R.I.P to the one of the best mc's and the best multi syllable spitting mc ever. Today is the anniversary. Here is some new articles about some shit I really didn't know.
His wife.
Si Ent.: 2008 marks the 10th anniversary of Pun's debut album Capital Punishment. How will you celebrate?
Liza Rios: We're trying to create Pun '08, all day. Beginning with a tribute, [we're] also re-releasing the album [Capital Punishment] on the 10th anniversary [April 28, 2008] with some bonus tracks and features. And there's a documentary [The Definitive Series: Big Pun: 10th Anniversary of Capital Punishment] that's complete and I'm very proud of that. Then also the Big Pun Foundation.
Si Ent.: What's the Big Pun Foundation?
LR: The focus is [on] obesity [and] health. It's obviously a problem in the U.S. you know to eat healthy and organic [foods] costs [a lot of] money. In these supermarkets in the hood there's no organic food and if there is it's very expensive. It's obviously not for us. But I'm concerned with how to eat better and also helping those who are extremely overweight. But that's just one issue. Obviously, Pun had a weight issue that resulted from issues in his past. He was depressed about his childhood and there were certain things he couldn't let go. [He] didn't know how to deal with [some things] emotionally and he basically attached his emotions to food. That was his drug. Some people attach it to crack, or sex, or money and his was food. If he was upset, he'll eat; if he was happy, he'll eat; if he was sad, he'll eat. Then he gained so much weight, he didn't work out and it [became] a vicious cycle. Because he gained the weight and then he's depressed because he's not in the body that he wants to be in and he's trapped. And then he'll lash out from his anger. This is clearly a disease. I myself got back in the gym, and that's also for Pun.
Si Ent.: Things haven't been so well for you financially since Pun's death, is that correct?
LR: People really think that I have a couple of millions and a couple of furs and cars [but] that's not the truth. The truth is that after Pun hit platinum he started asking where his royalties were. He asked [Fat Joe] in my living room several times, "Where are my royalties?" He already went two times platinum and [was] working on Yeeeah Baby and asking about his checks. The answer was always that it was recouped. Pun let it slide by and just trusted that things would be good. I know he always trusted the fact that if he passed away, his family was going to be good. We even argued about that. He swore, "You're TS, I'm TS!" He punched his chest and said "I'm TS." And I was upset because I didn't trust that-meaning trusting another man to make sure that I'm good.
Si Ent.: So Pun believed his family would never be broke?
LR: I don't know. I know he thought he was always going to have money. I mean he had money and he would spend it quick! That's the thing, you give a ghetto n***a some money and it's going to be gone. We always had money. We got together when he was 18 and I was 17 and he won a lawsuit which brought him half of a million dollars; that had nothing to do with the music. And like I said, you give an 18-year-old $100,000, who never had any parental guidance or ever had anything, he's turning ghetto fabulous. Buy this, buy that, you know. Take care of this and that person and he was very generous. When he passed away I had $8,000 in the bank. He had spent all his money. I had to get paid off his cars. I lived off that for a little bit. A regular person would think that I would have millions from those record sales. But the truth is that I was supposed to get $100,000 from Endangered Species; $50,000 upfront and $50,000 afterwards. But instead I received $50,000 upfront and $25,000 afterwards. Why? Because they split the last $50,000 into two checks and one check was stolen. So I acquired $75K, then I received one royalty check for Endangered Species two years ago of $14K.
The deal Joe made with Pun is that, Joe would be the administrative of his estate. So all the money would go to Joe first and he'll break Pun off. Now that Pun's not here, he's supposed to be breaking me off, but he's not. He'll say it hasn't been recouped but if you figure over two million [records sold], c'mon, he's been recouped. I asked to transfer Capital Punishment's and Yeeeah Baby's rights to Pun's estate. The response I got [from the lawyers] was that only Joe could do that. So who's getting the checks then? And even still I've tried to reach Joe, but it never works out. I don't get an answer or anything. I don't hate him. With the times we shared I know we were genuine whether Joe was or not. And I know if it was Joe who passed, best believe that his two kids would've been in my house. I would've taken care of his kids, Pun would've looked after the family, his mom, all of that. Even if Joe doesn't like me, it's about Pun's kids more than anything else.
Si Ent.: Any last words?
LR: I just want to thank all of Pun's supporters, thank you for not forgetting him and keeping him alive. It really comes down to the hood remembering Pun as the greatest lyricist. And we're doing the All Black Affair today, the anniversary of his death. It's at a secret location and will include the live filming of Pun's Capital Punishment documentary. And this is leading to the major tribute in the end of April which marks the 10th anniversary. Some of your favorite celebs will be there to show love. And though now it's when this is finally happening, the industry might've forgotten him, but the streets never did. I've realized that Pun still has many die-hard fans and this is for them as much as it is for him. If you want to reach me, you can at myspace.com/mrspun.
http://entertainment.sitv.com/features/liza-rios-braveheart
Cuban Link
Big Pun's legacy not only impacted millions of fans, but his close friends as well--perhaps none more than Cuban Link. Before he became Terror Squad's most feared lyricist, Pun promised to bring Cuban with him. Unfortunately Pun's untimely passing left the dream unfulfilled. Today, Cuban still holds his pana close to his heart and also remains at odds with Fat Joe. Fresh off of a diss song ("You're Not Hood") targeting Joe, DJ Khaled and Rick Ross, Cuban spoke to Sí Entertainment about Pun and the truth about his falling out with Joe.
Si Ent.: What's you favorite memory of Pun?
Cuban Link: Ah there's so many! The most life-changing for me was when I got out the hospital from being stabbed up. I was getting ready to quit the game, [because of] all the drama that was going on in my life at the time. Pun came to my house and told me, "I need you in my life, you're gonna roll with me and we're gonna do this together." Then he gave me a pen and a pad and told me, "You gotta start writing." But he was my brother for real, the way Pun carried himself was the way he carried himself in lyrics and they're ain't too many rappers that do it like that anymore. I owe more than a quarter of my style to Pun.
Si Ent.: What was the last thing you and Pun spoke about before his passing?
CL: It was a business conversation about Fat Joe being greedy; he didn't want to break bread with Pun. Big Pun was ghostwriting for Fat Joe and told Joe let's write up a contract. Because [on] the first Terror Squad album Fat Joe got [a] $15,000 bonus and kept it to himself, he didn't give Pun any percentage of that. So that's how appreciative Fat Joe is towards his people.
Si Ent.: But why did you diss DJ Khaled and Rick Ross on your song "You're Not Hood?"
CL: There's a lot of personal s**t involved, it was the situation after Pun died where the biz wasn't going good for any of us ‘cause I guess we were depressed. And s**t was just numb then. Fat Joe had a fallin' out with Atlantic at the time. Then one night we were chillin' at the club after we had parted ways and Fat Joe took a swing at me. I got up, rocked his boat backwards then security came and that's pretty much what sparked everything. But he's a f****t because he'll lock a lot people out the game by talking s**t about them, just because he don't like them. And he ain't wrote a rhyme in the past 10 years, he's got nothing but ghostwriters. To me it's about being humble in the game and Fat Joe ain't humble. And I ain't dissin' on Rick Ross just because he's rolling with Fat Joe. Rick Ross got on a track like a year ago and said something' about me! DJ Khaled and me used to be cool, but when Fat Joe and I started beefing he went on Fat Joe's side. But I'm not hating I just want to expose him for who he really is, ‘cause he ain't "so hood." He's rolling with Terror Squad and he thinks he's gangsta, but he's not.
Si Ent.: What's going on with your career?
CL: There's a lot of bulls**t going on right now getting my music played at the radio station. It wasn't a matter of money, it wasn't matter of connections, it was just a matter of something going on at that station where they don't like me and it's obvious. And plus I gave Kay Slay something like eight months ago and I know he don't got love for me ‘cause of Joe. And I wasn't trying to make it funky with anybody at the radio station I just went the professional way about it, trying to keep it business. But it just all goes back to Joe when it comes to that. And the people are calling and asking to play Cuban Link but they never play me, so I know it's deeper than that. But I'm not worried all the lies about me will come to light.
Si Ent.: So what would have to happen for Cuban Link and Fat Joe to be friends again?
CL: If he could just die [laughs]. Serious though, if he'd could die . . . but nah there really ain't nothing that could happen to make me friends with him. Even if he died I'd end up meeting him in hell or heaven or where ever and boxing him there. He crossed the line in my barrier and he crossed Pun's line. He crossed the gun line, and I don't got no real hate for Terror Squad it's just that fat f**k!
http://entertainment.sitv.com/features/cuban-link-friend-or-foe
His wife.
Si Ent.: 2008 marks the 10th anniversary of Pun's debut album Capital Punishment. How will you celebrate?
Liza Rios: We're trying to create Pun '08, all day. Beginning with a tribute, [we're] also re-releasing the album [Capital Punishment] on the 10th anniversary [April 28, 2008] with some bonus tracks and features. And there's a documentary [The Definitive Series: Big Pun: 10th Anniversary of Capital Punishment] that's complete and I'm very proud of that. Then also the Big Pun Foundation.
Si Ent.: What's the Big Pun Foundation?
LR: The focus is [on] obesity [and] health. It's obviously a problem in the U.S. you know to eat healthy and organic [foods] costs [a lot of] money. In these supermarkets in the hood there's no organic food and if there is it's very expensive. It's obviously not for us. But I'm concerned with how to eat better and also helping those who are extremely overweight. But that's just one issue. Obviously, Pun had a weight issue that resulted from issues in his past. He was depressed about his childhood and there were certain things he couldn't let go. [He] didn't know how to deal with [some things] emotionally and he basically attached his emotions to food. That was his drug. Some people attach it to crack, or sex, or money and his was food. If he was upset, he'll eat; if he was happy, he'll eat; if he was sad, he'll eat. Then he gained so much weight, he didn't work out and it [became] a vicious cycle. Because he gained the weight and then he's depressed because he's not in the body that he wants to be in and he's trapped. And then he'll lash out from his anger. This is clearly a disease. I myself got back in the gym, and that's also for Pun.
Si Ent.: Things haven't been so well for you financially since Pun's death, is that correct?
LR: People really think that I have a couple of millions and a couple of furs and cars [but] that's not the truth. The truth is that after Pun hit platinum he started asking where his royalties were. He asked [Fat Joe] in my living room several times, "Where are my royalties?" He already went two times platinum and [was] working on Yeeeah Baby and asking about his checks. The answer was always that it was recouped. Pun let it slide by and just trusted that things would be good. I know he always trusted the fact that if he passed away, his family was going to be good. We even argued about that. He swore, "You're TS, I'm TS!" He punched his chest and said "I'm TS." And I was upset because I didn't trust that-meaning trusting another man to make sure that I'm good.
Si Ent.: So Pun believed his family would never be broke?
LR: I don't know. I know he thought he was always going to have money. I mean he had money and he would spend it quick! That's the thing, you give a ghetto n***a some money and it's going to be gone. We always had money. We got together when he was 18 and I was 17 and he won a lawsuit which brought him half of a million dollars; that had nothing to do with the music. And like I said, you give an 18-year-old $100,000, who never had any parental guidance or ever had anything, he's turning ghetto fabulous. Buy this, buy that, you know. Take care of this and that person and he was very generous. When he passed away I had $8,000 in the bank. He had spent all his money. I had to get paid off his cars. I lived off that for a little bit. A regular person would think that I would have millions from those record sales. But the truth is that I was supposed to get $100,000 from Endangered Species; $50,000 upfront and $50,000 afterwards. But instead I received $50,000 upfront and $25,000 afterwards. Why? Because they split the last $50,000 into two checks and one check was stolen. So I acquired $75K, then I received one royalty check for Endangered Species two years ago of $14K.
The deal Joe made with Pun is that, Joe would be the administrative of his estate. So all the money would go to Joe first and he'll break Pun off. Now that Pun's not here, he's supposed to be breaking me off, but he's not. He'll say it hasn't been recouped but if you figure over two million [records sold], c'mon, he's been recouped. I asked to transfer Capital Punishment's and Yeeeah Baby's rights to Pun's estate. The response I got [from the lawyers] was that only Joe could do that. So who's getting the checks then? And even still I've tried to reach Joe, but it never works out. I don't get an answer or anything. I don't hate him. With the times we shared I know we were genuine whether Joe was or not. And I know if it was Joe who passed, best believe that his two kids would've been in my house. I would've taken care of his kids, Pun would've looked after the family, his mom, all of that. Even if Joe doesn't like me, it's about Pun's kids more than anything else.
Si Ent.: Any last words?
LR: I just want to thank all of Pun's supporters, thank you for not forgetting him and keeping him alive. It really comes down to the hood remembering Pun as the greatest lyricist. And we're doing the All Black Affair today, the anniversary of his death. It's at a secret location and will include the live filming of Pun's Capital Punishment documentary. And this is leading to the major tribute in the end of April which marks the 10th anniversary. Some of your favorite celebs will be there to show love. And though now it's when this is finally happening, the industry might've forgotten him, but the streets never did. I've realized that Pun still has many die-hard fans and this is for them as much as it is for him. If you want to reach me, you can at myspace.com/mrspun.
http://entertainment.sitv.com/features/liza-rios-braveheart
Cuban Link
Big Pun's legacy not only impacted millions of fans, but his close friends as well--perhaps none more than Cuban Link. Before he became Terror Squad's most feared lyricist, Pun promised to bring Cuban with him. Unfortunately Pun's untimely passing left the dream unfulfilled. Today, Cuban still holds his pana close to his heart and also remains at odds with Fat Joe. Fresh off of a diss song ("You're Not Hood") targeting Joe, DJ Khaled and Rick Ross, Cuban spoke to Sí Entertainment about Pun and the truth about his falling out with Joe.
Si Ent.: What's you favorite memory of Pun?
Cuban Link: Ah there's so many! The most life-changing for me was when I got out the hospital from being stabbed up. I was getting ready to quit the game, [because of] all the drama that was going on in my life at the time. Pun came to my house and told me, "I need you in my life, you're gonna roll with me and we're gonna do this together." Then he gave me a pen and a pad and told me, "You gotta start writing." But he was my brother for real, the way Pun carried himself was the way he carried himself in lyrics and they're ain't too many rappers that do it like that anymore. I owe more than a quarter of my style to Pun.
Si Ent.: What was the last thing you and Pun spoke about before his passing?
CL: It was a business conversation about Fat Joe being greedy; he didn't want to break bread with Pun. Big Pun was ghostwriting for Fat Joe and told Joe let's write up a contract. Because [on] the first Terror Squad album Fat Joe got [a] $15,000 bonus and kept it to himself, he didn't give Pun any percentage of that. So that's how appreciative Fat Joe is towards his people.
Si Ent.: But why did you diss DJ Khaled and Rick Ross on your song "You're Not Hood?"
CL: There's a lot of personal s**t involved, it was the situation after Pun died where the biz wasn't going good for any of us ‘cause I guess we were depressed. And s**t was just numb then. Fat Joe had a fallin' out with Atlantic at the time. Then one night we were chillin' at the club after we had parted ways and Fat Joe took a swing at me. I got up, rocked his boat backwards then security came and that's pretty much what sparked everything. But he's a f****t because he'll lock a lot people out the game by talking s**t about them, just because he don't like them. And he ain't wrote a rhyme in the past 10 years, he's got nothing but ghostwriters. To me it's about being humble in the game and Fat Joe ain't humble. And I ain't dissin' on Rick Ross just because he's rolling with Fat Joe. Rick Ross got on a track like a year ago and said something' about me! DJ Khaled and me used to be cool, but when Fat Joe and I started beefing he went on Fat Joe's side. But I'm not hating I just want to expose him for who he really is, ‘cause he ain't "so hood." He's rolling with Terror Squad and he thinks he's gangsta, but he's not.
Si Ent.: What's going on with your career?
CL: There's a lot of bulls**t going on right now getting my music played at the radio station. It wasn't a matter of money, it wasn't matter of connections, it was just a matter of something going on at that station where they don't like me and it's obvious. And plus I gave Kay Slay something like eight months ago and I know he don't got love for me ‘cause of Joe. And I wasn't trying to make it funky with anybody at the radio station I just went the professional way about it, trying to keep it business. But it just all goes back to Joe when it comes to that. And the people are calling and asking to play Cuban Link but they never play me, so I know it's deeper than that. But I'm not worried all the lies about me will come to light.
Si Ent.: So what would have to happen for Cuban Link and Fat Joe to be friends again?
CL: If he could just die [laughs]. Serious though, if he'd could die . . . but nah there really ain't nothing that could happen to make me friends with him. Even if he died I'd end up meeting him in hell or heaven or where ever and boxing him there. He crossed the line in my barrier and he crossed Pun's line. He crossed the gun line, and I don't got no real hate for Terror Squad it's just that fat f**k!
http://entertainment.sitv.com/features/cuban-link-friend-or-foe
