Joell Ortiz Talks Dr. Dre Deal and Struggles of Being A Puerto Rican Rapper, noting despite solo and group successes to date from dues paid, well crafted-ear-bending skills, and quality music, his “whole career has been a battle.”
Joell Ortiz Talks Dr. Dre Deal and Struggles of Being A Puerto Rican Rapper during an interview in which the Brooklyn native shed light on his uphill battle in the music industry. Topics included the facts of his background and physical appearance, which he describes frequently brought on feedback in the form of, he’s “nice for a Puerto Rican.” This even with the pride and legacy of the Puerto Rican community’s contribution to Hip Hop even before ‘Hip Hop’ had a name.
Ortiz also revealed that after shopping his craft and music endlessly, it was to his surprise Dr. Dre who personally offered him his first record deal.
“Shout out to Dre for giving me my first official record deal, my first opportunity, and my first look inside. I was trying to get record deals with everybody on the East Coast. And my CD landed on his desk. And he called me. And he was like ‘I love the music.’”
Joell Ortiz Talks Dr. Dre Deal and Struggles of Being A Puerto Rican Rapper and recalls quickly learning the perceived value of his appearance mattered more in the business. Soon it was clear that everything BUT the music was in Joell’s way.
“It was discouraging though, to be honest with you. Because I wasn’t getting the opportunities for reasons outside of music. It wasn’t like I was going in meetings with these labels and they were going ‘Well, his music’s not that good. He’s kind of heavy. And he’s Spanish.’ It was like ‘His music’s amazing, but.’”
Though Joell Ortiz Talks Dr. Dre Deal and Struggles of Being A Puerto Rican Rapper is a great commentary on an experience we don’t always get to hear about, both in being Hispanic on the come-up and in being unaccepted for not being thin, show’s how far we’ve come from say–the Big Pun era of Hip Hop. Or in reality, show’s how far the industry’s gone in another direction without us.
Mr. Ortiz,
You are an African male just like all the rest. Who looks more black?? You or Ludacris?? Just do your music and stop hanging out with losers from PR.