Pete Rock
& CL Smooth
72
The Main Ingredient isn't a huge departure from Pete Rock &
CL Smooth's first album, but Pete's jazzy, dreamy beats and
Corey's artistic and conscious lyrics have upped the standard
for hip-hop albums by challenging others to think and create
beyond themselves. Clear and concise, Corey's rhymes make
an ideal combination with the liquid vibe and ever-ready beats
that Pete throws down.
-Jennifer Lehrer
When you write, do you try to be positive?
CL: You can't fake positivity. It has to be incorporated in you in
order for you to write it. I try to come from the inside rather
than show the whole outside format of what's positive about
me. I try to give my audience the incentive to think and project
their own thoughts rather than have them think they have to be
like me in order to understand me. You have to think like your-
self in order to understand where my music is coming from.
Do you think too much responsibility is put on rappers as
opposed to other artists to give back to their community?
CL: Yeah, but as long as you have a clear mind you can turn it
around and be happy that you're in the position to have a
problem like that. We have one of the biggest responsibilities
to teach the children because in our day and time we don't
have a Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr, or Bob Marley. The
rap community is now focused on as the teacher, so we have to
say something positive. Kids come in all colors. They can be
white kids, black kids or Indian kids-they're still kids and we
have to look out for all of them.
Black Flys
EYEWEAR
CARA BETH BURNSIDE