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Arizona isn’t necessarily the first thing that comes to mind when you mention hip-hop. But Disturbing Tha Peace’s newest rap hopeful, Willy Northpole is looking to erase the images of desert cacti and John McCain that come to mind when his state is mentioned. After making a name for himself alongside 50 Cent and G-Unit — and before things inevitably went south — Willy landed in Atlanta, signed to Luda’s label. On his new album, The Connect featuring the controversial single and video, “The Ghetto Tour Guide” due out June 23, featuring everyone from Ne-Yo to Bobby Ray, Northpole lets listeners know that Steve Nash isn’t the only star in the state.
Most people don’t know there’s a hip-hop scene in Phoenix.
What people have to understand about growing up in Phoenix [is] you never really get the look that you deserve until somebody [that’s made] it is saying it. Like who’s gonna rep the Southwest? Who’s gonna rep Phoenix? Steve Nash or somebody?
Why’d you decide to go with an artist-run label?
The reason I chose to roll with … Ludacris, is because of the financial backing I have behind that machine option … I can kind of get a little more of what I want with Disturbing Tha Peace [as] opposed to going straight to Def Jam dealing with the big wigs.
What is Ludacris like as a boss?
What people don’t understand about dude is — that man’s goofy, man. He’s so funny. I respect him as a boss … We’re shooting a DTP reality show now, so that … and being on the album [is exciting]. I’m a part of this legacy that [he’s] building.
What’d you learn from being around G-Unit?
Nothing is ever guaranteed in life, and if you want something you have to go out and get it. I have a record deal so something good came out of it. It taught me a lot. I’ve seen a lot. I watched a lot of his interviews and I was there live with 50 Cent watching him doing interviews. When he was doing the whole MTV, 106 & Park thing. You have to be an overall entertainer and [50’s] a cazillionaire, so why not learn from the best?
Check out Willy Northpole’s video, “Ghetto Tour Guide.”
