Willie D: Coming Clean

Willie D of the Geto Boys turned himself in last week after he was sentenced to a year in prison for an iPhone scam. Before he went away, the Houston Hip-Hop icon talked to OZONE magazine about the case and offers sobering clarity on what he did wrong.  For more, visit OZONE. 

Of course people are familiar with you as part of the Geto Boys, and everything you accomplished over the years, but what solo projects have you been working on recently?
I’ve just been working and making a lot of music. I don’t have a distribution deal or a label deal at this point, so I’m just making music. I’m doing a series of mixtapes called Gangsta Love. I’m planning on having Volume 1 out by March. Basically, it’s a whole album of f**k songs, but instead of just talking about sex, I’m giving you some game too. It’s not just game for the men, but there’s game for the women too. I’m gonna have a bunch of game in the songs as opposed to just being sexy, so it’s gonna be real sex education. In the words of Pimp C, “It’s gonna be sex education on a compact disc, mane. I’m telling you, mane.” (laughs) 

Do the Geto Boys have any plans to get back together?
Naw, there ain’t no plans. 

Are you guys on good terms?
I ain’t gonna lie. We’ve never really been on good terms. We just kinda stay out of each other’s way.

Memphis Bleek: The Process of Determination

Tuesday, February 23, 2010 1:30 PM by Whitney Nichole Stevens

Memphis Bleek strolls into a small café in a quiet suburb of Central Jersey. He walks through the front door with an air of confidence that screams “Brooklyn.” His demeanor says it all (even though his shirt says it too). He’s noticed by a a few folks that talk to him about their aspirations, not realizing that Bleek himself still has some unfinished business in this music game. While confident, the veteran is changing…evolving before our collective eyes.

It’s been almost five years since the public has truly heard from the Memphis Bleek of old and nearly a year since he formally left The Roc. His last Roc-A-Fella album, 534 (2005), did not fare as well as expected even though it was well received. Shortly after, Bleek took a hiatus from recording. He’s continued to support long-time friend and mentor, Jay-Z, through his various incarnations.

But, where does that leave Bleek, the young gun that was always supposed to take the torch long ago? It leaves Memph man with new lease on life and a renewed faith in himself. Strategically, he’s prepping a new album while navigating through different waters and, every so often, recollects a time long gone.