Life + Times

Straight Outta Compton?

04.12.2011

MUSIC

Oscar-winning actress and my sister Gwyneth Paltrow emailed me and said, “I love your new site. Can I ask you five questions about it?” I said, “I’ll show you mine if you let me see yours.” Here are mine. Go see hers at goop.com. It’s fresh.

Shawn Carter: The public at large is discovering your ability to sing. When did you first discover you had that talent?
Gwyneth Paltrow: I kind of always sang. My mother has a great voice and was always singing jazz around the house and I think she passed on her musicality to my brother and myself. I sang in an a capella singing group and I always thought that somewhere down the line I would dust off my pipes and use them but I didn’t know I would be so old when it happened. When I sang with you one night at the Royal Albert Hall a few years ago, it was so terrifying. I thought that would be the end of it. This has been a surprise to me as much as anybody else. But I love it.

SC: Personally I was very surprised at your extensive knowledge of hip-hop songs. Particularly how you can sing ’90s hip-hip songs word for word. I can’t even do that! How does a girl from Spence discover hip-hop?
GP: I first was exposed to hip-hop when I was about 16 (1988) by some boys who went to collegiate. The Beastie Boys were sort of the way in for us preppie kids. We were into Public Enemy, Run-DMC and LL Cool J. But then I went to LA the summer between my junior and senior year of high school and I discovered N.W.A which became my obsession. I was fascinated by lyrics as rhythm and how Dre had a such different cadence and perspective from say, Eazy-E, who I thought was one of the most ironic and brilliant voices hip-hop has ever had. It was an accident that I learned every word of Straight Outta Compton and to love something that a.) I had no real understanding of in terms of the culture that it was emanating from and b.) to love something that my parents literally could not grasp. But I was hooked. I can’t remember what I ate for dinner last night but I could sing to you every single word of N.W.A’s “Fuck Tha Police” or [Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock's] “It Takes Two.” Go figure.

SC: Does that extend to pop and rock music as well? Did you do the whole lace gloves circa Madonna and flannel shirts in the ’90s circa Kurt?
GP: I was never super into ’80s or ’90s pop. Aside from hip-hop I loved, I was very into alternative stuff like New Order (which did become pretty mainstream) and The Cure and bands like Yaz and Book of Love. But when Nirvana came out, my mind was kind of blown. I remember sitting around a record player playing Nevermind for days in a row with my college friends really mesmerized by that record, as everybody was at the time. I couldn’t believe my ears.

SC: Speed round: Miles or Coltrane?
GP: Miles
SC: The Beatles or The Rolling Stones?
GP: Beatles
SC: Patsy Cline or Billie Holiday?
GP: Billie H
SC: Biggie or PAC?
GP: Biggie by miles
SC:Michael or Prince?
GP: Prince!

SC: And finally, would you ever make a solo album?
GP: Would I ever make a solo album? Should I? Never say never.

Anonymous

I would love to see that video of Gwyneth singing with Jay Z.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=787393260 Alessandra Hyyppa

That would be fun watch!
http://profiles.google.com/lemissive indira de nacimiento

me 2
http://twitter.com/KevinHewick Kevin Hewick

A Gwyneth solo album would be cool especially if she covered one of my songs lol
http://twitter.com/KevinHewick Kevin Hewick

A Gwyneth solo album would be cool especially if she covered one of my songs lol
http://twitter.com/JAYFANon2thenxt Sarah

Nice. Gwyneth seems so cool. love you Jay, Hurry up and drop new music please lol.
http://twitter.com/syafique SS

Wow this is a cool website & GP is a cool gal!
http://profiles.google.com/terirees Teri Rees

This was a interesting first round in the ring.
Still, I would like to see this with a third party, and then a fourth and a fifth, and a whole collective at an honorary round table through down. A feast of creative geniuses. Cheers!
Anonymous

It was food for thought… very interresting
Anonymous

gp, you do surprise me. i don’t necessarily get it, but i still heart you.
http://bmichael.me/ bmichael

Paltrow sang with Jay on her birthday like three years ago.
http://twitter.com/dcl2lewis Deb Lewis

I love Gwyneth!!! the coolest chick ever to come out of Hollywood.
I’m the same age and can really relate to here music choices.
I’m jealous that I can’t “hang” with the both of you.
Thanks G, for the heads up on Goop
http://www.facebook.com/AhyashCoutour Steven Ova

this was a cool interview
Anonymous

I love this site, I wish you check out my site http://www.tattletailzz.com,
http://www.facebook.com/brehan.todd Brehan Todd

That was fresh. Thanks.
Anonymous

Who would have thought she was so cool
http://www.facebook.com/people/David-Bishop/507882980 David Bishop

jigga the great!
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1552730179 Missy Mogul

shes so cool, shes my bff in my head, and my birthday mate libras Rock
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000074421711 Lisa Valtierra

I wish there was a video of gwyneth paltrow rapping it would get like a zillion views
Anonymous

BASQUIAT: THE RADIANT CHILD- documentary film.
Hey JAY-Z, check it our award-winning doc on your fav artist
http://www.arthousefilmsonline.com
http://twitter.com/jai1986 AjiE jAY-z cARteR

I love how loyal Jay-z is to his friends and family. I love me some Jay-z
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_P4J7R66PZTDTEVVBPEHPVQ7WQQ Samita

Gwyneth is so adorable! Thanks for the Q&A
Anonymous

test
Anonymous

Great interview.
Anonymous

Very nice site Jay-Z! Cute interviews and It’s was genius to put them on each other’s website’s. Friends promoting friends – very cool! Hey are either one of you available when I put my design site up this Summer?? ) Gwyneth – I think you should go for it and do the album. I’d buy one. Put a few duets on it with Jay-Z and Huey! Oh heck might as well bring in Chris and Beyonce too! Not that you need them cause you sing just fine on your own – but it would be fun!
Anonymous

hov is the best
http://profiles.google.com/ajenkins17 Alisha Jenkins

Incredible interview on both sites !!! Can’t get enough of you and Gwyneth !
http://twitter.com/Nevayield E.

Amazing stuff… Broaden your horizons? I for one get it … Thx ked HIPHOP really needed something like this!
http://profiles.google.com/angeliabarrow2 Angelia Barrow

I totally agree with Gil Saly
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_TYSB7IDFHKKEFQK3CFRQNACNKU Shawn

Great job Mr. Carter !!!!
http://twitter.com/robbydink Robby Dink

biggie by far? jesus
Anonymous

WTF kind of mutual masturbation is this shit?
Anonymous

I’m a huge fan of Gweneth. Her voice is truly amazing.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Amanda-Mullen/100002232886611 Amanda Mullen

I liked this a lot & GP’s take on what it’s like to be SC – The Coolest Man Alive was excellent. Love the dual interview, great idea Jay.
http://apollokidz.com The Doc

A Jay-Z + Gwyneth track would be dope…
Anonymous

Biggie by miles? thats just ignorant. no diss to BIG but Pac was more than a rapper. he was a poet, a philosopher, an activist, an actor. pretty much the definition of an artist, a real renaissance man. BIG may have been the better rapper skill wise but looking at the bigger picture Pac is hip hops messiah. a prophet
http://profiles.google.com/raazi36 raudel tranquilino

Dope Interview! A side of Gwyneth Paltrow that i was rather intrigued by. She was cool before, but now she is super cool. Straight Outta Compton !
http://profiles.google.com/raazi36 raudel tranquilino

Dope Interview! Gwyneth Paltrow was cool before, but now she is super cool! …and she’s a hip hop head ! Straight Outta Compton! Defintely would love to see her sing NWA or some Eazy-E Yeah !
http://profiles.google.com/raazi36 raudel tranquilino

Dope Interview! Gwyneth Paltrow was cool before, but now she is super cool! …and she’s a hip hop head ! Straight Outta Compton! Defintely would love to see her sing NWA or some Eazy-E Yeah !
http://profiles.google.com/jlevyavon Jenifer Levy

Wow learned things about Gwen I never knew in a short amount of time…great job SC
http://twitter.com/Sharisus_Christ Your Lord and Savior

I never knew this about Gwen. I was kinda shocked by her picking Prince over MJ, but you know… everyone’s different. I enjoyed the interview.
funretro

i’m with deuxieme_peau
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000288236257 Dedo Andherson

Goop & Jigga! <3
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_P4PRVW6OAP4ZQ6H65KEDPIKYCE elijah

Three words….WATCH THE THRONE- cant wait for y’all to drop that
http://twitter.com/JeesSantos Jessica Santos

Nice interview
Anonymous

Meh…
http://profiles.google.com/todd.hotnuts Julie Stamper

Great website, great interview. Reading some of the comments, it never ceases to amaze me how judgemental people are. Michael and Prince are both great, so she picked Prince, she didn’t say I Hate Michael. Isn’t the point that we listen at all? Prob Jay is being judged for being friends with some rich white chick who went to Spence. Way to have balls Jay, and be real to you. This is why you are the motherfuckin’ greatest! From a 40-year-old white chick corporate college grad mother of three in Iowa who also loved Biggie and NWA.
http://twitter.com/JohnnyMassacre Johnny Massacre

Dude, she says Biggie is way better than ‘Pac?

Damn. Now I fucking love Paltrow.
http://twitter.com/RyanNewday Ryan Newday

“First of all I want to say that this interview was really fresh. Often times when you hear interviews, it’s so predictable in it’s approach. And that’s why I don’t read a lot of material, even if it’s informative. As writers we have to learn to embrace this new generation of thinkers. We are driven by creativity, nothing else. Not format, not right or wrong, but passion, and passion alone. Mr. Carter you did an amazing job. First with the title “Straight out of Compton” then with the speed round. I think that was Genius. I’m a writer myself who believes in writing genreless music, I have a dream… ROC NATION.”-Ryan Newday
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=41000138 Carmen Alicia Belcher

impressive
Anonymous

Jay-Z for Mayor
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_QAGY6XP6FIIKTQHD4IGANAEVOI Clancy Wool

holly shit
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1178307950 MaryEllen Izzy Richards

love her!
http://twitter.com/misscroft785 Maria Kornaraki

love u both!!!!! congrats to your careers!
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1112042979 Leon J Derriey

yes she voted biggie
http://profiles.google.com/cec12285 Candace Smith

I usually don’t care for GP but this made me actually *like* her. Hmm…
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=591062272 Lyall Patrick Moloney

great
http://profiles.google.com/yeahthisisvr V R

wow…gwyneth goes hard. mr. carter killed the interview.
biggie by miles..hell yeah!
Anonymous

Love Gwyneth!
Anonymous

Incredible!!!!!
Anonymous

Absolutely love Gwineth P, she rocks!!
http://profiles.google.com/tequilalab s m

How could you not love GP? Smart, beautiful, and a great actress. That she has good taste in music…icing on the cake.
Anonymous

She’s fantastic!!
http://twitter.com/angedeterre Yvonne Larbi

Awwww that refreshing to read. Love GP. Love you too Jay*
http://twitter.com/sandybell_ Sandra Olguin

Jay I LOVE you, really no one loves you like me, except for B*! and i love her to death too, so we’re good i’m sure i’m your biggest mexican fan… please please please come with Beyoncé to Mexico city!!!!! I LOVE YOU!!!!
Anonymous

I 2nd nikita1987. Love this blog, which I came 2 via Gwyneths’ goop blog.
http://twitter.com/Powers26 Matt Powers

PAC > big
http://twitter.com/RicciSara Sara Ricci

This site is Genius! Love this interview.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Barisua-Kenneth-Ngbor/1520123040 Barisua Kenneth Ngbor

BIG>PAC ????? No wonder your rap is wack !!!
Anonymous

What an incredible site! awsome! Jay-z always has to go and do EVERYTHING better then anyone else ever has. Love him. Great interview,never seen this side of gp…..and its a nice side to see
http://www.facebook.com/roget.romain Roget Romain

they should have interviewed each other in a lux car provided by empire concierge
http://twitter.com/DeannDmere DoubleE

Did she really say Biggie over Pac and Prince ova Mike?..
Girl you must be smoking crack!
Get outta here with that!
Anonymous

I agree with all of her response on the speed round, but i would have said rolling stones instead of beatles
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_D4JDU4ASDCPXTIYGYBQRBVGKSY Kelly

Go Jay! Go Jay!
Anonymous

2PAC!.. although, if she loved NWA that much I could see how she would be more in line with BIG, cuz his flow was insane and soo grimey!
http://www.facebook.com/shiekam Shieka McGee

One of the best interviews ever!! You two should make a Late Night Talk Show!!
http://twitter.com/Official_Almas Almas

Just discovered your website today via link from Time magazine. Awesome.
http://twitter.com/Official_Almas Almas

Just discovered your website today via link from Time magazine. Awesome.
Anonymous

i accidentally stumbled across goop when i was mindlessly typing in goop in a google search. best mistake ive ever made…..searchwise…
http://www.facebook.com/moritz.abke Moritz Abke

Jay-Z!!! Thanks for being in Frankfurt and Cologne your Show was Amazing. And i LOVE your Site
Anonymous

kir
工內三下三L_MCMLXXI™

one of the dopest sites even invented seems like everything you touch turns to gold good luck on the site Oniko Ohini #ALeaderbornduringTroublesomeTimes #FollowTheLeader checkout @onikoohini the brand on Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr
FadedYouthBlog

LOL @ Jay Z interview WASPy jAP Gwyneth Paltrow. What a joke. So much for street cred LOL LOL LOL
Leondre

Well first off decent site second who do you think Biggie looked up too PAC hell he even said that Pac gave him some pointers when it came to lyrics hell let Biggie sleep on his couch. Still I digress she can only speak on what she knows about hip hop no matter how small that knowledge is o and of course entitled to her own opinion bravo to her for speaking her mind. On a last note I think she is a OK actress not too much of a voice as a person cant say don’t think we will be hanging out any time soon lol. Excellent job Jay.