50 Cent:"I ain’t gonna bet on a horse with three legs, no matter how much I like the horse"
Billy Danze of M.O.P. Push ‘Em Back – XXL
Jubilant isn’t a characterization expected when describing Billy Danze, but today, the muscular half of M.O.P. is walking around in flip-flops, happily shaking hands and playing the role of host. Surprisingly upbeat, Danze’s laughing, smoking and drinking during a press day at Eagle’s Nest Studio in Manhattan for his new rap-rock group, Hevi Medal, and their self-titled debut album. Comprised of Billy, Ikkabod, Fox and Mounia Tajou, the group will release their LP at the end of the year on Hevi Medal Music/Geffen. It’s another M.O.P.
side project—much like 2004’s Mash Out Posse and 2005’s St. Marxmen—but once again, it’s not the album fans have patiently been waiting for since the Brooklyn duo released their last official album, Warriorz, seven years ago on Loud Records. After Loud folded in 2002, Danze and partner Lil’ Fame signed with Roc-A-Fella Records the following year and announced their fifth album, Ghetto Warfare. Little did they know that the Roc dynasty was slowly crumbling, leaving M.O.P. in purgatory and their album shelved indefinitely. Finally freeing themselves from that situation, the Mash Out Posse found a new home at 50 Cent’s G-Unit Records in 2005. But in the two years since then, the Brownsville, Brooklyn natives have yet to release any material from their newly titled album, Yearly Physical. With fans growing impatient and critics still skeptical if G-Unit is the right fit for M.O.P, XXLMag.com tracked down the elusive Billy Danze to get the official word on their relationship with 50 Cent and his new rock album.
50 Cent:"I ain’t gonna bet on a horse with three legs, no matter how much I like the horse"
