Naughty By Nature

Tupac Created 'Juice' Character From Life Experience

18 Jan 2012 21:45:24 EST

'Bishop didn't make Tupac; Tupac made Bishop,' Treach tells 'RapFix Live' 20 years after film's release.
By Rob Markman, with additional reporting credit by Sway Calloway

When "Juice" was released 20 years ago on January 17, 1992, the performance of noted rapper but first-time actor Tupac Shakur took critics by surprise. The socially aware, politically driven MC lit up the screen as fiery, gun-crazed thug Bishop. It was a departure from the rapper hip-hop had come to know through more positive songs like "Brenda's Got a Baby."

A year after "Juice" premiered, 'Pac went on to release his second album, Strictly 4 My N.-.-.-.A.Z., before experiencing legal trouble, then a serious rap beef with the Notorious B.I.G. a few years after that and, of course, his murder in 1996. Some believe that after "Juice," Tupac took on the persona of the fictional and troublesome Bishop, and as a result, his life experienced a downward spiral.

Not the case, said 'Pac's friend, "Juice" co-star and Naughty by Nature rapper Treach. "I would definitely disagree with it," Treach said without reservation when he appeared on Wednesday's (January 18) episode of "RapFix Live." "Bishop didn't make Tupac; Tupac made Bishop."

Treach — who appeared in the film and, along with Naughty by Nature, contributed the '90s rap hit "Uptown Anthem" to the movie's soundtrack — revealed that he originally read for the role of Bishop. Things didn't go so well, however, and when Shakur auditioned immediately after him, Treach knew his buddy would get the film's starring role.

Tupac's mother and father were both members of the Black Panther Party, and Treach believes that 'Pac's exposure to the progressive and militant movement helped prep him for the role."He grew up a soldier; he grew up learning different lessons on the streets that not even I had known about," he said.

"He knew different stuff from different facets of life," Treach added. "That's what made him be able to get into that character like that and make that character seem so real, because he had his own life experiences that made him phenomenal at bringing that out through the music and through the film."

What do you think of 'Pac's performance in "Juice"? Let us know in the comments.

Check out everything we've got on "Juice."

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

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'RapFix Live' Celebrates 20 Years Of 'Juice' With Treach

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'RapFix Live' To Celebrate 20th Anniversary Of 'Juice'

17 Jan 2012 16:43:18 EST

Naughty by Nature and Khalil Kain will join Sway to celebrate the influential film.
By Rob Markman

When director Ernest Dickerson released "Juice" on January 17, 1992, he effectively changed hip-hop's relationship with Hollywood. Twenty years later, "RapFix Live" will celebrate the game-changing movie on Wednesday with co-star Khalil Kain and Naughty by Nature, the hip-hop trio who contributed to the soundtrack.

Starring Kain, Omar Epps, Samuel L. Jackson and Tupac Shakur in his first starring role, "Juice" told the story of four Harlem youths who try desperately to overcome the treacherous pull of the streets. Though Tupac had a cameo in 1991's "Nothing But Trouble," his true acting debut came when he first put his acting chops on display playing the maniacal Bishop. Co-star Kain played the more level-headed Raheem Porter.

Before "Juice," there weren't many movies that effectively captured the harsh realities of the inner-city ghettos. With the exception of 1991's "Boyz N the Hood," these street tales were often left untold. The movie's soundtrack was also groundbreaking, featuring classic hip-hop cuts like Eric B. & Rakim's "Juice (Know the Ledge)," Too $hort's "So You Want to Be a Gangster" and Naughty by Nature's "Uptown Anthem."

During their appearance on "RapFix Live," Naughty by Nature will talk about the lasting influence of the film, the soundtrack and working with Shakur. That's not all. "X Factor" rapper Astro will also join Sway on the "RapFix Live" couch and reveal which label he will sign his first record deal with.

Catch Naughty by Nature, Khalil Kain and Astro on "RapFix Live" Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET on MTV.com, and be sure to join the Twitter conversation using the hashtag #RapFixLive. Send your questions for the artists to @MTVRapFiX!

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Tupac And Biggie Would Have Reconciled, Naughty By Nature's Treach Says

16 Jun 2010 16:35:58 EDT

Tupac's close friend says 'Pac and the Notorious B.I.G. 'would have sat down' and hashed out their issues.
By Mawuse Ziegbe

The purported rivalry between hip-hop camps on the East and West coasts came to a tragic end when hip-hop icons Tupac Shakur and Notorious B.I.G. were killed at the height of the hype. To fans and the media, 'Pac and Big were figureheads of the hip-hop movements on their respective coasts and fierce adversaries.

However, 'Pac's close friend and Naughty By Nature MC Treach maintains that both rappers were just homies caught up in some drama and that, given some time, they would have hashed it out.

"It only needed some time before 'Pac and Big would have sat down, period, 'cause they was boys before that," Treach told MTV News' Sway the day before what would have been Tupac's 39th birthday. "They would have sat down."

Treach said the friction between the two stars stemmed from Tupac's 1994 shooting in New York. Although 'Pac didn't think Biggie was behind the attack, the rapper did think the Brooklyn hip-hop heavyweight should have looked out for him.

"He really thought when he got shot the first time, that ... not Big set it up or anything, just Big didn't tell him who did it," Treach told MTV News. "In his heart, he was like, 'The homie know who did it.' "

Treach said B.I.G. simply tried to avoid the drama and wasn't aiming to undermine his friend. "Biggie might have wanted to just stay out of it, like, 'I don't know nothing.' [Tupac] was like, 'Yo, man, just put your ear to the street. Let me know who hit me up.' "

Treach also said Tupac had an idea who engineered the assault but was upset that people he felt were in his corner didn't hook him up with any info. " 'Pac already was knowing. He was like, 'I know who got me. I want to see who I can trust now,' " Treach said, adding that 'Pac lost faith in a lot of people, not just Biggie. "Now he was on non-trust mode with [everybody], except a chosen few. He was like, 'I don't trust nobody.' "

While 'Pac was definitely riled by the shooting and what he perceived as betrayal by many of his peers, Treach said the heat from the East Coast/ West Coast rivalry didn't actually phase the Cali star.

"Naughty by Nature and Bad Boy was on tour together. I'm on the [phone] with 'Pac regularly, talking to Suge [Knight] regularly. Puff and them, they wasn't leaving the hotel, they wasn't going to parties, it was secret service," Treach said. While the Bad Boy stars were shaken up, Treach said Tupac wasn't worried about the East Coast/ West Coast hype. "['Pac and Suge] was laughing, like, 'We ain't come looking for them. We damn sure wouldn't come out there and mess y'all money up. They on tour with y'all.' [They] wasn't mad at me, like, 'Oh, you on tour with them.' None of what the media was portraying was true."

Treach said he feels the supposed feud didn't originate with any actual hip-hop beef, but instead was a product of media sensationalism. "I knew it was gonna be some real serious consequences when I saw the Vibe magazine cover, and it was Puffy and Biggie on it, and the title on it was 'East vs. West.' I said, 'Somebody gonna die.' That murdered the game right there. Just that cover being out there and that sh-- put on the stands. Because now you got n---as in the 'hood, like, 'Oh, it's on?' They don't got sh-- to live for. They bang for a living. 'Oh, let me see one of them n---as out here. It's on.' "

Do you think Tupac and Biggie would have mended fences by now if they were both alive? Let us know in the comments.

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Tupac Shakur 'Had A Deadline,' Naughty By Nature's Treach Says

16 Jun 2010 06:52:15 EDT

'Pac didn't see himself 'growing old,' his friend and fellow MC tells MTV News on what would have been Shakur's 39th birthday.
By Mawuse Ziegbe, with reporting by Sway Calloway

Tupac Shakur's legacy still looms large in music more than 13 years after his untimely death. You can suss out 'Pac's swagger in everyone from DMX to Ja Rule; Kanye West continues Shakur's tradition of being outspoken; and rappers still turn to his back catalog for insightful verses to graft into hip-hop hits.

Part of the reason Shakur's presence is still felt is because the controversial icon left behind a hefty amount of music, including a formidable collection of unreleased recordings. 'Pac might have been on top of the music world when he died, but his close friend and Naughty by Nature MC Treach said Shakur's work ethic was fueled by his belief that his demise was imminent.

"We spoke many a time, and he was like, 'I don't see myself growing old,' " Treach told MTV News' Sway on Tuesday, the day before what would have been Shakur's 39th birthday.

Treach, who came up with 'Pac when the two were roadies for Queen Latifah and Digital Underground, respectively, said that despite his homie's affable manner and upbeat energy, 'Pac worked as if he had no time to waste. "You gotta listen to songs like 'If I Die 2Nite' and 'I Wonder if Heaven Got a Ghetto.' When he was in that mode, in that zone, you gotta be like, 'What's going on? You a'ight?' " 'Pac couldn't sit down for five minutes," Treach continued. "He was always going, 'Yeah, everything good, good, good.' When you listen to him and you see his demeanor, he was more or less, like, on watch. He had a deadline. He was working at a pace, like, 'Where you going? You going on vacation? You going to jail? You doing sh-- like you tryna finish everything right now and cover stuff.' You couldn't find him half the time; he was gone. He had a plan."

Treach believes 'Pac's plan extended beyond just making thought-provoking music; the Jersey rapper said Shakur wanted to realize tangible change among his fans who were living the thug life.

"Ultimately, he wanted to get the thugs all behind him — his thug nation, his thug life — and take them to the next level ... unified, building up the community, reinvesting in the community, in the people."

Treach said he wanted to use music to get the attention of the streets but then eventually make life easier on the streets. "[He wanted to bring] them in thinking it's a gangsta party, but it's like ... it's a militant, protect-our-own party. He was truly like a baby Panther. He was like, 'Yo, we gotta do something to reinforce that we gonna protect ourselves.' "

Even though 'Pac built his career on a brash, thug persona, Treach said there was way more to the star than his hard-core adherence to the 'hood.

" 'Pac was a clown. Everybody think he just like gangsta, thug-life 'Pac. He'll have a whole party just around him crackin' up," Treach said. "We almost got threw out a couple hotels. I'm talking full-floor water fights."

Treach said he found it hilarious to see the former Digital Underground associate "runnin' around with a Humpty nose."

"He was an actor, he was a musician ... anything you could put, if he wanted to do it, he could do that. But he was a fool too," Treach said. "He did it well being a fool too. You don't want to be around nobody that's mean muggin' all day and got an attitude and hatin'. 'Pac wasn't nothing like that. 'Pac would have you just wanting to be around because you know you gonna have a ball around him and split some seams just having a good time."

His fiery flow, revolutionary rhetoric and undeniable artistry are some of the things that have endeared 'Pac to millions of fans around the world. Yet Treach adds that his appeal as a person was very basic: "He had a glow to him. He had something you wanted to be around."

Share your memories of Tupac in the comments.

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Rapper Apache Dies

22 Jan 2010 23:58:00 EST

Friends and collaborators, including Vin from Naughty by Nature, remember the artist, best known for his '90s hit 'Gangsta Bitch.'
By

Rapper Apache (real name Anthony Peaks), a staple of Queen Latifah's Flavor Unit crew and best known for one of the most controversial hip-hop records of the 1990s, "Gangsta Bitch," died Friday (January 22). At press time, the cause of the New Jersey MC's death was unknown.

"I got a call from Shakim [Compere] this morning, Queen Latifah's manager," Vin from Naughty by Nature said. "He was really feeling it. He told me, and I spread the word to Kay and Treach and the rest of our camp."

"I'm at a loss for words," Apache's best friend, Trick, said. "I still don't believe it. I'm numb."

Trick says Apache was found Friday in his home by his brother. Those close to him said he'd shown no signs of illness.

"They really don't know yet. It's so new — it just happened," Trick said about his friend's cause of death. "I'm waiting to hear back from his mother. We don't know if it was a heart attack or what could have happened. We don't know. We're waiting to hear how the coroner is gonna rule."

Trick had just spoken on the phone with Apache late Wednesday night.

"He was his old self," Trick, who noted that Apache had planned to be married in the near future, said. "We was laughing, joking, talking about Tupac. He said people wouldn't believe them stories from back in the day. They started out as roadies together — 'Pac with Digital Underground and him and Treach with Latifah. He's on 'Pac's first album, on Fat Joe's first album. He's gonna be missed."

Apache's career started in the background, helping Queen Latifah and Shakim get the Flavor Unit off the ground.

"Apache was one of the chief architects of the Flavor Unit," Vin detailed. "Mark the 45 King held down all the DJing and production. Apache was one of the founding members with Lord Alibaski, Lakim Shabazz, his brother Latee. They were the premier Flavor Unit MCs. Queen Latifah was their female. When we came around, we had to get accepted to the Flavor Unit. The only way you can get accepted was through skills. Apache, he was the first one to call you wack. That brother was a character. Definitely a comedian. Some of our best times was with Apache just clowning."

After a string of early guest appearances on such records as Naughty by Nature's classic posse cut "1, 2, 3," Apache finally came out of the background in 1993 with his debut, ... Ain't Sh--. He was blunt and brutal with his wordplay.

"He was a crazy creative guy," Vin boasted. "He wrote some of the songs for Latifah. It was time for him to go in. It was a good thing, he was working with 45 King and Kay Gee, who was the new producer. So he got a little of that Naughty flavor [on his album]. People think Apache came after us, [that he] benefited because of Naughty. It was the exact opposite. We were the babies of Flavor Unit."

The album's monster hit was the Q-Tip-produced "Gangsta Bitch." Although it wasn't a Billboard smash, the record reigned in the streets and in the clubs. But along with adulation from fans came scorn from protesters who said the record was too raw.

"He was a smart, optimistic and buoyant person," Q-Tip told MTV News on Friday. "Working with him was a great time! He was a strong brotha and will be missed."

"He loved the success," Trick said. "It was wonderful. He truly enjoyed it. When [the protesters of gangsta rap music] had the CDs and they was stomping the CDs, his CD was one they was breaking up. The controversy, he knew he was gonna get that. He knew he was gonna get some slack from the song. But it was something he felt needed to be told. He took it in stride."

Apache, however, never had a big follow-up to his strong debut. His career on the mic basically dissolved. And he didn't like the limelight.

"Apache always just wanted to be a writer," Trick justified. "He didn't want to be an artist. He wrote Latifah's first album. He helped her out with the show when she was on 'Living Single.' He did ghostwriting for a lot of different people. Being pushed out there as an artist, that's what he didn't want. When he was working on his second album, we played around, but he didn't want to be out there. He was like, 'I'm happy in the studio. That's my home.' "

Over the years, however, Apache found a new home: the church. The onetime notoriously foul-mouth fan favorite gave his life to God when the 1990s closed out. He also went back to school and studied marketing.

"Apache was definitely a renegade back in his day, but he changed his ways, found God," Vin said. "We even invited him to perform with us. We did BB King's for Funkmaster Flex last year. We invited him out as our surprise guest. He was coming out. I was concerned. I was like, 'I know you was concerned, you can come out do your songs. You can edit it however you want. People would love to see you.' He was like, 'Alright, I'm down.' The day of the show, he called and said he couldn't make it.

"I think it was a life-transitioning thing," Vin added about Apache's evolution. "Like how Lauryn Hill, she had that success, but as you go along, you get a different perspective. Maybe what you treasure so much in the beginning and what you fought for, once you get it, you realize there's others things in life."

Last year, however, Apache decided to step back into the lab and resurrect his career, at least for one last album run.

"We spoke the day before yesterday. He was on his way up from PA to see me. We was talking for four hours on the phone. He was talking about coming back out. He told me, 'Listen, next three months, we're going to be out there.' He had a whole marketing plan together."

Apache and 45 King were recently putting together routines for a show. 45 was going to spin at Apache's concerts.

"We came up with concepts and jokes and everything," 45 King said about the planned shows. "I would call him every morning and we'd watch YouTube [for ideas]. He was ... I hate to say 'was.' ... Ah man ... Apache was hilarious."

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Naughty By Nature Drop Two New Singles -- Listen Here!

20 Jul 2009 13:26:00 EDT

'We still got that same gutter music,' Treach promises of upcoming album Anthem Inc.
By Shaheem Reid

NEW YORK — From Dirty Jerz to the dirty South? Naughty by Nature are coming with a brand-new sound on their single "Know Me Better." Vin Rock takes the reins for most of the new record, experimenting with Southern delivery while trying to lure a woman to his bedroom.

"You'll find out you played with toys/ Until you had a Naughty boy," Vinnie raps.

The beat has a club thump over heavy bass and synths.

Meanwhile, Naughty's street leaker "I Got" samples Method Man's voice from his timeless theme song "Method Man." Treach commands the record. "I got a chip on my shoulder that Bill Gates ain't make," he raps. "I got a connect up in Harlem, got a great weight rate."

"When the people hear this new album, Anthem Inc., they'll see that Naughty hasn't gone anywhere," Treach advised on a recent visit to the MTV News offices. "We still got that same gutter music. We still have all the big anthem records."

For the album, Vin and Treach reunited with DJ Kay Gee, who handled most of the production.

"The record is coming out real dope," Vin said. "It feels just like back in the day to have all of us back together."

Naughty are looking to drop their LP sometime this fall.

While visiting MTV News, the fellas also took time to reflect on the loss of Michael Jackson, who they sampled for their first-ever hit.

"We are devastated by the loss of Michael Jackson," Vinnie said. "His music helped catapult our careers. 'O.P.P.' is one of the biggest songs ever in hip-hop. We send our condolences to his family and loved ones."

"When we met Michael," Treach recalled with a smile, "no more hardcore gangster rapper. I was in straight fan mode. He's the greatest."

Although Naughty haven't been active with new albums for quite some time, they have been a very hot touring act. The guys are booked all summer in Europe and say they perform most of the year.

Naughty recently signed a deal with Microsoft and Windows Mobile for the new customized Touch Pro2 phone. You can access "Get to Know You Better" and many other Naughty records on the phone.

Vin secured the deal after a chance meeting with a Microsoft exec on an airplane. Naughty and Microsoft just finished a contest last week; a fan won a trip to Los Angeles to see a Naughty concert August 15.

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T.I., Swizz Beatz, Naughty By Nature (!) Rock Vibe Magazine's 15th Anniversary Party

13 Aug 2008 15:19:00 EDT

Throwback sets from Brand Nubian, Naughty by Nature start the evening off.
By Shaheem Reid

NEW YORK — Fifteen years old: Not quite legal, but definitely not a baby! Vibe magazine, a staple of urban culture since its inception, celebrated turning a decade-and-a-half old Monday night at the Cathedral nightclub. Celebs who've graced the mag's pages from back-in-the-day up to the present day came out to party with editor in chief Danyel Smith, her staff and lots of alums and celebrities.

Reproductions of iconic covers of the magazine — such as the Death Row one featuring Snoop DoggSnoop Dogg, Tupac ShakurTupac Shakur, Dr. DreDr. Dre and Suge KnightSuge Knight — hung on the wall alongside the likes of AaliyahAaliyah's angelic posthumous one and the publication's current Jay-ZJay-Z cover.

The standard for the night was set with throwback performances from Brand NubianBrand Nubian and Naughty by NatureNaughty by Nature. Meanwhile, Treach's ex-wife Pepa was among those in the crowd, as were Heavy D, Usher's wife Tameka Foster, Fonzworth Bentley, Tianna Taylor and Tracee Ellis Ross.

(Incidentally, Treach was the first star to appear on Vibe's cover, for the mag's preview issue in the fall of 1992. Besides a Naughty by Nature article, features in that issue included LL Cool JLL Cool J, Bobby BrownBobby Brown and "White People Who Think They're Black.")

It was a family reunion for many on the other side of the camera who got their start at Vibe, such as XXL editor Jermaine Hall, radio personality/ creator of The Ave magazine Raqiyah Mays and yours truly.

After a set from up-and-coming British singer Estelle, T.I.T.I. and Swizz BeatzSwizz Beatz were the last performers of the night, joining forces for the collaborative bangers "Bring 'Em Out" and Tip's new joint, "Swing Your Rag" — a lot of Gucci and Louis Vuitton hankies were waved for that one. Swizz then went into his own set with "That Oprah," "Money in the Bank," and "It's Me Bitches."

But the party was far from over and the DJ kept things going for those who didn't want to go home. You could see Grand Puba, wearing a linen shirt, dancing to Nice & Smooth, and Treach getting down to Frankie Beverly and Maze's "Before I Let Go."

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Naughty By Nature Cultivate Garden State Greats

07 Jan 2004 21:20:00 EST

Official release to follow mixtape introducing more than 30 unsigned
By Corey Moss

SANTA MONICA, California — Unsigned rappers from all over New Jersey are singing, "Hooray! Ho!"

Naughty by Nature, one of New Jersey's most successful hip-hop exports, have recorded more than 30 local rappers they hope will further put the state on the rap map.

The Garden State Greats, as they are collectively called, have already hit the mixtape circuit on an eponymous 40-song CD and DVD expected to be released officially early this year.

Treach, who co-produced The Garden State Greats with fellow Naughty by Nature member Vinnie, says the idea came from Fam, a member of Naughty touring partners Rottin Razkals. "He was like, 'Yo, there's so much heat in Jersey right now, but it's so hard to get out in the music industry. We need to use our juice and put it all together on one project. No discrimination, as long as they're from Jersey.' "

Each track on the double album features a different unreleased artist, including DTH Mob, Larry-O and Haz the Rippa. Treach and Vinnie appear only as producers.

"We picked the hottest songs and gave everyone the opportunity to get out there and tear something up," Treach said.

The DVD includes two videos, production footage and studio outtakes, said Vinnie, who manages the Garden State Greats' business.

Treach, meanwhile, is finishing a solo album, beginning another Naughty by Nature record and expanding his film career. He has four movies due in 2004 — "The Orphan King," "Playas Ball," "Face" and "Smooth 'Till the Game is Dead" — and is talking with former manager Queen Latifah about a starring project for her production company.

"We're looking at some scripts for the next year," he said. "We're gonna put out three to four a year, even if it's just independent."

As for his solo project, tentatively titled Odiology, Treach would like to collaborate with friends from the hip-hop community — but doesn't count on it.

"A lot of people see you, shake your hand, say we're gonna make it happen, but never make it happen," he said. "Whoever comes to the studio, that's the one that's gonna be on our album."

Naughty by Nature's last album, 2002's Iicons, featured Pink, Method Man and 3LW (see "Treach Calls Naughty By Nature's Track With Pink 'A Smoker' ").

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NKOTB Hit 'TRL' 11 Years Late; Ice Cube Goes Pimpin'; Naughty By Nature Unleash Their Fury: This Week In 1999

10 Mar 2003 07:53:00 EST

Four years ago this week, the democratic and often cheeky spirit of the Internet was in full force, as a grass-roots e-mail campaign vaulted an 11-year-old song by '80s heartthrobs-turned-punch lines New Kids on the Block into MTV's "TRL" countdown.

As a result of the digital drive, numerous Netizens visited MTV's Web site to register write-in votes for "Hangin' Tough" (you remember, it's the song on which NKOTB sing, "Listen up everybody if you wanna take a chance/ Just get on the floor and do the New Kids dance" and then proclaim "We're rough!")

"I know it's a very old, very cheesy song, but just think of how funny that would be! To see an old New Kids on the Block song on the top 10!," one version of the chain e-mail read. Apparently plenty of folks agreed, as the song — which was released in 1988 and topped the singles chart in 1989 — landed at #2 on the "TRL" countdown.

One guy who probably wasn't too thrilled with the "write stuff" campaign was former New Kid Jordan Knight, who was working on forging a solo career in 1999.

" 'Hangin' Tough'? I wouldn't go near 'Hangin' Tough.' I wouldn't touch that one," Knight had told MTV News when asked if the set list for his upcoming tour would feature any New Kids nostalgia.

Meanwhile, rapper Ice Cube, who was gearing up to shoot "Next Friday," had just been cast as the lead in "Pimp," a film based on the life of notorious street hustler Robert "Iceberg Slim" Beck. The movie was to be directed by Kevin Hooks ("Passenger 57") and was scheduled to go into production as soon as work on "Next Friday" wrapped up, but as of this writing the movie has not been released.

In related rap and movie news, Dimension Films had just inked a first-look deal with Loud Films, the movie production arm of Loud Records, home of the Wu-Tang Clan, Mobb Deep and Big Punisher. Though no movies had been green-lighted at the time, a film version based on RZA's solo album RZA as Bobby Digital in Stereo was among the projects being considered.

Rappers Naughty by Nature were getting ready to drop their first album in four years in 1999. Like most hip-hop albums of the time (and now), 19 Naughty Nine: Nature's Fury had more collaborators than an Enron executive, including Master P, Silkk the Shocker, Mystikal and Big Punisher.

MTV News caught up with the trio and asked Vinnie Brown to explain how Naughty by Nature convinced so many of their peers to get down with "O.P.P." (other people's projects).

"Well, the thing with [all] the artist collaborations now," he said, "I guess a lot of artists are smarter ... now. A lot of artists were ignorant in the past by 'territorializing' themselves — not wanting to collaborate. But [artists realize] now that it's not about one particular market. One market could be hot this year and be cold the next. So I guess a lot of artists are smarter now in that they're conscious about being diverse and [do so with] collaborations."

For more "This Week In ...", check out the This Week In Archive.

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Fat Joe, Treach Get Gangsta In 'Empire'; Christian Bale Avoids Drug Overdose

06 Dec 2002 17:21:00 EST

'Analyze That,' 'Empire,' 'Adaptation,' 'Equilibrium' open in theaters this weekend.
By Ryan J. Downey

Two gangsters of a very different sort are hitting theaters this weekend — De Niro's funny wiseguy in "Analyze That" and John Leguizamo's Bronx drug lord in "Empire." Select cities will also be treated to the much-heralded, convention-smashing "Adaptation" and the futuristic "Equilibrium."

"Analyze That," the sequel to the "Sopranos"-like psychiatrist/mob-boss comedy "Analyze This," reunites Robert De Niro with comedian Billy Crystal, who returns as the convicted mob figure's psychoanalyst. This time, he's helping De Niro's character cope with life after prison.

In "Empire," Leguizamo ("Moulin Rouge!") stars as Vic Rosa, a criminal whose well-meaning attempt to enter into legitimate business is exploited by a white-collar criminal who Rosa seeks revenge against after losing a large sum of cash to him. Rappers Fat Joe and Treach, along with onetime James Bond girl Denise Richards, co-star.

And how best to encapsulate "Adaptation," a flick with a premise that almost defies description? Spike Jonze directs this story about real-life screenwriter Charlie Kaufman, who last teamed with Jonze on the acclaimed "Being John Malkovich," and his fictional twin brother, Donald, both played by Nicolas Cage. It follows Charlie's post-"Malkovich" attempt to adapt a real-life book — about a man obsessed with rare orchids — into a screenplay, and what happens when he decides to insert elements from his own life into the story. It reads confusingly, but by all early accounts, plays effectively. Meryl Streep, Chris Cooper ("The Bourne Identity") and Brian Cox ("The Ring") also star.

Also going the limited-opening route is "Equilibrium," which stars Christian Bale ("Reign of Fire") as a government agent in a future society where expressing emotion is outlawed. The bizarre law is partially enforced by a drug that Bale's character skips a dose of, which eventually sends him into conflict with his job.

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