The Truth from North Carolina
WWE gears up for another big PPV event tomorrow with Elimination Chamber. The show will take place in the city of Minneapolis, MN and will be the last PPV before the mega one of them all, WrestleMania.
Before heading out to the City of Lakes, we caught up with one of the most exciting wrestlers on the WWE roster, R-Truth to discuss the current state of his character, his experience in the music business before getting involved with wrestling, his encounter with the late great, Tupac and much more.
Check out our interview with WWE Superstar R-Truth below, and make sure to catch him each and every Monday Night on Raw and on WWE’s Friday night show, Smackdown.
A picture of you and Wiz Khalifa recently circled the net after a Monday Night Raw in the city of Los Angeles backstage, was it your first time meeting Wiz? and from what I hear a recording between you both is in the talks – will that be for his upcoming project or something that you are working on?
On mine, but if he’s doing something that he wants me to be a part of I would be glad to do so. That night was actually Wiz’s first WWE show and he was blown away. I got a chance to talk with him and told him I was working on my next album and asked him if he would be down to be part of it which he agreed – I asked him if he was down to spit a 16 on my next album, and he said “Let me know when, I’m ready” – I asked him if he would be down to walk down the ring with me at any given point he told me he was down for whatever, so that was huge for me. Especially being a fan of his music, the collaboration is going to be banging.
What other big name features can we expect on your upcoming album besides Wiz Khalifa?
I’ve spoken already with Juvenile. I’m in talks right now with DMX and MGK. I spoke a little bit with E-40 about doing something but thats not confirmed yet, but I’m still working on features. I already got John Cena on two tracks and thats banging already, so expect that.
What made you get into the music business?
I pretty much grew up in music. My dad played the guitar, so I’ve always had the ear and the love for music. Growing up in North Carolina the music was everywhere. As a matter of fact, when I was younger I would always attend the Jack the Rapper Music Convention in Atlanta that was held every year. I met so many celebrities from there – I met Tupac, Eazy-E, Kwame, Chubb Rock, Tracey Spencer, Digital Underground and the list goes on. I used to be the opening act for artist of this caliber, so I’ve been doing this for years now.
How was your encounter with Tupac?
That was awesome. I met Tupac pretty much right after he did the movie Juice, so he was already with Digital Underground, but he was on his own rise at this time. He was very humble, down to earth, a very cool guy. In fact, he actually paid for my food a couple of times – I mean he was very humble dude.
How do you feel about the current state of the R-Truth character and whats your major goal for this year in the ring?
Right now the R-Truth character is pretty much going to the ring and handling business. Me personally, I’m working on this album and working on myself – perfecting my craft every week and everyday. I’m trying to get to that next level. I’m trying to have that talked about match at WrestleMania, if its not this WrestleMania it’s going to be the next WrestleMania because thats why you in this business for, to get into the main event – the Super Bowl of wrestling, and that is WrestleMania.
What has been your biggest moment in WWE thus far?
I think my biggest moment was my heel turn. When I tuned on everybody and was calling the WWE Universe Little Jimmys. I had so many conspiracy theories going on inside my head.
Where is Little Jimmy nowadays?
Lil Jimmy is actually back with his mom.
Did you enjoy being a heel more than being a babyface?
I actually enjoy both. I feel like everybody got a little bit of good and bad in them. The heel part in me was able to leash out what I wanted to and it was very enjoyable. I can play either role at the end of the day.
In the recent weeks, I’ve seen you working with up-and-coming wrestler Xavier Woods. What advice are giving him and all the young wrestlers trying to crack into the wrestling business?
I give them the same advice I was given, and that is learn every second you can in this business. I’ve been in this industry for about 16-17 years already and I’m still learning. I tell all the up-and-coming wrestlers learn what you can, listen, walk the right path, get what you can out of it and perfect your craft.
Your theme song, “What’s Up” is major in the WWE Universe. Give me two ideal MC’s that wish could get on the remix of your record?
Oh man, Lil Wayne and Wiz Khalifa.
Will we get another version of “What’s Up” in the near future or you sticking with the original record?
It’s already done and you know what, I spoke with Triple H about that and “What’s Up” is still banging – it still works and we always know if it ain’t broke don’t fix it, but I already created a whole different “What’s Up” and it’s riding just as well.
Who are some of the artist that you are currently listening to?
I listen to Wiz Khalifa, Lil Wayne, T.I., Juvenile, DMX, MGK, I love Eminem and of course I’m always going to listen to my Tupac and Big Daddy Kane.
If you had four other wrestlers to choose from, dead or alive, to be a part of your Survivor Series team, what four wrestlers would you choose?
I would definitely have to grab John Cena, Daniel Bryan, Big Show and Mark Henry for some size.
Who do you think will walk out champion at this years Elimination Chamber match?
Oh man, I don’t know, but I think Randy Orton because he’s not letting anything go. He’s being very creativity crafty right now.
Tell me how are you celebrating Black History month?
Working on my music and hanging with my kids – teaching them about our history and the importance of this month.
In your opinion, who has been the most influential black American leader of all-time and what about his leadership do you admire?
It has be Dr. Martin Luther King. I mean there has been a lot of great black leaders that have paved the way for us, but I think Martin is the most talked about, he’s the most pronounced, he’s the most known – it don’t matter where you go to, you are always going to see that street sign “Martin Luther King Boulevard.”
Stay up to date with all the latest from R-Truth by following him on Twitter @RonKillings
Roger Krastz @walldoe
