jadakiss' new album, his influences in rap music future work with his group The Lox and his rocky past with 50 Cent.
One of the more interesting points Jadakiss made was in response to Rei's question concerning the commercial turn hip-hop has taken in recent times.
"Soulja [Boy] never said he was a gangster or that he sold drugs. He just came in doing him, that's always beautiful," said Jadakiss. "He's more original than a lot of these artists. It's a business, they're always gonna shut the hard dudes out, the underdogs. Even in the NBA, if you got tattoos and braids, you're not going to get as much commercials as a clean-cut player."
When discussing March Madness and NCAA basketball, Jadakiss revealed that he is a big supporter of UConn basketball and gave his respects to all the players old and new.
"Big shotout to all the UConn Huskies," he said. "I've been checking out UConn since Tate George!"
Catch the complete interview this Thursday night on Rei's show, which airs from 11 p.m. - 1 a.m. on 91.7 FM or streaming online at WHUS.org, and check out the review of Jadakiss' new album also on Thursday in The Daily Campus Focus section.
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