In this concluding part of the interview, on the eve of the release of his comeback mix tape. CurT@!n$ talks about Jay Z, Kanye West, his various forthcoming projects, and lets us in on his most recent act of rebelliousness.


Whoresneverlearn.com : Back in high school you worked at Roc A Fella records, what was it like being there amongst some soon to be icons and how did that experience influenced you as an artiste?

CurT@!n$ : Seeing Jay-Z in person every other day might have been all I needed. Funny thing, the closest I ever got to Jay was when I had to go buy him a hat because he had to do a shoot. He gave me a $100 bill and told me what hat he wanted. I came back with the wrong hat, but somehow convinced him it would work. He looked at me kinda crazy like I just fucked up his outfit. He ended up wearing the hat anyway and he let me keep the change. Ha! Random. But that was the only communication I ever had with Jay working there. Little did he know I was plotting on his throne. Roc-A-Fella was the best thing ever for me at that point in time. State Property, Diplomats, Kanye, Jay-Z, Bleek, and Just Blaze. What a team. At 16, just being in the same room as those dudes was all I needed. All in all though, Dame Dash might have been the most inspirational person. He was def the driver of that ship and he embodied everything Roc-A-Fella was. Dame definitely looked out for me greatly throughout the years, even after I stopped working there.

Whoresneverlearn.com : In a past interview you listed Kanye West as one of the people you would love to work with. Considering the good relationship you have with Taz Arnold of Sa Ra and his TiSa movement, is that going to be happening soon or has it already happened?

CurT@!n$ : Taz is family. We secretly plotting to take over the world. We got a mission right now. But he's def gonna be involved in anything CurT@!n$ related and I'm def involved with the T!$A projects. Music, fashion, life, we are 2 of the strongest forces about to be unleashed to the world. Watch.

Whoresneverlearn.com : You recently dropped the video to Night Of The Living Dope. I absolutely love the aesthetic of the video, who came up with that and what was your reaction upon seeing the finished product?

CurT@!n$ : Thank you, thank you, thank you! The video was a collaborative effort between myself and Lance Drake the director. We put our minds together and came up with the color concepts, the lighting. Lance has the best production team and they just put together an amazing set for me. All I had to do was show up with my wardrobe. Being at the shoot, then seeing the rough cut was amazing. The 1st draft of the video was everything you saw minus a few tweaks and the animation. I loved it. Close to the release date, Lance hits me with the new draft with the animation and I was speechless. I didn't even expect that and it just added that much more life to the video.

Whoresneverlearn.com : Speaking of aesthetic you're probably one of the better dressed rappers out today. What is it about fashion you love and how would you define your style?

CurT@!n$ : Thank you. I've heard recently someone call me a label whore (Ed's note : He fits right in on WNL). I'm a student of Andy Warhol. I believe that branding is art within itself. When I dress and you see all these logo's, its a method to the madness. Its never random. There is a story I'm telling you about me, without even opening my mouth. My style is very unorthodox. I slip into different chambers every here and there but for the most part I keep it consistent. I'm a Coca-Cola, Benetton, MCM kid, but I also adore YSL, Gucci, and Ralph Lauren. I take all those facets and I create my little story with the threads.

Whoresneverlearn.com : What brands/labels have you excited whenever they have a new line out?

CurT@!n$ : Uh...I'm not big on brands, I'm more into the pieces. I love Hermes belts and scarves, but I hate their clothing, you see, so it's more of the pieces I'm into. Whenever Gucci does a jacket, I pay attention. Louis Vuitton makes the best hats, Goyard and Valextra are tied for best wallets. Fendi makes the best scarves. You see, I can go on and on about what pieces I'm looking for season to season from every designer.

Whoresneverlearn.com : Your company, High Society Life was meant to be producing a clothing range. Is that still happening and what can be expected from that in terms of aesthetic? And can we expect a HSL x MCM collaboration?

CurT@!n$ : That is 1000% still happening. We are in the infant stages of the company but we have a clear vision of what we want to execute. HSL x MCM sounds incredible, I would love for that to happen. I really really really want to approach Benetton about doing a collection. I can do some damage over there.

Whoresneverlearn.com : At age 15 you were discovered by DJ Clark Kent who also discovered Jay Z. Whats your relationship with him like and did he have any input on Rebel Radio?

CurT@!n$ : Clark is my big brother. I've known Clark since I was 15. Clark has schooled me to everything under the sun, he's taken me under his wing and has been there guiding my career forever. Clark has and will always have an input into anything CurT@!n$ related.



Whoresneverlearn.com : I have to ask, he's quite a sneaker head, did he influence your love for footwear in anyway?

CurT@!n$ : Nah not really. I've always been into kicks since a young boy. I was always infatuated with Jordans. I'm not even a real big sneaker head though. I like what I like but I'm not do-or-die for kicks. I'm more into clothing.

Whoresneverlearn.com : Speaking of footwear, whatever happened to the video for your song "It's the shoes"?

CurT@!n$ : We shot it, but never released it. Legal issues. Who knows, maybe one day we'll get to see it. I've actually never saw it, so I cant tell you much about it besides the fact that the concept was really ill.

Whoresneverlearn.com : Still on the subject of footwear, what shoe are you currently salivating over?

CurT@!n$ : Nothing. I don't really go crazy for sneakers anymore. Every sneaker I ever gawked at, I at one point of time owned. Nowadays I wear my green Puma Clydes almost everyday. My black/red Jordan 1's get love and my Silver/Red Vandals get burn. Other than that, I'm in a pair of suede loafers with no socks, chilling!

Whoresneverlearn.com : Do you still write for Steve O's Laced magazine?

CurT@!n$ : Yes. Journalism is one of my favorite subjects and I love writing. The HSL magazine is coming sometime soon. Ha! Spoiler alert. I'm not good with secrets.


Whoresneverlearn.com : Kanye, who is a bit of a fashion icon called you a fashion genius in the May 2007 issue of Complex magazine. How does it feel to receive such an accolade from someone who you described from your time working at Roc A Fella records, as "dressed incredibly well, almost too good for a rapper"?

CurT@!n$ : He was one of the best dressed rappers ever. In our generation he might be #1. But just someone on that level acknowledging me and what I do was very humbling and let me know that I was doing something right with dressing. You don't wanna know how many "What the fuck are you wearing?" conversations I've had, and not in a positive way. My style was definitely looked at as WACK for a period of time, until Kanye said it was the next level. Then people changed their perspective. I dunno, that was an honor to be name dropped from him in a fashion conversation.


Whoresneverlearn.com : Going back to the music. You were one of the first rappers to really utilize the Internet by leaking songs and engaging directly with the fans on forums and whatnot. With downloading at an all time high, do you think the net has helped or hindered the music?

CurT@!n$ : Helped. It helped you save money and helped you save time. I was and avid purchaser of music. I've spent countless dollars buying albums and only liking one song, and that song might have not even been a single. So hey the net helped fans decipher the good shit from the bullshit. Labels were getting rich but fans were getting cheated. The fans rebelled and now you see whats happening. Everyone is talking that talk about putting emphasis back on making "Albums" and not just a collection of songs. I love the internet, it makes the experience of getting music much more enjoyable. Anybody who hates on the net, probably didn't make good music anyway. If Lil Wayne and Kanye can embrace the internet and use that as a tool to push their music, then somethings wrong with other peoples music. It has nothing to do with downloading.


Whoresneverlearn.com : You're also a ghostwriter to some of hip hop's heavyweights. This may be a long shot but care to disclose some identities?

CurT@!n$ : I know not of what you speak of...



Whoresneverlearn.com : The title to your full length album is called A Beautiful mind. Has that been recorded and awaiting a release date? When it does get released, what can we expect from it?

CurT@!n$ : I've been recording "A Beautiful Mind" since the day I was born. I record everyday and in between doing these mix tape series', I might get a joint that is just too crazy for a mix tape so I stash that in the album folder. I got over 3,000 songs recorded in my catalogue right now, I've burnt out over 5 Lacie drives and I'm still going. Got a studio in my crib in LA and NY so I can record constantly. The album is gonna be serious though. Its me in my rawest, purest form. Same structure as the mix tapes as far as storyline goes, but the music is gonna change the world. Watch! Expect it to drop somewhere in 2010. I got the whole 2009 to prepare you guys. Its gonna be a sight to see.


Whoresneverlearn.com : Before we wrap up this interview I have to ask, since the mix tape is called Rebel Radio, what act of rebelliousness have you been recently involved in?

CurT@!n$ : Ha! Me? I been staying out of trouble lately. You see the Kyte TV videos, when bad shit go down, I'm usually just taping it. I mean besides stealing a sweater here and there and instigating fights, I'm pretty much OK. I've toned down a lot during the years. Got more business minded and just focused. Uhmmm...I dunno, I cant think of anything crazy I've done lately.


Whoresneverlearn.com : Apart from Rebel Radio. What else can the fans expect from CurT@!n$ in 2009?

CurT@!n$ : Rebel Radio is gonna be an actual monthly radio show I'm doing...The Great Adventures Of Dope Boy C series continues, there are about 4 new series coming and the re-release of Dope City Vol. 1...Visually I'm gonna stay in your face...musically I'm gonna stay in your ear...Just stay tuned, that's all I can say....Stay tuned. Its gonna be great. I promise.


Whoresneverlearn.com : Would you like to shout out anyone?

CurT@!n$ : Yes. Shouts to the whole High Society Life team. Ody, Torch, Bingy, Clark, Alexis, Jalen. Brooklyn, Carroll st., shouts to you for supporting. Shouts to everybody supporting. I promise you nothing but greatness to come in the future.

CurT@!n$' "Rebel Radio" will be released tomorrow (Tuesday 13th January 2009). Make sure you check back here for a download link as well as album art.