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Mixtape Mondays: Consequence

Q-Tip's younger cousin doesn't let industry politics keep him from being heard.

  • Name: Consequence
  • Mixtape: The Cons Vol.1: All Sales Are Final
  • Hometown: Queens, New York
  • Joints to check for: "Streets Don't Love You," "Lee Harvey (Pay U Back)," "Good, Bad, Ugly: Special Edition" featuring Kanye West
  • Previous mixtapes: None
  • The 411: Fans of A Tribe Called Quest will remember Q-Tip's younger cousin, Consequence, from the trio's 1996 LP, Beats, Rhymes and Life, where he was featured on a bevy of tracks including the single "Stressed Out."
  • Little did Con know at the time that the title of that single would describe a portion of his would-be budding career -- stressful. Signed to Elektra Records under Tip's Uhma production company, the Queens native never saw his debut, Hostile Takeover, released because of that most dreaded of reasons: "industry politics."

    "The album was done," Con explained. "All I could do is go to the studio and record. [Elektra CEO] Sylvia [Rhone's] and Q-Tip's relationship was a little flawed. I was just a new artist coming in the game. I had no bargaining power."

    Keeping his head to the sky, Con signed a new deal with Relativity Records, but saw that label fold before he could put out his album. Showing that he still has the zeal to be an MC, Con has released his first mixtape, which showcases some freestyles and highlights a few of the new songs he recorded with good friend Kanye West, whom he met a year ago through their mutual pal, producer 88 Keys.

    "This CD that I put out was a good vehicle for n---as to hear me," he said. "Dog, I never quit. Certain situations ain't go my way."

    Con, who says he's been collaborating with the likes of Lil' Kim and Faith Evans, plans on once again shopping for a new label deal, though not before he drops his second mixtape, The Cons Vol. 2: Make the Game Come to You, in February.

    For other artists featured in Mixtape Mondays, check out Mixtape Mondays Headlines.

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