It hardly seems like it’s been over a decade since the release of “Lean Back,” when radio stations nationwide had the whole country doing the “rock-a-way.” But alas, Fat Joe has slimmed down and the Terror Squad seems like a thing of the past, especially since Remy Ma left the group in 2007 and subsequently turned herself into police after being convicted of a shooting outside of a Manhattan nightclub in July 2007.

When Remy was sentenced to an eight-year prison bid in March of 2008, her career was nearing its peak. She was working on her follow-up album to the the critically acclaimed 2006 debut There’s Something About Remy, and in discussions with VH1 about a reality show. But prison has a way of fucking up the best-laid plans. After serving six of her eight year sentence, Remy was officially released from Bedford Hills Correctional Facility for Women in August 2014, where she was reunited with her husband (rapper Papoose) and her children. At the one year anniversary mark of her release, XXL caught up with Remy to discuss life in prison, Big Pun and Fat Joe, beef, her new projects and what she’s learned since being locked up. —Kellan Miller

remy ma one year release prison before
Remy Ma, 2008 (Getty Images)
loading...

XXL: First off, how did you feel after you were released? Did you go somewhere and get yourself a huge hamburger?
Remy Ma: I felt great. And nah, but I did go to Popeye’s.

Tupac once said that prison “kills your spirit.” Did you find any truth to that in your own experience?
Yes. He was 100 percent right, and he wasn’t even there as long as I was. It’s a stress level that’s hard to explain to someone who’s never been inside before. When you go to prison, you don’t feel like a superstar. It really humbles you as a person.

While in prison, did you have much contact with your old comrades? Like Fat Joe, for instance?
I spoke and speak to Joe all the time, we’re always in contact. But while in prison I started to learn who my true friends were. People start to show their true colors after a while. Some people remained in contact for a time, but since I was locked away so long, some people couldn’t keep up so to speak, and stopped visiting or keeping in contact.

Were you able to keep up with what was going on in the hip-hop world while you were away?
Yeah, I had a personal radio and kept in contact with people who knew what were going on.

How do you feel about rappers that glorify jail time, or entirely fabricate their past for the sole purpose of street cred?
I don’t have any hard feelings toward rappers who do that. They’re extremely lucky. I can’t stress this enough—jail and prison are not the same thing, but people get them confused all the time. Honestly, if I went to jail for a couple of months, I would have a completely different understanding of the system. The impact wouldn’t have been nearly as significant.

Despite the extreme level of mental stress you had to undergo, did you have any positive takeaways from your experience?
Going back to what I said about not feeling like a superstar—that’s what prison is supposed to do. After the initial stress of the first couple years, I started to meet people that I now consider lifelong friends. I remembered how many people were outside waiting for my release, and moreso, waiting for more Remy Ma music. I was fortunate to have a strong support system with my husband and kids. Even though I served a long six years, some people don’t ever get out at all. For that I’m grateful.

remy ma one year release prison im around
loading...

Did that sort of spirit inspire your comeback mixtape, I’m Around?
I’m Around was really just me getting the feel for things again. You know, getting a feel for the studio, the headphones, the microphone, you know, just playing around. It’s really just an appetizer for the fans. My upcoming album, PunisHER, is really going to be my “comeback” record.

What inspired the title?
It’s mainly an ode to [Big] Pun. I feel like most people think that Joe was the one that brought me into the game, but it was really Big Pun that got me started. I never was a person that said, "I’m gonna be a rapper." I thought I would be a doctor. I just knew how to rap and it was a cool thing to do, so I started doing it for fun. Pun lived only a corner from me, and propelled me to really get into the game. Eventually I started coming up with my own verses, and of course Pun and I collaborated on a few tracks. [Tracks that would eventually become “Ms. Martin” and “You Was Wrong” on the posthumously released Pun LP Yeeeah Baby.]

What was Pun like?
He was an amazing person. Amazing. Everyone knows he could rap, but he was so giving and sure of himself. He always said what he meant and made sure that you were straight no matter what you needed. He was always pulling pranks and cracking jokes. Ultimately, he was the one that propelled me to start taking rapping seriously.

What can we expect from PunisHER?
A large portion of it is old school Remy Ma—coming with that hardcore, witty wordplay. Right now, I’m just making sure it’s everything I want it to be. Honestly, I want this album played 10 years from now. It’s by far my most personal project to date. It’s an album that will embody so many things.

remy ma one year release prison fat joe
Remy Ma and Fat Joe, 2004 (Getty Images)
loading...

It seemed like you were taking some subliminal shots on I’m Around, are you planning to take any shots at anyone on the album?
First off, I don’t do subliminal. Everything I do is direct. The whole thing with Nicki was people thinking that she was the only female rapper. I think I’m the greatest chick in the game and I expect all the others to feel the same way. If not, you’re in the wrong profession.

Do you feel like hip-hop has fallen off at all?
Nah, I’m not one of those “hip-hop is dead” people. I just like different artists. I never look at it as one entity. I’ve always felt like that.

Do you have any regrets?
Yes, but I don’t know anyone that doesn’t have any. I’m no different than anyone else. There are things I feel I could’ve done differently just like everyone else.

Even though you were away for so long, you never lost your popularity. What do you think is the main reason you managed to stay relevant?
By the grace of God I’m still embraced all around. But I was never known as a slouch. I think it’s a testament to not only the work I’ve put in, but my fans feeling that I’m a real person. I’ve never been known as a fake.

More From XXL