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Plies Hasn't Forgotten Tampa On His Way Up
Tribune file photo by SCOTT ISKOWITZ
Plies has a new album out and recently unveiled two nonprofit efforts dedicated to assisting college-bound students with incarcerated parents.
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Published: December 17, 2008
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TAMPA - When you're a rap superstar living a whirlwind life, releasing a new album and appearing on the December cover of Vibe magazine is all in a year's work.
Tampa-based rapper Plies released his new album, "DaREAList" (Big Gates/Slip-N-Slide/Atlantic) on Tuesday. It's his third release in 16 months.
"I just to record as much as possible and do anything that allows me to remain relevant," Plies, 32, said during a phone interview from his tour bus en route to Miami for a radio station appearance. "I work more than I play."
Plies' sophomore album, "Definition of Real," debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 chart in June. His first album, "The Real Testament," debuted at No. 2 on both The Billboard 200 and R&B/Hip-Hop Album charts in August 2007.
Plies has cameos everywhere and is forever stuck on music charts after he linked up with T-Pain ("Shawty") and Akon ("Hypnotized") to record thug ballads. (Slip-N-Slide has also represented Trina and Rick Ross.)
Despite working with national acts being swallowed up by consumers, Plies has an affinity for his home state.
"This is 8 and a half years [of work] for me when me and my brother started. I wouldn't change this situation for anything. I created a core following first," he said. "I think it's important to have a core following, and I am thankful for those first 4 years where people didn't know me outside of Florida and Georgia. I just thank God this is paying off."
Meanwhile, Plies is cashing in. His current single, "Put It On Ya," has been streamed more than 8 million times on MySpace.com, and the track's video has logged more than 1 million views on YouTube. Plies has sold more than 1 million copies of his first two albums, plus 2.5 million digital singles, 3 million ringtones and some 70,000 videos.
The last time we caught up with the Ft. Myers native was in November 2007 at Studio Inc. nightclub on Waters Avenue, where he was filming a music video for his single "I Am The Club." He put out an open casting call over the radio and on his MySpace page. "I didn't want [the video] to look superficial. … I wanted to use everyday people. It's a way I show respect," he said at the time.
Still, life in Florida isn't all sunshine and rainbows for Plies. His 2006 arrest on weapon charges at a Gainesville club had him re-evaluating the future. After pleading no contest to illegal possession of a concealed weapon, he was named in a civil suit. No trial date has been set.
"The world is set up for intelligent people," he said, and added that making good choices is essential. "For me, I've been through a lot in my life like a lot of others from the inner city, but at the end of the day it's important to be a stand-up individual. I'll take responsibility for right and wrong."
Plies' world is more than rap music, he said. He recently unveiled the Power of Visions Foundation and the Somebody Loves You Scholarship Fund, nonprofit efforts dedicated to assisting college-bound students with incarcerated parents. He also invests in real estate.
"Music is a small part of who I am and has always been a small part," he said. "Personally, I was a day-to-day person, especially coming from the inner city. I never looked at my situation from the long-term perspective. You have to have a plan."
Researcher Stephanie Pincus contributed to this report. Reporter Sarah Hoye can be reached at (813) 259-7832.
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