Boy-Cott Magazine #12

i love j dilla
04
art is not a crime 05
Boy-Cott is about supporting the underdog.
It’s about the dj, mc, artist, writer and the
photographer.
It’s about the bmxer, skateboarder and the
film critic.
It’s about giving exposure to talented, up
and coming individuals.
Puttin’ their skills out there for our
readers to enjoy.
And maybe, just maybe…..’ Boy-Cott will play
a role in helping them reach someone who has
yet to hear about what they have to say, spray,
draw, paint or dance to.
We can all make a difference, and we’ve
started here.
all about the arts
rhymefest
one self
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16
18
nuestra palabra20
church + community
del
22
24
26
h.i.s.d.
the procussions28
32
noon
motion man 34
**Boy-Cott Magazine is copyright protected. No articles
or pictures may be reproduced in whole or part without
consent of Boy-Cott magazine. If attempted we will
send a flock or killer bald eagles to your house to
attack you when you least expect it, so watch yo back suckas!
i love J Dilla art is not a crime
By: Kasey Hearns a.k.a. Kink Afro, and The KASE
By: Shina Rae
I have no choice but to be deeply saddened by the death of
James “J DILLA” Yancy, who passed away on February 10, 2006
from complications of Lupus. Though his soul is flying free from
all of the worldly evils that lurk amongst us humans, my heart
hurts. His ability to transcend his soul musically would eventually heal my soul and inspire me to pursue many avenues in
my life.
Our scene is comprised of all kinds...
Musicians, dancers, promoters, supporters, drinkers,
partyers, even some wannabe’s – all artists in their
own right. I tend to think everyone is an artist in
some way, even if they’re just a critic.
Early 2000 was a tough period for me and during tough times,
I turned to music. It is my salvation and as far as I am concerned, J Dilla is the messiah. His soul delivered my soul from
depths of darkness. During these times, A Tribe Called Quest,
D’Angelo, Common, De La Soul and Slum Village became my
confidants.
I would literally get lost in the drum patterns. The baseline
became my heartbeat and the melodies flowed through my
body like blood.
How could one person’s energy transformed through rhythms
and melodies help to heal my soul? This is something that
cannot be explained and to me, that is the beauty of life itself
– never really knowing why but being free to just sit back and
enjoy.
J Dilla revolutionized the art of beat-making, and his genius
was partially realized during his lifetime. Folks have been
bumping his music for years and did not even know. Although
Dilla has left behind legions of fans and a trunk load of beats I
have yet to discover.
I will still miss the anticipation of a new Dilla joint.
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This is a tribute to James DeWitt Yancy. May your soul eternally
rest in peace.
LOVE, Kasey
Back in September, The GRAB Bar held an event, the
second of its kind, called “Keep Houston Dirty,” showcasing some
of H-Rocks nicest paint phenoms. Put together by Daniel Holdridge and Apryl Malarcher, the event invited Vague, Word, Were,
Empire, Begit, Weah, Akira, Sates, Smock, and Emaze (again,
hope that’s everyone) to come out and do a little redecorating to
the exterior of the bar. On the interior they set up the tv’s that usually play anything from sports to weird B-movies, with a live feed
of the action outside. That way, since it was so muggy that night
(gosh, how I miss summer already!), everyone could enjoy the
happenings inside and out.
The painting actually started the night before, and early the next
day, the artists came out early to get the layout set up, so that by
the time people showed up for the event, they could really see the
pieces take shape. Of course, that doesn’t mean I could read them
all. But, to me, as I’m sure most onlookers would feel, the design
and concept are just as, if not more interesting than the word that
is written. As these guys toiled away, they got a visit from their
homies at the Graffiti Task Force – not for doing anything illegal
– no, they wanted to ask the guys to support them in not defacing
our city property. In fact, some of them even asked me to refrain
from calling what they do graffiti.
Admittedly, most of us recognize it as that, but a few of the guys
that came out make their living off of their art, so they’re not so
quick to subscribe that term. And that’s so effing right. ‘Coz, they
are TRUE artists, and our scene would be remiss without their
talent.
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6
SIKE
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Tina “Libertina”
10
Justin Jackley
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NOTSOUH
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Ben felleman
Interview by: Black Mamba
Hailing from the Windy City of Chicago, Rhymefest brings you
that fresh authentic hip-hop that moves yo soul! His new album
“Blue Collar” is selling like hot cakes and it features artist such as
Kanye West, and O.D.B. This interview is short, ladies and gentlemen, and I do dearly apologize. But due to high security and strict
managers, this is what happens sometimes. I hope you guys and
gals enjoy it.
So what are you doing these days with hip-hop?
I co-wrote “Jesus Walks” with Kanye West. We’re on tour with
A Tribe Called Quest, and staying busy promoting our product
through magazines as yourself, especially down south.
What’s your take on commercial hip-hop?
I just think it needs to be balanced, because when you look at
Kanye West, Common, and Outkast, it’s commercial hip-hop, but
it’s balanced. So that’s what Rhymefest is bringing to the table.
I noticed on your album you have a lot of guest appearances such
as Kanye West, O.D.B, and Mark Ronson. How did you hook up
with them?
Well, Kanye is a friend of mine and we grew up together as teenagers. I was writing songs with O.D.B. for him before he passed,
and I was introduced to Mark Ronson through a mutual friend. I
just feel people that make good music are often drawn together, to
work together to be collogues and brothers, and I just share in the
light of those who make good music.
How do you feel about the success of “Jesus Walks”?
Well, “Jesus Walks” is Kanye’s song and is a success and still is
a success but my “Blue Collar” album is in stores and there are
songs just as successful on my album. Don’t think because you
don’t see me on BET, my work is not a success. You saw the way
the crowd jumped up and down and embraced Rhymefest, so
don’t feed the mainstream what other sources have fed them.
Any last words?
I want to thank you personally, Black Mamba, for giving me your
time.
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The more I did it, the more my poetry started becoming rhymes.
Then it developed into what I am doing today and it took my heart.
How do you plan your direction with your music?
I listen to the beat and try to figure out what kind of story it’s telling. I think about the inspirational things I saw on the road. Then
the beat itself has to hit me in the heart and really connect with
me.
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(Words by Yarah Bravo) Born in London and Now Residing in
Brooklyn, NY One Self is Advanced Hip-Hop. With the ability to
rock any crowd and leave them begging for more is a mere description of how talented these individuals are. Beyond being
amazingly talented One Self is amazingly humble, loving, and
down to earth. I was honored to interview them, hang out with
them, and even witness the singer Yarah B refuse to prosecute
a man that attempted to steal her stuff. Yeah, she told the policeman several times that there has to be a logical reason why he
stole my things. Of course the cop kept stating that: He should be
prosecuted because he stole your things, bottom line. Apparently,
there is no grey area with the Houston Police Dept. Whatever::::::::
Why the name One Self?
The name One Self came sparked from me, Blu Rum 13, and
Vadim playing back a track in the studio and trying to come up
with a name. I then I posed the question: What name would combine three individual artists as one? The response was One Self
and it stuck from there. But now we consider One Self anyone
who support’s our music because you’re all individuals supporting
us.
How did you meet up with Kidkanivel?
I met up with him at a show in England and he wanted to do collaboration with me. I told them that I have a lot of offers right now
and I’m not sure if can do it. Then he told me just to listen to the
track and tell him what I think. I listened to it and it was like love at
first site. I used as my first single called “fire”.
What was it like moving from the U.K. to N.Y.C?
Moving to New York was amazing! It’s funny you ask this question
because when I told my father I’m moving to New York he told me
I said the same thing when I was 11 years old. Originally I wanted
to move to the West Coast because of all the experimenting with
the music in Frisco and Bay area, but my crew strongly suggested
N.Y.C.
When did you first start rhyming?
Well, I started off as a poet and I always wrote poetry in school. I
wanted to transform my poetry into music! Then I discovered hiphop and I figured out that is exactly what I’m doing but, without the
beats. I soon started buying 12” and rhyming over the b-sides.
So Yarah, I heard you’re doing collaboration with The Procussions
for the infant’s with aids in Africa. Can you tell me more about
that?
Yes the project is called UNITY. And it’s released on both cd and
vinyl. Plus we’ve printed some super fly t-shirts with the Unity
Logo on it as well which is AFRICA!
The project is a combination of like minded artists from all over the
world coming together, contributing their music for a bigger cause.
In this case is the construction of an aids orphanage in South
Africa.
Music has the power the heal, music has the power to save lives.
It ain’t all about the profits you can put in your own pocket, you
gotta look after the rest of the world too.
At least that’s the way I look at it.
I’m 100% behind this project, and any other project that will dedicate a percentage of the earnings, no matter how small, to the
less fortunate.
What motivates you to keep going?
Faith, I’m a firm believer of following your dreams. I never had a
plan b. I only had a plan A, which was to make music, travel the
world, and bring hip hop back to the day when I fell in love with it.
My plan was and still is, to infiltrate the airwaves and give balance
to the malnourished musical ears of the people. There is too much
bullshit out there, for real. And I know it will always be there, but at
least I can try to balance it out.
What are your future plans?
World domination... no but on the real I have so many plans it ain’t
even funny *laughs*
I would love to put out my own album. But I need to take some
time off touring and lock myself in the studio to be able to do that.
And I’m not sure when that will happen.
I’m also learning how to produce, and I’m getting really into it, so
hopefully I will have time to explore that side to me.
I just want to grow as an artist and as an individual, and hopefully
yall will grow with me
I got a new album coming out with my group One Self called
“Organically Grown”. We just pressed a few copies on vinyl that
we are selling only to the people that come and support us at our
shows. It’s more of a teaser, preview of the full length that will
come out 2007.
Please keep yourselves updated by checking out my myspace
page and my website
www.myspace.com/12097717 (don’t ask ha-ha)
and www.yarahbravo.com
But I definitely want to keep touring, connecting people, one world,
one vibe, one self...
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Latino writers having their say.
But the need is greater in the entire community, and Nuestra Palabra has
evolved in promoting all of the arts to diverse cultures by hosting literary
events and weekly radio shows.
We must all work together to bring social awareness and invest in our
future.
Start the Cultural Arts Revolution TODAY! Pick up a book and read.
Encourage the youth to do so, or better yet, read to them. Write. Create. Visit a museum and take a young person with you. Do ANYTHING
that has to do with cultural arts but do it NOW and bring a young person
along for the ride. Unplug the tv and plug into Society’s future. It is our
responsibility, our obligation to invest in our future as a society.
Only art can save us!
Written by Angie Moreno, Co-Host & Co-Producer
of Nuestra Palabra – Latino Writers Having Their Say.
As Latin Artists, we have a responsibility to open doors for others. And if
the doors don’t open, we have a responsibility to CROWBAR OUR WAY
IN!” – John Leguizamo (Rolling Stones Magazine, June 16, 2005)
The time for a cultural arts revolution is NOW, and just by reading this
revolutionary e-zine, it puts you smack dab in the pulsating heart of it.
Are you ready, Houston? Nuestra Palabra wants to know.
Just what is a cultural arts revolution? It is turning society on its head,
changing the way it thinks, bringing social awareness to the current and
future conflicts within the community through visual and performance art,
reading, writing, poetry, spoken word, music, dance, theatre and creativity in so many different outlets. It is through cultural arts that people
become engaged in what is happening in society. Becoming socially conscious creates positive unity in the community. Instead of being reactive
to the ills of society, people can be proactive by being aware and getting
involved. Painting, reading, writing, singing and creating about the ills
(and progression) of society stimulates thinking and stimulates involvement in the community.
A recent study by The National Endowment for the Arts “The Arts and
Civic Engagement” connects the arts and civic involvement with these
facts:
Fact:
51% of people who regularly visit art museums, plays or
concerts also do volunteer work.
Fact: Literary readers are more involved in their communities by
43%
Fact: Reading has dropped dramatically among young people.
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And just where does Nuestra Palabra – Latino Writers Having Their Say
fit in this revolution? It is the job of everyone to encourage the youth and
the rest of society to read, write and create and to have access to the
cultural arts. Nuestra Palabra is dedicated to promoting literacy and the
arts in our community. The nonprofit organization began with the need
for encouraging literacy rates to rise in the Latino community due to the
alarming illiteracy and school dropout rates amongst the Latinos in this
country.
Nuestra Palabra In A Nutshell:
Nuestra Palabra means “our word” in Spanish.
Nuestra Palabra was founded in 1998 by Tony Diaz, English
professor at HCC Central Campus, published author of The Aztec Love
God and currently working on a new novel.
Nuestra Palabra began in the party hall of Chapultepec Restaurant and
now holds the largest Latino book festival. When we began, we were told
that there was not an audience for Latino literature. We are thrilled to say
that today the largest book events in Houston are Latino events. Nuestra
Palabra also continues to host spoken word and literary events yearround. We are proud to bring you Houston’s contribution to the Latino
Literary Renaissance.
Nuestra Palabra has a radio show on 90.1 FM KPFT Houston
(www.kpft.org) every Tuesday evening at 7:30 PM to 8:30 PM CST.
Nuestra Palabra has over 300 dedicated volunteers.
NP crew:
Lupe Mendez – Teacher, Writer, Poet, Volunteer Coordinator
Liana Lopez – Co-Host & Co-Producer of the Nuestra Palabra radio
show
Bryan Parras – Project Manager, Co-Host & Co-Producer of the Nuestra
Palabra radio show
Angie Moreno - Co-Host & Co-Producer of the Nuestra Palabra radio
show, NP Volunteer Coordinator, PR for local visual/performance artists
and musicians
Visit Nuestra Palabra on www.nuestrapalabra.org or www.myspace.com/
nuestrapalabra for local listings of cultural art events. Nuestra Palabra
is brought to you by KPFT, The Texas Commission for the Arts, and The
National Endowment for the Arts.
For more info on The National Endowment for the Arts “The Arts and
Civic Engagement” study, visit http://www.arts.gov/pub/CivicEngagement.pdf
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How long has impact been around?
We are celebrating our 20 year anniversary January 21, 2007.
Black Mamba interviewing Paul Woodward of The Impact Christ
Church
The Impact Church of Christ has been a community based
Church since 1987. Before they moved into an actual building they use to meet in warehouse’s with no heating, no air
conditioning, city parks, offices in the Studemont area and
at YMCA’S. Impact is also active in summer programs with
50 interns from all over. They do mission work all over the
city and country. They’re truly committed to helping hungry,
homeless, and hurting people every day.
How do you get so many inner city
kids to come to Impact?
It’s all about long-term relationships. We are involved in virtually all
areas of life with kids. Most of the young people you see on Sundays have been here for 10+ years and have essentially grown
up with Impact. We are helping each other on our journey toward
Christ. We teach each other.
Do a good amount stay faithful?
Some stay faithful and some don’t. We wish way more stayed
faithful. I think we have to be careful about our human timetables
and our human perspective on “faithful.” Frequently some will drift
away and then have to again make the commitment to being a
Jesus follower, much like I have done in my life, again needing to
make that decision to follow Jesus.
Who came up with the idea to make
Impact an inner city based Church?
The three original ministers here were Charlie Middlebrook, Ron
Sellers, and Doug Williams. They are all still here and very
engaged. Basically, they observed many churches moving from
the city to the suburbs and felt God calling them to help reverse
that trend.
Do you guys do a lot of mission
work in different cities and states?
We have helped in many different situations: Katrina relief, border
city house painting, work with underserved youth in other cities,
assisted church planters. We have hosted thousands of youth
our community.
What is the biggest struggle at
Impact?
Understanding and following God’s will for Impact. We all
recognize that God has given Impact a tremendous opportunity to
impact lives. We are humbled and challenged by this opportunity.
It is our desperate plea that God will enable us to do His will in this
place.
Do you guys have any upcoming
events or programs?
March 24 & 25 celebrates the 12th annual Impact Garage Sale
held at Traders Village. This event covers 9,000 donated square
feet. We need volunteers and we need donated quality items to
sell. For more information contact Felton Benton at 832-729-5222.
Also, April 26 we will have a 20th Anniversary Celebration
Dinner at the University of Houston Hilton. For more information
Contact Sonya Guice at 713-864-5667.
trips, bible instruction, wilderness treks, etc. For more information
Patrick Lemons 713-864-5667.
Where do you see Impact 5 years
from now?
Lord willing, I see us doing the same things only bigger and better.
Bigger and better are only good if that’s what God wants and if He
would be well pleased.
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DEL
the
homosapien
Interview by: Black Mamba and Val
So yet again the Boy-Cott staff is fortunate to interview a great in
the authentic hip-hop game – “Del tha Funky Homosapien.” The
interview took place in the Hilton Hotel in Houston, and it was
quite the treat. Laughs were shared and knowledge was gained.
Val: I read that you’re a video game fanatic and you’re quite a
reader. What games and book are you into right now?
As of right now I really don’t play a lot of video games because
music theory takes up a lot of my time. But I did just get an Xbox
360 and I’ve been foolin’ with “Saints Wizard,” and I want to get
“Scarface” when it comes out. Other than that I’ve been so busy I
don’t have time to fool with games. Comic book wise I just bought
ten Transformer graphic novels, so I’m really into the Transformers. That’s primarily the comic books that I read. I still have a lot of
older ones in the closet such as: X-Men, Spiderman, Vambo Day
Comic, and tons of underground comics.
Val: Every interviewer asks you an Ice Cube question. So here’s
another one. What were you and Ice Cube like growing up?
Ice Cube would probably say...when we we’re growing up...I think
he was weird too because he was cocky, short on words, no
nonsense (he doesn’t play around). But he’s funny. He was always
crackin’ jokes on somebody or talkin’ about somebody.
Val: You complain about people crashing on your couch on your
debut album. Do you still have that problem?
Naw, I pretty much abandoned having company a long time ago. It
was either kick it, or advance in life, so I decided to stick to books
and whoever was down could stay. At the end of the day, it was
my girl and me.
Mamba: Recently on Rap City, I saw Hieroglyphics and Opio. Is
that going to be a regular occurrence?
We’ll go on there as many times as they let us go on. Usually it’s
based on popularity and what not; you know how it goes. Hopefully we can continue to increase our popularity. That’s what I’m
going for by learning music theory and knowing what I’m doing.
Mamba: What’s your take on this hyphy movement?
Well, the first person I heard use the words was Casual, which
was so long ago. It’s funny because it didn’t mean anything good.
It meant: “You’re trippin.’ Calm down.” This has been happening in
the Bay for a while. It’s just that the rest of the country is catching
on.
Mamba: Do you feel your fan base after the Gorillaz collaboration
are your true fans or just followers because you worked with the
Gorillaz?
I mean, I have different fans for different reasons but whatever
people like me for is all good with me. I just try to let kids know
that “Deltron 3030” and the Gorillaz collaboration are different from
“Del tha Funky Homosapien.”
Mamba: Any future movements or collaborations?
I’ve been working with Joy a little bit from Atlanta, Mecca from
Digable Planets and (she’s on the new album), and Motion Man.
As far as future collaborations, I’m working on another “Deltron”
and it’s called “Deltron Event 2” with Kid Koala and Dan the
Automator.
Val: You said in another interview that “11th Hour” is your best
album because of your study of music theory. What inspired you to
get into that?
Well, I was reading this book called “How to Write a Hit Song.”
In the book, it said if you’re lyricist you need to know something
about melody. If you’re a producer or you make music, you need
to know something about lyrics. Then it hit me that I’m in the music
industry, and I can’t explain the definition of a melody, and I felt
stupid. So that’s how it basically started.
Mamba: I know your DVD dropped in July of ‘06. So when does
the album drop?
Right now that’s still tentative, but I’m thinking around April ‘07.
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H.I.S.D.
Interview by: Black Mamba
Fresh, original and always keepin’ ya on ya toes! H.I.S.D.
holds down H-town with no sweat. With rhymes that will twist
ya head, tongue, and toes, H.I.S.D. brings it to ya in tha’ rawest form::: Originally, it was just Savvi and Equality but they
soon joined forces with some other cape crusaders in the
game. Keep ya eyes pealed for the new album “The District,”
comin’ to a speaker box near you! HOLLA!!!!!
Does your name H.I.S.D. come from the old high school?
Naw, actually we wanted something that was synonymous with
Houston and what we represent. So one day, after months of
being nameless, we met over at Scottie Spitten’s (a.k.a. Lenoge)
house to deliberate on what we would call ourselves. And after
countless corny names, Scottie jumped up and said H.I.S.D.
– “Houston Independent Spitten District.” We were all like, ‘Naw!’
But after a few minutes and a few laughs, we were like ‘Hey, that
is kind of dope.’ Plus people from Houston will get a kick out of it
because we flip what Houston ISD is known for and give it a new
life and definition. We feel that there is a lot of symbolism that
can be derived from that name, so we’re running with it. The ‘S’
is interchangeable. It can also mean Style, Soul, Slang, Sound,
School, etc. You choose what it means to you. H.I.S.D. represents
diversity in that fact that we bring many styles to the table, and
people come from many walks of life, just like it is in the public
school system. But we all have the similar, yet distinct journeys
to reach our goals. We just put that into a hip-hop context. Not
to mention, a few of us graduated from HISD Schools. (Equality,
Savvi, and E.Classic all graduated from Booker T. Washington
High, and Flash Gordon Parks graduated from Jack Yates High
School.)
Who all is in H.I.S.D.?
You got mc’s: Savvi, Equality, L Davoice, Scottie Spitten (Lenoge),
and our production team GoldenSoulClassics which consist of
King Midas, E.Classic, and Soul One (who is also our dj), and last
but not least you have our visual artist, Flash Gordon Parks, and
the soulful melodies of Furious Styles.
Does Peace Uv Mine Entertainment still have models?
Haha! I don’t necessarily consider them models per se. I like to
think of them as representers of the Peace Uv Mine experience,
which could be anyone rocking Peace Uv Mine gear. But what I
think you’re really referring to is the Peace Uv Mine Style unit. So
to answer your question, yeah, we got the girls. We got a fresh
new lineup for ‘07.
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Has branching out to other cities helped H.I.S.D.?
We won’t be able to tell until our album drops, but anytime you
get to leave home and expose yourself to people who have either
never heard of you, or seen you perform is always great.
Are their any upcoming projects?
Well, of course you have H.I.S.D.’s album, “The District,” which
is on tap to drop sometime in the spring/summer timeframe. Blak
Embassy is coming with “History n the Taking”. “Hueston Chronicles, 2nd Edition,” Savvi’s follow-up is on the way. “Peace Uv Mine
Experience, Vol. 1” compilation joint. L Davoice is working on his
untitled solo debut. “Storm of the Century,” Lenoge’s debut is coming. Euphonious is in the kitchen cooking up his 3rd release, “How
to Make a Blue Day Orange.” The pipeline is thick and getting
thicker, ya dig?
What the main message you guys are pushing?
Man, that’s a good question. There’s so many dynamics to
H.I.S.D. that it’s really hard to just single out a main message.
There are many messages we’re trying to get across like: There’s
these guys from Houston who love the hip-hop culture and can really spit. Education, we think school is very important (between the
group we own 6 Bachelors degrees and 2 masters.) The arts, we
incorporate: mc’ing, poetry, photography, producing, dj’ing, acting,
plus fashion to create a nice tasty stew. That’s just to name a few,
when you hear the album, I think our message will be evident.
I heard that one of your songs will be featured on a movie
soundtrack? Is this true???
A rep for a motion picture soundtrack has reached out to us and
we have submitted a track. That’s all we can confirm at this
moment. Whether it will be featured is yet to be determined. Trust
we’ll keep ya posted if it materializes.
Who would you like to thank?
First and foremost, gotta thank Boy-Cott Mag for giving us this
opportunity and introducing us to your audience. All the people
who paved the way for us to be able to express ourselves through
hip-hop, plus the people in Houston who might not be as known as
others from the city but who didn’t leave and stayed here though
the tough times and held it down for the art, even when others
abandoned it, dissed it, told them to go somewhere else like the
east coast, or who didn’t simply give up and switched over to other
forms of expression such as, (Kaotix’s, Kay, Devin the Dude, LLF,
Scarface, D-Rose, The Niyat, Flow Factory, DJ Cosmos, The Are,
and countless others). Thank you, and we will represent for you
and yours.
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Once hailing from rival b-boy crews back in their hometown of
Colorado Springs, Colorado, The Procussions released their
second album, “5 Cents for 2 Sparrows” last year. This album
became the first release on the re-launch of Rawkus Records.
Boy-Cott Magazine traveled to Austin, TX to catch The Procussions on the Storm Tour last summer with Ugly Duckling, Diverse,
and Aceyalone. Last fall, Val and Raven had the pleasure of
interviewing Procussions emcee, Mr. J.Medeiros.
Procussions:
Interview by Val & Raven
V=Val
R=Raven
MJ=Mr. J. Medieros of The Procussions
V: So, we saw you guys on tour in Austin, and we had our minds
blown.
MJ: Yeah we’ve touring like, 220 days this year. We just got off
of A Tribe Called Quest’s tour. It’s been crazy. I think all we have
been is on the road.
V: You guys have enormous energy on stage. Where do you guys
get your energy from?
MJ: You know, I think it has a lot to do with the age we grew up in.
We grew up in kind of a Golden Era, supposedly the ‘age of discovery’ era of hip-hop, kinda like early ‘90’s when you had groups
like The Leaders of the New School, Souls of Mischief, Pharcyde
– all of them were at their peak and just full of energy. We grew
accustomed to that, especially the subject matter that we try to
put to our music and the content raising awareness about a lot of
social issues – you know, human trafficking, molestation, rape,
child abuse, materialism and just battling this overall beast media
monster creating this apathetic society for this generation. I think
it causes a certain amount of energy and integrity on stage, and
you want to present the material with 100% of your passion. That’s
where a lot of the energy comes from, reminding ourselves of the
content of our mission in music and as an underground hip-hop
group. Also, we love the music. We’re not just artists. We’re very
much still fans of the music we do. I think that’s essential when
we’re trying to create an overall vibe where everyone can relate.
We all realize that we’re just fans of this greater thing, which is
hip-hop music.
V: What would you say the significance is of the title of your latest
album?
MJ: The title actually happened before we wrote any music to the
album. It was more for us than it was for anyone else. Yeah, it’s a
little cryptic only because it means something to us. As a group we
kind of put it there as a motto, something to hold us accountable
to the integrity of the album and where we want to be as a group.
We put our first album out on our own, and the second album, we
put out on Rawkus. We kind of knew where we had gone. When
you’re broke, like on our first album, to try to make this music happen, you get in the dangerous position of compromising your art to
make life a little bit easier on yourself. So we found something in
scripture. I think it’s in the New Testatment. The full scripture said,
“Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And not one of them falls
without God knowing about it.”
The Procussions
28
29
And the way we interpret that is that we believe there is a value
that man is going to continue to put on life, on music, on your art,
on the human spirit – just overall anything, there’s a value. And
some things are priceless -– some things like humanity, and the
human spirit, and music, and your art, your ideas, your love and
passion – are priceless. Though man can put an amount on a
bird’s life and it can fall, God will still be aware of it. It shows us
that value is not of man; it’s definitely up to what we believe we’re
created for. We kinda use that as a center point to pivot from for
the rest of the album. That’s basically what it means.
V: In “5 Cents for 2 Sparrows,” you rap about everything from
poverty to celebrity worship to the fact that our children are being
raised by the television. It’s obvious that you have a purpose for
that music, so what do think that purpose is?
MJ: ...I think one of the greatest things that you can do at this time
is raise awareness to show a path, and if it’s not something that
someone wants, you have to leave the situation. The best we can
do with our music is to try to be an example that we’re all fallen
and that we’re all very much hypocritical in the way that humans
act sometimes in battling with our own selves, let alone anyone
else.
V: What is the Colorado hip-hop scene like?
MJ: It’s small, but people would be really surprised to know that
there was a lot that went down in Colorado Springs specifically
because it’s a military town. We toured for six years in almost
every state in the US – a lot of different cities – and there really
isn’t a place like Colorado Springs. It’s mad boring sometimes for
sure, no questions. There’s no industry there, and I think it socially
suffocates art just because of the conservativeness. Now I don’t
know if that’s because there’s a church on every corner. I don’t
know that’s because the military is there. But it hasn’t been a good
breeding home for art. However, I think things are changing there.
But for the most part, as far as the hip-hop scene is concerned,
I mean because we have two of the most major military bases
there. We had NORAD in the mountains. When there was a war,
like during the first war in Iraq, nobody was in our town. Guys
and females were gone that were in the military. It was just flat
out dead. So you have a lot of people coming in from all over the
country being sent and stationed there. So you just got a lot of different people there. We were able to come to some hip-hop ideas
early on in life. I grew up a good portion of my life in Rhode Island.
Stro grew up in Chicago and Milwaukee, so we were able to get a
hint here or there.
V: So how do you guys feel about leading the Rawkus re-launch
and having the first album released off that label?
30
MJ: It feels great. It does. We’re a hard group to please, mainly
because many labels in this industry are based on hype. You
know, labels are labels. It doesn’t matter who they are. You’re always gonna be nickels and dimes your whole life if you don’t know
what
MR. J
REZ
STRO
you’re doing. So we were a little disenchanted by the whole signing to a label thing because you know the ins and outs and what
it takes to make a business work. Overall, it’s great to be able to
do something with Rawkus. We want it to be true music. We don’t
want to do it based on an affiliation or based on some label name.
I try to say this at the end of every show: We don’t want people
buying our album because they see the Rawkus sticker on it, and
we don’t want them to buy our album because we’ve got a song
with Talib Kweli and all of a sudden that makes them respect us.
When you come from a state like Colorado – and it’s the same
thing for areas in Texas – I hang out with Kaotix, I know Strange
Fruit Project from Texas. People are just making their own music.
They should be respected on their own terms and the music that
they make. So for us, Rawkus is great, but we’re not going to
make our careers about Rawkus. If we’re on Rawkus next year,
that’s awesome. That means they took care of us. If we’re not, that
means they didn’t do their job.
R: So we hear you guys are doing a collaboration album on Jakarta Records with Oneself, Murs, and Slug and a slew of other
artists, where all the proceeds go to building an AIDS orphanage
in Africa. How did you guys get involved, and what inspired you to
get involved?
MJ: That is actually really new into the whole business aspect.
And that’s something our manager hooked up with, and I can
speak less about that just because I’m not hip to how it all went
down. It’s kinda like fresh for us. But anytime we can be a part of
anything that is helping to raise awareness or funding for a social
issue that’s going on and whether it’s the states or worldwide – I
mean, we’ve worked with Amnesty International on a refugee situation over in Australia. We’re also working with Habitat for Humanity in building homes and those types of things – It’s extremely
important for us to be more than music and for the music to have
more a life than just head-nodding. Anytime we can be a part of
something like that, it’s a great opportunity. And that’s how we
measure our success as a group – not necessarily financially, but
what are you doing for your community, environment, world.
31
You recently had a baby! How’s that going?
Arabella Malee, my angel. I’m loving it, man. Watching that child
grow is the best thing I’ve ever seen with these eyes. I call her my
little “hip-hop baby.” It’s so funny. Sometimes I will put in some of
our music and start rapping it to her, and she starts making noises
in the same rhythm as me. I think I helped create the next great
emcee. Boy, does that baby love her mommy, and so do I.
Do you plan to collab with anyone in the near future?
Yeah, I plan to do a few. Off top, some of the artists I’d like to
work with include P.K.T, Money Green, Chuckstar, Karina Nistal,
Zeale32, Big-Shang, Slog Gun, and my boy Dre from G.S.P. I
hope to have all these artists on the next project.
What’s new name of your latest album?
Which one? I got three projects dropping in 2007. The mix tape
– which will be called “Welcome to Noonston,” – that’s going to
drop right before the album, “Clockwise” but before any of those
drop, Esso, G-Phace and myself are going to hit the streets hard
with our group project, “Tape Murderers.” 2007 is going to be a big
year for us. Everybody on the label is dropping new projects, so
ya’ll keep yall’s ear to the street.
Interview by: Black Mamba
Have you made any videos?
As a new father, Noon is still one of the most hardworking and
most hungry mc’s in H-Town. Noon constantly has new product
and new ideas. He’s the type of mc that is same on and off the
stage. No acting here ladies and gents, just skills:::::
Well, we haven’t done any music videos, but we have done a few
dvd spots, and we’ve done a couple of tv spots too. I do plan to do
a video for “Tip & Wrap” ‘cause we ain’t done pushing “King of the
Clock.” Big ups to everybody banging and bootlegging that cd. It
means a lot to know ya’ll love this “Proof Shit.”
Who all is in Soundproof?
“The Proof,” man! Soundproof Records starts at the top with Esso
and Ken Breezy. They are the producers of our label, and they
craft the sound that is “The Proof.” From there you have the vets
G Phace, Donta, Big Ryhme, Eric, Nic Names, and the lovely
K.Lee. Although they don’t bear the Soundproof name, the whole
Killa Productions Family is definitely a part of this KillTheGame
movement.
I noticed that your music has a Dirty South feel but with real lyrics.
What made you want to go that direction?
That’s just the direction that’s natural for me. I love being from
the south, and I take great pride in the people that make southern
living what it is. As far as the real lyrics, I appreciate that. I just
figure there’s no point in lying on the mic. I don’t lie to my mama
so I’m definitely not going to lie to you. I just feel that if the words
you speak into the microphone aren’t real to you as a person and
as an artist, then you’re not an artist. There’s a lot of emcees out
there that ain’t artists.
32
Who would you like to thank?
I’d just lke to thank everybody that’s been supporting the return of
the real hip-hop. From P.K.T., the man that made me want to rap,
to Esso – the man that made me an artist. The whole Soundproof
label – those guys took me in with open arms, and it’s been on
from there. Everybody that came to our shows, bought a cd told a
friend, and everybody that’s down with this Kill the Game movement. Oh, and a very special shoutout to all those to all those
folks logging onto KillTheGame.com and downloading those free
ringtones and wallpapers. Also, big ups to you, Mamba for supporting artists like myself. “Boy-Cott” the bullshit and the get with
this “Proof” shit!
33
MOTION MAN
Interview: by Black Mamba
Motion Man = MIC CONTROL! He’s been at it since the 80’s
and hasn’t missed a beat. He comes with crafty and intellectual lyrics that will have ya’ head in a straight frenzy! He’s
worked with Kool Keith, DJ Vadim and other greats in the
game. Interviewing Motion Man opened my eyes to a lot of
things in hip-hop and life.
Why the name Motion Man?
It’s my Old B-Boy name from the 80’s! One day I was dancing in a
circle and someone on the outside of the crowd said: Did you see
his motion? So from there it just stuck.
So what’s your relation will Kool Keith?
So out of all the albums you’ve made, which one was
your favorite?
“Master’s of Illusion.” Kool Keith and I made it at the crib. I would
spit a line to him, and he was in the kitchen. Then he would spit a
rhyme to me, and I was on the couch. It was just so much fun. We
definitely are going to do something like that again.
What advice would you give to upcoming mc’s in the
game?
Keep doing your work. Keep believing in what you believe. Most
cats get caught up in the hype of what’s happening now, and it
happens to everybody, but if you’re a real mc, you’re going to
always do you. Stay consistent.
Kool Keith is my boy. We chill, eat, hustle, go to strip clubs, and
make music together. I haven’t seen the aliens with him or anything, but if I do, I ain’t tryin’ to run. Feel me?
What’s the deal with this hyphy movement?
The hyphy movement came from my man Mr. Fab from the Bay.
I’m not necessarily a hyphy cat myself, but I use some of the beats
in my music. I love the music, but I can’t ghostride my navigator.
I’m scared!
When did you first start rhyming?
I would say ‘83, early ‘84. The Sugar Hill Gang record and the
Jimmy Spicer record really got me into it. At first I wasn’t to confident in my voice, so I started doing people’s answering machines
to practice. Around ‘87-’88, people started telling me that I needed
to take it the next level.
How’s the Oakland Scene?
It’s HYPHY! I’m an advocate of what’s happening in the Bay; I’m
just a product of a person that’s been doing this for a long time. I
just have my own unique flavor. I collaborated with Fab on a track
called “Crack Tall Ones,” and I brought E-40 on an album I put out
called “Clear in the Field.” I also was the second mc on the “Wake
Up Show,” and I killed it for a year.
I heard during your trips to New York you were asked to
provide I.D. after a battle because they didn’t believe you
were from the west coast. Is this true?
Well, at the time I was with this group called Zero Tolerance, and
I was living in the east coast. One day, me and my crew were
rhyming with this group called “Twin Hype,” and they said, “You’re
not from the west coast!” And I had to pull out I.D. The reason they
said that is because at that time the west coast sound was Too
Short and N.W.A. So when they heard me they were thrown off.
34
35
contributors
Publisher:
editor/photographer:
Art Director:
Black Mamba
Val (aka V05)
(that’s so) raven
Contributers:
*Black Mamba
*Val
*Angie Moreno
*Tina Hernandez
*Sike
*Kacey Hearns
blackm
amba
*Ben Felleman
*Justin Jackley
*NotsUoh Photography
(that’s
ravenso)
val (ak
a
v05)
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