Prospect grew up close to Big Pun, who happened to be his cousin’s best friend. Pun had formed a local crew and invited Prospect to join after hearing his demo. “I knew he was about to pop off,” Prospect recalls. “But that was my man, so I ain’t even ask him to help me out. I was like, ‘Fuck the rap shit.’” Pun eventually introduced Prospect to Fat Joe.
Prospect Avenue was where Prospect grew up and eventually drew his name from, but this New York MC also draws from the definition of the word: upcoming success. With some input from Pun, Prospect adopted the word as his stage name. Aside from Terror Squad, Prospect is working on some personal projects including a DVD and compilation album with a French group in BK. As far as a solo album, Prospect is more focused on putting together solo tracks. “I’m not really looking for a deal with a major label right now,” he says. “My crew has connects, but you know, it’s not easy to get numbers from everyone like that.”
When it comes to the new Terror Squad compilation album through SRC/Universal, Prospect offers, “I didn’t have much input on the album, but I’m on a couple of joints.” You can tell a relationship is a little weak when a whole group except one member goes on vacation. When Terror Squad went down to Miami for Memorial Day weekend, Prospect says, “I was in the ‘hood. I was in the projects, man. The whole squad was there, but I was in the projects. They didn’t call for me, they left me in the hood.” He still looks at the bright side, however. “As long as they had a good time, it’s all good.” Really, Prospect?
“Nobody but the late, great Big Pun,” Prospect says when asked about his mentors. “He didn’t teach me to rap, but he just told me how to play around with my style.” Pun kept Prospect focused on rap and gave him motivation. “He schooled me to the ups and downs of the whole game when he made it big,” remembers Prospect.
Since’s Pun’s passing, however, it seems that the distance between Prospect and the rest of Terror Squad has grown. When asked about Summer Jam, Prospect replied, “I heard something about that. I think we might be out there.” Odd, considering that less than thirty minutes ago, Remy Martin was going out of her mind with excitement for the Terror Squad appearance at Summer Jam. It even seems that Prospect has been financially left out of the picture. He has no car, and mentioned that the videos aren’t making him any money. Don’t forget the obvious indicator of his lack of Fat Joe wealth: Prospect’s home, in the hood, is “still humble.” He interrupted our interview briefly to tell someone to stop and let him out of the car. A Terror Squad MC hitching a ride?!? Prospect seems to be using his thumb to do the “Lean Back.”
Maybe one day, another aspiring artist will be able to help Prospect out by giving him a ride and picking up some of his wisdom. When you barely see your groupmates outside of the studio, are you really a part of the group? Hard to say who’s fault that is, though. Maybe Prospect prefers being solo.
From the beginning of our interview, it was clear that something had Terror Squad’s female MC Remy Martin extremely hyped up. In fact, “giddy” best describes her state of mind. “I’m mad happy, I’m in a great mood!” she volunteered. It turned out that she was gushing over Hot 97’s Summer Jam, which was coming up the following day. Terror Squad was slated to make an appearance. “We’re not even showcasing,” Remy explained. “We’re coming out as a surprise guest with someone else.”
With Remy so excited about Summer Jam, the interview was off and running. I couldn’t have even stopped Remy if I tried as she excitedly shared story after story. One of the stories she shared with lots of vigor was Memorial Day Weekend, which also happened to be her birthday weekend. In good ol’ hip-hop fashion, Remy made a trip to Miami, Vice City itself, with fellow TS members Fat Joe, Tony Sunshine, and their entourage. She entertained herself in Miami by repeatedly sneaking past hotel security and her groupmates. “I kept escaping,” she laughs. “My whole trip was an escape adventure for me. Looking down the hallway, taking the back elevator.” While the others had parties and played in celebrity basketball games, Remy was on the run. She also had a private pool party for her birthday with a number of celebrity guests.
Right now, Remy is concentrating on the Terror Squad album, which she says is designed to prepare listeners for the upcoming solo albums from TS MCs. “The album is a classic already,” she brags. “We really brought it back to New York.” At the same time, she says, the album incorporates Southern and reggae influences on hip-hop. “I feel like the album really takes it back to the essence of BX,” she says. “Unless a couple buildings fall on the day of the release, we’re good.”
“Everyone is on their own fucking dick!” Remy exclaims when asked to describe her Terror Squad family, but there’s nothing but love for the clique. “Everyone’s like, the same,” she giggles. “It’s like you’re dealing with yourself four times all day!” According to Remy, she’s considered the problem child of the group. “I must state my opinion!” she laughs. “But, I’m the nice one, in my opinion. I always remember to buy toothpaste for everyone. I’m the one who remembers to buy milk for the cereal, and remembers that we need spoons instead of forks.”
Another crew that Remy reps is the Murda Mamis, a group of industry females which includes Gloria Velez and MTV’s La La. “The concept of Murda Mamis,” explains Remy, “Is that it’s a collaboration of girls from all over.” There are DJs, promoters, MCs, and other industry figures involved. Remy continued by discussing the role of females in the industry, noting that it’s never been a problem for her.
As far as her own projects, Remy has a solo album in the works which she began recording before the Terror Squad album. After the TS album is released, she fears she won’t have much time to record. She’s also considered putting out a clothing line, but is waiting for the right offer. “I wouldn’t want to endorse it just for the check.” We also had to touch on the possibility of her endorsing Remy Martin liquor. “That’ll be down the line somewhere. I really don’t know,” she says.
Overall, it’s clear that Remy enjoys life and simply does whatever she wants to do. With that kind of outlook, expect her to make herself known in the industry no matter what.
