ADD---->ADD
STAFF EDITORS Efehi Ogbebor Kaymar Haye Amanda Mester Latoya Tyson
ART DIRECTOR Efehi Ogbebor WRITERS Amanda Mester Arthur “AC” Copeland Jason Thomas Christina Ledesma David Padilla Kia Riley Maya Freeman Mai Vang Rhonda Welsh PHOTOGRAPHY Kaymar Haye Latoya Tyson ILLUSTRATION Brian Clark ADVERTISERS’ INFO Mbarqgo (pg. 7) Mbarqgo.com Arte of Makeup (pg. 11) Arteofmakeup.com Figure Eight Events (pg34) Figureeightevents.com For inquires on writing, modeling, ordering, advertising..etc contact us at:
RAWMAG@RAWWATER.NET LOS ANGELES RAWWATER 849 South Oxford Avenue, Suite 402 Los Angeles, CA 90005
EDITOR’s NOTe
A little over a year ago, four of us met in Downtown LA. What was discussed and conceived that gloomy afternoon was an outlet for us to reveal to LA - and eventually the world - what we felt needed exposure. That day, we created LÁ RAW. Today we celebrate a year of deadlines, mistakes, compliments, and accomplishments. The cliche thing to say would be that “the sky’s the limit” but it’s exactly how I feel right now. All of the subjects and artists that we have covered (special thanks to all of the cover artists: Kevin Sandbloom, Nola Darling, New Kingdom and J*Davey) and all of the ones that we have scheduled to follow, let’s just say “CAN’T WAIT.” So whether this is your first or fourth issue you’re reading, we thank you and welcome you to our world, the world we call LÁ RAW.
-ED 1
LÁ CONTENTS 4.
FASHION SOCIETY
6.
SANDBLOOM- STILL BLUE 41.
DJ 1HANDIT BANDIT
8.
MARVELOUS 43.
RACOON VS SQUIRREL
13.
SPRING ADDICT 45.
BEACH BODY
21.
13 JOINTS YOU SHOULD COP 51.
THE INTRODUCTION
23.
YEAR IN REVIEW 55.
SEAN REX IS DOPE
25.
BILLIE THE KID 57.
MARIJUANA THE GOOD DRUG
29.
J HYPHEN HAS THE FORMULA 58.
L.A.Y.N. ART
33.
TWITTA 68.
COLOR IS YOUR FRIEND
35.
DRUM MACHINES, DIRTY THINGS 69.
FOH
3
CONTINUE TO PAGE 17
5
The Who: Recording and Touring Artist, Kevin Sandbloom, is an independent singer-songwriter from Los Angeles. In the last nine years he has released seven CDs, written the title track for Grammy Nominated Robben Ford’s Supernatural album and contributed music to Lawrence Fishburne’s directorial debut, Once in the Life. He has also written songs, contributed vocals, composed music and produced countless other projects for film, television, stage and studio releases. The What: He is hard at work on his latest project, a reinterpretation of Joni Mitchell’s epic 1971 album, Blue. The album is celebrating its 40th Anniversary this year and Sandbloom is re-releasing with his own flavor to a new generation of listeners. This is a huge undertaking and Sandbloom has already invested nearly a year in its development. Because of the significance of this material, it is of utmost importance that he and his team get it right. As an independent artist with many other projects in the works, pulling together this album is a challenge to say the least. That is why Sandbloom is asking for your monetary contribution. A donation of any amount will make a huge difference! Sandbloom has arranged all the songs and has also started to demo them. In fact, two of the songs have already been played on Los Angeles’ groundbreaking KCRW radio station. The project has been met with a lot of excitement with live audiences and has also received an extensive mention on National Public Radio’s (NPR) website.
The Why: There are a number of licenses that must be secured in order to release the music commercially. This project provides a unique opportunity to create and carry on an important piece of musical history. That’s why it needs to be released to as many people as possible. This requires proper public relations and marketing, top-notch production and tour support. There will also be videos released in conjunction with the project. In summary, donations to this project will pay for: licensing, production, mixing and mastering, duplication, marketing, tour support and video production.
Contribution Levels and Perks:
Sandbloom has also amassed a creative team (see profiles below) that is helping to make this project a reality. What they are seeking is the equivalent of a small budget for a record release. Your contribution of any amount can make take this project where it needs to go. And just to show his appreciation, Sandbloom is offering various perks for different contribution levels!
A Case Of You Philanthropist: $100 Get the mp3 bundle (not for sale), the mp3 download of Sandbloom’s Live in ABQ, the signed copy of the finished CD, and a box set of all of Sandbloom’s previous releases that includes a limited edition t-shirt.
The How: Get your DIWO on DIWO means Do It With Others, and we need anyone and everyone to help in this endeavor. Whether you can contribute to this or not, we’d love if you could pass this along to someone who might be able to help and spread the word as well. Other ways you can help? Share this project with everyone you know! Please take advantage of the share tools on this page - add a link on your Facebook, Linked In, and/or Twitter. Thank you!!
This Flight Friend: $10 Get an mp3 bundle of 3 demo recordings from the album (not for sale).
Little Green Contributor: $20 Get the mp3 bundle (not for sale), and an mp3 download of Sandbloom’s Live in ABQ. River Giver: $50 Get the mp3 bundle (not for sale), the mp3 download of Sandbloom’s Live in ABQ, and a signed copy of the finished CD.
Blue Benefactor: $500 Get the mp3 bundle (not for sale), the mp3 download of Sandbloom’s Live in ABQ, the signed copy of the CD, and a box set of all of Sandbloom’s previous releases that includes a limited edition t-shirt. Also, get recognition on www.kevinsandbloom.com and in the finished CD liner notes.
-Rhonda Welsh
7
rawwater.net
OUS
written by: Amanda Mester
For the most part, Los Angeles seems to be the city where opening acts go to die. Going to see your favorite artist generally requires you to stand for three hours while you listen to mediocre acts who, apparently, don’t know what a sound check is. KRS-One at the Roxy a few years back was no different. Well, except for one particular group who dripped with more flavor and personality than the other wack groups combined. They were called the Circuit, and I noticed I had been nodding my head for the first time since I had arrived at the theater. I had planned to approach the dudes after their set, but I got into a huge fight with the loser I brought to the show with me, and cut out early. A few months later, I’m sitting in a classroom at LMU and in walks Marvel The Gr8, a member of the Circuit and newest classmate. Since then, Marvel has released a solo project (The Hitchhiker’s Guide to Insanity), performed at Major Rager with Diplo, and formed a new group, Random Citizens (who have established an art and music residency at Bar Melody with Rob Roy, 87 Stick Up Kids, and others). With a show at USC Springfest with Mos Def, Murs, Kid Sister, and Random Citizens coming up, things are poppin’ off for my man Marvel, who generously took time to speak with La Raw.
AM: Tell me about the changes in your musicianship as a solo artist versus a group member Gr8: While working on music in the Circuit, it was more hip-hop oriented and I feel that working solo gives me more artistic freedom. I like to take bits and pieces from everything that I listen to and put my own twist on it. Collaborating with Random Citizens allowed me to experiment with combining electronic and rock elements with hip hop. AM: Who are some of the artists that you fuck with? Gr8: I’m really into James Blake, Dam Funk, Toro Y Moi, Foster the People, and Hudson Mohawke right now. Also all of the up-and-coming West Coast artists (Black Hippie, OFWGKTA, Dom Kennedy, Pac Div, Blu just to name a few). AM: What were you attempting to convey with your solo project? 9
Gr8: HGTI was really more of an experiment for me. Since it was my first solo project, I really wanted to play around with different sounds and techniques. I wanted to create something that would be refreshing to hear. B Jeff, Doc P and I worked on HGTI for 6 months straight and did everything in-house. It was meant to sound all over the place and crazy because that’s how it was made. HGTI was us creating some dope ass music while partaking in a learning experience. Also, I started to find a sound that I felt best displayed who I was as an artist. The new stuff we are working on has more of a cohesive feel to it. AM: What are your favorite parts of L.A.’s musical culture? Gr8: I love how in L.A. there is so much of a selection. Now it is really common to go to a show and see a rap group, a punk band, and a house DJ all on the same bill. This is slowly but surely bringing everyone from different musical backgrounds together that might have previously been bound to one particular genre. AM: What was your most memorable performance? Gr8: Most memorable performance thus far would have to be Major Rager. It was my first big show and I wasn’t sure
how the electro crowd would feel about hip-hop music being performed at a dance party. Plus, since I was opening for Diplo on All-Star Weekend, I knew that the venue was gonna be packed full of people ready to party. By the middle of our set, I could see people nodding their heads and some even singing along. [It was the] greatest feeling ever. With his single “She’s a Fox” coming out soon, Marvel has a full plate, being that he’s also working on a video release of “Game Locked Tight,” a Random Citizen apparel line, and The Guide E.P., which will feature new and unreleased recordings of his. Marvel tells me that money isn’t everything in the music game, and that he does it “for the noise,” which is evident in the arsenal of varied sounds in his music. The personality he oozes with on stage is undeniable, and his recent ventures are evidence enough that the kid is poised to be a mainstay in the scene for years to come. You can stay abreast of all things Random Citizens at www. randomcitizens.com. You heard it here first!
11
Arte of Makeup SCHOOL SHOPPE SALON 5110 Westminster Ave Suite 11 Santa Ana, California 92703 arteofmakeup@yahoo.com www.arteofmakeup.com
Spring Addict Spring is officially in the building and I am still trying to figure out why some women are still wearing boots. Spring is the utmost representation of fun fashion. The season is not biased towards one specific style of dress, but some should just know better. Spring should make girls think of colors, pastels, girly dresses and fun fashion.
Dare To Wear: Dare to wear maxi dresses, in the sense that the dress is complimenting your figure. Maxi dresses are always in and sexy as well Dare to wear lace-embroidered tops- these are back in season and every girl should have one. They have lace embroidered blouses and camisoles for the hot days Dare to wear wooden platforms
Threads that are still in or now in season: The military-inspired look will get old, I’m sure, but for now it has not yet died down. I believe fashion has created a way to make this trend fit every season; this can be as simple as using different colors but with the same military inspiration. So since they offer this to us girls, why not continue to sport this trend? You have the cargo jackets, cargo pants and jeans, button-down blouses, tee shirts and so much more. The men’s dress shoe for women: I am a huge fan of this shoe. It screams classy, sophisticated and serious all-in-one. This shoe was made to be worn by a woman. The fashion world has made it available for the woman to wear with studs like the Christian Louboutin loafers, wear them covered in glitter like the Steve Madden loafers, or the plain/ professional loafers. These shoes look great for any season, but for spring it is very doable. Style Tip 1: Pair the men’s dress shoe with the boyfriend jean, or a simple straight-fitted dress, or even a pair of high-waist shorts with a skinny belt and a military-inspired button down or just a classic tee shirt. Now you have combined the military trend with the men’s dress shoe and can go on about your business. The “Don’t You Dare” and the “Dare to Wear”: Fashion holds a great deal of responsibility and ownership of one’s style and personality. A woman can lose her fashion card by just one mistake. One may pair something that just does not go with the rest of the outfit. It gets me that we have people who take DIFFERENT to a whole other level. In my every day adventures around the city, I can not help but to study every woman around me that I feel may have style swagger, and others who lack it.
Dare to wear a thin material scarf to add to your outfit- note: pick pastel colors that actually go with the season of spring. Stay away from black, dark blue, etc. Instead, pick light pinks, whites, soft/ bright yellow, soft greens and teals. Dare to wear the cute boyfriend cut off shirts with jeans- it is always sexy to show a little stomach, HAHA only if you are in shape and have that flat stomach The thing I love about spring is that colors are limitless. As I have been shopping and browsing, I have noticed the color trends coming in for this season; reds, soft rose, burnt orange, teals, and yellows. White is also coming in full effect and making a statement like always in this spring season. Style tip 2: Buy a white blazer- NOTE: make sure the blazer is not a heavy fabric, try to find linen, Italian linen, or rayon/nylon blazers. You always want to stay away from heavy fabrics during the spring into summer seasons. You will look a hot mess having on a satin blazer on when it is 80- 90 degrees outside. You can then pair the blazer with a cute shorts romper, or a cute dress with flats, sandals, or the “Go to Shoe”: a wedge. When wearing a wedge, one can never go wrong. Pairing a wedge with this outfit will make a chick look fresh, prissy or daring to some extent. Depending on if she chooses to wear shorts, a short romper, or short dress with this blazer. It is all about showing the leg but still staying classy. So remember: spring is full of opportunities to express your style. It is the time for experimenting with colors and staying fresh. Use your imagination, but do not choose crazy outfits that will make people want to pull your fashion card.
Don’t You Dare: Don’t you dare wear denim shorts with leggings and boots when it is hot as hell outside Don’t you dare wear a dress with UGG boots when boots are made to warm up and a dress is made to cool you off Don’t you dare wear a maxi dress that is so tight you can not breathe and all your junk is showing through the fabric Don’t you dare wear the clog-inspired wedge- these make your feet look flat and not attractive at all- yes, it will kill your outfit Don’t you dare wear fabrics that hug you in the wrong places just because it is hot outside
13
-Maya Freeman Bfreestyle.blogspot.com
15
TORIN
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CONTINUE TO PAGE 53
19
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YEAR IN REVIEW WORDS: AC ART: BRIAN CLARK
23
The La’ Raw team decided to do a year-in-review for 2010. These events are not in order of importance, relevance, or even chronological order. This is simply RawMZ, RawNN, RawStarhiphop.com, and Raw-mediatakeout.com all rolled into one. Enjoy. Everyone called Kanye a douche after what he did to Taylor Swift in 2009, but that didn’t stop you from buying his album. Nicki Minaj tried to take over the world… Pinky. Tiger Woods couldn’t win. Katy Perry and Russell Brand got married, and nobody cared. Tony Parker’s a cheater, nobody cared. Prince William got engaged, nobody cared. Gary Colman died, life is short. Jennifer Hudson lost the other half of Jennifer Hudson. Old Spice made the greatest commercial ever and men all across the country stopped using lady-scented bodywash. Antoine Dodson bought his mom a house by being the gayest man to ever live in the projects. But don’t lie, you sang it at least one time “hide yo kids hide yo wife.” BP spilled a shit-load of oil that magically disappeared. There was devastation in Haiti. Everyone was trying to help during the first two weeks after it happened, then when the TV cameras left, so did that so- called “help.” Meanwhile, Haiti still hasn’t recovered. Conan left and came back. Apple introduced the iPad and everyone stood in line for hours to get one, even though it’s just a bigger version of your iPhone.
Runaway Toyotas. Saints won the super bowl, WHO DAT! Lil Wayne went to jail, but nobody knows what for. Lakers won back-toback championships.The American soccer team gave us hope and showed the world our true spirit. It took overtime for the Canadians to beat America in a sport they pretty much invented. The Chilean coal miners got free. Best part of that story was the guy whose mistress and wife showed up at the same time. Dick Cheney had his 35th heart attack. A trainer at Sea World found out they don’t call them Killer Whales for nothing; yet people still keep fucking around with wild animals…. SMH. Ricky Martin comes out of the closet and caught us all off guard. Nobody saw that one coming. Oprah announces she will retire, forcing me to find a back-up plan for getting a new car. The airport made rape legal with their full-body scanners. Tom Cruise came out as Less Grossman and single-handedly saved an otherwise meaningless MTV award show. Willow Smith proves it’s not what you know it’s who you know… She’s fuckin 9! 30 Spanish dudes perform the first successful facial transplant, which then made us all wonder, “what if Michael was still alive?” (Too soon?). Obama gives us healthcare and Republicans scream “YOU MUSLIM SOCIALIST I’LL KILL YOU!” Those damn Census people harassed me like many of you. A volcano erupts in Iceland.
Kim Kardashian became the new Jennifer Lopez. Spencer Pratt became the one thing people hate more than getting sized for a catheter. Speaking of hatred, LeBron James is now the most-hated sports figure in America for making the “decision” to raise 2 million for charity. Jay-Z killed Coachella and that bloke from Oasis. Roethlisberger was suspended for apparently roughing up some woman. Arizona beats out 49 other states to become the most racist state in America. “Lost” ended after six seasons, leaving everyone who watched it pissed that they lost six seasons of their life. Lindsay Lohan goes to jail. Mel Gibson… Shit that’s all I can say about that one. They’re still making Twilight and Harry Potter movies, and grownups are still excited to go see them. I found out who Snooki was. Simon Cowell quits “American Idol,” officially making the show irrelevant. The Yankees lose their leading man. Gays are still fighting for the right to be a part of the 65% divorce rate. Some dudes in New York thought that Americans would be O.K. with building a Mosque near Ground Zero. Nike got every one saying, “BOOM”; why was Rick Ross in that video again? People were going to the movies to get Junior Mints and bed bugs. Favre took pictures and showed a girl his cheese head. Inception became the new Matrix and no one knows if they are awake or sleeping. The Facebook
guy donates the equivalent of a small nation to public schools. Christine O’Donnell is not a witch, she’s just batty. Giants win the World Series for the first time since the invention of baseball. Bush says Kanye hurt his feelings and he’s not a racist. Four Loko made it legal to sell canned crack. Glee, Dancing With The Stars, The Game, So You Think You Can Dance, Americas Got Talent, and the Real Housewives of fucking everywhere are all still airing. The East Coast went through blizzard hell while Californians said “aww,” and thenwent to the beach. Justin Bieber has bangs, Dre still hasn’t released Detox, Miley Syrus got Hannah Montana high, the emergence of the Tea Party, Lady Gaga has a meat fetish. Ben Affleck made a movie worth watching, Adam Lambert is gay (no shit). The kid that knocked up Sarah Palin’s daughter runs for mayor, McDonalds gets healthier, and the police fuck up what would have been the party of the year! Lastly, and most importantly to us, La’ Raw Magazine was established and released its first issue three issues. Thanks to all of you who have supported the magazine and our events. A special thanks to all the artists, bands, performers, photographers, writers, and contributors who played pivotal roles in making 2010 possible. We have so much more in store for 2011 and we hope that you continue to be with us on our journey.
25
BILLIE the KID Call me partial, but LMU’s graduated
TB: I think it’s really dope and frustrating
A
more talented musicians in the past few
at the same time. The fact that we haven’t
straight-forward dude,” Trey tells me that
years than I can even count. Trey Billie
had much representation in the game
he thinks the music game is all fucked
is a stellar example; not only does this
on a national level makes everyone go
up right now because people aren’t
dude have a crazy game of wordplay,
harder, and the city is wide open for a lot
looking for music that lasts forever, but
but he’s got the work ethic of a seasoned
of dope artists out here…It’s great be-
rather temporary fixes. Artists with good
veteran. I won’t even call him a rapper,
cause I know so many good Artists/pro-
music have taken a back seat to artists
not only because he tells me that he
ducers that I make great music with, so
who have the most fans. When I asked
hates labels, but because his focus on
we all have a lot to offer collectively and
him for examples of artists who are cre-
songwriting and perfectionism add a
I feel like we have an L.A. renaissance
ating everlasting music, he mentions the
level of musicianship to his repertoire
coming/happening. At the same time,
songwriting of Bruno Mars, and believes
that most cats just don’t possess. With
it’s frustrating because I find we don’t
that Janelle Monae is “timeless.” Lyri-
the motto of “being a one-hit wonder
work together as much as we could or
cally, Tupac, Jay-Z and Weezy represent
100 times,” Trey’s laying down a blue-
should and therefore it becomes more
the biggest influences from different pe-
print for longevity in a business based
competitive, but if a group of hot artists
riods of his life, but his true inspiration is
on the capriciousness of listeners’ ears.
collabo-ed on a movement, we could
drawn from his family.
With 4 Tha City: My Story completed in
change things musically.
January, Trey has been busy focusing on
self-described “super
hipp-i-fied
TB: My non-musical influence is firstly,
writing, filming his video for “Red Cup
AM: What about LMU’s role in your de-
lastly, and forever, my family. All of ‘em.
Club” with J-Hyphen, and creating music
velopment as an artist? Did it play a piv-
I feel like I have a list of people I have
that “will last forever.”
otal role?
to represent for and could never forget about ‘cause without them, I am nothing.
TB: LMU and college in general has
I even noticed that when things weren’t
been huge for me in life and business...
the best, my music started to change,
most of my business connects, produc-
then I felt like everybody else. They are
TB: I Love It! Honestly wouldn’t live any-
ers, manager, studio plugs and general
the secret to my happiness. A huge in-
where else, even when I do I always end
knowledge of the world were generated
fluence is my aunt, who was diagnosed
up back in the general area. Its just hard
through my years living in Westchester.
with cancer in 2003, the year I graduated
out here as an artist because In Los An-
Learning from successful people out-
from high school. While everybody was
geles, the thing to do is snub the stars.
side of the music game helps me apply
gassin’ me up as if I had accomplished
So a lot of the excitement I get is from
a different perspective to my music than
something, she told me to do something
people outside of the city; in L.A people
others. It gave me a worldwide outlook
special and not what everybody ex-
are generally more impressed by suc-
versus just a general rap perspective.
pected me to do. So I did. That was the
cess, so I hear things like “yeah…I’ll
Only regret is that I wish I would have
last time I seen her healthy. That’s my
come to your next show. Can I get in
started recording/promoting earlier in-
inspiration. 95% of my lyrical content
free?” Whereas in the I.E. or other states,
stead of waiting ‘til I thought it was per-
comes from my personal experiences.
for example, they’ll give you much more
fect. But, if I had any advice, I would tell
The other 5% comes from what happens
love ‘cause they got nothing else to do.”
people to go to college if you can, just to
to the people around me…so If I know
meet all the professionals you can in the
you and like you, you influenced me in
business you want to get involved in.
some way.
AM: Give me your thoughts on L.A.
AM: What about the hip hop scene in the city?
AM: Why did you start making music? TB: I started doing music because people were around me producing and they would always ask my opinion. I went from being a rapper to being an artist. I rap for the people who think there’s nothing in the music anymore; for those who don’t express themselves. The industry often tells artists not to be themselves. I’m trying to show them that there’s room for everybody to be themselves in the music game. At the same time, it’s hard to be yourself as an artist without having a gimmick. What I’m really trying to do is to be a songwriter, a rapping songwriter. To have a career, you have to do more than just rap. When people are discussing the best rappers, they say Biggie, ‘Pac, Jigga, Wayne, Kanye…. it’s all people who don’t just rap. I want people to know that I’m just here trying to provide something different. I feel like everybody can rap, but once you write hot songs, then people want to hear you. I don’t want to be a rapper necessarily. I want to be a rap artist. So there you have it. Refreshing to hear about a young artist who places integrity and legacy above fame and fortune, right? With the plethora of talented people Billie surrounds himself with and his unbridled desire to grind, a formula for personal and musical fulfillment has been cemented. As we end our conversation, Trey tells me he finds it important to think deep but to live simply, which sounds more like something a wise old man would tell you rather than a 25-yearold kid.
27 27
Keep your eyes and ears out for Trey Billie, as he has linked up with 2Fly Productions for his newest venture, “420*365” dropping this 4/20. It’s a networking platform and website which will be posting daily music to “fly” to for all fans and true music lovers. So when you see him, make sure you’re holding a red cup. -Amanda Mester
J Hyphen
29
Has the Formula
In keeping with my unintentional theme of LMU graduates this issue, I introduce to you Mr. J-Hyphen, producer of dope shit. I first met Hyphen back in ‘05, when we were introduced by a mutual friend (shout-out to Alanna’s tall, crazy ass). Since then, Hyphen has been steadily cultivating his many crafts, most recently his musical endeavors. He’s worked with El Prez, Bun B, Mickey Factz, and Picaso (of Language Artz), Trey Billie, and spent his last year of college creating, leading, and promoting an on-campus club for producers and beat aficionados called The Formula. In fact, the talented producers he met at school were, in large part, the catalyst that convinced him to say “Fuck class. I wanna make beats.” I caught up with my good friend to get his thoughts on L.A.’s evolving sound, Sean Healy, and Heaven.
AM: How would you describe your production style? JH: [Our mutual friend] Max (wine&bowties.com) told me I make “Soul Hop.” I feel like my style is a little Dilla-influenced, mixed with my African heritage (his family is from Ghana, West Africa), which comes through in my drums and melodic tones. I can’t really explain it because each track sounds different. AM: Any particular toys you like to play with? I mean, in the studio? JH: With my set up at FL Studios, I use primarily my laptop [laughs]. Sometimes I use a keyboard controller, sometimes I don’t. I learned to make all my music with my laptop, because of money (or lack thereof), and also because the program I used was allowing me to do so. My favorite instrument on there is a VST called Hypersonic 2. That shit goes! I know people who use their iPhones and shit too, I just use it to play games. AM: You can make music on iPhones? JH: Yeah. I mean, I don’t. But the Gorillaz made their entire last album on tour with their iPad. That’s dope, but it definitely wasn’t like Plastic Beach. AM: And what is it that you’re attempting to convey through your music? JH: Basically, just the emotion I was feeling at the time. If I was angry, I make that shit angry as fuck. I just want to upper cut you with my drums and massage your back with the bass line. Oh, and to make sure you know it’s me doin’ it to you. That’s why I put my producer I.D. on records. AM: What are you working on right now? JH: These days, the majority of my time is spent working with Language Artz Records. I’ve been working with them for 3+ years, and I’ve been working on several projects with the nine artists on the label (including Picaso, A.T., Raven Sorvino, and Thr33zy McFly). I worked on a project called The Hyperbolic Timechamber, which is pretty diverse. Sonically, it’s not what you would expect. It’s kind of inspired by “Dragonball Z,” so people expected it to be all anime sounds. But that’s why I love
working with the Language Artz cats, because they don’t sound like typical L.A. rappers. Our conversation drifted to the sounds coming out of Los Angeles, which he called “a cacophony of greatness.” As a bona fide Los Angelino, Hyphen tells me he feels as though the city is breeding a ton of innovative artists who are now finding their own lanes, whereas the past few years have been dominated by street wear and sneaker heads. “A year or two ago, rappers were saying ‘I rock hella good sneakers. You rock hella good sneakers. So, fuck with me,’” he says. “I think that’s changing. Riding the coattails of other artists seems to have subsided.” He hopes to play a crucial role in continuing L.A’s recent status as the place for genre-bending, high-quality hip hop. “I’m trying to get it to the level of ‘takingshitoverness.’ I want to focus on what my sound is going to be like a year from now, and hopefully L.A. will still be spearheading the movement, but who knows if L.A. is even gonna be on the radar?” AM: Speaking of L.A., I can’t tell you how many shows I’ve been to where the opening acts are just wack as fuck. JH: That’s that Sean Healy shit. Sean Healy…jerking artists for 300 years [laughs]. If you don’t know how to work that system, you’re just gonna be fucked. It’s pay to play, basically, not to say it’s necessarily a bad thing. But, you just gotta know who to perform with, and if you have a strong enough fan base that will actually come out to see you. You gotta pay attention to the climate. But being an opening act at a Sean Healy show sucks. Hyphen was reminded of a recent show he attended, where the headliner (who will remain anonymous) was totally “blown” and fucked up his whole set. “I was excited to see him perform, because I was really feelin’ his early stuff. But this dude was so blown that he just kept vibin’ to the random songs the DJ was spinning. I mean, I know he was feeling the music and shit, but I was like, ‘bruh, can we hear some of your music?’” AM: What about a performance that you found really incredible? JH: I still trip off the Miguel Atwood shit they did for Dilla...just dope. I listen to “Suite for Ma Dukes” often, and I use a lot of orchestral sounds in my music as well, so that shit really touched me. AM: Anybody you want to work with? JH: I want to work with Andre 3000 in the next year. Kendrick Lamar, who’s one of the best rappers coming out of L.A. right now. Weezy…I feel like I can reawaken the lyricist inside him. I would’ve loved to work with Tupac. I hope heaven’s got a studio. Can you imagine? Marvin Gaye on the hook, Tupac on the verses, and Beethoven and I on the beat. That’s my dream track. Clearly, J-Hyphen has got the imagination that is needed in creating unique and transformative music. He can be contacted via email jpoakwa@yahoo.com, on Twitter (how relevant of him) @HeyHyphen, and you can peep his latest work at hyphen.bandcamp.com or theformula.bandcamp.com. -AMANDA MESTER
31
33
Figure Eight Events “Making Memories Last An Infinity�
www.figureeightevents.com
DRUM MACHINES, 35
DIRTY THINGS
THEIR NAME
is unusually memorable. J*Davey. “When I started telling people my name was Jack Davey, I gauged their responses and people hated it. ?uestlove, I remember, was like, ‘I don’t like that.’ And I was like, ‘Well...’” says Jack. “It’s a conversation piece because it’s amazing how many people, when I say my name is Jack Davey, will say, ‘Jackie?’ Like a woman can’t be named Jack, you know?”
37
Their name is unusually memorable. J*Davey. “When I started telling people my name was Jack Davey, I gaged their responses and people hated it. Questlove (of The Roots), I remember, was like, ‘I don’t like that.’ And I was like, ‘Well...,’” says Jack Davey. “It’s a conversation piece because it’s amazing how many people, when I say my name is Jack Davey, will say, ‘Jackie?’ Like a woman can’t be named Jack, you know?” Jack Davey and Brook D’Leau. Jack is the voice, the singer, and the frontwoman of the group. Brook D’Leau is the sound, the beat maker, the conductor. They met over ten years ago at Jack’s Senior Prom. “We were maybe friends for a year before I even knew he did music. That was 2000, maybe,” says Jack. They worked together on one song and “it was a wrap from there.” They went from “making groovy tunes” to becoming a black progressive performance band with a story to tell. “If there is no growth then the story starts and ends. It’s a flash in the pan,” says Brook. “I think it’s hard to make music that’s timeless if you don’t really have the experience or the musical vocabulary to draw from alot of different eras. At a certain point you, you get older and are exposed to more. So, I have to incorporate that into the music. And through that, I think people can hear your journey, your growth. And that’s what gives longevity.” J*Davey’s music is both inspirational and emotional. They bring depth and authenticity to their storytelling while dancing between the lines of reality, fantasy, culture and expression. They aren’t restricted to the limitations of a genre. Instead they seem to embrace all sounds and music to create a vibe and a sound unique to themselves. Trying to jump on a hit record, despite the quality of the song, doesn’t appeal to them. “When
we come out, I want it to be right. I don’t wanna put something out and then come back later and be like, no wait, that first time, no, pay attention to me now,” explains Jack. “There’s so many artist that get caught up in that trap. You shoulda probably waited instead of throwing out that little bullshit single. Im building a legendary career. Im trying to make timeless music. And so im very particular about my shit.” Together, Brook and Jack have shut down stages across the country and overseas. Their performances turn inquisitive ears into immediate fans. They have worked with The Roots, Pac Div, 88 Keys, Kardinal Offishall, Marz Lovejoy, OverDoz., and Phonte from Little Brother and Foreign Exchange, amongst others, and was even asked by the legendary Prince to open for him in Las Vegas. This spring they crossed the country while headlining The New World Culture Tour with Los Angeles rapper Blu of Below The Heavens fame and opening act Def Sound, an artist under the bands ILLav8r imprint. The tour rocked The Key Club in Hollywood on March 13th in front of a sold out audience. It also included stops at the annual music showcase South By Southwest in Austin, TX, a run in with the law, and shows in New York, Chicago, Atlanta, and Washington, DC. Also, the duo recently released the second installment of their Great Mistapes series entitled Evil Christian Cop which is available for download at http://jdavey.bandcamp.com/. I sat down with the duo at their Inglewood studio, “The Attic,” and discussed the origins of their name, Kanye West coming to their first performance, the Los Angeles Hip Hop scene, cooking pasta, and their upcoming album entitled New Designer Drug due to drop this summer. This is J*Davey, in the RAW.
What is the actual inspiration for your name? A
really a decision; it was just like a sequence of
big Prince fans but then at a certain point, I was
lot of people think you (Jack) are the singer and
events that kinda brought us together and then
maybe 12 or something, and the Hits and the B
it’s not a group.
there was a chemistry that, you know, really
Sides came out and my aunt bought it for me.
worked well. There is a chemistry. So, I guess
And later on, my mom was like, “You can’t lis-
Jack Davey: A transsexual named Jay Dana was
we are passionate, you know. But we’ve just
ten to this” And I was like, “Why? I thought you
actually the catalyst but it kinda tied into this
been doing what we know how to do.
liked Prince. What are you talking about? What
idea I was having. I wanted to choose a name
Did you have any formal training as a child?
do you mean?” But that’s what was available to
that embodied something bold and something
Piano lessons? Drum lessons?
me so I listened. Then, later on, I got introduced
adventurous and something manly.
to hip hop. That wasn’t until maybe ‘92 or ‘93. BD: A little bit. Probably took, like, a year or
So up until then I wasn’t really exposed to hip
two of piano lessons. But then I just abandoned
hop in a very...I didn’t have any siblings, really.
it cuz I was really tired of playing all this super
So, I’m an only child, just living with my mom,
JD: Androgenous. Yea. And the reason why I
structured shit, you know. I mean, I got what I
you know what I mean?
wanted something...like Jack is a common male
needed. I moved on. But interestingly enough,
You had no one introducing it to you in the
name, you know. Like, oh, hey Jack, or whatever.
I am taking lessons again. Just now. I was taking
house?
You know?
lessons in like Junior High.
Brook D’leau: And androgenous.
Growing up what music surrounded you?
BD: Yeah, exactly.
Almost like a nickname, too. Like, hey, Jack. JD: In my house, I always say I come from a fam-
Are you from Los Angeles or did you move
JD: Yea, exactly. It’s like a euphemism too. So
ily of music listeners. There was always music
here?
when I first kinda came up with it and I start-
on. Not just on, just loud. Always. And it would
ed telling people my name was Jack Davey, I
be conflicting music going all at the same time.
gauged their response and people hated it.
My grandpa has an amazing Jazz collection.
?uestlove, I remember was like, “I don’t like
And a stereo piece collection. Like, he would
JD: I moved here when I was eight.
that.” And I was like, “Well...it just is what it is.”
just collect stereo equipment and sit in front of
From Where?
(laughs) It’s a conversation piece because it’s
it for hours and listen to record after record and
amazing how many people, when I say my name
break down who each person was. He was a
JD: St. Louis, MO. Oh, yea I should say where
is Jack Davey will say, “Jackie?” Like a woman
really big jazz head. So there was a lot of jazz
I’m from huh? (laughs) Yea I moved here from
can’t be named Jack, you know? So in the at-
in my early years. That’s probably all I heard
St. Louis, just me and my parents.
tempt to try to break down some gender bar-
from zero to five. Then, of course, watching
Is there a difference you can recall?
riers...
MTV, pop music. My dad was really into Public
BD: I’m born and raised. Los Angeles.
Enemy and Rakim and N.W.A. So, it was a little
JD: Oh yeah. There is definitely a difference.
bit of everything. And then I went to college
I mean, of course for our career, there’s really
and started getting into all kinds of alternative
no market there. But beyond that, I mean, it’s
JD: Right. So it was just kinda interesting that
stuff. And started working with him (Brook) and
Mid-West. So, whatever you know about the
I was toying with that sentiment and then we
he was into all kinds of new wave and electronic
Mid-West, just match that up to L.A. Not like its
came across this transsexual named Jay Dana
rock shit. And it all kinda melted together.
bad, I love going back there cuz it’s home and
BD: Or there’s the people who think I’m Jack.
and it embodied the same exact thing. Androg-
it’s family. And it’s not all this shit. It’s not so
eny. So, yeah. Davey, you know, Davey Crockett.
BD: More post punk, new wave, and jazz fu-
Adventure. All that shit.
sion. Like specifically a lot of the prog rock,
Was music always a passion, or something you
like Weather Report. That was mainly coming
guys fell into?
from my dad. My dad had a lot of records, like
over the top. It’s a nice little vacation. How did you meet Brook?
specifically jazz fusion records. Mixed with the
JD: We met at my Senior Prom. He was friends
BD: It was always, it was ever present. It was al-
new wave, post punk, Talking Heads, the Police,
with a really good friend of mine from high
ways there, I mean, I don’t think there was some-
Echo and the Bunnymen. Things of that nature.
school. She was like,”Yea I’ma take this guy
thing there...I mean I dunno, passions I think
It was kinda like, epic new wave, you know?
Brook to prom.” And I had been hearing his
are mainly built from things that are innate. You
That’s pretty much what I’ve been affected by
name and never met him until we actually met
know it’s not something like “I have a passion to
and grew up around.
there and became friends. We were maybe
do this” cuz if you are saying that, you probably
Would you say you were listening to it too, or
friends for a year before I even knew he did
don’t have the passion to do it. You just kind of
that was it around?
music. I had been doing music for years and he
set forth cuz it’s in you already. I don’t think we
played me a tape. I was like, “That’s kinda dope.
were the people that decided to...I mean there
BD: I mean, yea, that was around, and I listened
Let’s work on something.” That was like in, 2000
was a decision to be made as far as like, okay
to what was around. My dad had a music collec-
maybe. So, we worked on one song, and it was
are we gonna form this group? Are we gonna,
tion, I lived with my mom. They were separated.
like a wrap from there.
you know, work constantly at building this...
My mom didn’t really...she listened to music but
whatever it is? But, at the same time, it wasn’t
it was weird cuz I remember my parents were
39
When you’re working on music, what is the cre-
ative process? Do you write to the music?
times, it doesn’t work. The type of music we’re
Any must haves while in the studio?
doing, too, to have such a structured approach... JD: It changes all the time. You never know.
nah. You start off with 15 minutes of music from
BD: Nooooo.
one song and then we’re like...
Kinda goes against what we were just talking
BD: There is no formula, whatsoever.
about, right? JD: I’m kinda with that.
(laughs)
Just gotta be ready to make it? BD: Yea, I mean, Im just saying. There is defi-
JD: The space heater. Cuz it gets cold up here.
BD: Yeah. We both show up. That’s the process.
nitely, like, there has to be a real openness, just
Usually the dog. Bowie, the dog, usually comes
Sometimes we are separate and it happens. But
a free form. Like, “Sure. Let’s try that.” (laughs)
and crawls around. Brings good vibes. I think
the only thing we understand is we can’t really,
But we’ve got a lot of new ideas that way from
we have everything we need.
I don’t think we are able to create a formula as
just allowing things to happen.
to how we work together. We tried a couple of
CONTINUE TO PAGE 47
DJ
1Handit Bandit 41
My friends and I were enjoying ourselves at Slide Bar in Orange County. The bar has a unique atmosphere with alternative rock music and tattoo studded bar tenders. It usually showcases local bands, so I was surprised to hear a DJ playing for the first time. It didn’t occur to me that this wasn’t any regular DJ until my friend said “Hey check out the DJ he’s one handed.” I turned and took a glance and sure enough the DJ was spinning with one hand. When I sat down with DJ 1Handit Bandit what intrigued me about him weren’t his skills as a DJ but his attitude as a person. DJ 1Handit Bandit also known as Aaron Bryant has been challenging himself since he was a little kid. His stage name was given to him in elementary school after he beat a kid at a game of around the world. Ever since then Aaron has pushed himself to overcome obstacles in his life. In high school, he even played on the junior varsity basketball team when he was a sophomore. “Ever since I learned how to tie my own shoes the world was in trouble and nothing has really stopped me from challenging myself.” Aaron was raised by a single mother, who has been his inspiration from day one and taught him to never give up. According to his mother, when Aaron was born the doctor could not find an explanation for his hand. “The doctor assumed that the umbilical cord wrapped around my hand when I was developing, it was just an accident.” Aaron’s positive attitude has gotten him where he is today. He started DJing about four years ago. And what motvates
him to continue is the energy from the crowd. “Really good DJs know how to keep the crowd going, even when I’m just playing the top 40 at Slide Bar if people are enjoying the music that’s what motivates me.” Aaron admitted that at first he wasn’t really sure if he could DJ with one hand. It was very challenging for him to learn how to control a record instead of pressing a button. “It was the point when I wasn’t sure if I could do it.” It was overcoming that challenge that inspired Aaron to DJ and being able to prove to himself that he could do it. Only having one hand has made some things difficult for Aaron but he has been able to overcome a lot of them. “People are surprised to see what I can do; I’m even surprised about what I can do.” Aaron’s purpose isn’t just to DJ but to also be an example for those facing challenges. “Don’t give up, especially when you are getting into to something new that is going to be challenging. You’re not going to get it right the first time. There’s been plenty of times where I got frustrated learning something new but I didn’t give up or get discouraged.” Aaron is currently DJing Thursday nights at Lucky Strike and Saturday nights at Slide Bar. Find him at www.facebook. com/pages/1-Handit-Bandit/153780351317403 where you can also download his mix tapes for free. Aaron would like to thank “friends, family, Jay, Josh Stolo, Old Shoe Records, and Slide Bar” for their support. -Christina Ledesma
43
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45
to work. It simply means enjoy an ice cream cone without filling guilty for the extra toppings. Now that you have a cheat day, you can spend the rest of the week monitoring what you eat. Limit your fast food, your fried foods, and anything that’s high in sugar or salt. Tip: Carbs are not the enemy! Any diet that tells you to eliminate carbs is not benefiting you. Carbs are your fuel, if you don’t have enough fuel (meaning food) in your body, your body then creates fat and stores it to sustain your energy level. It’s your body’s way of being self-efficient when you don’t take care of it. And for men and women who want to look muscular/toned, carbs are what will give your muscles that fullness and toned look. No carbs will leave your body looking thin but depleted. In your typical day, you should eat three solid meals (breakfast lunch and dinner) all about 6 hours apart. Example: start your day at 7am.; breakfast at 8am.; lunch at 2pm.; dinner at 8pm. However, 3 hours after breakfast you should have a snack, and the same goes for lunch. The purpose of the snack is to keep you from gorging your face with food every time you eat. Having smaller portions with more frequency allows for your body to continuously be processing food and nutrients. This results in a higher metabolism. Having a high metabolism is important because with a high metabolism, your body has less of a reason to create and/or store fat as mentioned before. All in all, remember that dieting or eating responsibly without exercise will only get you so far. It takes hard work and commitment to look and live healthy. Being fit is a marathon, not a sprint.
47
Do you imagine performing the songs you
Los Angeles is definitely a place where other
BD: No, that was still you performing. Our first
make it as you do it?
people come from other cities to compete or
one was at, what was that place in Beverly Hills?
to make it here or whatever you want to call it.
That was downstairs. You go down a flight or
BD: Now we do. We didn’t start out that way. We
And those people don’t really have a grasp on
two of stairs, and you’re in some underground
started off making groovy tunes. I still like the
it’s not about what they wanna...it is about what
club or whatever.
songs we did in the past. But I do realize that as
they wanna do but you have such a wide spread
a performance band, which I don’t really think
amount of people here who don’t know how to
there are too many of those, especially black
merge together. Because I don’t really think it’s
artists, you know what I mean? There’s a hand-
that easy to really just do it by yourself. If you
ful, but, for the most part, now that’s the focus,
have a support system or some kind of commu-
because we can tell that it translates, and how
nity that helps you to do things at a larger level
JD: Kanye came to our very first show. 88 Keys
it translates.
because you have a community that speaks for
was like, “Yea, were coming, I’m gonna bring
you as well. So, I guess it becomes a scene.
Kanye.”
JD: I think before the scene was small. It’s just
BD: Even though Kanye came right when we
been building. There’s so many artists now
finished.
JD: And Kanye showed up. BD: Kanye did come.
JD: You can never really tell what impact a song is gonna have until you perform it. You see the reaction of people who haven’t
and we all know each other. Of course we’re
heard it?
all homies. Of course it’s gonna be a scene be-
JD: As we were walking offstage. That’s true.
cause we all hang out we all do shows we make
(laughs)
JD: Yea. For us it’s a way of gauging what the
music together, you know what I’m saying? Be-
better songs are and how to put together the
fore, when we first started it was us and Sa Ra.
BD: He was like, “I just got here.”
BD: Georgia Anne Muldrow
JD: We were like, “Thanks.” But, yeah, I don’t
total project. BD: I think we have a sensibility, you know, even
remember much about that. Except for people
without having to perform stuff now to know like,
JD: And Georgia. It was a small group, and we
looking at me like I just descended from the
“Is that gonna flow with this? How is it gonna
all were in the same group, you know? So that
mother ship.
come across?” I definitely have an audience in
made it easy, but now we have DOM (Kennedy),
mind. Like, “Who is gonna feel something from
we have Overdoze, we have Def, we have Marz
BD: I don’t even think people really knew what
this track?” I think it makes it more exciting,
(Lovejoy), we have Odd Future, and Kendrick
to expect.
cuz you’re involving other people, kind of, like
(Lamar), it’s a lot of people poppin out there.
you’re involving everyone in this song being
And everybody is working. It’s not just a few of
JD: And then, I just had this haircut, it was dif-
created. We’ve definitely done things where
us that’s putting out shit. Everybody’s here and
ferent colors, it was shaved. It was just doing
we’ve created songs, performed them live, and
hitting it hard. So for more of us to come up and
way too much.
changed them. Not because we were unsatis-
work, its working.
fied or dissatisfied with the song but because
BD: My mom got up and started dancing, like
we knew well maybe if we try this we will get
What was your introduction to the music scene?
this type of reaction. When there is chemistry
Your first performance?
involved, you do have to put in the proper ele-
trying to get everyone into it. JD: You gotta love Moms.
ments to get the reaction you are looking for.
BD: Your first experience was way before me.
How do you feel about the LA music scene? Hip
JD: Yeah I’ve been performing since I was
thing. It was crazy. I was using some kinda
Hop, in particular.
about 8 years old, so I remember it very viv-
crazy CDJ...thing. We didn’t know what the fuck
idly. It was very scary. I’m just now getting over
we were doing up there. We basically just got
JD: It’s really exciting. I’m excited about it. It
stage fright, which is crazy, it’s all mental. But
up there and said, “Fuck it.”
is very young and it’s fresh and it’s great to see.
yeah I’ve been performing that long. In terms
And it’s so inventive. These kids are so inven-
of J*Davey, when we first started working to-
JD: That was like 2003, 2004. Everything with
tive. I say “these kids” like I’m so old. (laughs)
gether we weren’t a group and we weren’t per-
us has just been trial and error. And I’m glad
It’s really all coming together. It’s shaping into
forming together. So the first show I remember
that it has taken us as long as it has to do exactly
a nice scene. To watch it grow from nothing. Ev-
doing with J*Davey music, like “Mr. Mister” and
what we’ve been wanting to do. I feel like we
erybody’s on it now. Which is dope.
“Camera,” we did a show with Macy Gray.
are finally ready. It’s taken that long. We’re late
BD: A couple friends of mine did the same
bloomers, what can I say? I mean, shit, when we BD: It’s a scene by default, in my opinion. I
BD: No. That’s what I’m saying.
think there has always been creative juices in Los Angeles but I think the biggest reason why people haven’t done it all together is that
come out, I want it to be right. I don’t wanna put something out and then come back later and be
JD: That wasn’t the first one?
like, no wait, that first time, no, pay attention to me now. There’s so many artist that get caught
up in that trap. You shoulda probably waited in-
guy in the band, before they formed Blondie
“That’s great.” And we will be like, “I don’t know
stead of throwing out that little bullshit single.
they were in a group for twelve years that was
about it.” So it’s not coming out. I’d rather it be
Tryin to blow.
just kinda bubbling in the underground. Then
something concentrated and potent, cuz people
twelve years later they formed Blondie and they
will be thirsty for more, as opposed to “Alright,
BD: The Jay Z forty-year-old prodigy.
blow up. Some great things take time to cook.
didn’t you just put a mixtape out the week be-
(laughs)
We’re a slow cooking pot roast. (laughs)
fore, and the week before, and the week be-
JD: I have nothing but time to take. I need that
BD: Does the overnight celebrity really, re-
I’m not saying if you’re creating a lot of music,
shit to be right.
ally exist? Or is it something that’s fabricated?
most of it is gonna suck. I have rarely heard art-
Does the overnight celebrity that lasts, not the
ist put out that many mixtapes and that much
one that’s popular for a couple years, really ex-
music, and all of it been like, “Oh my god this
ist?
is great! Everything!” There’s definitely been
fore?” 80% of that shit isn’t gonna be stellar.
BD: I don’t know why people rush it. JD: I’m building a legendary career. I’m trying
some skip moments. And I don’t want people to
to make timeless music. And so I’m very partic-
What makes you the Rolling Stones of your
skip through our stuff. So the easiest way to do
ular about my shit. But at the same time I have
genre? How long have they been performing
it, shorten it. And just make it really good.
to, I have to throw the pasta on the wall to see if
and touring? Over forty years?
it’s ready. I just throw darts on the board...
So is the sound from the Mistapes different from JD: Decades. the Isley Brothers. Look at them.
BD:
Is that how you know pasta is ready?
(laughs)
the upcoming album, New Designer Drug?
They started doo-wooping and making “Shout” and then they turned into the ultimate sex band,
BD: It’s the bridge. It’s different than the first
and they were old at that point. Its like, “Why
record (Land of The Lost/The Beauty In Distor-
JD: Brook, when you’re cooking pasta, if you
am I body rolling to the Isley Brothers? They
tion). So, instead of not having that dialogue
want it perfect, the way that you test it is, you
were like my dad’s dad’s music.
with our audience and not letting them in on the
take a noodle, you throw it against the wall. If it sticks, it’s ready. BD: Does that really work? I did not know that.
growth, we want people to hear where we are BD: I think it’s hard to make music that’s time-
going and wanna go there with us. I think it’s
less if you don’t really have the experience or
definitely just the bridge.
the musical vocabulary to draw from a lot of different eras. Obviously, if you’re younger, you’re
What other projects do you have going on? You
JD: I swear to God. Try it. I just did it the other
making music for people who understand what
guys DJ as Black Morris, and I know you (Jack)
night. I was like, “I’m so good at this. My pasta
you’re talking about. But at a certain point you,
have a clothing line...
is perfect.”
you get older and are exposed to more. So, I
(laughs)
have to incorporate that into the music. And
JD: Lady Tripper, I’m working on that. It’s a new
through that, I think people can hear your jour-
venture and I’m learning a lot. I mean, I’m not
JD: Um what was the question? Oh, taking our
ney, your growth. And that’s what gives the lon-
a fashion designer. So, I’m really diggin’ into
time. As an artist, the greatest story about an
gevity. You still have something to talk about
the process and really learning everything
artist is their growth. Especially at this level be-
that’s current but you’re still being you.
that goes into it. We are strictly online now and
cause we have people, like yourself, who can be like, “Man, I remember the first time I saw them
branching out in a year or two to wholesaling What’s the inspiration for The Great Mistapes?
and they were like this. And I’ve never seen
and boutiques and stuff like that. LadyTripper. com. Buy some shit.
them do the exact same show because she al-
JD: We just wanted to start building a bridge
ways looks different. Or he always has this and
between all of our older stuff and the newer
the arrangements always changed.” That’s im-
stuff, so that’s what the Mistapes are about. We
portant to us - and building our story - because
had all this material, we were trying to put our
it has helped us finally get to a place where now
record together in a cohesive way, and it was
we know how to produce and finish our records.
like, okay what are gonna be the best songs to
BD: You have shame in your plug?
And now we know exactly what we’re going for
put on the record, the other ones, what do we
(laughs)
every time we hit the stage.
do with them? So, okay, mixtapes, as a bit of an annual Christmas give away.
BD: There’s a story to tell. If there is no growth,
BD: Shameless plug. JD: No, not shameless.
JD: Yea, shameful plug. Very shameful plug. But, we are building our brand, not just J*Davey,
then the story starts and ends. It’s a flash in the
BD: We definitely wanted to switch it from satu-
but our Illav8r brand. Branching out into full on
pan. The only way you can really last, you don’t
rating the market with a whole bunch of new
media and music releases, and film, and reality
necessarily have to change it up every time you
songs. We’re clearly not hip hop artist straight
TV, and merchandising and touring and fuck-
do something, but you do need to know when
on, so not to say we couldn’t put out a bunch of
ing....catering, I dunno. What do you wanna do?
it’s time.
songs but we are very protective of our music
You wanna do something?
and we’re not gonna just put out anything. OthJD: Blondie, for instance, before Debbie and the
49
er people will have ideas and songs and say,
BD: You wanna make me some pasta?
this singer from my favorite band I don’t know
(laughs)
if you’ve heard of them, but....”
or something BD: That’s if you smoke.
BD: Branching out. Diversifying. We’ve been
BD: Wasn’t London kinda random?
doing J*Davey for a while, so through that we
JD: Yeah. I don’t know about that tho. Cuz I’m
have accumulated a lot of different types of con-
JD: Oh yea, we’re walking down the street and
not down with the dope.
nections and interest. We are artists at the core.
these kids were freaking out. They were like,
(Laughs)
We’re not strictly musicians. I’m not strictly
“You’re just on the street?” We love it though.
BD: Are you up with hope?
a producer. She graduated as a film major. I
It’s amazing when you realize people are actu-
JD: I’m up with hope. And L.A. is just so laid
dropped out of going to school in Silicon Valley
ally paying attention.
back, you know?
for computer animation. I mean there were oth-
BD: I think it’s always good to be exposed to
er interests there and then music kinda sucked
BD: You don’t really expect people to pay at-
the possibilities. I think there is inspiration and
us up and had its way with us.
tention sometimes. You hope they do, but for
culture even in all the bullshit.
someone to recognize you and then to be en-
JD: There is! When I go to a Hollywood party, I
JD: Thank God.
amored with your work. To see that emotion
just marvel at it. Like, this shit is amazing. Then
(laughs)
from someone and be like, “No, you don’t un-
I can go back to my own world. You can go
derstand!”
international in two hours. You can go skiing,
Favorite City other than Los Angeles? U.S. or
JD: This chick at Urban Outfitters literally al-
surfing, and hiking all in the same day. It’s just
abroad?
most fell to the floor. Her coworker was like,
a gorgeous place.
what is your problem?
Favorite venue to perform or watch a perfor-
JD: Berlin or Paris. Berlin is really dope. Good open energy at the shows. It’s amazing.
mance in LA? What is your favorite thing about L.A.?
BD: Viper Room. It’s always fun to perform (there).
Craziest place a fan has noticed you?
BD: There is never a real winter.
JD: I like the Viper Room. It sounds great.
BD: Taking orders at my Dad’s restaurant. She
JD: It’s December something and it’s like 80
Weather there.
was coming in for years until one day J*Davey
degrees.
JD: The Mayan is cool. I like going to The Fon-
BD: To watch, The Mayan. I saw the Dead
came up between my step-mom and this girl
da. I saw the Yeah Yeah Yeah’s there. Empire of
and she’s like, “Yeah, that’s my son.” All this
BD: Although you will have those random 47
the Sun. And the Troubador.
time you didn’t even realize that was me? I’m
degree nights.
Watch your drug of choice? Doesn’t have to be
just like, “How do you want your taco; hot, me-
a narcotic.
dium, or mild? Your total is...”
JD: Yea tonight it’s gonna be fucking freezing
JD: Mystery is mine.
(laughs)
but during the day it’s gorgeous. It’s so laid
BD: Fantasy is mine.
back, you can’t beat the taco trucks, the MexiJD: I don’t have a weird place, but when people
can food is amazing, the marijuana is way bet-
recognize me they always say, “You look like
ter than anywhere, unless you go to like Jamaica
Creating your own reality. -Jason Thomas
The Introduction This is not the time to be passive, there are injustices happening here and now. This is not the time to be complacent and lazy because all are affected by these unfair events. This is not the time to procrastinate for the future is now and we are shaping the next life. We are hungry, with hunger rates higher than they’ve ever been in this country. Who among humanity deserves to go hungry? Who among humanity has the right to deprive another of food? Some of us waste food, take it for granted that we can consume food plentifully, while others hope, wish, and or pray only for a bite. Is it wrong to ask ourselves to wake up!? And, share just a little to feed our equals who are without? We are broke and unemployed, with unemployment rates the highest they’ve ever been. It is the working hands who are without work while the higher ups escape with parachutes. I ask, is it fair to lay off thousands upon millions of employees while keeping management and executives with salaries in the millions? Are they above sacrifices and pink slips? Are workers so beneath them that they deserve misfortune? This is not about the re-distribution of wealth, but about fairness and honest for the greater good of humanity. We are uneducated, with college tuitions on the rise and budgets being slashed at the grade level. Coupled with high unemployment rates, college students are falling deeper in debt to pay for the education that was supposed to ensure them a piece of the American Dream. Grade schools have cut enrichment and extra curricular activities such as drama and sports, and they expect for the youth of today to stay out of trouble and excel to their full potential. Why is education a business? Because knowledge is power, so, by making education costly ‘they’ weed out economically poor citizens; and by making superficial information like celebrity gossip highly accessible and entertaining, they keep the attention away from the real issues at hand. We continuously sit back and expect one person to change the world, and when they fail we criticize and ridicule them. We complain about injustices, but sit back and wait for someone else to do something about it. Young people, in reality, you don’t care and you don’t vote, so you don’t matter, and the numbers prove such. Economically poor people, you don’t vote either, so, legislation for you is inaccurate and out of touch because you haven’t said a ‘word’. Working 51
class, many of you are so blinded by the American Dream that you can’t see the American Reality! It is your productivity that fuels this country, and you allow a small percent of the population to tell you how to live. Stand up! Stand up for equality (real equality), justice, and freedom. Stand up for a chance at a level playing field. Stand up against the way you should think and stand for the way you do think. This is not an attack on capitalism, but a long needed bridge for EVERYONE to cross. This is not an invitation for Socialism, but an adaption of socioeconomic equality. This is not a statement against the American Dream, but a step for EVERYONE towards its reality. Do something, don’t be idle in this life. Educate yourself…become contagious… knowledge is power…the revolution will not be televised, it will be broadcast on the internet…STAND UP! *Join the movement, or watch us change the world…* *This document can viewed in its entirety online at www.LatentScholarMedia.com*
-Marie Riley
53
Sean Rex is Dope Interviewing Sean Rex was one of the most interesting La Raw interviews yet. There I was at Starbucks drinking my tea thinking that I was going to interview Sean at a calm quiet place. Then I get a call from him that he wants to do the interview at Aculpucos so he can have a Cadillac margarita and a platter with nachos, wings, quesadillas, and taquitos. After that experience, I think I’ll start doing more of my interviews at Aculpucos. After interviewing Sean I realize he has a great head on his shoulders and has a passion for what he does. There’s no doubt in my mind that we won’t see him around in the future.
CL: Where are you from? SR: I’m from Sacramento, but I live in Burbank. CL: What do you do for your day job? SR: I make beats. I work for a company that makes background music for commercials. Other than rapping that’s something I am trying to do but I don’t want to take too much of my energy from doing music I love to do music for money. Honestly I like rapping better than making beats. CL: When did you first start doing music? SR: When I was 16, I started making beats before I rapped. When I got to college and started to enjoy myself a little bit more, I had a lot more to write about. And that’s how my style developed. CL: Where did you go to college? SR: Cal State Northridge CL: What did you study? SR: I studied business, I never really wanted a job I only studied business because I like money. CL: Describe your music in one word? SR: Dope! CL: What makes you different from other rappers? SR: I think the difference between me and a lot of people in hip hop is that I rap about my real life. And I don’t exaggerate or make up things. So many rappers try to pretend like their millionaires and drive Bentleys but they’re not. I think people feel like that they have to portray that image, but it is getting better there’s more original people coming out now. CL: Why should people give you a listen? SR: I’m well rounded. I think people who like many different types of music will appreciate me because I’m a little bit of underground, west coast, and nor cal . CL: What’s your favorite song that you have done? SR: Flight Navigator because It’s 100% me. I wrote it, produce it, and directed the video. And it’s not just a party song it’s about music. CL: What’s your motivation? SR: I want one of my songs to be someone’s jam. It’s a great feeling when you perform and the crowd knows the lyrics to your song. CL: Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years? SR: In the next 6 months I’ll have an indie deal. Technically I’m signed to Senate Entertainment which is my own label. I see myself with a big label and producing in the next 5 years. CL: Where can people catch your shows? SR: In Hollywood at the Roxy, the Whisky, Viper Room, and Knitting Factory.
55
Marijuana
the Good Drug Unfortunately, in November Proposition 19 did not receive enough votes to legalize Marijuana and disappointed a lot of Californians. However, the good news is that Marijuana isn’t going anywhere and people will still continue to smoke whether it’s legal or not. For those of you who our advocates for legalizing marijuana do not get discourage, or give up because we all know that change does not happen overnight. Marijuana has come a long way and we our slowly seeing a change in our society. Those stereotypical and judgmental views are slowly being torn down and revealing why marijuana is a good drug. Here are some recent interesting facts about why Marijuana is so damn good. Did you know that Marijuana reduces symptoms in diabetes patients? A study published by the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, showed that a non-psychotropic component called cannabidiol in Marijuana “reduces various symptoms of diabetic cardiomyopathy (weakening of the heart muscle).” Recently a study published by the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry in November, found four different case reports where THC in Marijuana “improved symptoms in psychosis patients with refractory schizophrenia.” Researchers from Rockland Psychiatry Center, Columbia University Medical Center, and the New York University School of Medicine gave oral THC to eight patients with refractory psychosis. All eight patients showed improvement when they used Marijuana and did not respond well to other treatments. The study also reported that the THC also reduced aggressive behavior in on all of the patients. “[I]t appears that a predisposed subset of patients with schizophrenia may actually improve with cannabinoid stimulation.” A study in 2008 by the International Journal of Mental Health, reports that schizophrenia patients consumed Marijuana to “reduce anxiety, mitigate memories of childhood trauma, enhance cognition, and “improve their mental state.” Health officials in New Zealand approved a Marijuana spray as medicine. The spray is called Sativex, “an oral spray consisting of natural cannabis extracts” and is used to treat symptoms of multiple sclerosis. The spray is made in the United Kingdom and shipped to New Zealand where it is a prescribed medication. Sativex is also available in Canada and the United Kingdom.
-Green Girl
For more information please visit Norml (Marijuana Law Reform) at http://norml.org/
PICTURE BY MUSHY VIA FREAKINGNEWS.COM
57
ART FROM THE HOMELESS YOUTH OF L.A.Y.N.
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rawwater.net
COLOR IS YOUR FRIEND I was looking through my closet for something vibrant and youthful to wear to a hip hop event. I realized that I’ve become the grim reaper of fashion. I have concluded that I’ve omitted the one possibility of expressing my feisty attitude. I am a downright L.A. girl. However, my closet says I am a dark, sadistic introvert. The color black plagues my closet. This needs to change because my dressing (or so I thought) is akin to the likes of Rihanna and Ciara. I am a fashionista at heart, DAMMIT! But, I’ll tell you what occurred to provoke this change. This phenomenon exists due to one factor: As times change, fashion evolves. Remember when FUBU, Dada, Baby Phat, Akademics were poppin’? We all gravitated to this urban wear like a new drug, like a cure to cancer, or the anticipated Kanye West album. FUBU, Dada and other likes were stamped with their monogram and offered in bright colors—lime green, orange, electric blue, and red. During the ‘90s we weren’t defined by our fashion. That decade was a concoction of 1980 rejects and forthcoming fashion, leaving us on the What Was She Thinking? list. Ugh! The thought of what we’d worn during those days make me quiver. To prevent yourself from reliving the melancholy of those times, it’s best that you keep it black and safe. What’s funny is that I wear so much black that people are tired of seeing me in black. But I can’t help it. Black was considered for the sexy. But now, neon brights are for the “forever young and sexy.” The reverb of the ‘80s in our pop culture has made it cool again. It seems impossible to be reminiscent of the lethargic FUBU gear or a cheesy Post-It sticker. You can actually wear bright colors in 2011, of course paired with a neutral color (black, grey, white, or beige). Accessorize it with your double ring or bamboo earrings. Inspirations can be pulled from Gucci and Louis Vuitton’s Spring 2011 collections. They introduce a host of bold colors and neutrals. Layers and layers of different brights are matched perfectly to create a seamless look. So from here on out, I am going to work on adding color to my wardrobe. Yup! (in my Trey Songz voice). That’s my New Year’s resolution. I am going to remember color is my FRIEND and cope with the fact that I need my FRIEND to complement me. -Christina Ledesma
FEEL FREE TO SEND COMMENTS TO THORNZ@RAWWATER.NET Normally, I don’t have a problem ranting about shit
The Golden Era was a time period in which Hip Hop
that annoys me, especially when it involves Rap...
as a music, art form, platform, discipline and culture
fuck do I hate Rap, but I’ll explain that later; actually,
was crystallized into its perfect form and its most
you should already know this. Recently, I’ve been re-
quintessential qualities. Lyricism, politics, delivery,
thinking my position on this whole thing, and it’s be-
tone, references, storytelling, etc. were essential dur-
come very difficult for me to reach a conclusion for
ing this time, and at an all-time high. This was the era
why I feel the way I do about all of this. I think it all
of the Wu-Tang Clans and Boot Camp Cliks. Beats had
relates back to an epiphany I had about a month ago,
to be immaculately produced, samples culled from
one that shook me to my core, and shit on my soul.
secret vinyl and arranged with the hardest breaks to
Hip Hop is dead.
be found, when the Pete Rocks and Q-Tips were the
Yes, Nas said it some time ago-named a whole album
were taking notes. These were the days wherein a re-
the same - one that was arguably his worst (incidental-
cord label was an indicator of quality, rather than ba-
ly, isn’t it ironic that Will.I.Am produced Nas’ requiem
sically a gang, the time of Rawkus, Duck Down, and
for Hip Hop? Think about it...). Now, I’m saying it not
Loud Records, when money was still on the table, but
as a complaint, or some sort of backhanded encour-
cats were too obsessed with “keeping it real” to care.
standard-bearers, the Jay Dees and El-Ps were establishing themselves, and the Kanyes and Just Blazes
agement, I mean it as a lamentation. Hip Hop is dead; the music I love is growing increasingly distant. This
I miss those days...because I’m old.
makes me sad. Also, I’m not young anymore, which also makes me sad. I’m thinking the two are related.
That’s really what’s at the core of it: my old age, and
See I’m from a generation that was fortunate enough
nostalgia for a better time. Now, I will preface, and
to catch the tail end of the so-called “Golden Era” (or
qualify anything further, by saying wherever you
as Wikipedia refers to it, the “New York Renaissance”)
came from, wherever you are, whatever age you may
during high school, a time in which music seems to
be, will seem so much better 10 years from now, and
identify a person’s entire identity. This was a time in
possibly better still in 20. However bullshit this cur-
which “backpacker” wasn’t an insult (if anyone can
rent state of the genre is, I shudder to think of how
even remember what the fuck a “backpacker” was).
much worse it’s going to be in 10 years. I must also ac-
A side note: that people younger than a certain age
cept that in ‘95, b-boys from the 80s probably thought
will not know, or give a flying fuck, about what the
everything had gone to shit. That’s not to say that ev-
“Golden Era” is proves my point that we’re harbin-
ery dude listening to “Hip Hop” at the time was listen-
gers of a bygone era. Back to what I was saying...
ing to super underground shit. For example, most of my friends weren’t trying to listen to Wu-Tang until
69
they were on MTV (MTV played music videos back
say it all day if provoked-all this shit on the radio is
then). I also don’t mean to say everything was phe-
garbage. Yeah, that’s right. All these fucking follow-
nomenal then either; there was lots of bullshit to be
ers that jumped on the latest bullshit in high school:
heard, and I think the seeds of that bullshit grew into
you look much more pitiful jumping on the latest shit
what is the whole of the genre now. See, towards the
now that you’re pushing 30. Keep Jerkin’, wait, Dou-
decade’s end, new camps popped up that, for better
gie, no, Cat Daddy! If you don’t know how, there’s a
or worse, decided to take over the mainstream, and
video on YouTube from when Justin Bieber (he goes
succeeded.
hard in da paint) taught Ellen Degeneres; maybe you can follow along. “Swag” sounded stupid years ago,
Now I don’t want to recapitulate the demise of Hip
and you’re still saying it, with your lame ass. Call
Hop or point fingers; that’s something I’d much rath-
me a “hater”; really, I like it. It shows me how small
er do amongst friends, in person, late into the eve-
your vocabulary is. I can come up with a thousand
ning. I do just want to make the point that Hip Hop
observations about the bullshit you embrace to stay
as a movement had a definite influence, and meant
relevant to a culture that does not care about you, and
a lot to many people. There is no aspect of modern
you can only come up with one observation about me:
pop culture that doesn’t bear the mark of Hip Hop’s
that I’m a hater. So that’s the side of the line I’m on,
influence, whether it be fashion, design and market-
the side that this culture really mattered to. I am the
ing using aspects of Graffiti art, or film editing and
close family invited to Hip Hop’s funeral. I wept, paid
advertising employing Hip Hop DJ techniques, or
my respects at the coffin, and I’m walking out the
Pop music using Hip Hop production techniques and
door. Hip Hop was murdered, and we were all at the
damn near every song having some lame fucking
scene of the crime. I love Hip Hop; I always will, but it
rap. Did we really do all this work so that some day
honestly breaks my heart to care anymore. I have to
Justin Bieber could have an infinitely better life than
let go. Maybe you’re finding yourself struggling to let
we ever dreamt of for ourselves? Why aren’t these
go too? Or, maybe you’re tired of reading this and just
Pop puppets paying Kool Herc’s hospital bills? They
want to swag out to Odd Future and Lil’ B.
unknowingly owe him their careers. I don’t give a fuck, do what you do. I’m getting the So that leaves me at a crossroads. Do I bother ques-
fuck out of here.
tioning the integrity of every new rapper I hear? Do
On to the next...
all these producers need to break new ground? Really, do I need to care anymore? Sometimes you just have to draw a line in the sand and pick a side. So I’ll