Phonte: It just shouldn’t be the only story out there. But major corporations, the industry or whoever want you to believe that’s the only story…

DM: What was the creative process like putting the album together?

Pooh: Pretty much the same as always. 9th would give us the beats, we’ll go through them, me and Phonte toss ideas back and forth until we have something. Then head to the studio.

DM: What do you think it will take to affect change in hip hop music?

9th wonder: Everybody has a story to tell, you just have to back it up with the music. The music has to be top notch, it can’t just be rambling. Stick to it, don’t be afraid to be yourself.

Pooh: It’s easy to talk about what’s wrong with stuff, but can you make good music or show what’s right with hip-hop? That’s what we decided to do.

DM: Are you feeling pressure at all from your “underground fans” to keep it real now that you’re on a major?

9th Wonder: Everybody knew ABB as underground, they want to throw that label on us. They were the only one that wanted to put us out. If another larger label had been interested before, we would have done it before. Moving to mainstream, whatever that is, we have a story to tell and we want to use the biggest platform to tell our side. Make up your mind! Do you want us to put the music out or not? This is what we have to go through to be heard.

DM: I know 9th Wonder is probably the most well known member of the group since he’s had so much success branching out with his production. Is there ever any tension from one member getting more attention than the others?

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