In a candid conversation with the Art of Dialogue, Juelz Santana boldly addressed the criticism labeling him “lazy” and the doubts cast by Cam’ron and Mase about his untapped potential.
Refuting claims of aspiring to be the next Jay-Z, Santana asserted, “I never strived to be Jay-Z… I was always just trying to be me, you know?” Despite being touted as the potential “King of New York,” Santana humbly expressed comfort as the “Prince of the City.”
Dismissive of laziness accusations, Santana pointed to his prolific mixtape output, countering, “You could never say I was lazy.” He attributed the scarcity of commercial releases to label dynamics, highlighting Def Jam’s role in stifling his creative freedom.
While Cam’ron and Mase praised his talent, Santana acknowledged his unfulfilled potential. “He could’ve been Hov level,” Cam’ron admitted, lamenting Santana’s unexplored leadership role in the rap game.
Yet, Santana’s unreleased music sits on his hard drive, leaving observers puzzled about his untapped reservoir of creativity.
In a raw and unfiltered exchange, Santana’s revelations offer insight into the complexities of fame, ambition, and industry dynamics. Check out the interview below.