Written By Tito Maya
It's always an honor to be able to interview a pioneer and founding father of the culture we all grew to love. MC Shan is crowned the “Father of Queens-Bridge” and his roots still shine through his personality even in his later years. Keeping in mind I was 10 years old in the year 2000 and although I’ve always been aware of who MC Shan was to the culture this is my first impression of a legend.
“People put too much emphasis on fuck nigga shit. You woke up in the morning and have another chance at life. Don’t bring anything from yesterday into today.” - MC Shan states in his opening remarks.
In the opening moments of the interview MC Shan reflects on his mistakes as a young artist stating “I did a lot of fuck nigga shit. In my older age I realized the culture is fucked up. Im not trying to get into heaven but Ive grown to see the black culture is fucked up and I’ve lived through many decades.”
MC Shan says he spends a lot of his time mentoring the youth and teaching them that there are plenty of ways to make an honest living outside of illegal activities. Shan explains that he now owns several businesses including a car wash where he is actively a part of selling “MC Shan experiences” with his car washes.
Fans ask if he still has a relationship with the Juice Crew and Shan says “I do fuck with the Juice Crew but from a distance”. He explains they invited him on a tour and only gave him one song and as an original member he felt disrespected.
“They tried to play me like a pussy and gave me one song? Nigga fuck the Juice Crew” - MC Shan
Shan speaks on his relationship with Kane and explains that he couldn’t be a hater cause he was the person to approve his first record being released. Then reiterates how much he feels disrespected with one song on their tour when he is the reason they had a career.
“Roxanne Shante is the reason all of us are here” - MC Shan
Shan explains how back then no-one had aspirations to be a rapper cause the culture was just invented. He states that without Roxanne Shante they would have no careers cause they were more street minded at the time.
“Kris been telling that same lie for 30 years.” - MC Shan
Shan voices his frustration with KRS-One due to him saying he beat MC Shan in a battle that no one can confirm. He continues to pop his shit and challenge Bronx legend KRS-One to a battle!
“You know this aint MTV cribs right?” - DJ Rec Boy Shad
Shad cracks a joke as Shan continues to stroll through his estate taking us on a tour of his residence.
Shan continues to go at KRS-One saying “Melly aint even like Kris and them niggas. There is no record of him beating me in a battle. Look at that Sprite commercial, I beat your ass.”
Shan explains how he met snow “I met him at the weed spot! Now our song is in the Guinness World Records twice.”
My final conclusion of this classic interview is that I really love the competitive energy MC Shan has. His era is able to talk shit and challenge each other without any violence brewing into the streets. I like how MC Shan still remains a little ratchet and has his street roots but has grown as a man who is able to teach the new school the right way. I love his advice to new artists to keep music as a hobby or side hustle and get a job or another way to make money explaining rap is a con sport. Shan seems very rooted in reality and encourages the youth to get an education and even become a police officer because we need more minorities policing our neighborhoods. As a member of the new generation I can definitely say MC Shan is raw as hell and even as an older rapper he has stood the test of time. A true legend who shows no signs of being washed and has transcended the culture. Definitely an honor to cover this story. Tito Maya signing out!
“People put too much emphasis on fuck nigga shit. You woke up in the morning and have another chance at life. Don’t bring anything from yesterday into today.” - MC Shan states in his opening remarks.
In the opening moments of the interview MC Shan reflects on his mistakes as a young artist stating “I did a lot of fuck nigga shit. In my older age I realized the culture is fucked up. Im not trying to get into heaven but Ive grown to see the black culture is fucked up and I’ve lived through many decades.”
MC Shan says he spends a lot of his time mentoring the youth and teaching them that there are plenty of ways to make an honest living outside of illegal activities. Shan explains that he now owns several businesses including a car wash where he is actively a part of selling “MC Shan experiences” with his car washes.
Fans ask if he still has a relationship with the Juice Crew and Shan says “I do fuck with the Juice Crew but from a distance”. He explains they invited him on a tour and only gave him one song and as an original member he felt disrespected.
“They tried to play me like a pussy and gave me one song? Nigga fuck the Juice Crew” - MC Shan
Shan speaks on his relationship with Kane and explains that he couldn’t be a hater cause he was the person to approve his first record being released. Then reiterates how much he feels disrespected with one song on their tour when he is the reason they had a career.
“Roxanne Shante is the reason all of us are here” - MC Shan
Shan explains how back then no-one had aspirations to be a rapper cause the culture was just invented. He states that without Roxanne Shante they would have no careers cause they were more street minded at the time.
“Kris been telling that same lie for 30 years.” - MC Shan
Shan voices his frustration with KRS-One due to him saying he beat MC Shan in a battle that no one can confirm. He continues to pop his shit and challenge Bronx legend KRS-One to a battle!
“You know this aint MTV cribs right?” - DJ Rec Boy Shad
Shad cracks a joke as Shan continues to stroll through his estate taking us on a tour of his residence.
Shan continues to go at KRS-One saying “Melly aint even like Kris and them niggas. There is no record of him beating me in a battle. Look at that Sprite commercial, I beat your ass.”
Shan explains how he met snow “I met him at the weed spot! Now our song is in the Guinness World Records twice.”
My final conclusion of this classic interview is that I really love the competitive energy MC Shan has. His era is able to talk shit and challenge each other without any violence brewing into the streets. I like how MC Shan still remains a little ratchet and has his street roots but has grown as a man who is able to teach the new school the right way. I love his advice to new artists to keep music as a hobby or side hustle and get a job or another way to make money explaining rap is a con sport. Shan seems very rooted in reality and encourages the youth to get an education and even become a police officer because we need more minorities policing our neighborhoods. As a member of the new generation I can definitely say MC Shan is raw as hell and even as an older rapper he has stood the test of time. A true legend who shows no signs of being washed and has transcended the culture. Definitely an honor to cover this story. Tito Maya signing out!