Philadelphia rapper
Sandman was a driving force in the
Re-Up Gang‘s three acclaimed
We Got It 4 Cheap mixtapes throughout the last five years. However, Tuesday afternoon, he told
HipHopDX that after the mishandling of the group’s self-titled album [
click to read], he is focusing on solo endeavors.
“When it comes to my music, dog, this is what I love,” said Sandman Tuesday afternoon. “I’m not tryin’ to
be a god-damned architect or nothin’, or else I’d put my time into
that. When you have a movement like the Re-Up Gang, something that came
out of nowhere that was turned into a cult following, I just don’t see
how people dropped the ball on the last project. So it didn’t make
sense for me to stick around if shyt ain’t in my best interest.“
He elaborated further, stating that a key point in his dispute was the album’s video, which featured on
The Clipse rapping. “
It ain’t in my best interest to put out a ‘Fast Lane’ video, after
three years of nothing but street-driven music.” The album the aforementioned single promoted added to the displeasure “We gave y’all three
critically-acclaimed mixtapes just to give y’all this toilet bowl-ass
album and their video. To me, it’s unjust. The fans are onto it
now too, ‘Damn, that’s it for the Re-Up?’ ‘Cause now all you hear about
is [The Clipse‘ forthcoming album] Til The Casket Drops. The Re-Up Gang has been phased out; I guess I
was just supposed to play along. I’m not no fukkin’ nut!“
Acknowledging he was the last addition the longtime collaborating trio,
Sandman says he defined the group as fans know it.
“There is no Re-Up Gang. Before they added me, it was The Clipse and Ab
Liva. That was it. That’s what it’s been reduced back to. Naturally,
they’ve got to go around and promote the Re-Up Gang album now, ’cause
it’s out, and to be honest, I feel like I don’t have to do that.” Rather, furthering to statements he made two
DX two weeks ago [
click to read],
Sandman disassociated himself from the
Koch Records release. “
I
want to apologize again,” he says to finds, comparing the release to his own affinity for
EPMD‘s early catalogue.
“What the fukk would I feel like if
after three classic albums, they had that fourth album after the beats
I just got [on The Clipse Presents: Re-Up Gang]. To me, I just don’t
think whoever – either Koch [Records] or The Clipse did not believe in
this Re-Up movement. Or it didn’t mean nothin’ to them. What the fukk
vision do you have that you’d squander this? ‘Cause if that were the
case, you should have done this three years ago.“
Sandman revealed that he was initially told that
Re-Up‘s album would be released June 9th on
Columbia Records, before a delayed date was given and the project shifted to an independent. “
You coulda told me that after we played the album for 20 people in a room, walkin’ around smiling.” Additionally, verses were cut and adjusted, and
Sandman remains unclear on who was behind it.
Although he says the group as we know it has dissolved for now,
Sandman does wave the flag for his brethren and fans. “
I could be bitter. You know how this shyt normally looks. But I’m a G,
Cannons Inc. is real, and I’m not runnin’ around not talkin’ no shyt.
I’m forever the Inc or The Re-Up Gang. The Re-Up Gang ain’t goin’
nowhere, and after I blow, nikkas are gonna wanna do reunion albums and
all that, but right now, [no]. I feel like they think that the Re-Up is
all from them, the success of it.”
Now focused on his solo career,
Sandman just shot a gritty street single “Anchor” from his free downloadable album
Gianormous. Unlike “Fast Life,” this video, the artist said, embodies the imagery he feels matches his music.