[Interview] Styles Talks Time Is Money, Hell Rell Disses [Vibe]

By: John Kennedy

October 2, 2006

After more than a year of delays, Styles P of The Lox is finally set to release his second solo album, Time is Money, which he says is "more mature and well-rounded" than its predecessor.

A quick glance at Time is Money's guestlist illustrates Styles' artistic growth since his 2002 solo debut, A Gangster and a Gentleman. Cameos include his D-Block brethren (Jadakiss, Sheek Louch and J-Hood), Sizzla, Jagged Edge, Talib Kweli, Gerald Levert, and even hip hop/rock group Flipsyde.
"I love their shit," Styles told Vibe.com of fellow Interscope act Flipsyde. "[Interscope chairman] Jimmy [Iovine] wanted me to meet them; he thought we might sound good together."

He says the album has seen few changes since its initial postponement from summer 2005. Leaked singles like "Can You Believe It," "Favorite Drug" and the radio-neglected "I'm Black" all remain on the album.
"I wanted to shoot [the "I'm Black" video] but I knew [TV networks] wouldn't play it," Styles says. "But I still might just give it a shot and stick it on a DVD."

To some, Styles' current single, the Neo Da Matrix-produced "Who Want A Problem," may seem to be a retort to Dipset's Hell Rell, who has recently thrown lyrical jabs in Styles direction via mixtape freestyles. But while Rell contends for the title of "hardest in the streets" – a distinction long associated with Styles – the Yonkers lyricist says a back-and-forth war of words between the two is unlikely.

"He didn't scar me," Styles says of his Harlem competitor. "He didn't make me mad."

"The young boy has to work hard," he continues. "I made my position. My title was given to me… I feel good; I started something. I gave these young boys something to strive for."

After Time is Money, Styles says D-Block fans can look forward to Jadakiss' next album, Kiss My Ass, rookie J-Hood's Tales From The Hood, and The Lox's long-awaited group album, Live, Suffer, Celebrate, to all drop next year.

Time is Money hits stores Nov. 14 and will feature production by Hi-Tek, Scott Storch, Lil' Jon, Havoc of Mobb Deep, Neo Da Matrix, and Vinny Idol.