Pete Rock and CL Smooth were the definitive rap group of the 1990s. Along with Gang Starr and A Tribe Called Quest, they created some of the smoothest hip-hop music of the era. However, as with any long-term collaboration, tensions arise. Pete Rock and CL Smooth split in 1995, and despite reuniting in the 2000s and 2010s, the two artists always seemed to go their separate ways. Not much is said about the reasons for these numerous splits. That was until Rock talked about the model on a recent episode of Drink Champions.
Pete Rock has nothing but positive things to say about his former partner. “He’s the best talent I’ve ever encountered in my life,” the producer explained. “I’ve never heard a guy rap like this, I’ve never heard a voice like this. We had a good time together. Now don’t screw it up, we had a good time.” It’s not a clash of personalities. The problem is the natural tension that comes from spending years with the same person. At least, that’s what Locke thinks. “Just like life,” he points out. “Everyone has their ups and downs.”
Pete Rock still wants to partner with CL Smooth
These ups and downs ultimately made it difficult for Pete Rock and CL Smooth to grow as a duo. The former points out that their growth as individuals begins to differ from their growth as a unit. “Sometimes, when we’re in the negative zone, we look like this [does split motion],”He said. “We want each other to grow, but when one grows and one doesn’t, it’s still an imbalance. The audience was shocked.
“We should still be together,” the producer asserts. “But there are some things that, you know, I can’t tell the entire public. There are certain things that happen in a partnership that are just not possible… people won’t understand. I don’t want to be the only one who speaks, even though he’s not here, but I Wish him all the best in life. This is a far cry from 2018, when Rock and Smooth decided to cancel their planned third album after Smooth appeared on Rock’s Soul Survivor series. There was talk of a reunion, but the excitement was short-lived and the album was scrapped due to tensions over its re-release, according to HipHopDX.
About the author
Danilo is a writer from San Diego. He graduated from the Tucson Art Institute with a bachelor’s degree in digital media and began a career as a pop culture journalist. Prior to joining HotNewHipHop.com, he performed hip-hop covers for Heavy.com, Rhyme Junkies and PopMatters. Danilo’s top five is constantly changing, but Biggie and Slug from Atmosphere remain permanent fixtures. His favorite rap album of all time is Kanye West’s Late Registration, and that’s always been the case.
