MC Eiht On How He Quit Rap After His Label Wanted Him To Sound Like Ja Rule.

MC Eiht details how his label wanted him to sound like Ja Rule which led to him quitting rap.

[@twinpyramid5985]

Respect to this man for not selling out😊

[@javiervega1065]

When did he become a football coach I didn't know you got paid to coach 8 year olds play flag football

[@MykwWayne]

He should've "sold out". West Coast music is very limiting and it's the reason it goes nowhere hardly. They're making music for other tough bums and they don't buy.

[@twinpyramid5985]

@@MykwWayne him selling out still wouldn’t of helped that situation bro

[@nolaboycap]

@@MykwWaynetf….. everybody wanna sound like everybody. Nobody wanna be authentic.

[@HypnoticHollywood]

Making a radio or club friendly song is not selling out, it's smart business.

[@stephencoan79]

Eiht's style is unique. Labels don't know sh*t.

[@sososanchez3512]

#Word

[@syeebrown5456]

He started getting wack around 1999 2000. Plus gangsta rap died out he was one dimensional. And I'm from the west coast and a fan just being real

[@matthewbush2371]

Fo real

[@harveymcelroy9332]

They never did its always a corporate asshole

[@jamesjones-ez9ug]

@@syeebrown5456 how do you feel about Dj Quick I feel like he was versatile.

[@olajawanmagee768]

I couldn’t even see mc eiht rapping like that 😂😂😂

[@adofominka8767]

That’s what I was thinking too. That would’ve been wild.

[@alexandrew7276]

😂😂😂😂Exactly

[@idread3523]

Lol Sing songy. Nah they ain't happenin

[@XxMayhem88]

Facts! The label was tripping for making him trend hopping

[@charlita25]

Me neither 🤦🏾‍♀️😫

[@2cents2]

This is kinda what happened to Rakim where he was about to release an album produced by Dr. Dre but Dre wanted him to rap more about gangster stuff. He disagreed and the album was dismantled. It sucks when people are in control of how they want you to sound. That's why there's so many garbage albums these past several years.

[@trapmuzik6708]

sometimes it works well Biggie was too gangsta by himself his biggest songs is songs that Puff curated Big said Puff forced him to make hose commercial singles

[@HardCold-Alquan]

They want the negativity in the hoods and to control the sound in order to brainwash and to keep people brainwashed. This is why you don't hear anymore love songs.

[@2cents2]

@@trapmuzik6708 Yeah i agree but it works when the artist agrees to the sound but when they disagree it doesn't work out.

[@JOHN-zl5kw]

@2cents2 Thats half true. Bigs first album was party and bullsh!+. He was a conscious rapper speaking about positive things. He heard 2pac and other rappers rapping about drugs n thugs and switched too. So I disagree when you say he didn't want to. He saw 2pac had songs for the ladies so he did the same. Even snoop had songs for the ladies. He wasn't forced or made to do it.

[@hottub2249]

At least Rakim got the masters from Dre so he could release the tracks if he wanted to.

[@enzigenes]

This brother had the courage to walk away because he didn't want to sell his soul. Nothing but respect.

[@space_dogg]

It would've flopped anyway

[@MrKing8050]

Imagine Eiht singing "Where would I be without youuuu"(in my JaRule voice)

[@zztv15]

😂😂😂😂😂😂naw in 8 voice

[@Cogic]

Jyaeh some chronic and oE of the brew ( in my mc eight voice)

[@RoamFM]

I was thinking the same thing 😂.... He didn't even want to play "I need love" by LL Cool J. Talk about selling your soul...

[@michaeldonaldson294]

😂😂😂

[@robertepps2834]

Ja Rule was dope too though. Let's not act like he wasn't doing numbers.

[@ceedee7647]

Eigt did the right thing to back away. Never lose your core audience and day 1's.

[@desertofmississippi1108]

Now, they got all of these fruity pebbles rappers sounding alike

[@zztv15]

That's why I don't bump nothing rap related if the artist is under the age of 30

[@robertepps2834]

Yeah but Ja Rule sounded like a man though! Which white supremacy didn't like! So they decided to try to get rid of him.

[@ApolloMateoKyrie]

@@zztv15exactly, won't even touch it

[@Smilez83]

💯

[@robertepps2834]

Yeah but at least Ja Rule sounded like a man when he was doing it. White Supremacy didn't like that so they decided to try to end his career.

[@TheEsquireOfSportsFSU]

A man of integrity and dignity. Must respect it.

[@ez-duz-it]

The industry was definitely changing around that time. The labels wanted to focus more on artists who still be street, but also make songs that they could push towards the radio, so when the album is released it will sell more. It makes sense, however this watered down hip hop because now artist who were dope lyricists, we’re now pressured to dumb down their lyrics, to reach a larger audience.

[@HeavyMental1000]

Im an original CMW fan. I cant see Eiht going from "One Time Gaffled 'em up" to rapping about flying in private jets, Bentley's and expensive champagne. Salute, Sir Eiht!

[@k3ya19]

Factory 🙌🏾 straight up menace is still in my playlist

[@marxman300]

😂😂

[@SONYLEGEND]

Now he did have an album with this content.... Don't trip ... You must not be a true CMW fan

[@HeavyMental1000]

@@SONYLEGEND I'm 46 years old. I have been been on thar CMW since the "It's a Compton Thang" album. Not to be all technical but whatever album you are talking about isn't an actual CMW album as I have all three.

[@SONYLEGEND]

@@HeavyMental1000 LAST MAN STANDING is the Album bruh

[@freddie4life]

Mc Eiht, flow was right, Love from Chicago

[@Pecan504]

He never forgot where he came from 💯. MC EIHT 👑 🫡. His role in Menace to Society 🔥

[@hottub2249]

Shiiiiiid, MC Eiht has one of the coldest rap voices out there! Ja who?!? 😑

[@hitmandrizzyp23]

Big facts couldn't have said it better

[@JunniorRooks]

U ain't lying 💯

[@KB24OGT]

Eihthype's was a soul. Definilitely

[@ChiraqMaybach-ii9wm]

Big fax, and them dope beats with the violins in the pianos

[@Raymond-wn3sm]

QUIT FUCKING LYING.......JA RULE HAD A BIGGER CAREER, LONGER CAREER AND HE GOT BIGGER HITS THEN MC EIHT.......AND I FUCK WITH MC EIHT MORE.......

[@Erik7prc]

"Nuthin But a gangsta" w/ Redman is one of his hardest songs! Still play it

[@tonysnow2224]

I hate the disrespect Ja Rule gets, his music aged like fine wine …

[@tryintomakeit]

It actually did😂😂😂😂

[@tupacjarule186]

That's true

[@grandam]

Remember when 50 Cent was dissin Ja Rule laughing saying he's making love songs,singing and ish on records???? What did 50 do AS SOON AS Murder Inc fell off??? Made love songs!!!! 50 have always been a childish acting bish.

[@TopNotchStoner]

That _Venni Vetti Vecci_ album is a classic.

[@jaimesmith2266]

It really does they play his songs with Ashanti on the radio here in flint, michigan all the time lol.

[@taahirthegreat]

6:34 Eiht has two of the best story telling tracks in West Coast history. “Take 2 with me” and “Goin out like geez” off the We Come Strapped album 🔥

[@sameemas1723]

Shit , West Coast Rap wouldn't be where it's at without Emcee Ocho . . . That Body Count "Cop Killer" track is SICK ! I used have it as my ring tone about a year ago . When my phone would ring , My Kid used to sing it out loud "COP KILLEEER" . . . I still blast that today . . .

[@Wh4L205]

That’s funny af

[@malakai5523]

Nah, west coast rap wouldn't be where its at if it wasn't for Ice T, NWA, dre, Snoop, DJ quik, Pac, eiht DeathRow etc..

[@giljuwu9728]

I play it whenever the cops stop me... I live in a non english speaking country, some cops know the songs and they get big mad 😂"Copkiller, I know you mama grieving... fuck her ! "

[@sameemas1723]

@giljuwu9728 I Play "🎵🎶PIGS🎶🎵" by Cypress Hill . . . I actually had a PIG pull me over one time and while It was playing , he laughed , he told me "Seriously dude" , and then he said he used to listen Cypress Hill as a teen , that 1st album was his favorite and let me off with a warning

[@kincamell2]

Im glad I was able to see MC Eight at Hieroday in 2015.

[@Johnthoo1]

THAT'S CRAZY ON HOW MOST OF PEOPLE IN THE INDUSTRY ALWAYS COMPARE YOU TO A FEW RAPPERS AND WANT YOU TO SOUND LIKE THEM WHEN THEY SEE AND HEAR THAT YOU HAVE YOUR OWN SOUND SO WHY TRY TO BE AND SOUND LIKE SOMETHING THAT DOESN'T FIT YOU

[@robuxteam8600]

word up

[@user-xc3yb1vk2e]

No they pick the rappers that are the biggest sell outs and don’t mind getting popped in the A** for others to emulate

[@nomastomas002]

Morals over Money. We need more examples of this. Probably doesn't mean much coming from yt comment section, but big props to you MC Eiht 🙏

[@Nyfancam01]

JA dope AF. Idc what the haters say

[@miketuttle6617]

Real talk . I respect his game .

[@MrTee12]

Your lips, your smile, I (Love it when you kiss me, baby) Your hips, those thighs, I (Love it when you thug me, baby) And I can't deny I…. 🎶 🎶 😂 Ja was killing those hooks….then enters 50…who just kills him and then jacks his style 😂

[@terrencebanton9777]

50 cent did not jack JA rule style. 50 cent is a street dude from the pits , Ja rule is definitely not a street dude only when he was under the protection of Kenneth Mcgriff do your research.

[@MrTee12]

@@terrencebanton9777 Oh yeah he did! Fif began singing all his own hooks like Ja. He’s the ultimate troll 😂. That’s why he’s undefeated. I’ve done my research. We all (who are old enough) watched the whole thing on the sidelines. Fif blew up right around 03 just Ja was coming down and out of popularity by 04-05

[@terrencebanton9777]

@MrTee12 50 cent lyrics was based on snitching spilling everybody business in the street. You should listen to his earlier mixtapes. Did you know the 50 got his hip hop career with hip hop group onyx pure street cred. Ja rule did not rap about street shit all Jeffrey Atkins does is singrap with the cookie monster voice.

[@MrTee12]

@@terrencebanton9777 Oh yeah. I had his album with the song How to Rob, that got him his 1st buzz and some diss tracks towards him. I remember Fif being with JMJ and JMJ signed Onyx , so that makes sense.

[@gerardovega4641]

He sung"ghetto q'ran" in 99, how he copy ja rule?

[@mechtech220]

remember this the same dude that made a song called "I Don't Dance" - he meant that literally and figuratively. they should've known better than to try that with him. lol

[@johnnyguitarwatson5288]

" all that sweat done DRIED OUT MY CURL"/ THAT'S WHY I DON'T DANCE 🤨

[@nicolett195]

And that's why I respect Eiht so much. He always keeps it real, and is very humble.

[@XxMayhem88]

He's right the West Coast was sanctioned badly in 1997 in the market

[@xFarmerJohn]

All For The Money is my favorite song of Eiht

[@ricolaw6612]

This perfect example of how artist gets in his own way imagine if banks aint tell 50 switch da style up & if Dey hate Den let ‘em hate watch da money Pile Up

[@davidjoyner1141]

I’m a east coast guy through and through but I grew up listening to MC Eiht and ice cube and Dre, dope music for sure

[@Ruby_Sterling]

I chuckled thinking about Eiht sounding like Ja Rule

[@PR3M1UM]

Staying true to yourself 👍🏼👊🏽

[@absulonantwan]

Ja Rule is one of the greatest to ever create music in hip hop. His music is still classic. All record labels wanted that success.

[@elicordero4019]

Sadly people won't acknowledge his talent.

[@Daybreakhasme]

Man..Eiht a legend. This brotha got classics under his belt.💪🏾💯

[@jcc3333]

Name 3

[@blackdragon6]

​@@jcc3333 Streiht Up Menace, All For The Money, Dead Men Tell no Lies, Def Wish, Growing Up In The Hood, Hood Took Me Under. That's off the top of my head.

[@southerncalifornia970]

Imagine Eiht on some Scott Storch and Timbaland beats

[@sameemas1723]

Naw , you wack . That's like the industry , trying to change his sound. GTFO of here with that pop music noise

[@prof3ssor178]

SICK AF 😷

[@sameemas1723]

@@prof3ssor178 only if you're a hip pop fan . EMCEE OCHO ain't Hip Pop.

[@darnelldaughtrey3646]

​@sameemas1723 TIMBERLAND CAN THROW BEATS TO ANYONE, THAt being said its unlikely but Timberland has it in his vault for sure

[@yulifadida6661]

I'd like to hear it

[@thecunninlynguist]

Every eiht needs a laaady

[@tswagg504]

😂😂😂

[@faderunner4000]

😂😂😂😂

[@bcranford714]

I’m crying right now lol

[@tyronet250]

Eiht’s already establishes his own sound he’s definitely unique in his own way #westcoast #realrap #legend Straight Up Menace!! 💯🫡

[@tonyjulian1289]

I respect a person that stick to their guns and not sell out because this is what hot right now. Salute 🫡

[@PPHDocumentaries]

I remember west coast rapper CJ Mac did a song with another West coast rapper Mack 10 talking about how much money and material items they got, basically sounding like how NY rappers was at the times cause that`s what was selling at that time. That was the Jiggy era. The west coast original sound was no longer selling like that anymore. And Cash Money Records and No Limit records also jumped on that Jiggy NY style with songs like Bling Bling and Tight Whips.

[@HardCold-Alquan]

LOL. "Pop the bottle" sound.

[@IdontevenknowU]

😂😂😂

[@livefromthemotherland]

Glad he stood on his principles

[@eeee9494]

I want more mc eiht albums come back eiht chyea

[@jayfonda1534]

Real Talk from a real West Coast Mc

[@FATHERSOFBASS]

RESPECT CARNAL 🫡🫡🫡 I grew up on da eiht cmw all day in the nintees it was different no social media an cameras everywhere we was killing like crazy ganbanging fools gees up ese💙💙💙🫡🫡💪💪💪🔊🔊🔊🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@dogbeats9808]

If you don't know about Mc eiht favorite saying shiiiiiiiid you're not a Mc eiht fan

[@brandijohnson1326]

I respect artists like Eight standing on business and not selling his soul nor his art.

[@grandinquizitor7412]

Let's talk about when Hip-Hop shifted from the fun party conscious music to the gangsta/murda rap we have now. To be honest, I'm sick of hearing gangsta rap, THOT rap, drug rap, murder rap. Let's go back to the old school. Like Missy Elliott said "Hip-Hop has changed."

[@SAMUELWHATLEY-d2c]

gangsta rap has been out for over thirty years...and always made more money than conscious music. this ain't nuttin' new. you may be a bit wiser now that makes the difference.

[@jamesjones-ez9ug]

@@SAMUELWHATLEY-d2c kendrick and Cole are conscious rappers

[@emoney3912]

People need to wake up. When it comes tot these artists. The main problem is always the rexord labels

[@johanjonsson5953]

I have listening to this mans music since i was 13-14 years old im now 41. Back then in the 90s you dident got any information except magazines on what kind of person the artist you listening to are but nowdays thanks to media i can say mc eiht has grown even more he seems like the coolest dude in rap game always true . Big up to eiht

[@laronrosser294]

On behalf of your true fans…THANK YOU for not switching the style up!

[@c-foerillakingpin3938]

Big respect to Eiht

[@bizzimartini]

Ja Rule catching more strays than project windows 🪟

[@dogbeats9808]

He’s right in that era nobody was really messing with the West Coast after PAC die only a few then tha game came in he put the West Coast back on the map this is facts this is not an opinion the only artists at that time dropping was ice cube, dr. Dre, snoop and e40 but it wasn’t really no new artists tha game save the West Coast

[@erickennedy8534]

Yuck Mouth, and C-Bo held down for West after Pac.

[@blackdragon6]

​​@@erickennedy8534but they weren't getting mainstream attention like they did in the 90s tho. West Coast and West Coast adjacent sounding hip-hop was persona non grata in the industry.

[@carltonbanks5470]

Lies. Dr Dre sold millions when he started Aftermath. West Coast talent was just absent when Suge wouldn't let those Death Row artists free and he was in jail. Kurupt even moved back to Philly. Hard street shit was still selling tho. When Snoop signed with No Limit his career picked right back up. He ended up releasing a classic album Top Dogg.

[@dogbeats9808]

@@carltonbanks5470 did you READ my comment I said AFTER PAC died they slowed down on signing NEW Westcoast Artists the only artist who was out was basically Snoop, dr. Dre, Ice Cube, and e 40 and few other artists but it wasn't a lot the West Coast was struggling this is facts not an opinion than Dr. Dre signed tha game he went platinum and that made other record labels want to sign more West Coast artists THA GAME did put life back into the West Coast this is FACTS not an opinion

[@dogbeats9808]

@@erickennedy8534 basically what I’m saying is they wasn’t signing NEW artists and the older artists was struggling because they wasn’t marketing them with a good budget they wasn’t spending a lot of money on them MTV and BET wasnt really showing them unless you was snoop Dr. Dre or e40 the westcost was struggling for a minute when Dr. Dre sign tha game he became successful then that open doors for more new West coast artists this is facts

[@NukeLightrider]

Thank you for keeping it 💯 Legend. Blue Stamp Official.

[@dahoodmusa3714]

I'm glad to see this brother still alive making money

[@187mrsmith]

The industry will try 2 have u selling yo soul

[@goldbars777]

Try? It’s mandatory. Jesuit Order‼️

[@prof3ssor178]

💯%

[@rashameirejones368]

For those who don't know M.C Eiht go buy & download his music... Legendary... Him & DJ Quik should of been had stars on the Hollywood walk of fame...much love Art Watts,Ca

[@DannyQuinones-78]

I wished MC Eiht didn't quit rap. He's my favorite west coast rapper of all time.

[@johndias5160]

Bro as an old school mc8 fan I am glad that he did not change his style Big ups to Little hawk and bird

[@CB-vn9lq]

He Looks Great!

[@jaygee8013]

93-94 I walked my ass down parmalee ave to gateway plaza on Central and Rosecrans. All blue on like a dummy, but I had to have that We Come Strapped album first day it dropped. Popped that shit in my walkman and walked back. So I'm glad you never switched up on your fans. Much love G.

[@matthewbush2371]

Members compton most wanted mc Ehit was done rapping thats good 😊

[@MeetThaNewBadGuy]

Who would wanna sound like ja rule when he still trys to act like 2pac or DMX. Still until this day he doesn't have his own image he bites off of DMX n 2pac tha mans a image biter smdh

[@pacinogreen9527]

How is that when 50 pretty much tried to sound like him and was hating at the same time

[@pacinogreen9527]

Ja Rule was his own lane killing it 50 Cent started hating Ja Rule of the music the game destroyed 50 and G unit

[@sithlord926]

MC Eiht “Last Man Standing”

[@thelivnlegend]

Much Respect! Still one of my all time favorites mc's

[@HypnoticHollywood]

Making a radio or club friendly song is not selling out, it's smart business.

[@NonAssigned]

I felt like on Last Man Standing album cover Eiht probably didn’t feel that cover, but I took it as him becoming a businessman look, it was actually a good album it still was raw

[@yungslic5363]

That's fucked up 😂😂

[@blackdragon6]

This explains A LOT tbh. Hip-hop changed *DRASTICALLY* in the 00s. Everyone was making those bottle poppin 🍾 club/love songs. They even made DMX do it 🤦🏾‍♂️.

[@shonemarcus2966]

🎉Cheers to my C.P.T. O.G. M.C.EIHT🎉 Choosing ones self respect, over the bag, is commendable, to say the least. Currently, he's still dropping gems, without restrictions,etc,etc. God bless you both and your families brothers. Duces from the Wood Fella, L.A.Ca.

[@escobarfpv1275]

Much respect to Ja Rule. He made good music💯

[@jeanemlicar]

JaRule sold out. Listen to the music he did with Mic Geronimo and Cash Money Clique then listen to the stuff he did with Murder INC then you’ll agree with me 💯

[@briannaw716]

Never heard of him but i respect this mans honesty on what he went thru.

[@eliassibiloane8287]

If you know "Boyz n the Hood" & "Menace ll Society" you definitely know him.

[@terranceross1210]

The hood could take me under was dope ❤

[@pfosterlee]

Compton Legend!! Pivotal for putting our city on the map 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾💪🏾

[@demetriswilson250]

The best story teller in the history of rap but so underrated

[@JDede]

THIS IS WHY THEY ALL GANGED UP AGAINST JARULE. HE WAS THE NEW STANDARD.

[@LEE-mf1nf]

His voice still one of a kind

[@jeremyhart3871]

My Rap uncle a Gangster lol

[@sirleroyale4412]

They wanted my boy to put that shiny suit on 😂

[@Dannyyblue]

😅

[@XxMayhem88]

Happy club corny songs 😂😂

[@boruto4162]

😂😂 wtf wrong with those labels its Mc eight here labels don't know star when they see one

[@jcc3333]

Star?? 🤣🤣🤣

[@victorbilly4769]

Solid dude, didn't sell out.

[@ericfreeman1303]

MC 8 & Jarule look a lot similar. Definitely different Rap Styles though.Compton Most Wanted 👉🏾Growing Up In Tha Hood🅰️💯

[@lacarlomoore7121]

This proves that label heads is not in the streets & lots of times don’t understand black culture I’m big fan of Eiht & like Ja rule I don’t see how they could want a West Coast MC to sound like a NY rapper so disrespectful 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@XxMayhem88]

They wanted MC Eiht to sing with R&B singers doing love songs which isn't gonna work at all

[@anthonyjones634]

Label executives are about making money, thats all. Also, things that go on in the hood can't represent all of the so-called Black Culture.

[@buggzda]

Eiht is one of the greats those first 3 CMW records are hard classics

[@job7973]

Menance2Soc soundtrack, one of the best tunes in history.

[@Maxxroad]

MC Eith Station was my first artist I follwed on Pandora way back.

[@Mandown21]

We come strapped got some of the sickest production in rap history

[@tristanwalls6266]

Take a mouthwash swish of alcohol every time Eiht says, "you know. .."

[@bufflowsouljah2256]

Power move as a man

[@RebornThaRebizzle]

Facts, I respect Brothers with their integrity and never selling out.

[@662Piru]

He could’ve started his own label and put out the music that he wanted to

[@HardCold-Alquan]

He did contradict himself a little. He said that they wanted him to sound like Ja Rule, but he said he was not with that. Then he said '...After I tried it...' Now I need to hunt down the video to see if I remember it.

[@richdars2515]

I say Quiks “G ain’t in you” verse kinda put a big dent in Eihts career

[@johnnybraxton5539]

But in 2024 labels want more mc eihts than ja rules salute to eiht for not selling out

[@RealJamesJones24]

Exactly 😂

[@DBZAOTA482]

Nah they just want Lil Wayne who is a puppet and 100% not a gangsta

[@Beckonor]

I think he would have pulled off the Murder Inc. sound perfectly. I hate Ja Rule, but hearing MC Eights voice over Ja Rules "How Many Wanna Die" beat would be insane.

[@MikeBoss303]

Wow!!! This makes a lot of sense with how some of the music was changing then 🤨😠 and why it’s as HORRIBLE as it is now for the most part. These major labels and the industry as a whole is the absolute DEVIL smh. Now it’s many factors that come into the changes and why the music is bad now. But this interview says a lot. So happy MC Eiht kept it 100 and didn’t sell his soul!!!

[@walkthedon]

So basically, we need to be paying attention to the producers sent out by the labels. They are the ones ILL representing hiphop and feeding our people the poison

[@victordscott]

“Can’t get a job at muthafuckin Wendy’s”, One of my favorite rap lines.

[@ReallyMaccn]

The record labels aren't pushing back from the table anymore, they're standing on it

[@victorbilly4769]

Why would they do that? He doesn't even have Ja Rule's voice, the olny person that has similar voice is Booker T.

[@athirdwhy9734]

That right there is the song that never ends with record labels. Seems like every rap artist from every era has gone through being told to sound like whoever is hot at the time.