Oct 20, 2:55 PM EST Ron Artest sat backstage with his entourage, wondering if the audience would approve of his upcoming performance.
He was prepared for extra scrutiny after being tarnished by his unpredictable, out-of-control behavior over the past few years in the NBA. And he knows that many already have stereotyped him as another athlete-turned-rappe r such as Allen Iverson and Kobe Bryant, who didn't excel in the music industry.
Still, Artest believes he can prove the doubters wrong.
"I've got music to be heard," he said. "Obviously, some people will judge me from my past.
But I can make music. I want everyone to know about my life and relate to me, and see that I'm very approachable and easygoing."
Artest is striving to gain more respect in hip-hop and give many a better understanding of himself on his new album, "My World," which will be released Oct.
31. He raps about his personal experiences, world issues and partying in clubs, while also expressing his thoughts about participating in one of the worst brawls in U.S.
sports history.
"When people actually listen to the album, they'll say to themselves, 'Wow, I didn't know that he felt this way,'" Artest said. "It's like I'm a totally different person on this album.
"
Character issues have hurt Artest's image around the NBA, but his bad-boy image might help in an industry that thrives on thuggish demeanor, a la 50 Cent and other roguish rappers. Growing up in a broken home and dealing drugs at a young age in New York City's Queensbridge section, a neighborhood where drugs and gun violence are common, also might help him gain acceptance in the studio.
"People don't understand that my street credibility is a whole lot bigger than most in the industry today," Artest said.
"If I had more push, then everyone will see the results."
His recent tours may help. This year, he performed during the popular Hot 97 Summer Jam festival in New York, opened for rapper Fat Joe on a European tour, and was the beginning act for platinum-plus selling artists Ludacris and Young Jeezy.
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