Arguably one of, if not, the best albums of 2024, a collaborative effort between DJ-Grammy Award winning producer/rapper, Pete Rock, née Peter Phillips, and native Chicago, Il, exceptional emcee, Common – plus, EGO; Primetime Emmy, 3 Grammys and Oscar for “Best Original Song,” certified – entitled “The Auditorium, Vol. 1.“
Since its arrival last July, the 15-track tour de force, also featuring high profile appearances from Bilal, Jennifer Hudson, PJ and De La Soul’s Posdnuos, has been met with nothing but favorable reviews across the board. “The Auditorium, Vol. 1“ is presently nominated for a Grammy Award in the category of “Best Rap Album.”
Yo! Raps recently tapped in with the Chocolate Boy Wonder and former one-half of the acclaimed Mount Vernon, New York, based Hip-Hop duo Pete Rock & CL Smooth.
First things first, let’s hop right into this excellent joint LP, with the artist originally known as Common Sense, “The Auditorium, Vol. 1.” Conceptually, what does this title represent both to and for you?
The title to our album represents how we grew up. Experiencing a lot happening in the auditorium; like breakdancing and just entertainment musically. Since we both had those experiences growing up, Common came up with the idea of the “Auditorium” title. You know, it took me a few days to think about it and then I thought it was one of the greatest ideas that Common has ever created for this project.
Aside from the obvious, how then does “The Auditorium, Vol. 1” either differ and/or compare to previous Pete Rock efforts?
The era was different. My music was different in the ’90’s I feel compared to what I am doing now, which is a combination. Taking a little bit from what I did in the ’90’s, and adding to it what I see the new audience likes. And so, working on that craft, that combination is breeding success for me and Common.
The reception for this body of work has been beyond amazing! How are you feeling about how it’s being received and, of course, your recent 2x Grammy nominations?
I’m still in disbelief! I’m still in shock that “The Auditorium Vol. 1” has been nominated. But at the same time, it feels deserved because the music is really something special. We’re so happy how it turned out, and how it’s been received. The outcome really exceeded our expectations, and how the album came out itself.
What actually prompted you all to want to collaborate to this degree, and put a project of this magnitude together?
We felt it was important to create a project like this in 2024. There’s a part of our culture that needs to be understood when it comes to making music. This album is something you can listen to and hopefully take something from…something that you can add to your own work. It’s a way of teaching young producers about what it was like for me growing up, creating my own sound, and then adapting to the changes we’re seeing (now).
What all exactly did it take to finally get “The Auditorium, Vol. 1” completed?
It took a lot of effort from both of our parts. Both me and Common brought our passion, the love we have of making music, the respect for Hip-Hop and the culture itself were at the heart of this project. When we came together to create this new album, our goal was to bring everything we know and everything we love about the game to the table and share that with the world.
August 11, 2023 marked the 50th Anniversary of Hip-Hop. What exactly does that mean to and for you?
50 years of Hip-Hop… Hip-Hop still being around means a lot to what Common and I are doing, and what we’ve done in the past. Hip-Hop has inspired us, you know. It has shaped us, helped us grow, and taught us responsibility, especially when we’re in the studio making music. Hip-Hop has raised us, and now we want to pass that knowledge on. We know there will always be someone looking up to what we do, so it’s important for us to teach and give back to the next generation.
To quote the late, great The Notorious B.I.G., “You never thought that Hip-Hop would take it this far!” Was this something that you ever could’ve imagined?
I initially was going to say no, but I’m actually going to change my answer. I honestly believe Hip-Hop was always going to be big. It was just a matter of people embracing something new. We had the talent, and we knew that applying it to the culture would only make it stronger. Yeah, I knew Hip-Hop would make it this far!
What are some of your fondest, most standout moments/memories during your lengthy tenure in this thing called Hip-Hop?
Some of my standout moments in Hip-Hop include working with my cousin, Heavy D, working with Run DMC, and working with Public Enemy. I also had the chance to sit in on a few studio sessions, listening to other artists create albums and watching producers make beats… experiences like that really inspire me!
That said, what are your future plans and goals for the 2025 season?
Taking a vacation with my family… then come back, get back to work, and keep pushing, going to The Grammys, and going back again and again.
Switching gears here, what exactly do you want people to get from your music?
What I want people to get from my music is hearing the inspiration, the passion, and the love that I put into every track.
If you could collaborate with any one artist, living or dead, who would it be and why?
The Notorious B.I.G.! We never had a chance to finish working on anything, more than doing a remix. So, I definitely wish we would have done more.
If you could play any venue in the world, which one would you choose and why?
Madison Square Garden! That venue holds a special place for me because it’s in New York where I’m from. Go New York Knicks!
