New Jack Swingin With Aqil Davidson of Wreck-n-Effect Part 2

Part 2 of my interview with  Aqil Davidson

Reviews & Dunn: August 25^th 1992, the classic “Rump Shaker” hits the airwaves.  How was it working with a pre-fame Pharrell in the studio?

Aqil Davidson: Pharrell Williams has always been very talented and creatively inspired. From the time we met him and Chad Hugo they became assets to our organization. They always added to the creative pot something that made things that much better. “Rump Shaker” went through so many changes the world has no idea about. What we agreed to as our happy medium is the version that everyone knows. Pharrell made an unforgettable contribution to that equation with Teddy’s verse. However, that infamous, hypnotic “All I Wanna Do…” chorus Teddy recites was written by an artist that was in our camp known as DC, Darren Curry. That’s what our camp was always about. Pushing the envelope to see if we can make a song a little better. When Pharrell became wildly successful years later it wasn’t surprising. And he’s always been that cool peaceful personality type we all know P to be.

Reviews & Dunn: What was the group’s reaction when you learned the video for “Rump Shaker” was banned from MTV?

Aqil Davidson: When “Rump Shaker “was banned we had already been bombarded in the press about the song being vulgar. It was just where things were in society in late 92-93. “Rump Shaker” was one of only three songs at the time with a spotlight on women’s figures. (“Shake what ya mama gave ya” & “Baby got back”) So we caught a lot of flak at times. We were called Horny little rap kids in the New York Daily News. But the song was making so much noise that things like that are part of the incline. I was just always confused as to what did they expect Women to wear on the beach other than bikinis? The pushback of scantily dressed women never made sense to me. We simply ignored them all the way to the top of the charts and millions of records sold.

Reviews & Dunn: Hard or Smooth drops in November 1992.  “Knock-N-Boots”, “My Cutie” and “Wreckx Shop were the singles released. If you could’ve added any MC at that time to the remixes of those singles who would you pick?

 Aqil Davidson: “Knockin Boots” remix would’ve been dope with Treach or Redman. Both lyricist and stylistic MC’s of the era. Big L & Freddy Foxxx would’ve been a good collabo on something as well. Their bar work was always exceptional so I would’ve been excited to mix it up with them. The mid to late 90’s gave birth to a few mean MC’s but those would’ve been my choices for that time

Reviews & Dunn: “Raps New Generation” was the final album released in 1996. Based on the song titles, I initially thought you all were doing a cover album. What was the inspiration behind the song titles?

Aqil Davidson: That last album and everything about it was branded a Wreckx album, but it was really a Posse Deep album. Posse Deep is the street crew we grew up in back in our projects. That album was shaped around that energy and those who were aspiring artists in that number. I shouldn’t have forced that through as Wreckx because I knew it wasn’t representing the energy we were known for. I was just unhappy with business affairs within our camp and the label, and I wanted out of it all. So my focus went to just get this contract done. By then, we were so fragmented internally that technically, Wreckx shouldn’t have been recording anything until we were on the same page again personally and creatively. I don’t feel it was under-promoted. Everything fell right in order according to how it came about and how it was received and marketed. Gene Griffin wasn’t there anymore to save the day. It wasn’t as simple as getting out of agreements anymore. We got out of that one following that record

Reviews & Dunn: Do you feel that the third album was under promoted?

Aqil Davidson: I don’t feel it was under promoted. Everything fell right in order according to how it came about, to how it was received and marketed. Gene Griffin wasn’t there anymore to save the day. It wasn’t as simple getting out of agreements anymore. We got out of that one following that record.

Reviews & Dunn: If there is ever a Wreckx-n-Effect biopic who would you pick to portray you?

Aqil Davidson: In a Biopic: Marc J Jeffries comes to mind for the earlier part of my career getting started. Jamie Hector would be dope to portray me of age in the “Rump Shaker” era.

Reviews & Dunn: As a talented MC and dope lyricist yourself, what was the last classic hip hop album you heard?

Aqil Davidson: Most recently, I pulled up Big Daddy Kane, “Long live the Kane” album. Kane is one of my Hip-Hop Mount-Rushmore MC’s. Every so often, I revisit a classic that reminds me of one of my inspirational childhood targets of excellence.

Reviews & Dunn: Pete Rock and DJ Premier both want to do a record with you, but you only have time to work with one. Who would you pick?

Aqil Davidson: I’d go with Premier… His production makes me wonder what I’d come up with. And I mean that in an unforeseen dangerously dope way. I know exactly what I’d do to a Pete Rock track.

Reviews & Dunn: Are you cooking up anything new music wise?

Aqil Davidson: Yes, I have two EP’s, both being mixed now. One will be released in July and the following towards the end of the year. For the workout/gym fanatics, I have a song called “Pop it Out” on Spotify now. Good zone, food! Just search Aqil Davidson

Reviews & Dunn: Is there anything you would like to add and where can fans find you on social media?

Aqil Davidson: I have to add a tremendous thank you for your years of advocacy and the invitation to this interview. I enjoyed sharing with you. I can be found on: Instagram @AqilDavidson. FB & Twitter, the same.