"Sandman Says Re-Up Gang Split, Talks New Solo Video" HipHopDx.com

by Jake Paine

Philadelphia rapper Sandman was a driving force in the Re-Up Gang's three acclaimed We Got It 4 Cheap mixtapes throughout the last five years. However, Tuesday afternoon, he told HipHopDX that after the mishandling of the group's self-titled album [click to read], he is focusing on solo endeavors.

"When it comes to my music, dog, this is what I love," said Sandman Tuesday afternoon. "I'm not tryin' to be a god-damned architect or nothin', or else I'd put my time into that. When you have a movement like the Re-Up Gang, something that came out of nowhere that was turned into a cult following, I just don't see how people dropped the ball on the last project. So it didn't make sense for me to stick around if shit ain't in my best interest."

He elaborated further, stating that a key point in his dispute was the album's video, which featured on The Clipse rapping. "It ain't in my best interest to put out a 'Fast Lane' video, after three years of nothing but street-driven music." The album the aforementioned single promoted added to the displeasure "We gave y'all three critically-acclaimed mixtapes just to give y'all this toilet bowl-ass album and their video. To me, it's unjust. The fans are onto it now too, 'Damn, that's it for the Re-Up?' 'Cause now all you hear about is [The Clipse' forthcoming album] Til The Casket Drops. The Re-Up Gang has been phased out; I guess I was just supposed to play along. I'm not no fuckin' nut!"

Acknowledging he was the last addition the longtime collaborating trio, Sandman says he defined the group as fans know it. "There is no Re-Up Gang. Before they added me, it was The Clipse and Ab Liva. That was it. That's what it's been reduced back to. Naturally, they've got to go around and promote the Re-Up Gang album now, 'cause it's out, and to be honest, I feel like I don't have to do that." Rather, furthering to statements he made two DX two weeks ago [click to read], Sandman disassociated himself from the Koch Records release. "I want to apologize again," he says to finds, comparing the release to his own affinity for EPMD's early catalogue. "What the fuck would I feel like if after three classic albums, they had that fourth album after the beats I just got [on The Clipse Presents: Re-Up Gang]. To me, I just don't think whoever - either Koch [Records] or The Clipse did not believe in this Re-Up movement. Or it didn't mean nothin' to them. What the fuck vision do you have that you'd squander this?

[READ MORE HERE]