“From Paris with Love”
The Source recently had the opportunity to talk with a fierce female emcee who could very well stir the next major buzz out off the streets of Southside Jamaica, Queens since another successful rebel swore he would “Get Rich or Die Trying” back in 2003. Precious Paris is slowly but surely making a name for herself in the hip-hop community via the mixtape circuit with some uncut raw appearances alongside the G-Unit boss himself, 50 Cent. G-Unit records’ own Precious Paris is definitely someone the music industry needs to watch out for…ASAP!
Did being from Southside Jamaica, Queens play a significant role into your connection with 50 Cent and the G-Unit movement or were you brought to their attention?
Umm…it was both, because in the beginning being from Southside and being an emcee, I’ve always gravitated to listening to that type of music and always wanted to be a part of that camp. What happened was the producer I was working with, Chris Styles from Dangerous LLC, told 50 about me and the fact that I was from Queens. He was really excited to present our music to 50 Cent. So the whole Southside Jamaica, Queens thing is really why I believe 50 and I are together today.
How is it being the first female emcee on G-Unit and holding down that major brand on your back?
It feels so good to be able to actually be the first female emcee on G-Unit. You know we had Olivia who was an R&B singer, but I feel like I’m going to go down in history.
Some of the tracks that you’re on with 50 like “Remain calm” and “Everything’s OK” appear to bring out that raw 50 Cent people heard on “Guess who’s back?” and “Get Rich…”. Do you feel like the masses have been sleeping on 50 Cent recently?
I don’t feel the masses have been sleeping on him, I just feel they haven’t been understanding him lately. People grow and people change. I’m still hungry man, I’m still fresh out of the hood so you can feel my hunger and you can see it in my eyes. 50 has evolved so much as an artist, humanitarian and just a man period. Sometimes people don’t except that, but change is necessary. That’s just what I believe. I’m going to change, but it’s going to be for the better, you know what I’m saying?
What’s going on with your music? How much support is 50 giving you in respect to your projects?
I believe he’s given me just enough support but not too much, where I’m able to hold it down on my own and still remain hungry, not taking anything for granted. He’s given me support letting people know he’s riding for Precious Paris, but you’ll also see him without me to show I’m holding it down by myself. If I’m in the studio recording, he doesn’t have to be there but he’s aware of what I’m doing so I have his full support.
With all these new female artists popping up, what’s going to separate you and allow Precious Paris to stand out among your peers?
I’m watching what’s going on, but I still haven’t seen anyone as raw, hardcore and real as me. When I say real, I’m coming as is! I’m not trying to change my persona. I’m not changing anything about my look, not this second. I’m eventually going to grow into someone else and that’s fine, but I want you to accept me for who I am. Take it or leave it. I don’t care what you think and I believe that will separate me from anyone else.
How has the industry in general been treating you?
Hmmm…how’s the industry been treating me? With the industry, I’m not really focused on how anyone’s treating me, it doesn’t matter. I’m focused on how I’m treating myself and how I can be the best artist I can be. From that perspective, I really don’t know how anyone perceives me. I don’t go on the blogs constantly checking for people’s opinions about me. All I can do is be myself. I don’t know what people think about me, but I’m hearing through the grapevine I get a lot of love in the streets!
When are you looking to drop the official album?
I mean, in a perfect world maybe the 1st quarter of 2013. First quarter of ‘13 would be ideal. A perfect world would actually be the last quarter of this year, but I’m going to shoot for realism here and stick with the first quarter of 2013.
Do you feel like one of your dreams have finally been realized? Your thoughts on the new regime at the Source Magazine and how can people get at you?
I definitely feel like one of my dreams are being realized and I’ve accomplished something, which was to be heard. Now my next goal is to make a solid mark in the industry, creating timeless music to become a legend. As for The Source magazine, TheSource.com, I feel like we need that. I don’t know about the average person, but I personally watch for what’s new and hot. I think The Source is so necessary. People can get at me through my twitter – @PreciousParis or FaceBook: www.facebook.com/preciousparis.
Derryck “Nes” Johnson
