In the late 90’s and early 2000’s, no crew ran roughshod over the New York City scene Hip-Hop-wise more than the Ruff Ryders themselves. Anchored by DMX, their trademark “R” symbol along with their army of motorcyclists’ made everyone want to either start rapping, learn how to do front wheelies on a Yamaha R1, or both.
But with a slew if successful compilation albums, and solo artist albums to boot, one-by-one names like Eve, and The LOX, all ventured off to do their own thing.
So what’s been going on in the life of the original “fireman”? Make sure to strap on your custom-made airbrushed helmet, cause it’s going to be an interesting “ryde.”
The people haven’t heard from you in a while, and right now you have your new project in the works, My Life, My Legacy, My Melody… So what are the fans going to hear?
Drag-On: With that album right there, we have a lot of stadium music on it… There’s going to be a lot of really big-sounding music on there… I’ve been messing with Neo Da Matrix, and it’s sounding really good right now…
Artist-wise, did you hook up with anybody outside of the Ruff Ryders, or did you pretty much keep it in house?
Drag-On: Well, I have my own record label right now too, and it’s called Hood Environment, so some of my artists are definitely going to be on that record too…
But Avery Storm did come through, and he’s that kid that was on Rick Ross’ last album… He came through, and blessed my joint, so we’re working… I got Cassidy on the album of course, and we’re just working…
Talk a little bit more about your new label, Hood Environment, was getting this off the ground something you always wanted to do in the back of your mind?
Drag-On: Yeah, and then all the artists left from off the “R.” I was over there by myself, and it got lonely over there, so I had to create my own umbrella that was closer to the streets…
Was there any particular reason why everybody started leaving Ruff Ryders?
Drag-On: I guess it was just business, it wasn’t nothing personal, because we all still love each other, so it was all just business…
It’s been a while since you, Swizz [Beatz], Eve, DMX, and The LOX all been on the same track, so how did you guys first come back together for Jadakiss’ ‘Who’s Real’ remix?
Drag-On: We all came through for the big homie, Kiss cause that’s the big homie… I was just letting him know that I’m still here to support him, regardless where he’s at… But it mostly a Swizz [Beatz] call… He made that happen, and we all got on that joint…
This [My Life, Legacy, My Melody] is going to be your first album since you dropped Hell And Back, back in 2004, so why the long layoff?
Drag-On: It was just a whole bunch of paperwork, and stuff like that… When I came in the game, I was like 17-years-old, and my respect wasn’t all the way up…
So I had to put some things on freeze for a quick second, and gain my respect… Then I started up my HE [Hood Environment] movement, and everybody ended up coming back to the table, and at the end of the day, we’re all family…
For the whole time that you weren’t in the public eye, were you still making music?
Drag-On: Yeah, no doubt… I was just making it on a smaller scale… I was just kicking it from my label, but it wasn’t really up yet like Ruff Ryders, or nothing like that…
Do you think it will be hard to reintroduce yourself back to the Hip-Hop audience, since you’ve been gone for a while?
Drag-On: As long as my music sounds really refreshing, and I still show that hunger, the music is going to speak for itself…
Right now, I’m treating myself like a brand new artist… To be honest with you, I’m not thinking about the stuff I did in the past; you know what I’m saying?
Has it been hard being an artist and a CEO at the same time?
Drag-On: There’s a lot more on my plate, but at the end of the day, I’m just taking my time and eating real slow, and I’m still learning at the same time…
How do you feel about your career up to this point? Do you feel as if you get the respect you deserve?
Drag-On: Besides the rap game, I have a lot of respect… I have a lot of respect from a lot of artists, and I never caught a beef with no one… When they come across me, or when I come across them, I got respect from all of them…
But my respect level was just low over at Ruff Ryders, so that’s why I had to branch out… Then we came back to the table with Ruff Ryders/Hood Environment, and now we’re getting it cracking… Now things make sense, but everybody had love for Drag, I ain’t gonna front [Laughs]…
[Laughs]… After this joint venture with Ruff Ryders is over, you’re going to fully go out on your own, so was that a conscious decision on your part?
Drag-On: Yeah, but I’m still going to rep the “R” though… Ruff Ryders is a family and we still might do business in the future… But at the end of the day, I’m getting older and I have a daughter now, so I’m trying to eat, and eat well…
