E.D.I Blogs (BlackBalled?)

At last our newest album has dropped and is well received by anyone who’s heard it! Needless to say I’m proud of it and of my OUTLAW brothers (Hussein Fatal and Young Noble). We dedicated the better part of two years to making the "KILLUMINATI" series and "PERFECT TIMING", all 3 sounding completely different from one another. Not one song used twice, not even a single verse was recycled. It is widely known amongst hip-hop journalist and consumers alike that we are making some of the best music of our careers! Unfortunately for us we are held to a much higher standard than your average artist. People expect us to be as good as or better than Pac, a feat no artist has accomplished to date, in my opinion. And if we can’t do that, at least reinvent the wheel or solve famine in Africa! Lol! Still we press on in spite of it all. We were and still are super-excited about the album and the possibilities (i.e. sales,touring etc). We feel like we did our job, as far as getting the word out to our core base. We even got a little help from "the man" himself, when the whole "ashes" thing hit the blog-sites, XXL, all over the internet, shit even TMZ (TV version) had ya boys on their show! I say that to say this is the most visual we’ve been in years, and for us that’s a big deal because we normally shun the spotlight that most rappers crave. We’d rather be in the studio, doing shows and spending time with our families, but we understand it’s apart of the game so it’s nothing! Interview after interview, 1 dumb question after another…don’t matter, "lets just do it so we can spread the word about this great album we’ve put together!" is what we say to our selves. 


          What’s frustrating is the lack of support we’ve received from our distribution cohorts! Now let me give y’all a brief tutorial on how this shit works: Labels ship according to hype, and Soundscan history. Our album was not as hyped as LIL WAYNE’s or GAME’s of course. We are not on Interscope or Cash Money, two labels we were affiliated with in the past. If we were, we wouldn’t be having this discussion. Fontana shipped based on our last "album" which was actually a "mixtape" or "street album" {WE WANT IN}. Our last official album was "OUTLAW4LIFE 2005 A.P." That project was well on its way to being another 100,000 plus seller (independently) until Bayside/33rd Street recs went bankrupt and subsequently out of business. I haven’t checked in a while, but I believe it’s between 40 and 50 thousand scanned right now. Fontana shipped 1500 pieces of "Perfect Timing" to Bestbuy….W.T.F?!??!? To reach Billboard you have to scan at least 4K!


Itunes and Amazon.com are some of the retail web-sites that have it, in the states or Canada, but we have a HUGE international following and do to no fault of our own "Perfect Timing" is not available for those consumers yet! Fontana placed blame on some mix-up in their legal department (hmmm..) They had over 4 weeks to do it! Now I know the game has changed. Mom and Pop record stores are virtually a thing of the past. THEY were some of our biggest supporters, by the way! Wherehouse, Sam Goody, Tower (who actually owned Bayside) and record stores alike are all GONE. What are we the consumers left with? Wal-mart (clean versions only!) Target, Best Buy, HMV, FYE or the internet. Perfect Timing is available for FREE DOWNLOAD like it’s a mixtape on web-sites that I won’t mention,(I’m sure yall know about em already!)


We don’t have the money or the time to chase em all down, so it is what it is….And yall wanna know why this is the "last" album??? Smh. We give out free albums and muthafuckers don’t respect the grind enough not to illegally download the shit you want em to pay for! We got hip-hop web-sites that traditionally hate on anything we do (one even said Scarface’s verse on "pushin on" is better than the whole album,ouch!) Most reviews have been positive though. (see XXLMAG.COM’S)


          We plan on shooting a video really soon, something that can go on MTV or BET. Even with that you have to be be careful because they sometime require that your single be getting radio spins. We’ve been getting some love in that department, though. Ironically, mostly, in NewYork (shoutout KaySlay) and satellite radio (shout to Sway from MTV and Shade45 for the love). Fontana and the company who invested in this project (krude) assured us that they are going to "step there games up". Hopefully they keep their words and we will start to see more, in terms of marketing and promotion for "Perfect Timing"… This is how we feed our families, so yea it’s important to sell records, but honestly when we started this album our goal was to put out a great hip-hop CD and I feel like we accomplished that, even if you gotta go on a scavenger hunt to find it!


And still sometimes I have to wonder…"are we blackballed?" TIME WILL TELL.


To our families and supporters…


SALUTE!

Young Noble Interview With TaleTela.com

Discovered by the late, great, and arguably best to ever do it, Tupac Shakur, the Outlawz were the ride or die collective that featured heavily on the multi-platinum selling albums All Eyez On Me and The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory. Also known as Outlaw Immortals as well as Dramacydal, both with slightly different line-ups, the group have never stopped representing for 2Pac’s legacy. Featured on one of the most infamous diss records in history - ‘Hit ‘Em Up’, they’ve been through the highs and the lows before and after their big homie’s untimely passing.

Switching up record labels, losing another member to gunfire - Yaki Kadafi died in 1996, and disgruntled members leaving and then returning to the group, the name is now carried on by just three members - E.D.I. Mean, Fatal Hussein, and Young Noble. Back with a much talked about new album, Perfect Timing, coincidentally released on the 15th anniversary of 2Pac’s death, which contrary to public belief was not actually intentional, the group have announced it will be their last album together.

Talking to TaleTela, member Young Noble explains why it’s their last album, clears up the 2Pac ash smoking controversy that many media outlets have focused upon as of late, and thanks the fans for riding with them for such a long time. 
What have you guys been up to as of late being that we haven’t heard much from you on the commercial side of things?
We’ve actually been consistently putting out mixtapes and independent projects. So those who stay in tune to what the Outlawz have been doing know that we haven’t gone nowhere. We’ve got a new album out, which we’re very excited about.

Before we get in to the new album, how long has it been since your last album and why has it taken so long to release this new one?
Our last Outlawz album came out in 2005. However, as I mentioned we’ve been putting out numerous other projects since then. There was the ‘We Can’t Sell Dope Forever’ project with Dead Prez, me and Stic.Man from Dead Prez put out an album, me and Fatal put out an album. So every year we’ve been putting out independent projects and crew mixtapes. So since 2005 we might have put out seven or eight different albums. We haven’t been sat around not putting out any music. All the Outlawz fans have been tuning in to what we’ve been doing and have been supporting everything we put out and our old stuff too. It’s just the perfect time now, just like the name of the album. It’s time for a change in music. We feel like we’re some of those dudes that represent real music and represent the truth.

Tell us about the new album...
It’s our best album to date. It’s classic from beginning to end. We definitely got some good features on there. We got Young Buck, Scarface, Bun B, Lloyd, Tech N9ne, Krayzie Bone, Trae Tha Truth, Z-Ro, Kastro, and a lot more. It’s our reunion album with Hussein Fatal, and as I said I think it’s our best album to date, hands down. From lyric-wise to production-wise we’ve stepped it up a whole lot. I’m so excited for people to finally hear it.

Being that you are highly respected within the industry, is this how you were able to get so many features?
Well everybody on the album are friends of ours. They’re dudes whose music we respect, and at the same time they also respect ours. That’s pretty much how we work as far as the rap game goes. There’s also a lot of independent producers on the album and there’s also a few unknown singers on the album too. We just like working with talented people that respect us and we respect them.

The album was released in the US on September 13th, which is a very special date in the rap calendar. Please explain for those that might not know...
Well September 13th is the day that 2Pac passed away 15 years ago. So it marked the 15th year anniversary of ‘Pac passing. We didn’t pick that date on purpose. It just so happened that the album was supposed to be out earlier than that but we had to push it back to September. So we was like, “Well albums only get released on Tuesdays (in the US),” and that so happened to be a Tuesday. So it all goes back to it being on God’s time. So it’s perfect timing and that’s why it’s the title of the album.
We hear that it’s also your last album as a group. Is this true, and whose decision was this?
It was a collective decision. We are considering this to be our final Outlawz album. I don’t know if we’re ever gonna make anymore. The reason being is I know we’re gonna continue to do solo albums, different ventures, and stuff like that. We’ll probably reach out to some new dudes in the game. It’s really gonna depend on the fans and the people who support real music. Because honestly, we’re the only group in the world who’ve been on over 60 million records (sales-wise) but have never been signed to a major record label, never had major radio play, or even TV play, but here we are 15 years later and we’re making the best music of our life and still travelling and touring the world every year. I feel like as far as the music industry is concerned, real music like ours is highly unappreciated. We keep our ear to the street and listen to the industry, and it seems like everybody is screaming that there’s a lack of real music being played and supported.
So me personally I think we represent the epitome of truth music. You know? From the music we did with 2Pac to the music we’re doing now. We always try to cater to the voiceless, the hopeless people, the lost souls, you know? The people who actually listen to music for inspiration, and it’s like our music is highly unappreciated. So we’re now thinking at this point that if you’re screaming for something that’s real, here it is! It’s right here in your face. It’s the realest shit you’re probably gonna get in the game. So if the world and the consumers don’t go out and support this album, and when I say support I mean go out and purchase it, listen to it and then tell a friend to go and get it, then we’re not gonna give it to them. They’ve been telling us for years that we’re the truth and that we’re probably not gonna get the credit or recognition until we’re gone. So we’re figuring at this point we’re still young and we’ve still got a lot we want to accomplish. So when they open up the history books, and the 2Pac books, and they have to do their research, and they get to the Outlawz chapter we want to make sure that it finishes off strong. We’re gonna make people respect and appreciate good music. So if y’all gonna wait for us to die to do that then we ain’t gonna let you wait until then, we’re gonna make you do that now. We ain’t gonna give it to you no more. I really don’t want this to be our last album. If it’s supported the way it needs to be supported and the fans react to it the way they need to react to it then we’ll give them more Outlawz albums.

Name three of your favourite tracks on it?
One of them is ‘Perfect Timing’. It’s the first record on the album. It’s a great record first and foremost. I just think it’s the perfect time for a real message with a real history. My second, I would have to say is ‘Pushin’ On’, which features Scarface and Lloyd. It’s another classic record. I love the message on it. No matter what you got going on in your life don’t give up. You’ve gotta keep pushing on. There’s so many classics man. Every time I listen to it I have a new favourite. I would say the other one, right now, is ‘Don’t Wait’ featuring Krayzie Bone. It’s a record for the females but it takes a different approach. It’s not your typical shake-your-ass song. We’re actually telling a female that because we’re so focused on getting this money right now we don’t want her to wait for us. We love each other but it’s better if she finds someone who will take the time to treat her how she should be. It’s like the hustler song that both the males and females are going to be able to relate to. If you’re all about getting any kind of money right now and you’re busy all the time then you’ll be able to relate to this song. Overall the album is classic from start to finish and every other day I really do have new favourites. I just can’t wait for everybody else to hear it so people can start telling us which tracks are their favourites. 

You’ve moved around various different labels, including Rap-A-Lot, and more recently Young Buck’s Cashville Records. Does your relationship with Young Buck and Cashville still stand?
Well Cashville Records is a movement and Young Buck and C-Bo are our brothers. Our relationship with both of those guys is way deeper than just rap music. We were actually gonna sign to Cashville Records but then Buck had his situation with 50 Cent, which basically put Buck in an uncomfortable position in his life. So the whole Cashville situation didn’t take off like it should have. Buck is still our brother and we continue to do business with him. We do concerts with him all the time, in fact I spoke to him just yesterday. So we never actually signed and it never quite popped off like it should have. At first he was still signed to G-Unit and 50 was behind Cashville as well. 50 thought that Cashville was gonna be bigger than G-Unit, which he was probably right. Buck had us, he had C-Bo, and he had himself. So Cashville was gonna be something huge and 50 was 100% behind us at the time. However, when 50 and Buck got in to their situation it put Buck’s life on hold for a second. So we had to continue to do what we had to do as businessmen and family men. But that takes nothing away from our relationship with Buck. It’s never been based on a dollar. We’re loyal dudes and honorary dudes, so while Buck was going through his downtime and down period we were all there and all supportive. Young Buck is our comrade. That’s the homie right there.

You guys came to fame under the wing of 2Pac. Where exactly did you come from, because you sort of just popped up?
I mean, we come from 2Pac. He started the Outlawz. He was the first Outlaw. We weren’t just his group members, he was in the group. We were in a group together. All of us are pretty much family. I came to the group through Kadafi and Fatal, It wasn’t just a group 2Pac put together. We’re all family. We were then a creation from the mind of 2Pac. So if anybody doesn’t know who the Outlawz are then they need to do their research. If they’ve heard any 2Pac albums then they’ve heard us on them. We’ve got a catalogue of classic records. When we do concerts we rap for two hours straight and the audience know every single song we perform. We’ve been doing this for 15 years, so if anybody hasn’t heard of us then I feel sorry for them because they’re missing out on some great music.

What do you think 2Pac would have thought to today’s rap game?
That’s really hard to answer. If ‘Pac was still living it would be a totally different rap game. That pretty much answers the question right there. If 2Pac was still here today he still would have been the biggest rapper in the world and the Outlawz would be the biggest group in the world. Music would be totally different. You’d be able to hear real music on the radio everyday.

Do you think he would have stepped away from music a little bit to do movies being that he was appearing in more and more movies as time went on?
Yeah. When ‘Pac was alive he was already in motion to start his own film company, and he wanted to write and direct movies. Now 15 years on he probably would have had 10 movies out that he would have written and produced with him also starring in them, as well as us maybe starring in them. I mean who knows? The guy was so ahead of his time at 25-years-old that me even speaking on it wouldn’t do him any justice. He was so ahead of his time I can’t imagine what he would be on right now. He’d probably be running somebody’s city. He probably would have messed around and become the mayor of California or some s**t. ‘Pac was crazy.
Do you have any exclusive stories about 2Pac you might not have told anyone before that you can share with us now?
I got a funny one for you. I remember one day we all woke up, it was me, Kadafi and Napoleon, and we ended up heading out. We all lived with ‘Pac but he wasn’t up yet. We all had somewhere to go so we had gotten up and got dressed, but he hadn’t yet. In the meantime we were all hungry so we decided to get some food in the truck that he had bought us. When we got back he was dressed and ready to go and I guessed he was pi**ed at us because he was saying, “Y’all left without saying s**t. Don’t take the truck no more.” He was seriously pi**ed at us. He was having one of them days. So we got back with food and this guy snatches it out of our hands and throws it in the garbage. So we’re like, “What the f**k?” We wanted something to eat and this dude does this. But he’s the General so we’re like whatever we ain’t gonna argue with this dude.
Obviously he was taking care of us, we’re living with him, and he was like, “Yeah man, you should have said something,” and he threw our s**t in the garbage. We ended up scattering about the house and not even leaving. We had somewhere to go and didn’t even end up going. So I guess he ended up feeling bad that he actually did this because maybe an hour or two later he cooks for us. He ended up cooking all this shrimp and all other types of crazy s**t. That was a really funny story to me. He got so pi**ed at us that he snatched the food right outta our hands and threw it away and was ready to fight us about leaving and not saying nothing, and then an hour later he turns around and cooks us a great meal. Instead of being apologetic and saying that he was sorry he just cooked for us. That was just a sign of his character. He knows that he didn’t have to go that far but he made it up to us by cooking us a great meal. That’s one of the many crazy ‘Pac stories.

What’s your favourite 2Pac song?
‘Shed So Many Tears’. It’s just one of those records that touches my heart when I hear it. We always perform that song at our concerts. We have a segment during our concerts where we play a melody so ‘Pac can be heard. The people go crazy and that’s one of the songs that they play. I rap the lyrics and then I usually have to ask them to cut the song off early because I get choked up. I be damn near about to cry on stage. It’s just one of my favourite songs. I relate to it. You know? It’s a serious record.

You guys made headlines recently when it was reported that you all smoked some of 2Pac’s ashes many years ago. Is this true?
I’m not gonna get too deep in to that but what I can say is the media took what we said and flipped it to create their own headlines. First and foremost I’m gonna say that ‘Pac’s mother, Afeni Shakur, had no knowledge of it. She wasn’t around us when we did it. She wasn’t there. She had absolutely nothing to do with it. I can say that it was something that we did with the upmost respect and honour for our big homie. It wasn’t something that we came up with. It was something that ‘Pac came up with as part of his last wishes. At the end of the day it was what it was. You know what I’m saying? Our intentions for doing it 15 years ago was to honour our fallen General. It was our way of honouring him. It was one of his last wishes and we fulfilled it.

It wasn’t too long ago either that you guys settled your differences with Biggie’s right-hand man Lil’ Cease. How did that go and how did it come about?
It went great. We got the record out together on the new (DJ) Kay Slay album. It’s called ‘Bury The Hatchet’. It’s one of the hottest records out right now in the streets. About eight years ago Cease called someone on the phone while I was stood next to this person. Thinking about it, I guess it was meant to be. So I was like, “Let me get on the phone with this guy.” When we got on the phone initially we actually started beefing with one another. It was damn near about to be World War III. However at some point during the call we ended up just talking like men and getting to the bottom of everything that had happened in the past. I really feel like that if Biggie and ‘Pac had had that conversation while they were still living everything would have been different and they would have been making music together today. So we’ve actually been chopping it up with Cease from about eight years ago. Every year we’ll call each other up just to check on each other, but it was actually Kay Slay who called us and asked us if we would think about doing a record together for his last album. It seemed like the perfect time. We had always talked about doing a song together but we felt like it had to be the right time. We wanted to let the world know that it was time to bury the hatchet. To this day people can’t mention Biggie or ‘Pac in the same breath without comparing them to one another, talking about which one is better, or it’s like fuck the other one or whatever the case may be. These guys are legends. You need to honour both of them. You know what I’m saying? We just felt like if we could show the world that we’ve gotten past it, with us being ‘Pac’s brothers and Cease being B.I.G.’s brother, then the hip-hop community should be able to as well.
With ‘Perfect Timing’ essentially being the Outlawz swan song, what message do you have for the fans who have been with you since day one?
I wanna tell them that we’ve been around this long because of them. I wanna thank them whole heartedly for recognising us as individuals and respecting the kind of music we make by connecting to it. That’s where a lot of artists today get it confused. A lot of artists sell a bunch of records, get a big head, and then they think it’s all about them. Whereas it’s really all about the people that support you. If you didn’t have any supporters you wouldn’t sell any records. We never lost sight of who we were, who we are, and why we do this. So I just wanna let the fans know that the Outlawz 15 years later are around because all of them supported us, bought our records, and came to our shows. We exist because of them. They’re a part of this. We don’t say we have fans, we say we have fam, because we do. We feel 2Pac and the Outlawz supporters are different than any other rapper’s supporters. They really ride with us until the third power. I just wanna salute them and tell them that we appreciate them whole heartedly for all of the years of support. 

Outlawz On Tupac's Impact Today

Outlawz On Tupac's Impact Today: Sway and the Outlawz take a look back at Pac's legacy.

M.I.L - They All Mad Feat. Hussein Fatal, Broadway Blake, Sav Killz & VVS Verbal

Perfect Timing Review By HipHopDX

Allegedly, "Perfect Timing" will be the last ever recording from The Outlawz, out of respect for 'Pac.

The ghost of Tupac has always upstaged the Outlawz. Even now, with Perfect Timing - intended as a respectful tribute to the 15th year anniversary of 'Pac's passing - it's the recent (and possibly dubious) claim that the crew smoked 'Pac's ashes that will likely define its contribution to 2011's rap-up.

Now slimmed down to the trio of E.D.I. Mean, Hussein Fatal and Young Noble, the Outlawz are slightly above-average rappers who just so happened to have formed an early and then lifelong friendship with 'Pac - which they've been recording off ever since. So while the production here most times hints at some sort of homage to 'Pac's post-prison release period in the '90s (and you can definitely imagine him hopping on grooves like "Perfect Timing" and "Remember Me") it never takes form as a full-on tribute, and also fails to evoke the obviously emotional memories the group have of 'Pac the person.

Without 'Pac's presence, the Outlawz have decided to go down the route of packing the album with decent profile guest stars. But while the idea of Scarface, Bun B, Z-Ro and even Tech N9ne hitting up studio sessions with 'Pac would have the potential to produce a true gangsta chronicle, here the guest spots effectively overawe the album. On "Pushin' On," Face opens his verse by declaring, "After 20 years of seeing this game make changes/I think that I can answer the questions y'all came with." Then the veteran is soon weaving in life lessons like, "It's not 'bout the money, the car a nigga ride in/Here's how you master the game, homie, surviving." It's a verse that channels the spirit of 'Pac and his T.H.U.G. Life agenda stronger than the bulk of the Outlawz-helmed album.

Allegedly, Perfect Timing will be the last ever recording from The Outlawz, out of respect for 'Pac. It's likely not the signing-off they envisaged, and leaves them still either those guys in the background of the "Hit 'Em Up" video or those dudes who took a toke on their mentor's embers.
3/5

Young Noble Interview With The Carey Sisters On TuneAndTalk Radio

The Outlawz Freestyle On Sway In The Morning

The Outlawz Interview With AllHipHop.com

Tha Outlawz Live In The Post-Pacalypse

Founded by Tupac Shakur in 1995, over the past 15 years, Tha Outlawz have seen their fair share of happiness, pain, failures, and successes. With the group’s latest album, Perfect Timing, hitting store shelves on the same day as the 15-year anniversary of the “original outlaw’s” death, there is a lot to be said, shown, and proven, not just listeners, but to the world.

Considering Tha Outlawz requires a brief introduction on their history, their founding, and details on the members throughout history that have come, gone, stayed, and passed away. E.D.I. Mean, Young Noble, and Hussein Fatal are the three remaining soldiers, yet they still have close relationships with former Outlawz, Kastro and Napoleon, and still refer to them as “brothers.”

When asked about the six-year gap between their last album, Outlaw 4 Life, and their new one, Perfect Timing, Tha Outlawz spoke on the massive amounts of music they’ve been feeding to the public during their official album hiatus. E.D.I. Mean went on to mention projects they’ve worked on and released with Dead Prez, Layzie Bone, and 8Ball, along with the solo albums Hussein Fatal has released and more. “Those six years wasn’t us on vacation,” E.D.I. explained, followed by Young Noble who added, “On top of that, we dropped mixtapes – on iTunes we dropped five lost albums on the same day, so we’ve been grinding.”

  The conversation focused on their new album, and why they not only chose to release it on the 15th anniversary of Tupac’s death, but why they felt the Perfect Timing title was so significant: 
The number of Southern rappers featured on the Perfect Timing seemed very peculiar and interesting, so AllHipHop.com asked Tha Outlawz for the reason, if there was one, behind the specific features. They also shared their thoughts on so-called “New West” rappers like Kendrick Lamar, Jay Rock, and Nipsey Hussle:
The conversation then turned toward the highly publicized East Coast versus West Coast war that occurred in the 1990’s. About a year ago, DJ Kay Slay released a track entitled “Bury the Hatchet” that featured Tha Outlawz and Junior Mafia member Lil Cease. When asked why the track was recorded and released when it was, Young Noble stated, “Well, we’ve been chopping it up with Cease for about seven years.” He continued, “he ended up calling somebody that I was standing next to, I got on the phone, and basically, we damn near was beefing at first, but we wound up chopping game as men and pretty much getting to the bottom of the situation…and it was an honor to do the song for [Kay] Slay”:
Tha Outlawz also spoke on their thoughts and feelings about the current Hip-Hop climate and whether or not the “glory days” have passed or are still to come. This was the perfect segue-way into asking Tha Outlawz how different they think Hip-Hop and, more importantly, music would be if Tupac were still alive today:
When asked about what kind of social and political issues Tupac would be fighting for if he were still alive, E.D.I. Mean didn’t hesitate before answering, “The state of the economy right now and the poverty rate going higher and higher – he would definitely be an advocate of that and try to change people’s lives.” He continued, “One of Pac’s dreams was to have a community center called “A Place Called Home” where every impoverished kid, or kid that had problems at home, would have a place that they could call home at these centers.”

AllHipHop.com then asked Tha Outlawz about the status of their relationship with Tupac’s mother, Afeni, and what some of their best and fondest memories of Tupac were:
This is where things got very interesting, as the group was asked about who in Hip-Hop they currently consider to be “following in Pac’s footsteps.” They answered with two names that rap fans probably wouldn’t expect – Young Buck and Lupe Fiasco: 
It seemed appropriate to then ask Tha Outlawz, “If Tupac is the greatest rapper of all time, who is the greatest rapper alive?” Find out what they had to say in the following video:
One of the last topics discussed was the highly publicized news story of late about Tha Outlawz smoking Tupac’s ashes. They proceeded to explain the truth about what happened, and more importantly, that Tha Outlawz fans that have been riding with them have known about the “ash blunt” for years:
As the interview came to a close, Tha Outlawz spoke on whether it was a blessing or a curse to be known as “Tupac’s group.” They all simultaneously answered with, “It’s both.” Noble added: “Our accomplishments…you know, ‘Pac been gone for 15 years and we’re still here,” Noble said. “How many artists have you seen come and go in the last 15 years? Countless. We still here, we been on 60 million records, maybe more than that. We the only artists in the world that have been featured on that many records and never been signed to a major label…He [Tupac] was the first outlaw. Period.

  “So, we can’t ever distance ourselves from ‘Pac and we don’t want to. That’s our big brother and we’re going to always rep for him…we carry his torch and we carry it well. We’re the hope for the underdogs…. Don’t listen to the album and be like, ‘oh it’s dope, but it would have been better if ‘Pac was on it.’ Come on man, give us some f*cking credit.”

  E.D.I. offered his own thoughts, closing perfectly by saying, “’Pac’s light shines so bright that a lot of the things that we did get lost in the shadows so to speak. Now is the time to check out the old albums and mixtapes, get the new album, and listen to what we’ve been doing for the past 15 years, and you’ll say ‘oh, now I see why Pac was f*cking with them.’”

  Tha Outlawz new album Perfect Timing is in stores and on iTunes now!  

Shizzio Mopreme house Tour

E.D.I. Mean Reveals How 2Pac Felt About Fatherhood

In light of the recent 15 year anniversary of Tupac Shakur‘s passing, SOHH recently sat down with the late rap mogul’s OutlawzE.D.I. Mean to find out what life lessons he learned from being around him. group member
Although Pac dropped plenty of gems on the crew, E.D.I. Mean said a discussion about fatherhood has remained with him.

“It’s funny because I was just talking to a friend of mine the other day and I told him something Pac told me and it was definitely on a personal level when it was just me and him,” E.D.I. Mean told SOHH. “He told me several things but one that always stuck with me, I was the first one out of the group to have a child, and we all grew up without fathers, so he told me how important it is to stay in your son’s life. He was just staying on me about being a father, a real father and not just a parttime father. That always stuck with me and I’m a father of six and I’m a father to each and every one of them.” (SOHH)

E.D.I. Mean also feels in 2011 and moving forward, it is more fashionable for men to take pride in being fathers.“Pac was definitely about family,” E.D.I. added. “He was about men being real men and raising their children. We lost a whole generation so now it’s up to us be more fathers. I feel like it’s coming back. I think it’s in style now to be a father.” (SOHH)

In August, Cash Money Records’ Bow Wow talked to SOHH about recently becoming a father.“Fatherhood is beautiful, know what I mean? I can’t complain, it made me a better rapper, and a better man,” Bow Wow told SOHH. “It made me see life differently. Clearly. It made me turn into a man overnight. I love it. It gets kinda difficult to [spend time in public] because fatherhood is kinda the hot story that’s around me right now, everybody wants to know [about us]. I was out in L.A. and everybody’s trying their best to get pictures of my daughter, so you know, it’s not easy.” (SOHH)

Earlier this month, RB singer The-Dream revealed married music couple Jay-Z and Beyonce’s excitement with their first baby on the way.
The producer/songwriter tells Billboard.com that his good friends Jay-Z and Beyonce stay just as busy as he does — which is why he’s overjoyed that the couple is expecting their first child. “They’re ecstatic, as well as they should be,” says The-Dream of Jay-Z and Beyonce, who announced her pregnancy at the MTV Video Music Awards. “I love it for them because they work so hard. To start a family after you’ve worked so hard is great. It’s great for her to be at a certain place in their life where she can say, ‘Okay, cool. I’ve killed it for this many years, but let me do this.’” (Billboard)

Young Noble Interview With Strange Music

Formed in the mid 90′s, the collective known as Outlawz is arguably one of the most recognizable names to be affiliated with the late Tupac Shakur.  Originally founded by Tupac, the group would go on to appear on some of his biggest records, including All Eyez On Me and The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory.  In the wake of Tupac’s untimely passing, the group would go through several line up changes, but continued to  release music on their own. The most recent line up of The Outlawz has experienced a resurgence in the spotlight with several online releases that would mark the beginning of a new era.  The release of their latest album, Perfect Timing, saw E.D.I., Hussein Fatal, and Young Noble return to form to release what has been called the best Outlawz album ever.  We recently spoke to Young Noble of The Outlawz regarding his work on Perfect Timing.  In a very open interview, Young Noble shared his thoughts on what Tupac would think of the new record and also discussed the group’s latest collaboration with Tech N9ne.  With something to prove to the world, Young Noble and The Outlawz look to be stronger than ever.

Can you explain the meaning behind Perfect Timing?
It just was fitting.  Just felt like God was working on our side.  It’s always something, in life, in music, it’s always something. Just seemed God was just working on our side.  From Fatal getting back into the group to how the album got pushed back and we had to drop it in September.  It just so happens that albums drop on Tuesday, so we had to drop it on the thirteenth, which was the fifteenth anniversary of Pac’s passing.  Past that, it’s just the perfect time for some real soldiers with a real message making real music to make a presence in this game.  I think we represent the epitome of that.

How does it feel to have people call this the best Outlawz release ever?
I love it, and before it came out we told people the same thing.  This is our best album so far.  I think we just took more time with it, we were more conscious about the beats we were picking.  Just the sound of the album, sounds real grown, real polished.  I knew it was our best album before the people even said it, so they just basically confirmed what we was saying.

During the record, did you ever stop to think about how Tupac would feel about it?
All the time.  I think when we record, we record with him in mind.  Being there with us or even what he would think of a record. Yeah, absolutely, we always got the big homie in mind with everything we doing.

On this album, you collaborated with Tech N9ne on the track “New Year’s”.  How did that come about?
Well, first and foremost, shout out to Tech and Strange Music and Travis.  Tech is our good friend, we been knowing Tech for years.  We always loved and supported his music.  We toured with him, a couple years back, on our last tour with him, and learned a lot from him.  This dude is one of the biggest if not the biggest independent artist.  We learned a lot from him being on the road.  He took his show very serious and put on a great show for the crowd.  From his merchandise, seeing his fans really get behind and support.  As an artist, Tech is phenomenal, he’s an extremely talented rapper.  The guy’s a beast.  I remember when I got put on to Tech N9ne back in the day.  I forgot who told me, it might have been like QD3 or somebody, was like “This dude Tech N9ne”, and I heard something.  This dude was damn near rapping backwards, I was like “What the fuck? This guy is crazy!”  It was just a pleasure having him a part of this album.  When we did the song, we was like, “Man, who can we put on this mufucker?”  We was like, “Tech.  How the beat switch up and it’s just crazy.  Tech could do wonders for this joint right here.”  We just reached out, and he was like, “Hell yeah, spin the record.”  You know, he always had love for us and Pac as well.  You know, it was a pleasure for him to hop on the record for us.  We actually trying to get a video for that joint right now.

It’s definitely a different sound. Do you think it’s something Tupac would have jumped on?
It woulda been crazy.  Pac was all about trying something new and different.  Pac was about creating something new, and that’s what The Outlawz is about as well.  We ain’t about following what the hell is going on right now, we about actually creating something new.  That beat, we had that beat for about two years man.  Just In the studio working, we were like, “Man, we gotta do something with this beat.”  We just had it in the vault.  One day we was going through all the beats n’ shit, and we were like, “You know what, let’s try this one out.”  The joint came out pretty hot and it was like, you know what, we gotta put somebody on it.  Tech was perfect and his schedule allowed him to hop on it.  It was a beautiful thing and the streets is going crazy for it.  We would love to keep working with Tech, definitely.  That’s our comrade, if he needs us on anything, all he’s gotta do is send it.  So yeah, we definitely look forward to doing some more music with Tech, absolutely.

What’s next for The Outlawz?
We definitely working on some solo projects.  All of us is going to do solo albums.  Hussein Fatal got a book about his life story just wrapped up.  E.D.I. writing screenplays, you know , I’m getting into directing now.  We’re going to be shooting our own independent film.  So, it’s going to be a beautiful thing, we’re trying to work this thing hard out.  If you don’t got this new album, go get it. This is going to possibly be the last Outlawz album.

Perfect Timing featuring Tech N9ne, Bun B, Krayzie Bone, Lloyd, and more is now available everywhere.  Visit www.outlawzmedia.net for music, videos, and tour dates from The Outlawz.  Follow The Outlawz on Twitter: @TheOutlawz.

Nameless KX - All My Respect Feat. The Outlawz (Official Video)

Perfect Timing Review By Odeisel (planetill.com)

How many times have we seen the top flight rapper and the crew of cronies he attempts to put on that everyone knows just wouldn’t make it by themselves? Oochie Wally aside and a very dope chant on “Made You Look,” do you really take the Bravehearts seriously? Remove the star that became Lil Kim and Junior Mafia isn’t really that good. But then you have The Outlawz. You know, those guys that used to rap with Tupac? No one has ever really believed that those guys belonged on the mic with the great Mr. Shakur, especially cosigning on “Hit Em Up.” After 15 years without ‘Pac and many trials and tribulations, the crew drops their final album, Perfect Timing.


The album features the three standing members EDI Mena, Fatal Hussein and  Young Noble, with guest appearances from former member Kastro, Tupac collaborators Scarface and Krayzie Bone, and grizzled veterans Tech N9ne and Bun B and as well as underground grinders Trae Tha Truth and Z-RO and crew of rising rappers to get it popping.  Crooner Lloyd shows up twice as well as the hidden talent Tony Williams.

One thing readily apparent is the growth in the Outlaws music. The album as a whole is very polished with a slick sound that isn’t quite commercial but is definitely professional. Their bars are efficient and smooth. You won’t be wowed by anything lyrically on the album but they are far more than place holders. “Keep It Lit” is the first standout track on the album with its steady drum and dirty bassline digital strings and sneaky keyboard work hoist some solid songwriting. Complete with radio ready hook. Young Noble spazzes out with grimy defiance on “Pay Off;” calling to the spirits of fallen comrades Khadafi and Tupac.

Lloyd slows the pace of the album with the Scarface- helmed “Pushing On.” Face mails in a verse and The Outlawz don’t really need him as they talk of progression and growth while staying true to yourself. “Real nigga music is back, turn it the fuck up,” roars Young Noble on the very dope “Tell Me Something Good.” The song is feel good music fit for drop tops and sunny skies with a melodic hook, crooned with that melodic thuggery that conjured that Tupac feel.

“Remember Me” with singing by Tony Williams is the emotional high point of the record with a spare piano s the main sound, garnished with high-key ivory and brushed cymbals on the breaks. The track speaks to the steadfast determination of the group to soldier on in the face of trials and tribulations. They speak of the dead and of memories and of being there for family and comrades. Family and God are the focus of Noble’s closing verse noting, “I want ya’ll to remember we always stood for something,” something that unfortunately not many rappers can say these days.

Maxwell’s bitchly wail from the opening of “This Woman’s Worth” is flipped for the ode to those thug loving hood women on “Don’t Wait.” The ever elusive hustler can’t seem to stick around long enough to be a family, but he loves her enough to tell her not to wait up for him. Ah the conundrum of ghetto love. Krayzie Bone delivers a crisp multi-flowed, melodic verse in the tradition of Bone.

All is not roses on the album. “Once in A Lifetime” doesn’t really fit the overall narrative. The crew is enticing chicks with no regard for who their man is and flaunting their celebrity status to star stunt is for younger cats, not vets. “So Clean” is the Outlawz version of trap music complete with candy paint references, 26 inch rims and snare drums. “100MPH,” with Bun B and Lloyd, is similarly dated even it has that feel good vibe.

In the end, the Outlawz finally proved that they had legitimate talent and the irony of Perfect Timing, is that they shined brighter without the guests, toting the chips of 15 years of naysaying and struggle. They are solid lyrically, confident in their flow and their veteran approach to crafting this album is evident. With this album standing as perhaps their last gasp as a group, it was Perfect Timing to put to rest any nothing that they were Tupac tagalongs. They succeeded.
3.5/5

Perfect Timing Review By Chiino (musicovered.com)

If you have any sort of worth, you’d know the significance 13th September has to Hip Hop. On that date in 1996, it marked the death of 2Pac. The Rap nation mourned the passing of an icon and forever the industry had changed. From that point, it became his affiliates’ role to continue his legacy and – even this far down the line – they’ve done so. Dropping their latest release on that all-important date, the Outlawz

(the crew ‘Pac rolled with) return from a slight gap with the suited-titled “Perfect Timing”. Equipped with some of the best links in the Hip Hop world, here’s what happens when you’re not quite established in your own right, but every rapper going wants to be linked to the high-ranking status you’ve got.
Looking at the album on the face of it, it’s difficult to even guess at strong starting places to skip to. It may feature the likes of Tech N9ne, Lloyd and Bun B, but nothing too attention-grabbing makes this release worth delving into. Its an issue which plagues the entire album, whereby the lack of character makes it feel like more of a chore to listen to the record in its entirety, rather than take it for what it gives. A plus to consider, though, is that the teaming of Young Noble, Fatal Hussein and E.D.I. don’t use this album purely to commemorate 15 years since ‘Pac’s death. Instead, they shy away from a melancholy release, by opting to make a celebratory album… even if there isn’t with as much to get excited about.

Preconceptions about the MCs potentially returning a little rustier than their last outing (after a five-year gap between this and their last album – not including the few mixtapes in-between) turn out to be deserved. While the spirit of the ‘90s is alive with their drawled delivery, retro-era production and mature guests, they remain behind with the times. Focusing-in on “Keep it Lit”, for instance, the spitters seem lethargic as they rhyme over Mafioso-styled production. It’s one of a host of examples, which leech the release of any potential to become a Hip Hop must-have. As emotive as the lyrics may be on tunes like “Pushin’ On”, “Don’t Wait” and “Remember Me” may be, their personalities aren’t enough to carry the averagely-made beats which they ride.

While a lot of this album can be criticised for being backwards in areas (with reflective lyrics, lyrical content which hasn’t progressed etc.) they do find a way into the current swing of the Rap game; “So Clean” – with its Trunk Music shell – being one of the shining moments. Elsewhere, on “Fast Lane”, they manage to convincingly prove that they can pull off something ready for radio. It takes on a conventional format and achieves its goal, but are only special in comparison to what else is on the album.

All in all, what’s found on “Perfect Timing” is the best that you’re likely to get out of a trio of average MCs (especially when so far removed from their glory years). It comes across as another attempt to try to please the Outlawz’ old fan base, but without pushing any boundaries with their work. We find ourselves tracking over well-trodden ground, even referencing various classic Hip Hop lines. Given that the recording process for this album began in ‘09, there are clearly parts of the release which sound dated. However, the all-round sound given from the album is one which isn’t really in-touch with the current state of the industry – to a degree, this even stretches through to the acts who feature on it.
Outlawz’ “Perfect Timing” gets a musicovered score of 4/10.

Perfect Timing Review By XXLMag

Tuesday marked the 15th year anniversary of the death of 2Pac. As time passes, memories often fade and the void left by the loss of one man is eventually filled by the arrival of the next. As examined throughout our September issue of XXL, ‘Pac was an exception to this rule. In commemorating this date, the Outlawz have come through with the fittingly titled Perfect Timing, an homage to the man who founded the group in 1995.

The three remaining Outlawz (E.D.I Mean, Hussein Fatal, & Young Noble) kick things off on the title track “Perfect Timing,” a classic Outlawz record with a ’90s vibe that feels like ‘Pac could hop on it at any second. The trio continues to showcase their step up in production on “Fast Lane,” a spirited motivational anthem about staying on your grind. Young Noble delivers a memorable verse rapping “Get in on consignment, they fuck with you the long way/Your boy shine bright like them lights up on Broadway/Outlaw Rider, I gotta do it my way/Smoke in the air, doing 80 on the highway.” The album also boasts some notable guest features, most of which compliment the ‘Lawz very well. Highlights include Krayzie Bone’s verse on the pensive “Don’t Wait,” and Bun B’s appearance on the radio-ready “100 MPH.”

On the flip side, some of the more aggressive tracks like “Pay Off” and “New Years,” take away from the overall atmosphere of the project. The latter features a monstrous verse from Tech N9ne and results in a solid offering, but it does feel out of place in the larger context of the release.
Perfect Timing marks the end of the Outlawz era, as the group has stated this will be their final collective release. But with this project, the last men standing in the group ‘Pac formed are going out on their own terms: with an album rooted in throwback ’90s hip-hop sensibilities, accompanied with the contemporary production that makes their sound distinct and unique, rather than outdated. ‘Pac would surely be proud. —Neil Martinez-Belkin

The Outlawz Interview On Sway In The Morning

EDI Getting Tatted Up @ Basement Tattoo Shop

The Outlawz Interview With Respect Mag

Everybody has a favorite Tupac record. For the rider who blasted the street anthem “Hit’ Em Up,” ‘Pac’s lyrical assaults against the Notorious B.I.G. with some of the realest members from his crew Outlawz adding more collective insults, painted a vivid picture of ‘Thug Life’ for generations to come. Outlawz have disbanded since ‘Pac’s death, but kept in contact to honor their loyalty to the legendary rapper who touched millions of fans and artists worldwide with his Makaveli movement.

In light of ‘Pac 15th anniversary of his tragic passing on Tuesday, the once 11-member Outlawz has dwindled  to three last men standing – Hussein Fatal, Young Noble and E.D.I. Mean – who released their final album Perfect Timing, on the same day. Turning the time of ‘Pac’s absence to a celebration of Outlawz’ fifteen year reunion, the trio has gathered for an album that pays homage to his unmatched toughness, while spreading their message of ‘Ghetto Gospel.’
At the Park Central Hotel in the heart of Manhattan, where Outlawz have wrapped up a busy media blitz with RESPECT., they still acknowledge ‘Pac’s ear for talent that went coast to coast, recalling a time of the One Nation joint with Boot Camp Clik and similarities within the crews, and labeling them their comrades from the East.  Fans will appreciate the possibly of a collaboration, as Noble says, “It’s long overdue.”

Take note of their readiness in offering the hip-hop game another Outlawz classic. Because in the words of ‘Pac – “Its Outlawz motherfuckers till we die” – and they’re ready to keep running and gunning on Perfect Timing.


Tuesday marked the 15th anniversary of Tupac Shakur’s death. How has he impacted the game that is incomparable to other rappers?
E.D.I. – I think he has impacted the game massively. You can hear his influences from an array of different artists. From top to bottom. His music definitely impacted the industry, as well as the world.
Noble – I think ‘Pac … the reason why he is still the utmost relevancy 15 years later because of his message. He rapped about real-life, and real-life issues. Its issues that never get old – it’s timeless. 20 years from now, the messages are still going to have relevancy.

Was it a dedication to have the release of Perfect Timing on the same day?
E.D.I. – It wasn’t really a dedication, it just so happen that our album was going to drop early in 2011. But it got pushed back because of industry issues, clearances. So September was the best date, and we was like: ‘Why not September 13?’ Turn a negative day into a positive day and drop our album on the 13th. Anything we do is pretty much a dedication; it ain’t like we chose the album dropping on that day as a dedication. The music is obviously inspired by him. So it’s all a dedication to him as a whole.

You mentioned that Tupac has timeless messages. Do the Outlawz follow the same thing?
E.D.I. – Absolutely. Definitely. All through Perfect Timing you can hear that. We got a song on there called “Pushin’ On” featuring Lloyd and Scarface and that’s definitely in that vein. It’s called ‘Ghetto Gospel.’ That’s what we do.
You guys have an Outlawz G-Mix of Ross and Meek Mill’s “Tupac Back.” Was the motivation behind this record like a stamp of approval from veterans?
Noble – We did that because the streets begged us to do it. On Twitter, Facebook, and e-mails every day, the fans were like: ‘Yo you should have been on that record.’ Or whatever the case may be, they basically begged us to do it. If they didn’t beg us to do it, then we probably wouldn’t do it. That was just the ode to the streets – us responding to the people.

You guys say that you’re messengers of the ‘Ghetto Gospel.’ Is that throughout Perfect Timing and all your previous records too?
E.D.I. – It’s definitely throughout all our previous records, and Perfect Timing got that on there, but that’s not what Perfect Timing is about. Perfect Timing got music on there for every emotion in life. Whatever is up or down, left or right. Perfect Timing got that all on there.
Noble – You know, Ghetto Gospel is our main thing, but we just try to make great music.
E.D.I. – Absolutely.
Noble – Some days we want to party. Some days we just want – you know – fuck with the ladies. Some days we just want to be on our gangsta shit. We pretty much do it all, but at the end of the day – overall – we try to give ‘em some substance to our music. 80 percent substance, the rest is entertainment, lyricism all that stuff.

There are a bunch of different emotions on the album. ‘Thug Life’ has always been associated with the Outlawz and ‘Pac. Are fans going to see some heavy representations of the lifestyle on the album? Or is it progression?
E.D.I. – Its progression man. It’s all about moving forward. You can’t keep doing the same record over and over again. So, of course, we are not gonna do stuff that was before, but it all comes from the same place. It all comes from the love the music, the art, the lyricism. Delivering a message to the people and having a good time at the same time.

Are there any personal favorites you would like to mention to RESPECT.?
Fatal – We got this one joint with Tupac on there, it’s something new. Nah, I’m fuckin’ with ya. [laughs]
I like the joint “Perfect Timing.” It’s based on perfect timing. You know black diamonds. You know shining out of nothing and all that.
Noble – I be having a different one every other day man. The album, every song has a different feel to it. So every other day I got a different favorite.

What’s your favorite today?
Noble – I would say, “Keep It Lit.” We keeping it lit right now. We got it turned up to the third power. We gonna keep it lit.

This is sort of a reunion for you Fatal. You did some work on the mixtapes and now you are on Perfect Timing. What was your decision to come back to the Outlawz?
Fatal – I mean it wasn’t really a decision. It was really the perfect time. It was the perfect time to hook this shit back up. Get back to the flow of things, and dedicate this 15 years of lost time back to who we owe it to, the man ‘Pac upstairs.
Noble – Really, it’s a reunion as far as the album is concerned, but in life it ain’t a reunion. I grew up with Fatal. That’s my big brother, and I love him and honor him. Prior to this, we’ve been doing music together. We did a whole Noble and Fatal album that came out in 2008, called Thug in Thug Out. When Fatal was doing his solo stuff, we was featured on it. Rap a lot on different projects and different stuff. We just now doing stuff together, but yes it is our first full-fledged Outlawz album together. It’s crazy that it took us this long to do it. We should be kicking ourselves in our ass for even putting ourselves through that all these years.

I’ve noticed you guys didn’t reach out to the new generation of artists. Did you want to strictly keep it with the old school artists?
Noble – Actually, we fuck with a lot of the new producers on the album. The majority of the producers you’ve never heard of. Everything we do, we work with new artists. Every mixtape we introduce – new artists. Like from the beginning to our career, you listen to everything we drop, we always introduce somebody new. That’s just what we do. We fuck with the streets. We fuck with the underdogs. As for the album, we fuck with people who have mutual respect for us.
E.D.I. – Just because an artist isn’t hot on the radio every day. He just dropped his hottest album. That don’t mean he still relevant, he ain’t still got what it takes to bring something extra to the album. Scarface, Krayzie Bone, Tech N9NE – those are all vets in the game, but they’re still raw. They’re still snappin’. They’re still on top of the game, but they don’t got the “like” of the industry right now. We still wanted to reach out to them and the new artists like Lloyd. Lloyd is a new artist. We definitely got him on their twice.

You also got a production credit by Focus …?
Noble – He did one of our classic tracks.
E.D.I. – That’s your favorite track, right there! “Keep It Lit.”
Noble – He did a track for our 2005 album called “Real Talk.” That’s one of the classic Outlawz record that the fans love. They love that “Real Talk” so we had to bring Focus … back on board for the new one.

So who is the Outlawz co-signing besides Lloyd?
Noble – There’s a lot of young, up-and-coming talent.
Fatal – When you’re a fan of hip-hop as a whole, it’s harder to point out who’s hot, or who’s hotter than who. We’re not here to speak on who’s hot and who’s not. We just enjoy music as a whole.
E.D.I. – We definitely enjoy some of everything from the newer generation. I don’t feel like all is lost with hip-hop. I just think it got to add a little bit more diversity to it. But other than that, there’s a lot of young cats spitting, trying to take it to the next level and salute to all of them.
Noble – We salute the young dudes coming into the game and making a name for themselves. Making some money, feeding they families, doing what they got to do.

Rap music has changed a lot since the Outlawz were in full effect. Is rap heading in the right direction?
Noble – We trying to make it head into the right direction. We leaders. We got a whole Outlawz culture, nationwide that pretty much look to us to lead the way.  We trying to bring a change to the game. It’s the perfect time for some real soldiers with real history, with a real message to set into the forefront of this game and think we represent the epitome of that. We been putting work for a long time, and we here and we are at our best right now.

So with two mixtapes [Killuminati 2k10 and Killuminati 2k11] currently circulating the web, the album dropping on Tuesday and now you guys are on Twitter, I heard that this is your last official album. Is this the time to pass the torch down to the younger generation?
E.D.I. – We pass the torch every time; we rock with one of ‘em, or see one of ‘em. A lot of cats in the game right now we knew before they got “famous” or “big.” We always pass the proverbial torch to them on that level. As far as this Outlawz torch, we are going to hold that forever. It ain’t about no passing the torch. ‘Pac gave it to us to hold on and represent it until it is no more. So we gonna always do that – whether as the group, the Outlawz – or whether you see one of us.
When you see one of us, you really see all of us anyway. It might not necessary be an Outlawz album, but there will always be Outlawz music, the family, the vibe will be there. I’m sure we will be doing different stuff on each other’s projects.
But as far as this being the last album, it really depends on the fans and how they go out there and support the album. We feel we got an audience that’s listening to us, that we can talk to and we’ll keep doing music. But if they want to move on and listen to this newer generation, then this will be the last Outlawz album.
Noble – Yeah, the game is so fucked up right now. It’s crazy. At the end of the day, we puttin’ the realest shit out there. And the game is screamin’ for something real.

Win 2Pac’s Platinum Plaque for All Eyes On Me

In celebration of their new album, Perfect Timing, the Outlawz have partnered with XXLMag.com for an exclusive contest where the winner will receive 2Pac’s platinum plaque for his classic 1996 album, All Eyez On Me.
In order to enter the running, readers will have to email XXL@harris-pub.com under the subject line “Outlawz Contest” with a photo of the receipt proving that they purchased the group’s lastest CD, along with their name, phone number and physical address.
XXL will be accepting submissions until Friday, October 14. After the contest is closed, a winner will be picked at random, and Young Noble, E.D.I. Mean and Hussein Fatal will present the prize in person.
This contest is open to fans that are currently living in the United States only.
Good luck!

The Outlawz Live Interview With XXLmag

Outlawz and Jim Jones collab Coming SOOON!!