Cuban Link entered the industry under Fat Joe as part of the Terror Squad and made his debut on the Beatnuts classic, “Off the Books,” in 1997. He went on to break ground on Big Pun’s platinum album Capital Punishment. The rapper born Felix Delgado had what many up-and-comers dream of for the start of their career. But everything changed for Cuban on February 7, 2000, when Big Pun died. The new artist started to clash with Fat Joe over his musical material and management decisions that involved his future. The disputes eventually lead to Cuban’s debut album, 24K, being shelved. From that point on, Cuban Link’s life played out with more drama than a soap opera.

Stuck with nowhere to turn and an album that wasn’t going to see the light of day, the rapper continued to face one problem after another. The broken relationship with one time friend Fat Joe, the death of Big Pun, buying himself out of his record contract with Atlantic, and then dealt with what he calls “blackballing” from the industry when he attempted to make moves on his own. In the mix of all his troubles, the rapper ended up getting his face slashed in a Bronx nightclub. Through it all, Cuban Link never gave up on his dreams. He eventually linked up with independent label M.O.B records (Men of Business) and crafted his sophomore effort Chain Reaction that is scheduled for a March 2005 release. It’s safe to say that Cuban’s struggle wasn’t all in vain. He learned a lot about what’s really important in life and how to overcome the odds that were against him. Cuban Link talks to MahoganyGirl about his past, future and the present and what he’s learned in the process.

MahoganyGirl: Talk to me about your album Chain Reaction?
Cuban Link: This is one of my best works. People might think it's some rookie stuff but its a sophmore to me. It's all the emotions and everything I've been though.... Real talk.

MG: Was it a challenge putting this album together?
CL: It was you know. All the negativity was hard to deal with but it made me stronger. Everything I talk about is motivated by real life situations that I've been through.

MG: How has your style changed?
CL: I'm more diversfied now. I think this is the best I've ever been with my lyrics. I pretty tight right now.

MG: Let's talk about the drama with you and Fat Joe...What do you want people to know about that situation and the things that happen to you?
CL: It was a lot of confusion with Joe as the head of the Terror Squad when Pun passed. Joe started worrying about himself and put everything else on the back burner. We were bumping heads and all that shit. I didn't want to deal with it anymore.

MG: So after your album, 24K was shelved what happen next?
CL: I went to every label first and tested it out. I knew the album was good. They all said 'We can't deal with you because of out relationship with Fat Joe'. Till this day I still got a little grudge against the industry because of that. Back then I was more concerned with my music and not the business aspects. But I learned from all that.

MG: How did all this make you feel?
CL: I felt like I couldn't do nothing for awhile. I tryed to work with certain people and they wouldn't fuck with me because of this. If I wanted to do a record with somebody Joe would call them and say 'No don't do a record with him...Do a record with me'. Everybody was trying to keep me quiet that's why I started making songs about Joe. I wanted everyone to know that I wasn't down with Terror Squad no more and why.

MG: With all this going on how did you get yourself together?
CL: Once all that transpired I had to do what I had to do. I started making moves with my company CLK Entertainment, which I still owe. Through destiny I met the CEO of M.O.B Records, a good dude. They (M.O.B) came to me straight forward and wanted to working together.

MG: With all of the blackballing and drama surrounding you,
was it hard to get people on this album?
CL: In the beginning a lot of people shyed away from it. It was disturbing because the shit with me and Joe was kept so low. People didn't know it was going on. So it was hard to get it funky..but people started to come around.

MG: Well looks like Jadakiss showed you some love on the "Talk about it” joint.
CL: Yeah Jada is cool. But I been knowing him for years. He's always be real with me. But he got one of those phone calls too. [Laughs] But he came through and kept it funky. I really appreciate the girls, Syleena Johnson and Mya for getting on the album too. They were real cool.

MG: There has been talk off and on about your plans to do a remake of the
film Scarface..What's going on with that project?
CL: I'm still going to do it. I suffered a little set back when my business partner passed though. I already wrote the script for it. Either myself or someone else will act in it. Part two is gonna be crazy.

MG: So what's going on in your love life right now?
CL: The love life....Aw man..[Laughs] I was married but I'm seperated now. I'm just chillin with my son.

MG: Okay, so Cuban Link is back on the market huh...I'ma tell everybody... [Laughs]
CL: [Laughs] Yeah, I'm back on the market. You know the girls be like 'Cuban craaazy.. He craaazy'..

MG: [Laughs] So what's next for you?
CL: I want to stay focused on the music...Drop this album. But I have plans for a clothing line and to get into some acting. I wanna do mad shit but I want to do it my way.

MG: That’s cool. Any last words, papi?
CL: Chain Reaction drops March 8th.
Much love to M.O.B. and much love to the fans that stuck with me.

- [ LS ] -