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3/7/2006
What's
good Jun?
I've been
great. I've just been keeping my head up in the struggle and trying to
make as much music as possible, from the rhyming to the beats. I've been
working hard on this production thing lately.
How do
you want to introduce yourself?
I'm one-half
of the Dynamix and one-twentieth of the Monster Island Czars
I'm
just here trying to carve my niche in the game. I have some emotional
music with some swagger here and there. I'm from Southside Queens. Freaky
Tah, rest in peace, was killed a block away from me. At the same time,
I have two degrees from New York University. I've gotten to see the best
and the worst, and I want to express all of that in my music. I want everyone
to feel my struggle and feel my pain, and hopefully it inspires someone.
What's
been up with Dynamix lately?
We were really
getting it in these last couple of years. We pressed up two volumes of
"Shock and Awe." We sold a lot at our shows and on CDBaby and
whatnot. The feedback was great. It had it's own sound to it, and that's
what we've always been trying to do. Since then, we've branched out and
have been working with Day by Day Entertainment.
Will Dynamix
be dropping an album soon?
We're working
on a new album. It's called "Double Barrel."
How's
the album coming?
The tracks
are coming out great. Shout out to MF Grimm and Rain and Shine and all
the good people at Day by Day that have really taken us under their wing.
They really have a love and appreciation for our music and get us shows
and let us see the real business side of everything from meetings to interacting
with stores and all of that. The whole experience has been invaluable.
We wanted to learn the business side of things so we could be our own
bosses.
How did
you hook up with MF Grimm?
I was needing
a job so I started doing real estate with my partner Ntrospekt. The company
was basically jerking us, but the one good thing that came out of that
was meeting MF Grimm. His lady needed an apartment, and I got to meet
him and build with him. He's a real good dude with a lot of heart. I gave
him our music and he was like, "I'm feeling y'all. I think y'all
have a lot of talent and potential." From there, it's been a go.
We've been family ever since.
How did
you get inducted into the Monster Island Czars?
We started
building with him and then he took us under his wing as artists. He saw
our drive to soak up the business and work on our music. Out of the blue,
he told us how he liked our sound and what we were doing, and he asked
us to be a part. Ever since then, it's been a go a we've been making moves.
How's
your solo material coming?
Being that
I'm in a financial bind, I'm definitely trying to push that solo material
because this is something that I've been doing since high school. Me and
Ntrospekt met in 2000 as solo artists trying to get shine in different
venues. We both respected each other's styles and we linked up. We learned
a lot about carving out a niche for yourself. As time progressed, Ntrospekt
became successful in the real estate game and to make a long story short,
he's given me his blessing to work on the solo music because he's busy
on the business side of things. I'm trying to see what everyone thinks
about this. We're still doing Dynamix, still doing Monster Island Czars,
we're doing some side projects with other Czars, and I'm doing whatever
I can to catch the attention of everybody. I'm just trying to get out
in any way, shape, or form. It's all important to me. Music, in general,
is important to me. I'm just using this downtime to focus on my music.
I'm sitting on a lot of music and my solo music is just another project.
I can't thank my brother Ntro enough for the support. It's definitely
DX to the death.
How do
you and Ntrospekt work together?
There are
so many ways. We can just get together, sit down, and write a joint. We
usually bounce our verses off of each other. I could write a verse and
call him up. He could come back to me later with his 16's. There are so
many different ways we can feed off each other. We'll go through beats
together. Off the strength, I'm just going with it, writing stuff, and
we'll smash the joint together. We inspire each other with our own creativity.
That's what pushes us forward. We're both in the struggle and we've got
a lot of energy to feed off of to keep us going.
You're
also getting into production now, do you like it so far?
I just got
this new keyboard and I love it. I love messing with the beats. I had
to get into production because a few producers had promised me some music
and then flaked on me. I can't really be mad at them because they have
their own agenda. They're trying to get to the major artists, but I needed
some beats. I charged a keyboard to the credit card and I'm trying to
make some beats with the samples. It's an interesting experience to say
the least.
How's
that going?
I love it.
There are so many sounds. The tricky part is trying to find the sounds
that go together. It's definitely been a challenge. Some sounds that I
like, others may not like. I'm trying to find those universal sounds that
will please everyone and not just me, but I'm having a blast with it.
I think it's one of the best moves I've made in a long time. It's always
been a dream of mine.
How did
college affect you?
I majored
in Communications because I love the art of people interacting with each
other. I think it's an art. Outside of that, there was just so much experience
there. I went to a predominantly white school. That, in and of itself,
really taught me a lot about trying to, I don't want to say conform or
assimilate, but it taught me how to find my own place within this fast
world. I wanted to feel comfortable there and still be myself. Coming
from Southside, I had my Timberlands and my Nautica shirt, so I stood
out. I'm a big dude. I met a lot of good people in there. I went in with
a lot of homophobia, but I got cool with everyone there and everything
was cool.
College challenged
the way I thought about society in general. I went out with the daughter
of a Black Panther, and she schooled me on a lot of things I didn't really
know about. There were a lot of racial and class issues. I got into it
with a few professors. There were a few people there that would look at
me like I didn't belong there. There were a lot of identity issues I had
to deal with. I remember when a teacher told me that my language was colloquial
and that I only talked in slang. That really bothered me that I was being
judged like that. I had to embrace a larger vocabulary. Dictionary.com
became my best friend because a lot of professors aren't trying to hear
you if you can't speak their language. I really developed as a person
trying to fit into the world.
What's
your main focus today?
I'm just
trying to get into the music industry on the creative aspect of things.
I've always wanted to be a writer and I still have a propensity to want
to write for some publications. I used to write for the Source, I've worked
with Mugshot Magazine
I really want to use my degrees in Communication
to do this writing thing. I realize that the music is what I love. I'm
not really feeling the whole corporate America structure. I had a nine-to-five
that didn't really go the way I wanted it to go. I was working really
hard and not getting paid anything. I've been doing Hip Hop since 1995.
While everyone was getting bent, I was in the park writing rhymes. That
was like a party to me. I want to push the music and try to get in the
game with some banging music. I've got a shit-load of school bills to
pay.
How would
you describe yourself as an MC?
That's a
good question. I would say I'm definitely someone who many people can
relate to. I think I have different qualities that a vast majority of
society can relate to. I've had some wild experiences in the hood and
at the same time I really embrace creative concepts and lyrics that no
one has said, especially with the punchlines. I'm trying to paint pictures
and at the same time touch your heart. It's not always what you say but
also how you say it.
What's
your next project?
You already
know I got a bunch! We're working on the Monster Island album. The Dynamix
album "Double Barrel" is definitely coming soon. I'm also working
on a record with four of the Czars. We don't have a name for that but
it's definitely coming soon. I'm on Grimm's upcoming album "American
Hunger." I'm working on anything I can get my hands on. I'm trying
to be anywhere and everywhere. My goal in 2006 is definitely to get heard.
What do
you want to say to everyone?
Thank you
so much for giving your time to see what a brother's about. If you have
dreams, definitely go get them fam. We only have one life. We're all getting
older and we need to get what we want in this life. You can't wait for
anything to come to you. Everyone has their own lives and agendas, and
you can't really be mad at anybody that goes ahead and does their own
thing. You have to get it yourself. Don't wait for that time for "what
if" or the "shoulda woulda coulda" to come into your life.
The light is green. Go.
For more
information, contact junclassic@tmail.com
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