Genovese has been from the bottom to the top, from the top to the bottom. Genovese was born Joseph Genovese in Long Island NY, he moved to Yonkers NY when he was 5 years old. His great-grandfather founded Genovese Drug Stores in the 1920’s, who knew 50 years later there would be over 100 stores through out the tri state area. Genovese did not grow up like a “typical” Genovese, his father was never a father and blew his trust fund on drugs. His mother separated from his father so Geno never enjoyed the life he was born to have. He started rapping around the age of 15, he started writing down things he saw growing up in the streets of Yonkers.
As he became older, the more real his life became so to it his lyrics became. Genovese met Styles P of the LOX in Junior High school and in 1996 recorded “Revolve like the Doors”, a certified street classic from DJ Clue’s “Show Me the Money” mixtape. Vese started to get a serious buzz on the streets of NY, his ties with the LOX, Mo Money, Kasino, and Richie Thumbs made them one of the hottest crews spitting at that time. At this time everybody was trying to get Geno a deal, but remember this is before Eminem was out and labels were nervous about putting out a white rapper, especially an Italian one. To put more of a twist to it, nobody even knew Genovese was Italian, most thought he was black, so there was always a fear factor involved when they finally met him. Biggie was one rapper that was intrigued by Gen, he couldn’t believe that Genovese was his real name. While Geno was consistently in Daddy’s House with the LOX, he was able to spend time with B.I.G. He told him, “You gonna blow, duke”, and B.I.G had ideas about putting Genovese in Junior Mafia but unfortunately B.I.G was gunned down before that could happen. From Mase to Nas to Jermaine Dupri people in the game were starting to see Genovese as a diamond in the rough, and each one of them made a move to get him to the next level.
In 1999 Geno inked a deal with Universal Records and was scheduled to release his debut album “My America” in January 2001. After a $250k video was shot, a 6 month press campaign, and a 7 city radio promo tour Genovese was released 3 weeks before his debut album was to hit stores. This was never seen in the music business, Genovese knew there was some blackballing going on and found out later that there were many variables that went into Universal’s decision to pull the plug on his project. His manager at that time had a lot to do with it, and also calls from “Big Dogs” to Universal about them not wanting his album to drop, I guess when you’re a threat you’re a threat. Genovese says it like this, “When the movie I’m writing on my life is out everybody will see what really happened”. Genovese took some years away from the game after that, he had serious thoughts about never picking up a pen again, but he never lost the fire inside him. As Gen says it, “You should never waste talent”.
In March 2009 Genovese released a project independently called First Cousins with his cousin Gustapo. The album titled “This Aint Friends…Its Family”, is available in stores and I-Tunes, it features artists Joell Ortiz, Ali Vegas, and Tre Williams. At the present time Genovese is in the studio recording his debut solo album pre titled, “From the Outside Looking In” and also writing a movie about his life called “No Struggle…No Appreciation”. Vese has his masters in the game, its only time before he gets what is rightfully owed to him. Genovese is a legend in the game, go ask somebody.
Genovese hass been featured with artists such as:
Styles P - "Revolve Like the Doors"
Nature - "Made Man"
Blood Raw - "World of Life"
Outlawz - "Same Ol' Song"
Half A Mil - "Drama"
Tre Williams - "I Dont Know Why"
Joell Ortiz - "The Corner"
Big Kuntry (P$C) - "Swingin' on Poles"
Ali Vegas - "For My Generals"
Lord Tariq - "Blocks Hot"
CHECK OUT FEATURED ARTICLE ON GENOVESE AT ALLHIPHOP.COM
CHECK OUT BLOOD RAW'S ARTICLE FEATURING GENOVESE ON ALLHIPHOP.COM
Influences
MUSIC: Dmx, Nas, Tupac, Biggie, Ice Cube, EPMD, Frank Sinatra, Billy Joel and the legend Ric Flair
MY LIFE: My MOTHER for raising me the best she could, for sacrificing her life for me, and being my best friend...NANA for always being there for me and loving me like nobody else could, you will always be with me forever...PAPA for watching over me in my younger years, baseball catches and watching yankee games will always be in my mind when I think of you...UNCLE G for being a father when I didnt have one, for treating me like your son, nobody can walk in your shoes, you are a hero...GRANDPA-GENOVESE and GREAT-GRANDPA GENOVESE for starting a family business from nothing and turning it into a empire...I am proud to have your name and your blood flowing through me...
Sounds Like
Mid 90's...Biggie's Coogi and Red Landcruiser... Tunnel Poppin Sunday Nights...Pac Spittin at Reporters...Jay Z on the Boat in my Lifetime Video...Nas Ruled The World...Big L Ebonics...Clue Tapes...On the Corner on a Crate Drinkin a St Ides...Makin Sales in the Alleyway...Every Hood...Every Jail...New York...Y.O...Picture All That in One...Thats What I Sound Like...Thats What I Am...
sendin some love keep grindin fratello you need help promotin or whatever just let me know your posters still up all over the club even got the dj's playin your shit let me know about that new album ....one
Yesterday is but a memory, today is nearly over, and tomorrow but a promise that might not come, so make sure in the time remaining of today that you have loved completely, lived to the fullest, laughed the hardest, and stopped to help someone in need...