With so much hip-hop coming out at a rapid pace its hard to find talented up and coming artist that are bringing something new, and fresh to the game. Usually artist doing something outside of the norm will catch your attention instantly, and that exactly what happen when i stumbled upon Curbside Jones. Rapper, Producer,and his own Engineer It’s hard to ignore someone doing all this, that is above your average rapper & the self proclaimed “bum life” is what also makes him stand out further from the crowd not going the recently popular pot head route which is a plus. So Check out my interview with Mr.Jones as we travel into the mind of your not so usual bum.
Yoh: So Mr.Jones How’s it going sir? Thetapedeck is glad to have you. Hope all is well, for the people not up to date on your music give us a little quick run down on your background as far as hip-hop goes?
Curbside Jones: Man it’s going good, spectacular, and all that jazzamafrazz! I’m the one that is glad my good sir, I appreciate it mucho! As far as music I’ve been rapping since i was 13 in middle school and producing since I was 15, but sadly I quit a couple times along the way because making beats is hard at times -___-…I have a short attention span lol. I’ve dropped 6 solo projects (2 which were self produced), and 2 group projects…yeah that’s a little more than most people that are my age (21) lol
Yoh: Loving the honesty! Alot of artist won’t admit how hard, and time consuming music truly is. Your only 21? #MindBlown I thought you were at least 24. So with that many project under your belt which one would you consider your break out project that really got the buzz going? Also after self producing two projects all on your own which do you actually prefer? To create your own sound or work with others to being your idea to life?
Curbside Jones: Man I have to keep it honest or the OGs will disown me! haha and yeah im 21, I think it’s the beard that’s throwing people off lol And the break out project for me would have to be the 3rd one I released “The Laziest Mixtape You’ve Ever Heard Aka Why The Heck Did He Put The Conscious Tape And Mixed Signals On One CD”…Yeah…don’t mind the title lol. This project is what I feel was the 1st thing that people really gravitated to, and I suppose that’s because it was the 1st one i released online. It was over instrumentals and stuff (I really thought I was doing something). After the release of my 4th tape my homie Juni told me I should start making beats againe or use original beats, so that’s what brought about the change. I would rather make my own beats…I only say this because I don’t have an in-house producer so I can’t sit down with another person and have them make what I want. I like being able to build songs from the ground up so I can have the mood/vision I want.
Yoh: #THEBEARD. Longest mixtape title ever lol. I gotta say your homie gave some great advice original production defiantly adds a extra flavor to a artist project. Anyone that pays attention to your music can tell japan’s culture has had a impact on you. From the anime’s to the manga’s, how important is it to incorporate this love for the culture into your music? Also do you feel you should cut back on it when you start getting titled as just a “anime” rapper?
Curbside Jones:Yeah Juni directed me in a good direction! Much respect to the big homie! And maaaaaaan…Curbside LOVES Japan! (throws up gang signs) I feel the anime/video game incorporation is something that happens subconsciously. I can make a song with out adding it in, it really depends on the subject matter and how I’m feeling at that time. A part of me wants to bring my generation back to the Toonami time…that was one of the most interesting/stimulating times of my life to be honest. At 1st I hated being called an anime rapper, but I thought about it and I was like “Anime is cool…why the heck am I taking that in a negative way?”. It does get annoying though when you give people something with subject matter and they only pay attention to the anime incorporation -___-
Yoh:Toonami is much needed in this young generation, we didn’t have 16 and pregnant we had TOM. Your love for Japan isn’t the only way you stand out with your music. You declare a bum lifestyle if I’m correct? Which is different from most rappers who like to be portrayed as gangsters,drug dealers or other possible made up persona. Do you think by staying true to yourself gives your music more purity to connect with your audience?
internet has made the process of getting known faster and I love that aspect of it! I can get on twitter and promote a new song, video, picture, or whatever it is I want people to gravitate to with ease and at any time of the day! The key to social networks is knowing the peek days and times…once you understand when the most people are online and at one times…you’re promo game will be golden! I got Bum Life pressed up during sxsw and gave out rare copies to people because I felt like giving back was needed…and I actually had people contact me via twitter about my project…that’s the power of social networking…they didn’t have to hunt me down, or ask around, they could contact me without a problem! I love talking to people that enjoy my music, heck even people who don’t…meeting new people and seeing other people’s interpretations of certain subjects and ideologies is rather refreshing.
Yoh: LOL well the promo tracks you been releasing have all been dope so I’m sure everyone is quite content. Haha never really looked at twitter like that… As far as promoting at the height of traffic, genius. Can you go into more details about your SXSW experience this year?
Curbside Jones: Yeah man…I noticed the whole peak theory back on myspace…and just applied that to twitter ^__^. And SXSW was amazing! Although it was my 1st experience, I made up my mind to go every year. I’ve known about it but never went because I used to live like an hour away from Austin so finding a place to stay for a week would kill my pockets so I just skipped out -__-. Now that I live in Austin and I stay like 5 mins away from downtown where the action is…I’ll be in attendance annually! Sxsw was wild, musicians everywhere, people promoting, FREE gifts, and a lot of great shows that were FREE! It’s crazy thinking back to that week because we were out and about for literally more than 12 hours a day! Imagine the strain that put on our bodies lol If you’re an artist, producer, graphic artist, photographer, or manager…you NEED to be at Sxsw next year…its the BEST place to spread your music to others who are serious…also you’re around the people you listen to, I can’t count how many people I have in my music library that I ran into downtown. But the dopest thing that happened…was running into my twitter followers!!! Like I ran into some from cali, other parts of tx, louisiana…and it was all love when I seen them! 99% of the people I came in contact with, that I knew got a free copy of “Bum Life” too! That’s rare! Lol
Yoh:Yo bro that sounds incredible epic! Unless the world gonna end I will be there next year because it seems like something music lovers have to experience.
You spoke of a project not to long ago can you give us any more details on this?
Curbside Jones: It truly is…it mindhumped me lol And what project…I didn’t mention anything about that…(Looks around) haha naw but…yeah…I’m working on a little bit of this and a little bit of that…mixed with some razzle frazzle lol I’m really secretive about my projects, but I can say, 90% of it will be self produced…and you can expect it sometime this year! It will be more of an experience, than a project…and I can say it will sound nothing like, or close to “Bum Life”. I will be getting this project pressed up as well and it will be on my site for those who want the physical copy…there will only be 100…so it’ll be rare
Yoh: *Goes to eBay and buys boxing gloves* i think i will secure one of those 100. Defiantly anticipating it since it won’t sound nothing like “bum life”. So i got 5 questions for you Mr. Jones that i’m sure people either want to know or just interesting enough to interest your fans.
Curbside Jones: I’m reeeeeady!!! Ok my top five favorite anime…hm….that’s not a fair question to ask, but here we go! (no particular order)
1. Pokemon…hands down is in my top five because it changed my life in 3rd grade. I had never seen anything like it and it consumed me lol Successful trading card game, and video games…what more could you ask for?
2. Tenchi Muyo (any series but i liked the ryo-ohki the most)…It had everything; sexual themes, profanity, action, comedy, and romance!
3. Anything Gundam…I don’t know why, but the idea of mobile suits excite me lol
4. Afro Samurai…Not only is it tight because the leading characters are black, but it incorporated hip hop culture into the mix, with an american artist (The RZA). The action scenes are ill and not to mention the artwork!
5. 3 way tie! Naruto, Bleach, and DBZ lol I like them all so much for different reasons
honorable mentions-Digimon, Soul Eater, Outlaw Star, Golden Boy, Ninja Scroll, Akira, and, K-on, and Samurai Champloo <-all of which I wanted to add to the list lol
2. My favorite track on “Bum Life” would have to be…damn…I feel like that parent that has to choose what child they like the most -___-. But I’ll roll with “4:00 PM?” because it is like the perfect song to start your day to and it was the 1st song I could recite word for word from Bum Life. I also tried to sample the same exact song a 3 years prior and it was an ultimate fail, so now I can listen to it and be like “Yeah….i did that” lol
3.If we’re talking about women that I’d turn down…I’d have to say Amber Rose…I dont find her appealing at all, I’m all about team Cassie! If we’re talking about musically…I’d turn down Diddy…that guy is just horrible lol
4.If I had the chance to do feature with anyone, I’d get Pastor Troy on a track! He is an OG in the game and I respect the big homie! And I would like to produce a track for Curren$y, that would be cooler than eskimo buns!
5.And success…success to me is being your woman’s favorite artist. It’s so hard to be their #1 because there are so many other artists out who have more money than you and more fame, which makes them more desirable. Your woman will look at you as just a person…but they will look at these other cats as more than people…and they get all groupie like for them. It sucks because they KNOW you and may even LOVE you…but they’ll know ALL the words to Drake’s music and ZERO of the words to your music. Once you can get them to see that you are dope and you are worthy of being #1…you’re golden! I also believe success is having out a project that you’re proud of…I can’t stress that enough because if you’re proud of that work…other people will see it and love it too! The amount of downloads and blog posts dont make you better than the next man, being respected and having people tell you that they love your music, or they look up to you is what matters. Im about touching people’s hearts and changing lives…and I can honestly say at the age of 21, I’ve done that! Eff being signed to a major label, I have people that treat me like I’m major now! The creator has truly blessed me with wonderful people and I always let people know how much i appreciate them and I try my hardest to support them and have their backs…It’s all love!
Yoh:1. Literally died when i saw tenchi on the list(epic)
5.This has probably been one of the best responses i have ever got from a artist. Very sincere and valid point.
It has truly been a honor to interview a artist with just a pure passion for music that isn’t just in it for fame and money. Even though we didn’t get a chance to touch on your arcade addiction,gotta save something for the next interview which i hope we can do when your ready to drop your next project. Since i also plan to be at SXSW i’ll surely run into you since its held in your neck of the woods haha. Go ahead and let the people know where to reach you at(twitter) or any websites they can hear new/old material. Again its been great and thetapedeck supports you and your music to the fullest.
Curbside Jones: Thanks man! I appreciate you considering me for the interview! ^__^ and we can def link up for sxsw! I’m all about having fun and tearing up downtown. People can find me at http://www.twitter.com/CurbsideJones they can grab my music from my site http://www.emptysodacans.com or http://cbtvondemand.bandcamp.com …for collabs or what have you email me! Emptysodacans@gmail.com and you can also follow my blog posts at http://reupspot.com
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