Omar Gooding has lived many lives in leisure. To some, he’s the child from Nickelodeon and Smart Guy. To others, he’s the actor from Baby Boy and seemingly numerous roles throughout TV and movie. But what many don’t know is Gooding has been an MC lengthy earlier than Hollywood fame ever known as.

Recently, his pen and pleasure collided with Harlem legend Cam’ron, sparking one of the crucial sudden rap dust-ups of the 12 months. What started with a slip of the tongue—Cam calling him “Omar Gooding Jr.”—spiraled right into a string of diss information, a viral “prank” that left Gooding livid and a fourth response monitor that has the rap world taking him very critically. In an unique with AllHipHop, Omar opens up about defending his brother Cuba Gooding Jr. from Nas, why he doesn’t write out of anger, the main points behind the prank and why Part Four is the one.

The Q&A has been edited for readability and stream. For the complete, unedited dialog watch the video

AllHipHop: Omar, first off, the way you feeling? You’ve had the web buzzing.

Omar Gooding: I’m good, bro. Glad to speak to you. I do know I bought folks shaking proper now, some laughing, some speaking, nevertheless it’s cool. I’m constructed for this.

AllHipHop: I’m glad to speak to you, man. First of all, you’re not from New York City, but your brother used to be at all our parties back in the day hanging out.

Omar Gooding: That’s humorous too as a result of he was sizzling at me a pair days in the past. He was like, “Stop pandering to ignorance.” And I used to be like, to start with, what the f##ok does pandering imply? Second of all, make me # if you attempting to evangelise to your little brother. Like, knock it the sh## off. I’m doing what I do.

I don’t suppose I’ve responded or written out of anger in a very long time. Ironically, I’ma offer you one thing I wasn’t planning on saying. The solely time I ever wrote a rhyme out of anger was once I was attempting to defend my large brother when Nas put his name in a song. (Editor’s Note: On “These Are Our Heroes,” Nas condemned Tiger Woods, Taye Diggs and Cuba Gooding Jr.)

AllHipHop: Tell me extra.

Omar Gooding: Yeah, the one time I ever rapped out of anger was defending my large brother. When Nas mentioned, “You sell out like Cuba Gooding Jr.,” I misplaced it. I used to be in Dr. Dre’s studio with Focus, Chino XL, a bunch of MCs. They threw on a beat, and I went final like I at all times do. I went straight at Nas. Everybody was like, “What are you doing?” But that’s my brother. I used to be heated. Focus simply shook his head and mentioned, “Nas ain’t gonna respond.” And in fact, he didn’t. But that was the one time.

AllHipHop: Recently you discovered your self in one other scenario — the so-called prank with Cam. Walk us by means of what occurred.

Omar Gooding: Man, look. I used to be booked for one scene, $2,500, flown top quality, simple work. The authentic script had me licking a sneaker. I mentioned, “I’m not licking no f##kin’ shoe.” They revised it to push-ups and leaping jacks. I mentioned, “No jacks, but I’ll do push-ups.” Took my shirt off, had a tank high, did like 100 push-ups in several takes. That’s it. Nothing loopy.

Next factor I do know, this footage pops up on-line with filters and Cam’ron’s clowning. At first, I laughed, however then I used to be like, “Wait — this dude crossed the line.” What folks don’t notice is that wasn’t some random casting. I bought known as by someone I knew, who was tied to Cam. He orchestrated it. That’s why I mentioned, you may’t fall for the favors recreation in Hollywood.

AllHipHop: You made some reference to some doable legalities, however don’t…

Omar Gooding: I don’t need that man’s cash. I bought my very own path, my very own legacy. But if you cross traces and play with my identify, I’m gonna reply. Period.

AllHipHop: And that response got here within the type of the “Fix Your Mouth” sequence.

Omar Gooding: Right. The first one was mild — a warning shot. The second was sharper. I assumed it was over. Then Cam talked about me once more on his present, slipped in jokes about me doing barbershops and bowling alleys. I laughed, gave him props as a result of it was humorous, however then I needed to prepare dinner once more. That’s once I dropped Part Four.

AllHipHop: Part Four feels just like the one which had folks actually tuning in.

Omar Gooding: Yeah, that was the take a look at. He dropped the prank, folks have been clowning me, my telephone blowing up. I mentioned, “Alright, chest out, stomach in. Time to respond.” We recorded Part Four in actual time. No ghostwriters, no ready two weeks, none of that. Just me and my DJ arranging it, switching beats, making it surgical. When you hear us laughing on the finish, that was stay within the sales space. That’s Hip-Hop to me. Real pen work. Replay worth.

AllHipHop: You mentioned New Yorkers weren’t rocking with you, however the folks I spoke to from New York informed me to let you know hold the stress up. They mentioned Cam don’t actually need smoke.

Omar Gooding: That bothered me. My mother and pa have been born in Harlem. My father’s buried there. I did a comedy present in Harlem in the midst of this entire factor. So it ain’t East vs. West. Don’t get it twisted. I really like New York.

AllHipHop: Let’s speak MC stuff. Some have questioned if Cam freestyles.

Omar Gooding: Look, freestyle means various things now. To me, it at all times meant off the highest of your head. When I used to be youthful, I’d hit Power 106 with Big Boy, simply spitting stay, no prep. I bear in mind one time he caught me off guard and I froze. Next time, I confirmed up freestyling from 5 a.m. until we walked within the studio. That’s me. I come from that period the place freestyling meant uncooked bars proper then and there. Cam’s a lyricist, however let’s not act like every part is straight off the dome.

AllHipHop: Beyond this, you’re juggling comedy, appearing, and music. What does all this imply for Omar Gooding proper now?

Omar Gooding: Honestly, it’s publicity. Phone ringing extra, bookings up 30 to 40 %. People reaching out for all types of alternatives. And yeah, some are clowning, however that simply means they’re watching. At the top of the day, I’m grateful. I’m doing stand-up, I’m doing music, I’m appearing. I’m not boxed in. And I’ll give Cam this: with out him, perhaps folks wouldn’t know simply how critical I’m with this MC factor. So in a manner, I thank him.

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