Achieving longevity in a profession known for its short-term memory can be quite an accomplishment, especially when that profession is Hip-Hop. As history has shown us with the “here today’s” and the “gone tomorrow’s”, the life expectancy of MC is probably shorter than a mouse trapped in a snake’s cage.

 In this ever-changing world of Hip-Hop, it’s always wise to go with the flow, rather than getting washed away in the current. Usually those who have stuck to their guns, have been ultimately forgotten about, and left in the past, reminiscing about yester-year. But every now and then, you get a handful of MC’s that fight through the times, stick to what they believe in, and still have the relevance and respect as the day they first signed their name onto that record contract.

One such individual is David Styles. Better known as: Styles, Styles P, Holiday Styles, S.P. The Ghost, “P”, The Phantom, Paniro, or simply; "The Hardest Out".

Call him what you want, but his impact on Hip-Hop hasn’t veered off one bit in his 10-year tenure. Back in 2002, his debut solo album A Gangster and a Gentleman went on to sell over 700,000 units. But instead of celebrating, the only thing that followed in the coming years were contractual disputes from his [former] boss, Sean Combs over publishing rights, beefs with other rappers, and the Achilles heel for all artists, album d elays.

While his LOX brethren, Sheek Louch and Jadakiss had already released their sophomore projects, Styles was still cutting through all the red tape trying to get his into the palms of his fans.

Needless to say, his second album and its title; Time Is Money ended in irony. Because all the time spent on it trying to get released, definitely affected Styles’ money a little bit. But the Yonkers native doesn’t dwell on the past, as he has a new situation with Koch Records, and a new album called Super Gangster (Extraordinary Gentleman). The only thing left for “Your Favorite Rapper’s Favorite Rapper” to do is to show the world the true meaning of hunger, lyricism, and dedication.

What’s going on, P?

What’s good bro? 

I’m just chilling man… So what was the final straw that made you switch from the major labels onto the independent circuit instead?

I felt like if I didn’t, it would have been a wrap for my career.

So you don’t think [they] were trying to help you out in any way?

I mean you know; I just had to face reality. As far as strictly Hip-Hop, I’m definitely a huge artist. As for Time Is Money, I was missing my single time, and I kind of knew the album was going to be a brick. And I was like alright; “if the album is brick, then the same thing can happen again with my next album.” I was in a big building, where there is a lot of artists. So it was kind of a life move for me, I look at it like that.

What’s the difference between Time Is Money, and Super Gangster (Extraordinary Gentleman)?

This one is more of the same elements I had on my first album; but I did it with the maturity of my second album. On my [second] album, I think I was thinking too much about how to please the people. I wanted to come out and have a good single for the radio, because as you know; Corporate America is scared of me. So with that, I wanted to be looked at on a lighter note, and I wanted to blend in. Also I wanted show my abilities, and do sh*t I couldn’t do before. 

What do you want fans to take away from this album?

To be truthful with you, I really made this album for my fans. Like for my real Styles P fans. I didn’t make it in terms of the world, or in terms of “Hip-Hop.” I made it for the people that f**k with me and what I do; and know how I get down. I didn’t really keep in mind to have a radio track until the last minute, and that’s when I called my man Swizz. Then I was like; “I need something for the radio.”

Watch the video trailer for Styles P's "Blow Your Mind" ft Swizz Beatz.

So I kind of made it on some Hip-Hop, and on some real MC sh*t. Just to be an MC, know what I’m saying. And not really caring about who’s worried about me saying what, and thinking about what my next-door neighbor is thinking about me. I really didn’t give a f**k, I just wanted to make an album, and be free. Basically just do an album like did my first album, but on a more mature level.    

You’ve released a bunch of mixtapes in between albums. What would fans hear from you on a mixtape that they might not hear on an official studio release?

I think I kind of leave it un-cut on the mixtapes. When I make albums, I want them to reach out to the whole world. But mixtapes are just basically for the ‘hood. So when I’m on mixtapes, basically I pretty much try to “go-in.” And I’m not too worried about it being too negative, too positive, or if it’s too this or too that. I just do it. I just do whatever I felt that night. So I’m just going to do it, and I leave it at that. 

A lot of people think you handled yourself very well on that radio call with 50 [Cent]. Is that a sign of you getting wiser and mature?

Yeah, like I told you before, I had a big problem in the industry for years. So I wanted to show that I could be more wise and mature. And I wanted to show people that I can speak to a 50 [Cent], or a Diddy, or just whoever you want to say; know what I’m saying.

I’m from the streets, so there’s always a part of me that will handle certain things a certain way. But I just wanted to be more mature, and show people that I wasn’t ignorant, and that I wasn’t showing-out, and that I could basically speak to whoever I wanted. And also sometimes, you have to lead by example when it comes to the ‘hood. I’m from a ‘hood where it gets pretty wild, so sometimes you got to show that you’re mature enough to talk things out. And to be honest with you, I’m into a lot of things that are way more deeper than that. And I spoke to the [person] afterwards, just to be point blank with you.

When can we all expect another LOX album?

Real soon, we’re working on a joint right now.

Do you guys have any ideas on it? Or is everything still being worked out?

Umm… Nah, not yet. So far we’ve called it Live, Suffer, Celebrate. We might, stick with that, or we might change it. I’m not too sure, but we are working right now.   

What would you say is harder? The group work? Or the solo stuff?

I’d have to say group work is definitely easier because there is a lot less work that you actually have to do. That’s always been really simple for all of us. That’s just like water for us; know what I’m saying.

So the whole situation with J-Hood not being affiliated with you guys anymore is all-true?

Nah, he’s out. It’s over. I told him it was cool, and he could go and all of that. But nah, we don’t f**k with him no more, point blank period. God bless him though, and I wish [him] the best of luck. Even though I think he’s handling things like a fool, and I think he’s very ignorant, but I still got love in my heart for him. And I wish him the very best. And I hope the best things happen in his career. No matter who he wants to sign with, or where he wants to go. 

Watch J-Hood talk about his departure from D-Block.

Your career has had its ups and downs. What keeps you going in a positive direction?

It’s because I love MC’ing I guess. This is what I do, and this is what I was doing before I got here. Some people look at it like a job, and it is my job. Sometimes I look at it like that, but it’s also an art, you know. This is what I do.  

I remember one time you saying you’re the best “Hardcore Lyricist” out there. When did you first come to that conclusion?

What do you mean “one time?” That’s still to this day!

[Laughing] I meant the “one time” I heard you talking about it on the radio.

Oh okay, okay! Sorry, I got a little confused. [Laughing] I thought you was saying at “one time” I was; you know.

[Laughing] Nah, it’s all-good… So how did you come about that?

Just by the streets consensus. I put myself out there as one of the hardest people working towards that; and then I guess the streets kind of made me that. And when the streets give you your consensus, it is what it is; when the streets say what it is. You know.  

How important is it to you to remain lyrical in an era where beats and hooks determine your records sales?

How important is it in the game? I couldn’t tell you. It might not be that important at all; because it seems that it’s not important. But for me, it’s very important. Because that’s how I came in; and I want to leave out the same way I came in.  

What would you say is one of the biggest misconceptions about Styles P?

People see me in a negative way. A lot of people are intimidated by me, just because I’m a straight forward speaking person, when I have an issue. But I’m basically a cool dude.

Then there are a lot of people out there that have you figured out wrong.

Yeah, I’m mostly laid back all the time, until something happens. Then I just can’t bite my tongue and hold it, because of my emotions.

What do you say to the people that say you haven’t had too much commercial success because of your lyrical content?

I would agree with them. People like “A-B-C” sh*t. Like “A-B-C”, “1-2-3” sh*t. And I don’t really make that, so I would have to agree with them. But then I would have to disagree, because I made a commercial impact for years: "Money, Power, & Respect", "Wild Out", "We Gonna Make It", "Locked Up", "I Get High", and "My Life". You know, the list goes on. I did it with Mariah [Carey], and I did it with J-Lo, you know.      

But compromising, or simplifying your content has never been an option for you?  

Nah, nah, I could never dumb myself down. How could I dumb myself down? I would be selling myself short, and I wouldn’t do that to make a dollar. My whole world doesn’t revolve around a dollar. A lot of it does, but if that was the case, then I would have been okay. I would have been a selfish individual, and I would’ve been straight a long time ago. You know what I’m saying?