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Property of iFLOW Magazine:  Archived Story Originally Published in April 2006

Remy Ma Exclusive Interview

A woman of her own destiny, Remy Ma (aka Remy Martin) is no stranger to getting her respect when it is due. Both  beautiful and intelligent, Remy spent time at Brooklyn’s 292 Elementary School explaining to pre-teens the importance of education and the nature of the music business.   Everyone is all ears during her speech about the music industry not being how it is perceived from television and to be in this business will require smarts in order to survive.  Her expressions alone, has earned iFLOW’s gratitude for taking such time out of her day after a long flight from Japan to talk with students about keeping their focus.  Remy has addressed such questions about her conflict with Foxxy Brown, why she wrote the song “Conceited”, surviving the music industry as a woman, and her future plans as an artist.                 

 Remy, as seen on www.remyma.com (Courtesy of  Universal Records

When asked by a student what the deal was between her and Foxxy Brown; Remy simply replied, “ I don’t like her and she doesn’t like me” and she left it at that.

Here’s what happened when Michele Bryson (Jewelz) sat down with Remy on March 16, 2006 during their iFLOW interview:

Michele Bryson (Jewelz) of IFLOW Web Magazine and
Remy at the EARS- Stay in School Program. Brooklyn, New York

Jewelz:  First off, I want to say that you are very beautiful in person. I saw you perform at the Power 105.1 Birthday Bash (on March 5^, 2006) You did your thing girl!

 Remy:   Thanks

 Jewelz:   What inspired you to write your song “Conceited”?

 Remy:  It’s crazy, because a lot of people think that the song is about me but you really have to listen to the song. I want people to realize that at the end of the day you do not have to be pretty to be conceited.  Everybody has at least one thing that somebody else would like to have~  like getting good grades, you have nice hair, or it could be your car; whatever it is. 

Jewelz:  From a woman stand point I know that being in this male-dominated industry you tend to have some obstacles that make you work a little harder than most. From your standpoint what is the objective of your vision in how you would like to take it beyond those obstacles?

 Remy:  I can honestly say that a lot of things that I hear that other women in this industry are experiencing I do not go through as much because I demand my respect. When I walk into a room and when I speak~ you know you are not going to get away with anything too crazy. You can’t pull the wool over my eyes. People become inferior when they go in with their head down or when they go in with a certain level of expectations. I would want what I am supposed to get and then some, but at the same time, there are certain things that you can’t avoid. Like when people critique my music or the way people look at me. When people say that I am just a rapper, they begin to say that I can’t be so good and assume that there is some male counter part behind me writing the things that I say. It sucks, but its with anything; any job where there are men and women working together, people just assume that men can do it better.

 Jewelz: I Agree with you on that. When you are competent, you are competent.

 Remy: Nods in attention

 Jewelz:   I see that you are in a school environment and you are encouraging students… What is your message today that you want to relay to them?

 Remy:  I want them to understand that at the end of the day, this is all entertainment.  When I was in school, I use to see my favorite artists on TV and say they have money.  It is nothing like what it looks like at all. It really a 24 hour job. My job just doesn’t stop when I am out of the studio or when they say “CUT” at the photo and video shoot. I could be going to dump my garbage and somebody can just say, “There’s Remy,” and I would have to take pictures with them.  Not only is it a 24/7 job,  the music industry is a shady business.

 There is a lot of things that you do not know (and you can’t even be taught) and you would have to learn from your own experience.  It’s not all glitz and glamour; for me, this is a stepping stone for me to get somewhere else. You can name on one hand all of the rappers that have been ‘rapping” longer than 10 years.  This is not a business of longevity: you don’t get medical benefits or a pension; you have to get what you can while you can get it.  A lot of times kids compare where they are at and when they see TV with the cars and the close~ they begin to feel like this is what they want to do.  They need their education…..The people in this business that are successful are the ones with the book smarts as well as the talent. It is pointless to be talented and you do not know how to add.  I have a lawyer, but I read all of my contracts before my lawyer sees them; I have an accountant, but I count all of my money.

 Jewelz: Right

 Remy: You need both. Kids just seem to have this picture in their mind that they are going to get this record deal.

 Jewelz: Yea, they really don’t see the work behind it and what it takes for you to get there.

Remy: A lot of it is chance. You are not guaranteed that your song is going to be the hottest song. You never know, 50 Cent might come out with a song at the same week your song came out. And based on a lot of politics and promotions (and things of that nature); it’s a gambling game. Everything is a gamble.  

 Jewelz: Right

 Remy: If you asked me, “Remy how do I become a doctor?”  You can go to school this this degree any it may lead you to getting a job somewhere down the line. There is no format to becoming a rapper or entertainer. Everything is just built on luck and chance; and by being at the right place at the right time.  

Jewelz: Speaking of being at the right place at the right time, how did you end up with the Terror Squad?

 Remy:  It was actually Big Pun (rest in peace) who lived around the corner from my mom. He was one of those people that made it as was still the same person (that they was before making it). Big Pun was always willing to give people a chance. Pun liked my style and  I was with Pun every single day after he called me.

 Jewelz:  Are you considering other avenues other than music to keep your name out there

 Remy:  Um, probably acting. I have been doing a lot of script reading. I’ve done a few independent movies.  At this point, I don’t feel like I could ever have a regular job. Not at making the money that I make now. If you want to continue the lifestyle that you have, these are the things that you have to do.

 Jewelz:  I agree with that, you must be able to multi-task.

 Remy:  The more money you make, the more bills you accumulate. If you made $800 for rent before, now you have to make sure that you have $8000 for rent. It’s not necessarily living from check to check but it is the same give and take. 

Jewelz:  As a back-up plan to music, where there anything secondary that you would have liked to do if your music career didn’t take off? 

Remy:  It was different for me because I met Big Pun when I was 17; I was still young and this is all I know now that I am 24. This is all I have been doing.  If I go to college, it would be that I just want to go.  I don’t want to go to college just because I need the degree to get a job and start this whole new career.  I was so young that rapping was my only choice at the time.  

Jewelz:  It was definitely nice meeting you Remy. This is not going to be the last time we are going to see each other.  Keep up the great work.

 Remy:  Thank you.  Bye Bye.