RESOLUTIONS: CORTEZ
BROOKLYN, NEW YORK | CORTEZ
INTERVIEW TERRELL “REALIFE” BLACK PHOTO REBEL JELLAL
VALIDATED: Being from Brooklyn, New York, what’s your earliest memory of hip hop culture?
CORTEZ: My earliest memories would be chilling on the corner on Myrtle and hearing early Wu Tang and Death Row Albums being played in all the cars driving by! To me it was so lit! That’s all I ever really wanted was for the Hood to bump my shit!
VALIDATED: What was your introduction into rap battles?
CORTEZ: SMACK DVD! Mook vs Jae Millz! I was hooked! I’d watch it back over and over and figure out the delivery, punches, angles, cadence, etc... And imitate it to figure out the patterns on how to battle!
VALIDATED: What’s a major misconception about battle rappers?
CORTEZ: It’s not a misconception, a lot of battle rappers don’t know how to make music! It’s sad! As for me, I had a deal early on and learned the difference between creating music and writing lyrics for battles. It’s totally different. When I hear battle rappers music I immediately can tell the difference. A lot of times it comes off as not natural! Now there are a few gems who can make the transition! Hopefully we can all keep pushing to change the narrative.
VALIDATED: Do you feel the culture of battle rap has changed over the years, if so in what way?
CORTEZ: it most definitely has! The format, the fans, the stages... it’s global now! We went from barber shops and corner stores to sold out arenas over seas. It’s truly a blessing to see how much it’s grown and to be such an integral part of the culture is humbling! I could’ve never imagined battling in a different part of the world for thousands of people! It’s still crazy to me.
VALIDATED: Who’s on your Mount Rushmore of battle rappers?
CORTEZ: I can’t make up Mt. Rushmore because everyone has had moments and also losses as well! On any given night the top tiers can lose or beat anyone! Only face I can put up there for now and that’s SMACK! He is the Battle Rap Culture and a founding father!
VALIDATED: You’ve had countless rap battles, including Arsonal, Daylyt, Dizaster, and Hitman Holla but which one is the most memorable for you and why?
CORTEZ: Hollohan in Toronto! Without a doubt that was the craziest battle I was in! Especially at that time! It opened so many doors for me and put me in a different light! Legendary Battle! Period! Ground breaking! The personals, the way it was filmed, etc...
VALIDATED: Who haven’t you battled yet but would like to and why?
CORTEZ: To be honest, NOONE! Maybe JR Writer but I’m at a point where the battles have to make sense! He and I Have A History! Besides him, I’ve done it all and seen it all. My only motivation is shifting the culture and if I can’t do that then It needs to be for A lot of money!
VALIDATED: You recently battled Eazy Da Block Captain in the “Rookies Vs Vets”, how much different was the atmosphere and routine due to COVID-19?
CORTEZ: Extremely different! There’s no crowds to feed off! It’s no emotion, it’s just rapping. I truthfully don’t like it at all! It takes away from the raw atmosphere battle rap had set at events.
VALIDATED: In 2020 you and A. Junior dropped “Wit The Shits”, “In The City” and “God Level”, whats been the response to those singles?
CORTEZ: A. Junior is like my brother. We went to High school Together and he would make beats and we’d cut class and go record at his house. He literally taught me how to count bars and formatted my writing! Now we’re grown up as full artists and these records have been eye opening to many! It’s just a tease actually. We got a lot more in store we’ve cooked up.
VALIDATED: Rap battles or making records, do you prefer one over the other and if so why?
CORTEZ: Music! By Far! It’s just raw emotion I can go off of when creating! Whatever mood I’m in. With battle rap, I have to write for my opponent and the crowd! No beat, no nothing. It’s much more difficult!
VALIDATED: As a battle rapper and emcee you’re a lyricist first, what’s your thoughts on lyrics returning to mainstream?
CORTEZ: It’s lit! Lyrics matter again and there are people my age who have stories to tell. I feel I’m the middle child! I’m not old but I’m not a new artist either so I can balance my content more now! It’s allowed me to really transition fully from battler to artist.
VALIDATED: You’re featured on the recently released single “Nightmares” with Bronx emcee Ricky Bats, how did the collaboration come about?
CORTEZ: Bats and I been fuckin’ with each other for years! We’re both very big on timing! It was the perfect time! He reached out and I pulled up! That beat had us zoning! When I do collabs I gotta vibe and genuinely fuck with the artists I’m working with! For Bats and I it was natural!
VALIDATED: You’ve had success in both the battle rap arena and dropping records as an artist, what do you contribute your success in both areas to?
CORTEZ: I am a true believer in hard work! When you think of Cortez you think “No Days Off”! I don’t sleep! I live hip hop! The cultures embedded in me and to be able to provide and feed my family by doing what I love keeps me motivated. That way of thinking has always put me in the right situations to succeed!
VALIDATED: “The Cortez Bodega”, what can you tell us about it?
CORTEZ: Simple... I got whatever you need! Music? Got that! Clothes? I got flavors on deck! Whatever it is... I’ma sell it! Took the block rules and applied it to business!
VALIDATED: What’s next for Cortez?
CORTEZ: Resolutions the album is complete! January 1st it debuts. Pre-orders are up for sale now as well! This past year taught me to not take today for granted so I’m pushing every chance I can for the Cortez brand!
VALIDATED: So your new album “Resolutions” officially drops January 1st, what can the diehard Cortez fans expect from this project?
CORTEZ: Resolutions is my most cohesive and well put together project to date! It’s a reflection of what has happened in the world today from my POV! You get pain, you get good vibes, you get struggle and most of all you get a peak into Cortez life!
VALIDATED: Who are some of the artist features and producers that you worked with on the album?
CORTEZ: The thing about this album was I invited producers to studio every session and we created on the spot! We was all trading off each other and it built a real bond between us all musically! So production is scattered between Doza The Drum Dealer, Crisis, Peedot, Pauly Cicero, Hanabii and Final 4 Productions! This experience was great! Doza is an artist as well so he jumped on a few tracks and Yobi outta brooklyn is an amazing singer! Can’t forget my fallen brother M.E.G who passed to Covid and a few others.
VALIDATED: I believe I saw a snippet from the “Digital Scale” video featuring Method Man on your Instagram page, how did the collaboration come about?
CORTEZ: Method Man has always been a huge supporter! He was on my last project with “The Classic Rmx” and that song plus video has garnered so much acclaim that it was only right for us to knock out another joint! That’s Big Bro! He’s taught me a lot!
VALIDATED: What do you want the fans to take away from the album?
CORTEZ: I want people to see the growth of cortez from rapper/battler to full time artist! Be able to Relate to me on different levels now.
VALIDATED: What’s your favorite song off the album and why?
CORTEZ: “Letter to the streets” because it’s an ode to my cousin Size doing time and MEG passing away... i cried writing that record! It’s too real to me.
VALIDATED: Where can fans get the album?
CORTEZ: The albums up for pre-sale all December and January 1st will be streaming on all platforms.
VALIDATED What’s your social media contacts and website?
CORTEZ: Twitter: @cortez_hsp
IG: @cortez_bodega
Shop at www.TheCortezBodega.com