Jus Ske Interview (3/7)

At the beginning of February Jus Ske's album "My Mind is Playing Tricks On Me" made the rounds on the internet. In the increasing crop of mixtapes being available for free download, this isn't one to miss. Read Jus Ske's bio at his official site. I had the opportunity to speak with Jus Ske amidst some NYC construction and learned quite a bit about the "My Mind is Playing Tricks On Me" album. If you haven't listened to his album there is a link below the interview. JJ: What effect will the DJ Drama/RIAA raid have on mixtapes and on DJ's? Jus Ske: They are crackin down, but there are ways to get around it. They will never stop it, people will find a way around it. It can be done legally, people just need to be careful. But the RIAA, on one hand the label is saying "its cool" and then the RIAA comes after you. JJ: What are you working on now? Jus Ske: I am working on an album with lots of people. I'm trying to get a track with Robin Thicke and Clipse, Kayne, Dangermouse and some more. We are far along in the process, but a far way from it coming out. JJ: Looking back on "My Mind is Playing Tricks On Me" what are you thoughts? Jus Ske: The thing is that I could have done a better job. It was getting late and I was rushed, there are certain songs that didn't fully go together. There were songs I could hear inspired Pharrell and I really wanted to put them together. I give the album an 8/10. People tell me a part sounds wack and I tell them, "I know it sounds fucking wack". I know there are parts that are wack. The thing that sucks is, I could have made it a 10. The ball just started rolling and I had to wrap up stuff. But it could have been a 10. JJ: It is very interesting that you were trying to match the songs up with the songs that inspired Pharrell. Any specific examples or parts that were the most frustrating? Jus Ske: On the track 'An Airbag Saved My Best Friend' I really wanted to have Thom's voice on the chorus with Pharrell, that would have been perfect. JJ: Being in Minnesota, I have to ask what is up with the Spymob (who are from Minnesota). Jus Ske: I'm not sure if they are still on Star Trek, or if Pharrell will take them on the road with N.E.R.D. I do know that they are on good terms with Pharrell. The thing about Pharrell is that he never ends a relationship on bad terms, except for maybe Kelis. I don't know how he does it, but it is all very diplomatic. JJ: Pharrell has to get out that Coldchain record. Jus Ske: I know, he got pushed back with all the problems he has been going through with Jail and stuff. JJ: Thanks for the time, good luck with everything keep me in the loop. Jus Ske: Thanks Jus Ske is going to be a name you are going to hear a lot of now and in the future. He has quite a bit going on including an energy drink, a clothing line called DanÜcht (pronounced thenewshit) as well as his weekly spot every Saturday at the Marquee in NYC. Keep up to date on his myspace as well as his official spot. Make sure you downloading "My Mind is Playing Tricks on Me" if you haven't.

The Pack Interview (1/25)

The Pack just released a 7 song EP called 'Skateboards 2 Scrapers ' through Up All Night/Jive Records. The single "Vans" was covered in all corners of the internet and raised controversy after being edited for MTV after their refusal to air the video due to the product placement. Regardless of support the video received, "Vans" was listed as the number 5 song of the year by Rolling Stone. "I'm Shining"(which in my opinion is the best song on the EP) has just been released as the next single. After some initial confusion about the name of this web site I was able to settle in for an interview with Lil B from The Pack (Lil Uno, Young L, and Young $tunna stepped out). I explained where I was from and it some how resulted in Lil B thinking I had some purple haze. The most surprising thing in the interview was that Lil B didn't know about the DJ Drama/Donald Cannon stuff. I was also taken back by Lil B's answer to who he would like to work with if he could work with anyone. JJ: What was your reaction to name change from 'The Wolfpack' to 'The Pack'? Lil B: It's all good there were a lot of groups out there with the name and we had to distinguish ourselves JJ: You know about the wrestlers right Lil B: Oh yea Kevin Nash and those dudes JJ:You didn't name yourselves after them did you? Lil B: Nahh JJ: What producers are you looking for for the LP Lil B: Young L is gonna do the whole thing, Lil Jon, we are hoping to get will.i.am and Jazzie Pha JJ: What guests would you want to get if you could get anyone? Lil B: Weebie, Jeezy, Twista JJ: What do you think of Lil Wayne? Lil B:Wayne is the man, we are gonna get his boy Curren$y on something JJ: What do you think about the DJ Drama/Cannnon stuff? Lil B: Oh we hopefully can get a gangsta grillz JJ:Those dudes are in big trouble, they might go to jail Lil B: What? JJ: Yea, bit RIAA/CIA swat team raid for bootlegging. They don't know what they do and how vital what they do is to rap music Lil B:They went to jail? that is some deep shit. For sure. JJ: I heard some rumors about some distaste for Pharrell, what do you have to say about that? Lil B: Nah, we down with Pharrell. We are good friends. JJ: What do you think of Moss in Oakland? Lil B: I don't know man, I don't know much about that. JJ: Do you follow Bay Area sports? Lil B: I got a few teams I like, but I'm not really into football. JJ: What sports do you watch? Lil B: I don't really watch sports, I stopped a long time ago. JJ: I was talking to a friend in Paris and I told him I would be talking to you today and he wanted me to let you know how much they are feeling hyphy and the pack out there Lil B:Tell him whats up and we are going to try to rock it out there. We would love to get get out to Paris. Thanks for your time and best of luck to you guys. Anytime man, keep me updated and tell me whats good.

Rich Boy Interview: 12/5

Zone 4/Interscope Records rap signee Rich Boy will be releasing "Product of Tha Hustle" early next year. The album will feature production credits including Timbaland, Kanye West, Polow, Jazze Pha, and Needlez to name a few. Rich Boy was born in Mobile, Alabama and has already starting to make noise with current single 'Throw Some D's' . I received a phone call on my cell phone today from the 251 area code and it was none other than Rich Boy for his interview with Still-Listen. JJ: I just want to say how much I am feelin "Throw Some D's" I can't wait for the remix with Jim Jones and The Game. Rich Boy: Thanks, we just finished that up, this January we'll leak it. You: That's gonna be huge RB: Hell Ya, they my boys JJ: I gotta say one of my friends told me that she was curious what you mean about the line from "Throw Some D's" where you say "Throw some D's in that bitch". I told her you didn't mean that and it was all good. I'm telling you I don't think I drove anywhere this summer without listening to that track. RB: [Laughs] Lots of people have actually pointed it out me, if you like throw some D's wait till you hear the album. JJ: What you think about Wayne and Baby Kissing? RB: I don't want to speak on others traditions and cultures, but I don't think it's gay. What they do is they own business. JJ: Then maybe Wayne needs to stop saying "Weezy fucking Baby" if he doesn't want to it to be interpreted the wrong way. Do you think Wayne's the best rapper out right now? RB: [Laughs] Weezy fucking Baby, that is some funny shit, yea he does. He been killin it recently. JJ: Are there going to be tracks from "Bring it to the Block" (DJ Drama Mix Tape) on "Product of Tha Hustle"? RB: Yeah there will be, "D-Boyz" is gonna be on there and some more. There is going to be another tape with Drama coming out too. Drama is my dude. JJ: What are your top records this year? RB: Jay, Game, Snoop, Luda. JJ: Jeezy? RB: Oh that Jeezy is nice too. JJ: You went to school for a semester in Alabama right? RB: Yeah I went to Tuskegee University as a mechanical engineering major. JJ: What was that like? RB: Fucking girls and parties. The dorm rooms there are like a jail cell. JJ: I bet RB: No, seriously they were like a jail cell. Concrete walls and shit. JJ: What is your favorite track on your record, 'Throw Some D's'? RB: Thats my jam, "Throw Some D's" I can't even lie JJ: Is that the track on the record that you sit back and listen to and get pumped on cause it is your shit? RB: The track that I really snapped on, my favorite one is "Lost Girls", but the track i really snapped on was when it "Gets To Poppin". I repped a whole different style on it JJ: How much does being on Interscope affect you, do you plan on gettin down with the G-Unit dudes? RB: Young buck showed me love when he see me, also Game showed me love. Its just a speak situation like "whats up" and then we handle business. JJ: I'm gonna let you go, thanks for the interview and congratulations and best of luck with the record. Your going to do well. RB: Anytime man, thanks. Anytime. For more Rich Boy: Rich Boy on Myspace "Throw Some D's" Video on youtube MTV Feature "You Hear it First" "Chain Hang Low" featuring Rich Boy, Young Joc, Lil' Wayne & LIl' Mont. Return to the Still-Listen main page.