The Temperature of Carolina Hip-Hop
Hot or Not…
While the world of Hip-Hop continues to expand one can only wonder what happen to the Hungry Local Artist??? I remember when I used to read Word up, The Source, XXL, Next to Blow, and many other Urban Magazines and hear about the new cats outta NYC, Cali, TX, GA, and FL. But 15 years living in NC had me thinking are there any MC’S in the Carolinas there’s been a few but none really that big headline MC. And then I met this cat by the name of Jai30 smooth cat that had a crazy flow I began to think music like this doesn’t get heard anymore all I hear coming from the hood is 28 grams this or ounce of that and drug dealing music. Jai30’s flow took it back to classic BIGGIE with money, women, clothes and cars flow his rhymes took me out the trap and put me out on the town with the women of my choice. So I Called up Jai30 and asked him a few questions about music in NC/SC and here’s what he said.
WHATS UP MY MAN HOWS LIFE AFTER LL COOL JAI?
Man I tell u, when I dropped the LL Cool Jai project things went crazy for me. My fan base tripled, the Internet was buzzing and the A&R’s were going nuts!!! Since then I’ve just been promoting and networking and getting ready for the new project.
I SEE YA SWAF STILL ON A BILLION OR HAS IT GONE UP?
Swag game stupid, Fly stay stupid so my SWAF gonna always be stupid lol. Man, u know I been swaffin since I’ve known u. you know how they say, “give an inch and they’ll take a foot?” well they gave me a rope and now I want to be a damn Cowboy lol. You know u cant feed the pit bull once an expect him not to eat everyday. So to answer the question, you’re damn right it’s gone up!!!
WHAT NEW PROJECTS YOU WORKING ON?
I actually have a few new projects I’m working on. This will be the first time I’m releasing the names of them so this is truly exclusive!!! Me and West Wonder are working on the “Alter Ego” album, I’m working on the “Whole Hog” mix tape and “I’m N.I.C.E. (Never In Competition Ever)” Album. Haven’t set any release dates as of yet though.
WHAT NEW ARTIST ARE YOU WORKING WITH ON YOUR NEW PROJECT?
I’m gonna be working with Gastonia’s own Elite, Mike Eddy, Justyn Tyme. Those are a few of the “New” artist. I don’t think I’ll have a lot of features this time around though so if I get u on a track u better bring your whole ass!!
WHAT NEW PRODUCERS HAVE YOU BEEN IN THE STEW WITH?
Honestly a lot of producers don’t like me. I don’t know what the deal is. Every track I get on is going to be hot and they know that but I get no love! I might just do a Track called No Love and diss the producers from around here lol. West Wonder works with me hard, I got a few tracks from MusikMagik Studios but I haven’t got the clearance on them yet. Other than that I can’t get love around here. Maybe they just want to work with their homeboy’s lol. But you know me, Ill spit to the sounds of rain hitting the window. Beats don't make my songs lol.
WHAT DO YOU SAY TO THOSE PEOPLE THAT SAY JAI30 CAN’T RAP?
I would say since we are telling lies, their momma cant “YOU KNOW” lmao. Look man anybody that says I cant rap or don’t rock the mic or don’t rock the stage I’d say get on a track with me! Get on the stage with me and lets see how it turns out but YOU BETTER GO FIRST!!! I’ve been in this game for a minute and have had the pleasure to embarrass quite a few rappers on tracks and on stage! There’s a reason why I have NEVER been featured on anybody’s album or even mix tape and it’s not because I can’t rap. It’s because I make you work to damn hard to keep up lol. Damn I’m feeling like Kanye but the truth is like that sometimes lol.
ARE THEY THE REASON YOU CONTINUE TO GO HARD IN THE STEW?
Not really. There are only a few artists around me that motivate me to go directly to the lab when I hear their music. I go hard in the studio because that’s the only way I know how to do this. I didn’t start rapping at lunch room tables. I’ve been around dudes like Big Champ, Fran D, Phudd Butta, T-Dot, Carolina Slim, Absolute, etc. My crew in the ville (Fayetteville, NC) when I had to EARN a spot just to spit freestyle let alone record a 16. Most cats now just wake up and say “Today, I’m a rapper” and call their homeboy up and go record a lame ass track and all their friends say its hot lol. I started on the bench and earned a starting spot. Most cats now just Kwame Brown lol. They always say you’ll respect it more when you earn it!! THAT’S WHY I GO HARD IN THE STEW!!!
SO FAR HAS J. COLE LIVED UP TO THE CAROLINA’S EXPECTATIONS?
I think so. I’d like to see him get a little more shine. I think they gave Petey Pablo more shine than they given J. Cole. J. Cole is a lyricist. His whole delivery, word play, the way he rides a track, and hell that nigga gets it in!!
WHAT DO YOU THINK IT IS THAT’S KEEPING A MAJOR ARTIST FROM REALLY OWNING HIP-HOP OUTTA CAROLINA?
One word, SUPPORT!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LAST QUESTION BEFORE I GO WHAT IS THE TEMPERATURE OF HIP-HOP IN THE CAROLINA’S?
Let’s say there’s a lot of room to get on. Carolina has a few people making noise but its not saturated. There’s enough room for a lot of people to eat around here. We just got to seize our opportunities and make there best of our situations and STOP HATING ON THE NEXT ARTIST. I feel like if NC stuck together we could compete with any other state with our music.
WELL PEOPLE THERE YOU HAVE IT JAI30 THANKS FOR COMING BY AND IM LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT NEW ALBUM FROM YA HOST MARKIE “MILLIONDOLLAR” STACKS IM GONE…
TO CONTACT JAI30 YOU CAN CATCH HIM ON
TWITTER @JUSJAI2
OR FACEBOOK JAI SO FLY IN YOUR SEARCH BOX
No comments:
Post a Comment