1st part:
Brooklyn’s History, Childhood, Influences … general facts:

Aftermathmusic.com:
Hey Brooklyn. Thank you for this interview. Are you ready for the interview?

Brooklyn:
Sure! I was so happy when I saw the site (Brooklyn.Aftermathmusic.com). I like it so much. Thank you!

Aftermathmusic.com:
Please tell us a little bit about your background … your childhood, where do you come from!

Brooklyn:
Well I was born in King’s County Hospital in Brooklyn. And I grew up on New Locks and Wyonna East New York (both laughs)Were it’s really like the gutter. I’t not a really like you know. It’s not really like a rich neighborhood or whatever. It’s alot of poverty. Alot of drug selling. But for the most part I was a real creative child so I don’t think any of that ever really bothered me.

Aftermathmusic.com:
You left your home very early. Why?

Brooklyn:
Yeah I did (Brooklyn laughs) Well I was living with my aunt at the time that I left home and everything. My Moms My moms wasn’t really around. My father was never around. And it was just like I was young and I wanted to do things with my life.I wanted to go somewhere you understand me. It was just time for me to go plus I didn’t have a close relationship with my family. It was really really unorganized so I had to escape and I did.

Aftermathmusic.com:
So you’re 19 now. When is your birthday? It’s for your website.

Brooklyn:
May 19th, 1984

Aftermathmusic.com:
When did you start to rapping and singing?

Brooklyn:
Well, I started singing young. Like I would sing with my Mom. My Mom would clean. Like we would have to do Saturday cleaning so we wouldn’t have to do anything on Sunday. Cause we’d have to go to church on Sunday so my mom would blast the radio. Play like Natalie Cole Whitney Houston and all of that. so we would sing along with her. so I started singing at a very young age I was like about 5 or 6 years old. Back then I never took singing seriously it was just something that I could do that I never really paid attention to. I never looked it as a talent. I look it as a little hobby or something. I started rapping when I was about 14 it was like freshman year in high school thatt’s when I started rapping .The singing came back when I was like 16. I started experimenting with singing a little more and taking it seriously. I just continued on with it.

Aftermathmusic.com:
Which artists influenced you most?

Brooklyn:
Oh, I don’t know. I can’t honestly say who. I had a lot of people. I listened to a lot of 2Pac growing up, I listened to Jay-Z, Biggie. Sometimes I listened to a lot of Lauryn Hill. I love her voice, you know. She sings and she raps. These people are few of my influences.

2nd Part:
Aftermath, the signing to the math, artists, the Aftermath situation:

Aftermathmusic.com:
Your signing to the math – how did that come?

Brooklyn:
Well, my homeboy at the time, he knew my manager and everything. He was awared that I was an artist. His name is Chris Boogie and he’s from Queens. He went to Cali and ended up with someone from Dre’s label … Mike Lynn. Mike got a CD from me and 3 days later he called me and said, ‘Come to Cali’. That’s what happened.

Aftermathmusic.com:
So when did you signed your contract?

Brooklyn:
Oh, last year … like May. I´m officially signed like 1 week before my birthday or 1 week 2 weeks before my birthday.

Aftermathmusic.com:
So it was your birthday present …

Brooklyn:
(laughs) … yeah it was. It definetely was.

Aftermathmusic.com:
What’s your thoughts about this deal? Can you give us some details?

Brooklyn:
Oh yeah. I’ve been lately working on a couple of more songs for my album. But I´ve been in the middle of writing for other artists and working on other artists albums such as Maxwell, you know. After this street album it’s time for Brooklyn. Here I go.

Aftermathmusic.com:
Signed on the math – Is all of that exciting for you right now?

Brooklyn:
I don’t have it easy. I was reading the message board and a fan said ” Dre’s not gonna hold your hand forever.” Understand Dre has never held my hand. Everyone is an equal over there (Aftermath). Sometimes it’s hard sometimes it’s not.

Aftermathmusic.com:
The artists on the math are …

Brooklyn:
Uum, I don’t really know (laughs)

Aftermathmusic.com:
What?

Brooklyn:
I don’t know as far as the other artists since I’ve traveling so much back and forth. I haven’t really seen people as much as I like to, but there’s a lot of talented artists finishing up their projects on tha Math right now. I believe they have a new singer, Antonio. He’s also from New York. He’s signed to tha Math and everything. I guess everybody’s working on their own projects. It’s very hard to keep in touch with everything that’s going on.

Aftermathmusic.com:
I never heard any tracks from Amy and Antonio.

Brooklyn:
I know. I heard a couple of tracks from Antonio. Yeah, it’s a serious album. He sings, he’s not rapping on the album. So I´m sure, that’s gonna be a big album. And I think, that Amy is not with Aftermath anymore.

Aftermathmusic.com:
She’s not?

Brooklyn:
Yeah.

Aftermathmusic.com:
Who’s the best artist on the math and why?

Brooklyn:
Uuum, I dunno. (laughs). Everybody makes their own stuff. You understand? My album is my album, you know? And that’s Brooklyn. So nobody can do with Brooklyn. But we have Game. He’s from Compton, but he sounds like he’s from the Eastcoast. But everybody has a different style. I can’t really pick a favour, everybody is different.

Aftermathmusic.com:
You recorded the Many Men remix with DJ Vlad. Are you reffering the track to Eve, Foxy and Lil Kim. “I ain’t fox not kim not eve … I´m fully cabeled to burn all 3″ …

Brooklyn:
(Laughing) Well see the thing about that remix a lot of people took it as a diss record. It’s not a diss record. If it were I would have concentrating on emotionally crushing them. I was trying to let people know here comes Brooklyn and she’s going against the fickle. In reality they ladies aren’t considered in the game aren’t my competion they more concerned about they record sale, then new person move and who’s the best. I’m not about that. The remix was more of an introduction of what to come from Brooklyn and let it be known it was not not a diss record. If I was to be approached. I don’t think I’d EVER do a record with Foxy, but would maybe do a record with Kim if approached. Now working with Eve I’d think about it.

Aftermathmusic.com:
How is your relationship to Eve? You know, she signed to Aftermath, too.

Brooklyn:
Yeah, but I don’t … ok, I met her once. And she was cool. She’s a cool person. She’s very quiet and very nice. But I don’t know her, you understand? I don’t really know her as a person.

Aftermathmusic.com:
You also said in this track “Fuck Murder Inc” – What’s ya thoughts about this beef?

Brooklyn:
See, I call it wack (laughs). It’s like a repeat of Pac n Biggie. It’s so senseless and ridicolous. But the media blows it up. I peronsally believe, if you go to the hood and you say something to a N****, you not leave the hood without scratches on you. Talking is senseless. So talk about just be about it. That’s my whole view of it. Brooklyn is not in the middle of the beef, and a lot of people should realize that.

Aftermathmusic.com:
Which albums from Aftermath can we expect in 2004?

Brooklyn:
Oh yeah. No thought about it … (laughs)

Aftermathmusic.com:
Do you have some guest appearances on several albums?

Brooklyn:
The thing about my album is. As I go along I’m still working on new things. I’m meeting new people and artists. You never know who’s gonna be on the album. I’m not sure if “In Tha Hood” will even make the album. I don’t want my album to be flooded with a bunch of cameos and features. A lot of artists do that with their first album. They have a lot artist on they album and THEY ARE TRASH. Their solo stuff is trash, so they need the other artists. I don’t a lot of cameos, because I’m comfortable with my music. It’s something new. It’s nothing else that anyone else can bring to the table. I’m comfortable where I’m at. I’m really content with how it’s going and like how it’s sounding and I’m happy with it.

Aftermathmusic.com:
How was the work with Dr. Dre and Mel Man?

Brooklyn:
Mel Man (Laughs) … I love Mel Man. He’s the one who made me feel like the one who made me feel the most comfortable when I went to Cali and first with Aftermath. He would always make sure I was OK and I’m always gonna have that love for him. That’s what’s he gave me and that’s the only thing I can give in return,so that’s all I can say about Mel Man.

Aftermathmusic.com:
There were some rumors, that you are goin to leave Aftermath.

Brooklyn:
Uuum, rumors are rumors. Nobody knows where they come from. You know, the people are alaways quick in writing bullshit. And I think, that’s unfair. Lile I said, I´m working very very hard on my album. So whatever happen with Brooklyn it’s gonna be something big. But I don’t think I´ll be leaving any time.

Aftermathmusic.com:
So many artists left Aftermath – Rakim, Hittman, Truth, Last Emperor or King T. Why? What’ are the reasons? I also told you about the Aftermath situation. The Source reported, that Mel Man is goin to leave Aftermath, too. Can you give us some more information?

Brooklyn:
Yes (laughing) I read it you don’t even have to tell me. I read it and I can’t even really express how I feel about it. It’s really realy sad. It’s sad to me cuz I knew some of them people. I knew Mel Man and he was in that Source article, too. Regarding of that fact, I’m always gonna have love for Mel. The Source has been going at it with Aftermath for a long time, ya understand. The Source looks at it as hey it’s controversial so it’s gonna sell. Let’s put 50 on the cover. People gonna buy it cause he’s the hottest artist right now. Then when you read the article all you’ll read is negative shit about Tha Math. I don’t know why certain people left. They all have their own different relationship. I can’t even add fuel to that fire. I wouldn’t even try to start my own, but you got to do what you got to do. If you feel, that you ain’t making moves where you at, you got to do what you got to do. If it’s in The Source it could possibly be true. It could possibly be not true but I don’t know. I don’t feed into the negative. I’m gonna keep it truthful with you I really don’t know.

3rd part:
Upcomin Projects, mixtapes, remixes, appearances

Aftermathmusic.com:
Who are the producers and features on your album? Can you give us some more information?

Brooklyn:
Uumm, I have a lot of producers on my album and also my people from back in the days. I produced something with Parle, Young Zee from Jersey. I have extremely good producers on the album. You know, it’s simple and it’s real.

Aftermathmusic.com:
The fans expected your album “Name and Address” to come out late March. But we never heard anything… what’s happened?

Brooklyn:
I know, I know, but I´m telling you honestly I wasn’t ready. I wanted it to be a classic, a master piece. I´m a perfectionist. What I do have to be 100% perfect. I´m a new artist, coming out with my 1st album. That has to be really something big and it has to make a lot of noise. I learned so much over the last couple of month.

Aftermathmusic.com:
Is there a release date yet?

Brooklyn:
Wow, I can honestly tell you in 2004. (laughs loud).

Aftermathmusic.com:
How would you describe your sound and style?

Brooklyn:
It’s universal. I´m rappin’ on some songs like “Hood”, I´m singin’. Some songs are for the clubs. It’s very universal. It’s not an album for 1 category. It’s like all the categories are combined in album. That’s how it is.

Aftermathmusic.com:
What’s your favorite track on the album?

Brooklyn:
A favourite track? … uumm, ok ok. 1 of my favourite tracks is “Good for nothing”. I rapped on it, but I took me like 15 minutes to wrote the track. I woke up one morning and I thought about all the things that was stressing me out. It’s like, ok – god give me the strength. (laughs) And I started writing and it’s basically it starts off discussing what I’be been to, you know my childhood and how the industry can be. It’s hard for an upcoming artist, you know?

Aftermathmusic.com:
You said, you’re goin to release a street album. Please give us some more information?

Brooklyn:
It’s almost done. It’s gonne be worldwide, cause it’s not like a regular mixtape. It’s kinda like a preview of what’s gonna happen and how Brooklyn is comin’. It has a lot of different songs on it, but it doesn’t have any tracks of my album. I´ll send you some tapes and maybe I´ll make a trip out to Germany.

Aftermathmusic.com:
Come to Germany. 50 is right here for his european tour.

Brooklyn:
(Laughs). Oh yeah? That’s great! He’s a very good person.

Aftermathmusic.com:
DJ Vlad said, you recorded a track with Biggie Verses … and he said the song is really hot. Is the song on your street album?

Brooklyn:
Oh yeah. Yeah it is.

Aftermathmusic.com:
And you are on the latest DJ Vlad’s Mixtape “2Pac – Rap Phenomenon”, right? How was it for you to record the track “Me against the world” with 2Pac vocals?

Brooklyn:
I’d even get a chance to hear it yet. I was so tired that night and I just went in and did it. I was like here Vlad and I’m out. I don’t even think I even said goodbye at first. I just took my jacket and walked out was so tired, but hopefully it sounds good, cause I’d even get a chance to hear it.

Aftermathmusic.com:
So what’s your thoughts about 2Pac?

Brooklyn:
I would have to say, that he was a brilliant writer and a prophet as a human being. One thing about 2Pac, if you look at his picture now before he past. He looks tired and you can tell he was ready to move on. 2Pac should have been still living, still breathing and still making records and that’s sad. I think, he was a poet, he was a leader, he was something like a rap Bob Marley. It was sad when he died. If look at it, he wasn’t really around long enough to shine until after his death him and Biggie, but I loved his music and still does. I can’t really speak on 2Pac much because I never knew him in life, but I enjoy listening to him. You can tell by his music, he was trying to make his life positive in his music. People like to express themselves in their music and that’s exactly what he did.

Aftermathmusic.com:
Is Dr. Dre talking about 2Pac like about his work with him or stuff like that?

Brooklyn:
I have no idea. I don’t know where all that came. All I know is things would have been different, if he was still alive. Who knows? If he was alive, he probably would never did a song with any of the guys using his tracks and he probably could have been like “Fuck All Ya’ll”. We don’t know, because we can’t ask him, because he aint, here because of the violence of the so called “East Coast/West Coast” beef. The shit don’t stop. It’s like another mess all over again and it’s just tiring .

4th Part:
Generell questions about the music industry:

Aftermathmusic.com:
What’s the best promotion for an artist? Mixtapes?

Brooklyn:
I think the mixtape stuff should have stayed underground. It’s wasn’t as big then as it is now. Now because it’s so big it’s like everyone’s going that route. The negative or Con to that is that everyone’s doing the same thing, making the same moves. It’s a game of follow the leader and no one seems to want to be a leader. I don’t think it will work It’s gonna be to a point where artists will be losing more $$$$$ on mix tapes alone. I don’t know. I think it killed the whole street thing. the whole street mixtape thing was killed because now stores are selling mixtapes. That’s not official. Back in the dayz that was cats hustle selling tapes out they trunks and now it’s everybody’s hustle. How do you switch up the game now? That’s what everybody needs to think about. It’s not playing follow the leader it’s about being a leader yourself.

5th Part:
Brooklyn’s future:

Aftermathmusic.com:
When are you goin on tour? What’s up with a promo tour?

Brooklyn:
O yeah, right after the Street Album I’m starting a promo tour. I will go to Germany, I´ll go to the UK, I´ll do the tour in the states. That’s kinda like giving everybody a sample of Brooklyn. I wanna see the people, I wanna see what the people liking. So that’s important for me.

Aftermathmusic.com:
The up in Smoke Tour part 2 is in works right now. Will you be a part of it?

Brooklyn:
I haven’t been thinking about it. It’s somewhere in the back of my mind. But (laughs) I dunno. I have no idea. I´m still thinking about it, but I’m not sure.

Aftermathmusic.com:
You said, you wanna to be an actor, too…

Brooklyn:
O yeah. I definetely do. Actually, I´m starting to work on a script and I will sumbit this script in Spring of 2004. I want to be in a silver screen movie, not just a low budget film.

Aftermathmusic.com:
How do you see yourself in the next 5 years?

Brooklyn:
Oh very big. I plan so much. I wanna be an artist, I wanna be a writer, a producer, uuum director. You know anything I can be. I wanna be a very very successful person in the next 5 years. (laughs)

Aftermathmusic.com:
Do you feel like you’re ready for the big business?

Brooklyn:
Oh yeah!

Aftermathmusic.com:
2003 and 2004 … what does it hold for Brooklyn?

Brooklyn:
Like I said, from the top of 2004 you will be hear a lot from me. I´ll be in the clubs, I´ll be on the radio, I´ll be everywhere … so look out for that. Look out for the album. Look out for the “NYC Meets Germany” Mixtape.

Brooklyn Q & A:

- The best artists is: Jay-Z
- Favourite album of all time: Reasonable Doubt

Aftermathmusic.com:
Thank you for the Interview and I hope we keep in touch!

Brooklyn:
Yeah fo sho!