Prototype Issue
Hip-Hop's Future is Ill
By Kamren Curiel
(page 2 of 2)Q: At what level would you want that recognition?
JP: The biggest level it could go or wherever. I’m content just having a cool fan base and following that’s true. I’d rather have that than people who don’t know what’s going on, just liking my music to like me.
Q: How are you currently promoting your music?
JP: Right now we’re in the studio finishing things up. Starting early next year, we’ll start doing shows, touring, and really promoting. I think LA isn’t gunna be able to help but know what’s going on.
Q: Do you find that your age puts you at an advantage because you’re both still considered young?
JP, 23: Yeah, I think our age is an advantage because we’re older than a lot of people that might be making music in LA and who are inexperienced. We’re always surrounded by older people, but our age keeps us fresh.
T: I’m 22 now, next month’s my birthday.
Q: How do you guys work together?
T: Man, this guy gets on my nerves (laughs).
JP: Yeah, as far as working on music and dealing with business, it’s like that.
Q: Who’s more business-minded?
T: This guy is (points to Josh). He’s strict. It’s not that I’m not. It’s just that I’m more lenient in my approach to music and my work ethic. That’s just the way I am.
JP: One of us has to be on it.
Q: What do you for money?
JP: I sell beats and stuff, pretty much trying to do music fulltime.
T: Working in fashion right now for Rock & Republic.
Q: How does fashion play a role in music? LA has such a materialistic rep.
T: My fashion and my music are totally different than anyone else’s. My fashion is straight year 8000.
JP: To be honest, a lot of the trends that are coming into style, we’ve been doing for years. So I think that 2008 is going to be a good year for us because of that. Snoop and Kanye are doing that, going in a different direction. The sound of music is going more towards a direction that’s different.
Q: How do you make different sounds and not have people copy?
T: We keep it top secret. There’s too many biters, dude.
Q: What are your feelings towards the music industry right now?
JP: I think there’s a lot more opportunity for independent artists. We have to step it up though because it’s not like back in the day, when you could just record a tape in your room while your mom’s asleep and pass it around the neighborhood. Now, you’re able to make a demo and it has to sound as good as the radio and when people see you, you have to look presentable. There’ a lot of studios now, a lot of technology, a lot of competition. It’s kinda cool.
Q: Do you think MySpace is ruining it for music with everyone and their mama coming out with a music page?
JP: It’s like all the actors who come to LA. It’ll always be like that. I think it’s a good thing because the industry is confused. I think it’s harder now for record labels because all these artists are putting out music and getting known. It changes mainstream music and labels don’t know what to do. Meanwhile, everybody’s making whack hits on the radio.
Q: Who in mainstream music are you feeling?
T: Kool Keith. Kool Keith is a master. He doesn’t even count. He’s before his time. People just don’t get it.
JP: Mainstream’s hard to say because everyone’s just biting off each other.
T: Jay-Z’s tolerable.
Q: What’s the process for getting word of Club 8000 out?
JP: Shows, touring, networking, DJ Higher shouting things out in the big clubs in LA.
T: We’re gunna shut down LA.
Q: Do you ever get out of Hollywood?
JP: Yeah man. We be in East LA, South Central, Silver Lake, Inglewood. I don’t really like the valley that much—nothing against the people out there—but that’s not my vibe. You’ll see us on Skid Row, then Beverly Hills.
Q: Do you want to stay in LA forever?
T: I’d venture out un poquito, but I’ll always come back to LA.
JP: I want to be bicoastal—LA to NY, NY to LA.
Q: Is Club 8000 stuff you want people to dance to?
JP: I have stuff that I want people to dance to, chill to, fight to, break their neck to, drink to, get high too, do whatever drugs you do; get drunk.
Q:How do you guys take care of yourselves?
T: I pray. I don’t mind doing that. My family’s Catholic.
JP: I’m more spiritual. I hide to take care of myself, just so I won’t be involved and stay focused.
Q: Shoutouts?
JP: The real people out there trying to make a difference. Positive Rhythm Sound, Preamo Clothing, DJ Higher, Miguel Photo, Illadox.com.
Check out Illadox at www.myspace.com/truceilladox, www.myspace.com/jperzell, www.myspace.com/djhigher, and www.illadox.com Coming Soon!
Satellite photo provided by Miguel Starcevich www.miguelphoto.com.
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