Cane-interview

Now Or Neva Movement

Cane released: Killertape part 1.

"If I'm not getting paid this year I'll start sticking up nigga's. That is the whole deal."

Just want the world to know.
Brought out independently, no major company only his Loud Minority Records as the backbone. No distribution deal. Cane: "Yeah, I want to keep something for my self. 12" or LP's from my self will be in co-operation with a major." And How? Cane: "Streetwise I just stepped to any local and national radio station and I was like: "Yo, if you want to buy my tape, here is my phone number!" And kids just called me up and I just gave my address and they sent me a letter with the money in it. And I sent the tape right back. Of course also walking on the streets and selling my tapes." In the world of making moves, this was a power move. Sick of all the people that are talking all that jazz without pursuing any dreams or goals. Cane: "To let the outside world know what time it is in Amsterdam, Rotterdam and all over. We got potential MC's, we got skills, we got everything. We got beat producers, we got graffiti artists, we got breakers, shit is livin'. It's a life, you know what I mean. And I just want the world to know."

In 1996 Cane told ART12: Look, from age fifteen I went back to school for five times. I never finished it. I tried to work. But couldn't maintain a job. And you know why? It's the funk, the music kept on calling: Cane, Cane bring it on nigger, ya got skills!"

So what is the tape? It's not a click or a family. His family gave him the inspiration to do this project. But the tape it self ain't a family thing. He just putted down the cats he liked. Cane: "It's like: Yo, I know this cat from Rotterdam. Let hook that nigger up, cause he got skills. Anybody with skills such people like Unique, Evil Sun, MD, Deams, Rowdy etc. etc. Everybody." Even Kaïn and Large Leader, he just wants to give a break so people can come and show their stuff and proof their skills.

And how he did it? Without talking, without hesitation. So he didn't change that philosophy. Cane 1996: "Just don't talk bullshit. Talk when it's necessary." And like a smart business man he ain't gonna tell how he did it. You have to found it out your self. His self-esteem his high and he got a big self-confidence. Cane: "I know I got the connections and I got the stamina, I got the will power to make something happen. I just do it." And he done it.

Now Or Neva Movement.
AQ: Now Or Neva movement, please explain.
Cane: Simple: Now or never, be on welfare forever. The choice is simply made. Know what I mean!? Now or neva. That speaks for it self.
AQ: Is that the only dimension?
Cane: Na, that is my state of mind, right now. I'm in this for about 15 years deep. That is more then enough. I paid my, so many, dues that I'm broke now. So dues better start paying me back. That is the state of mind behind that. Now or never the whole movement. If I'm not getting paid this year I'll start sticking up nigga's. That is the whole deal.
AQ: How do you see your market, Netherlands, Europe or the whole world?
Cane: First I start in my home town: Amsterdam. From there I'll take it further. And I will see where it will end up.

The link between Now Or Neva an By All Means Necessary.
AQ: Why did you use the famous picture of Malcolm X?
Cane: Cause Malcolm X is a rebel. A revolutionary and we got a lot of things a like. It's about any means necessary state of mind. That is something I carry with me. By any means in order to gain your goal.
AQ: But so many people already used this picture.
Cane: I don't care. A lot of people use a lot of stuff others did. That didn't stop me from using that picture. The picture just explains the whole situation at that point. Malcolm X, peeping out of the window with a Mag 10
AQ: AK 47.
Cane: I don't know what it is. But it makes sure you gonna get killed if you step up. By any means necessary and the title beneath the picture explains it all.
AQ: How can you project his philosophy from America on the situation here in The Netherlands?
Cane: Check it. Where ever there are niggas there are ghetto's. Malcolm X was an Afro-American man. he stood up for the right of the black people. But America was (still is, ed.) a different situation. But there are a couple of issues that are the same. The knowledge is universal. That is not something that only counts in America. That is something that also counts for Africa, Japan or Holland.
AQ: "There where are nigga's there are ghetto's." But before there where black ghettos in the States, there was the Jewish ghetto in Poland?
Cane: I ain't got nothing to de with Jewish people.
AQ: Ghetto itself, there where people are?
Cane: No, that is bullshit. I never seen a ghetto in Volendam (a village, NL; ed.)
AQ: O.K., but big city size?
Cane: No, that is the reason why I came out with the name Loud Minority. Because we are the minority but are the loudest in town. Where ever there are niggas there is a ghetto, that is reality. If you take a look at the world, right? The people that suffer the most in society today are black people.

Malcom X or Malcolm X?
AQ: But what went wrong in the progress and what did you do with the one responsible to write Malcom X instead of Malcolm X on the cover?
Cane: That was a misprint I Can't do nothing about that. I called the designer up and said: "There is an L missing in Malcolm!" He was like: "Oh sorry, I fucked that. Alright you don't pay me the whole amount. Pay me half."

Come My Way? Do Not!
AQ: Amsterdam is your territory. What does that mean?
Cane: What does it mean? I find that a stupid question! Amsterdam is my territory. There is no better MC like me in this town. There is no other MC that can drop skills like I do or handle the business the way I do. Know what I mean?! I just claim my shit. And I got the right because respect is something that you earn not something that you get.
AQ: So what do you have to say to MC's that are coming your way?
Cane: Come my way!? Do not!
AQ: American artists that come here and get to many of the good Amsterdam stuff. And give a wack show?
Cane: When your coming to Amsterdam, make sure that you come equipped! Cause we ain't sleeping. We're in this about fifteen (longer, ed.) deep. We all are aware of how HipHop should be represented and we ain't stupid! Make sure you come equipped. If your coming out fake?! People are gonna snatch your ass! Just like I did with Big Punisher. Last month Big Pun came to Amsterdam. He did a little show; 20 minutes and after that he was like: "Alright, it is time for some freestyles and the one that can impress me lyrically gets 100 dollars." So I was: "Lets do this! I'm gonna represent my hometown and who I be. So I jumped on stage, right. With M.O.D. and a couple other bitch ass nigga's. And the end of the story I walk away with a 100 dollar bill. Know what I mean. Cause he recognized skills. Real recognize real.
AQ: How did you do that with Old Dirty Bastard at the Villa 65, Dutch Master Radio show?
Cane: He thought that, just because he is from Wu, he's the man. But that is not how it is. Every where you go, you still have to prove that your the illest MC on the block. He was like: "I'm from the Wu, so I'm the man!" Fuck That! He came off real soft. At the freestyle session he was kicking rhymes that I know (already recorded, ed.). And I was like: "Just when you thought you were the Cane is! So I had to represent real tight. And after the freestyle session he was like: "Damn man, where are you from man? You got skills! Why don't you come over and do some." Nah man, the time ain't right.

And for whom the time came so soon
Cane and Filtonlarge about Nashman (R.I.P.):
Filtonlarge: Nashman, metaphysic university. One of the dopest unrecognized MC's past away before his time. He was my nigger. On of the premier MC's in Crowsnest (Kraaiennest NL, ed.) Not all of the people could understand him because he spoke about Armageddon, prophesies and stuff that was supposed to happen, didn't happen yet. Nobody knew where he came from and who his parents were. Until his death nobody knew his name. That is the type MC he was.
Cane: He was the type of nigga; if you would lay back in Crowsnest with the whole crew, MD, G.O., Filtonlarge just made a beat and he was just blowing on that shit. Till the break of dawn. Always freestyling. Always eager to do some. Like he told you before: he ain't that type of nigga that stands in front of the mirror and puts gel in his hair. He just came out: raw. Step to Nashman and you gonna realize what realness is all about. We just carry his spirit in our heart. Anywhere were we going, anywhere we are flowing.

AQ