Papoose shoots two videos

By: Yves Erwin Salomon

Brooklyn-based rapper Papoose will release two videos in the coming weeks as he puts the finishing touches on his Jive Records debut, Nacirema Dream, which is due out in January. The rapper will release his official lead single later this fall. MTV.com reports that Papoose shot the videos for "Alphabetical Slaughter" and "Ghetto Soldier" featuring Akon in his hometown, Brooklyn.

Papoose said, "'Ghetto Soldier,'basically the concept of the video is showing the comparison of the soldier that's going to war in Afghanistan and the everyday ghetto soldiers that are losing their lives. It's a visual metaphor between the two. People could see they going to war over there, but it's everyday war we going through in the 'hood. We showing both sides of the fence. I think the video made a good statement in the end. We're all fighting for different causes, but at the end of the day, it's a loss of life."

As for the "Alphabetical Slaughter" video, the rapper said, "They gonna use a lot of different graphics to bring it to life. But it's me spittin'the lyrics. One scene shows a different learning process. You got my man with the boxing gloves and somebody is training him, he's learning to fight. Then there's this female who's sitting down learning schoolwork. It's more like a lesson. 'Alphabetical Slaughter'is a lesson to MCs. Throughout the video you gonna see a lot. This is just a warning shot, me making my introduction to the mainstream."

Papoose has been anointed as the rapper that will bring New York City back to forefront by some hip hop fans. The rapper shared his thoughts on being the one to bring New York back. He said: "Basically I'm just gonna be myself and do what I do. I feel like people got to you know, people go to elect you as the individual to bring New York back to the forefront. I'm not one to stand up here and say you know, 'I'm bringing New York back.'I speak by what the people say. The people got to elect you as king or anything."

The rapper added: "So you know a lot of fans are saying that. Even when I'm in the south, they saying, 'Yo, we like how you bringing New York back.'So you know I'm just gonna be myself and continue what I do with my God given talent, you know what I mean?"

In addition to the new album, Papoose is working on a mixtape from his group, Thugacation, which he plans to release in the coming weeks.