|
Hell Rell - A Hell Of A Time
Interview by: Serge Fleury
 Back in 2001, the Harlem-based group known as the Diplomats were on easy street. They were signed to power house, Roc-A-Fella Records, and Cam'ron's album, "Come Home With Me" went on to sell over 1,000,000 copies. Riding the success of that CD, the next project up-to-bat was the highly acclaimed double-disc, fittingly titled, Diplomatic Immunity. Everyone was on deck to display their own brand of witty Hip-Hop to the masses. Everybody that is, except for Durell "Hell Rell" Mohammed.
 [You see; instead of enjoying the new found fame, and reaping the benefits of being on Def Jam with his cohorts, he spent the majority of that time incarcerated. He was reduced to freestyle skits from a jail phone on the album. But even though he was unable to physically be involved; he kept people anticipating his return home with lines like; "If you a ladies man/I'll bury you with ya chick/if you're a true hustler/I'll bury you with a brick/I ain't shoot n***as for nothing/they was begging for that/and I ain't make the fiends buy it/they was begging for crack."
Now fast forward to 2007. Although "The Dips" are no longer affiliated with Roc-A-Fella Records, as they would say; "the movement moves on." And Hell Rell is a prime example of that. After being set free from his shackles, he blazed out complementary 16's on every Diplomat project laid out in front of him. Not to mention co-staring with Cam'ron himself in their movie; "Killa Season." With his upcoming debut next on the Dipset's roster, "For The Hell Of It", the Bronx Bomber is ready to unleash his rendition of hell on earth.
Nobodysmiling.com : When did you first actually start rhyming?
Hell Rell : Uh... I started rhyming like when I was around 11-12 years old.
Nobodysmiling.com : The first time people heard you was on freestyle skits from the first Diplomatic Immunity album, during your incarceration. What was your mind set during that whole period?
Hell Rell : It kind of felt good, because I was getting in the lime light, and I was getting exposure. But at the same time, it felt weird, because I didn't really get a chance to get critiqued. When you're in the streets, you can walk down the block, and people can salute you. They'll be like; "yo that was hot, that was hot!" And I didn't really know if I was buzzing out there, or not. It was kind of playing tricks on me, with my mind.
Nobodysmiling.com : Being from the Bronx, how did you first cross paths with the Diplomats?
Hell Rell : Jim [Jones] grew up on my block, on Weeks Avenue. So we kind of knew each other, and we traveled in the same circles. So once Cam got his deal back in 2001 with Roc-A-Fella, he was like; "yo man, I got a situation with the Dips." "And once the deal goes right, I need you." So I was like; "alright cool!" Then when the deal went through, he snatched me up. And that's what it was.
Nobodysmiling.com : Speaking of Cam'ron and Jim Jones, how's your experience been like working with them?
Hell Rell : It's been all love. Because at the end of the day, Cam didn't have to come and get me. So it's definitely been nothing but love.
Nobodysmiling.com : What would you say is one of your strong points as an artist?
Hell Rell : I think my strong point is definitely freestyles. Because my subject matter is starting to change now. So I'm really stepping it up, and I'm starting to make dope-ass records; know what I mean. So I'd definitely say it's freestyles.
Nobodysmiling.com : You've been signed with the Diplomats since 2001. Why has it taken this long to release your studio album?
Hell Rell : There were some politics, and then I went to jail. I came home back in 2004, then I could have came out. But Cam is a firm believer in getting you acquainted with the people; before he throws you out there. That's why I had so many featured appearances on albums, and I co-stared with him [Cam'ron] in a movie. So that kind of broke me as an artist/actor. It was pretty much building up the anticipation, and anticipating the music. But also letting people know who I am, and what I was really trying to do. As opposed to; "oh he got a few hot verses, when is his album coming out?" They was like, "nah." So I was in the movie, they put me on some albums, and I put out several mixtapes. So you're pretty familiar with me now, and not just the music. Like you know me as a person now.
Nobodysmiling.com : Most artists that are associated with big names, tend to use that to their advantage. How do you plan to stand on your own feet?
Hell Rell : Well that's why I'm doing radio by myself, and I'm running around doing promotional stuff by myself. I'm basically just putting in that work. I'm basically certified already. So for Cam, Jim, or Juelz to hold my hand for the rest of my career is cheesy; know what I mean. They know who I am, and they know what I can do. I'm here to make good records man, and big hits. Like big hits that are going to separate me from a lot of other artists, and put me in a category of my own. Because everybody is not making hit records. You got a lot of dope artists, MC's, and groups; but a lot of them aren't making hit records. I feel once you make certain big records, it puts you among the elite. And at the same time, in your own category.
Nobodysmiling.com : What do you say to the people that think KOCH Records is not a major competitor?
Hell Rell : Well KOCH can compete with the majors, but you also got to understand; KOCH is an independent company. So marketing dollars that you think maybe spent on you, won't; as it would at a major. But KOCH can definitely compete with the major labels. But it's up to the artist, and the subsidiary labels that do business with KOCH, to also push their project. Because you can't sit on your ass, and wait for any label to do anything for you; that will be in your best interest. If they have a job to do, all they can do is their job. But you as an artist is supposed to eat, sleep, and sh*t whatever your movement is.
And if the label doesn't do that, then you can't really fault them. Sometime [they] may not share the same passion for your project. So all you need is a tool, like a person who can get your music out there. Then the job will pretty much be up to you, as far as radio spins, and building relationships with DJ's. It's pretty much becoming a "hands on" game. And I feel like no label should get the blame, if the artist isn't doing [his] job.
Nobodysmiling.com : A lot of your content is fueled with gritty street tales. Do you think that's why a lot of people associate violence with Hip-Hop?
Hell Rell : I don't think my music fuels the fire, but it pretty much keeps the burn lower. That's just the norm; we know what's going on out here. Violence has been around, way before Hip-Hop. So you mean to tell me gangsters and violence just got invented with Hip-Hop? Know what I'm saying? It's always been there.
Nobodysmiling.com : What is one of the most important things you've learned in the music business so far?
Hell Rell : Keep it business. Always have a lawyer watching lawyer. And always have an accountant that's counting behind another accountant; know what I mean. Always double-check your paper work. Like you're music shouldn't be more time-consuming than the business. If you're spending too much time trying to make a hit record, and you ain't got your business right; then I don't think you deserve to be an artist.
Nobodysmiling.com : A lot of people may consider you to be a "punch line rapper." What are your thoughts on that?
Hell Rell : I don't really think I'm a punch line artist. I think sometimes I may say some slick sh*t, that might be considered a punch line. But my sh*t is real talk, and n***as f**k with me. And I feel like I can carry an album. I just command attention dawg, like when I step in a room. It's all eyes on me, know what I'm saying. N***as f**k with me, dawg.
 (14) Comments | Post a comment »
|
|
