JL of B Hood Q & A

While listening to @TechN9ne Gates Mixed Plate album, I was put onto the sounds of JL from B. Hood. He definitely held his own along the Kansas City King. Ever since then, I've been snatching up any and all music from JL.

I contacted the rapid fire MC and requested his participation. He was more than the willing to share his thoughts with me.

This was conducted 9/2014

DPG = ME
JL = JL

Enjoy!

DP: Where exactly are you from?

JL: Kansas City, Missouri

DP: Who was the first rap artist that you ever listened to?

JL: I think it was a Geto Boys tape that had My Mind is Playing Tricks on Me on it.

DP: What types of music did you listen to growing up?

JL: All types really, from soul to country to rock & r&b. I had a lot coming into my ears.

DP: Who were the rap artists that you enjoyed listening to growing up?

JL: I listened to a lot of Bone Thugs & Harmony, Twista, Common, Talib Kwali, Tech N9ne, Eminem, and DMX. A long list and I always stayed with music.

DP: When did you first discover that you were good at writing rhymes?

JL: I wrote my first one at 9. I got pretty decent at it about 15.

DP" Do you remember the first song you ever recorded?

JL: I actually don't. LOL!

DP: How long have you been actively recording your music?

JL: I'd say a little over 10 years prolly.

DP: I was first put on to your music on Tech N9ne’s Gates Mix Plate album. You were featured on the song Far Out along with P.R.E.A.C.H. and Stevie Stone.

DP: Can you tell me how that collaboration came about?

JL: I've known Tech for awhile now. He used to invite me to the studio just to chill and shit. I'd watch him record and get sneak peaks at all the shit. Whenever I got a  chance let him hear my music he'd listen and hear the potential. He heard the progression and one day he gave me that opportunity to do something. That was on the track Far Out.

DP: Were you guys actually in the studio together while recording that track?

JL: I actually took the beat home wrote and came back the next day. I recorded it before he got to the studio. It was the first thing on the song.

DP: Your first official album release Brain Scatter was really good. How did you come up with that title?

JL: I get asked that a lot. It came about mainly because of me being scattered brained & my style sounding like it sometimes. LOL.  I thought it sounded good & made sense at the time.

DP: The opening track Sporadic Brain Matter is the perfect track to introduce the audience to your talents. Did you specifically pick that track to open up the album?

JL: Yep.

DP: Another banger amongst many on the album is the second track Say You Love Me featuring Tech N9ne. Why did you pick him to be on that track versus any others on your album?

JL: I wrote that one and knew it was the one. The subject matter was right up his alley and the tempo was right. The hook was tight and my verses were on point. I recorded it and let him hear it and he loved it as much as I'd hope.

DP: This leads me to another question. How do you decide which artist you’re going to feature on a track or album?

JL: I always have a bunch of people I wanna work with, I don't try to force features in just to make sure that they get on something though. I have to hear them on it. Sometimes I pick certain beats that I would like to have certain people on and don't end up using it.

DP: Do you know how well that album did?

JL: I did okay, It's up for free everywhere too but people do support.

DP: Did you have any number in mind in terms of sales that you were trying to hit with this album?

JL: No, not at all. This was my first solo album I just wanted people to hear it.

DP: This album heavily features Subliminal Beats. How did you and Alec meet?

JL: I met him through a homie of mine back in the day. He had a SmartAlec beat cd and the crew B.Hood hoped on one and we built a relationship from there.

DP: Why did you choose him to produce this album versus anybody else?

JL: Chemistry is hard to find.

DP: I know you’re part of the group B. Hood along with VI and Zoo (RIP). This music was before I became a fan. How did you guys form this group? Did you guys grow up together?

JL: We pretty much grew up together Vi is my biological brother Zoo might as well have been. We were called Thre3Nails before B.Hood which stands for Brotherhood.

DP: I briefly want to talk about your Just Landed mixtape. You had freestyle of the 6 ft 7 ft beat. Man did you go off on that track. Do you feel your version is better than the original?

JL: LOL. I don't know bro. Many people said that, but I don't know.

DP: I think that track perfectly illustrates how smoothly you can chop your flow. You’re one of the few artists I know that makes rapping fast seem effortless.

DP: Have you always had that ability? Did you have to work on your craft?

JL: I could always rap other peoples raps. It took some time to be able to write my own and that speed.

DP: Not too long after Brain Scatter, you released the Adderall EP. Are you happy with how that album turned out?

JL: Yeah, it is a group of songs from that time period. It was supposed to be just an EP, but I ended up putting 11 songs on it. There are some really good overlooked tracks on that one I think. It's a good part of my catalog to have.

DP: your favorite track on the EP?

JL: Pain N The Trunk (Bang The Pain)

DP: You’ve recently released BrainScatter 2. I’ve really enjoyed this new album. What’s your favorite track off this one?

JL: I think Money Talks maybe Get It Out  I love performing those. 

DP: You had Ces Cru, Joey Cool, and Info Gates on the DIBKIS remix. Why did you choose them? Also, did you intend to have others on this track that didn’t make it?

JL: It was a no-brainer for me. They are the definition of DIBKIS. I wanted to have Wreck & Bernz of Mayday on it but they couldn't get to it in time.

DP: Do you have any expectations in terms of sales for this album?

JL: Nope. Once again, I just gave it to the people.

DP: You’ve also been featured on some great tracks with other artists. You’re on Nesto’s Career Killer, Joey Cool’s Onslaught, Ces Cru’s Constant Energy Struggles,  Illest Uminati’s Higgs Boson, and Tech N9ne’s E.B.A.H. to name a few.

DP: Do you feel like you have to step your game up even more when you’re featured on someone else’s album?

JL: I just do me every time.

DP: Are you ever afraid that you’re going to outshine the artist asking for a feature from you?

JL: Not at all. I work with some great people that on any given day could go harder than me on a track.

DP: I’ve been seeing on Twitter that you and Koshir are planning a collabo album. Can you share any information about that project?

JL: Yep, the project will be called SMASH and it's going to be dope. We got Kutt Calhoun on it, Whitney Peyton, & C Ray. Working on some other collabo projects in the near future as well.

DP: Are there any other artists/producers past or present that you’d like to work with?

JL: Snow the Product & I hopefully soon, Wanna get that one in with Mayday, would love to work with Big Krit and Kendrick of course.

DP: Is there anything else you’d like to say or promote?

JL: JLBHOOD.COM

DP: I’d like to really thank you for taking the time to speak with me. I’m a real big fan of your music and will continue to support everything you put out!

JL: Much love fam. DIBKIS

Follow JL on Twitter @jlbhood
You can pick up all his dope albums on his website: http://jlbrainscatter.bandcamp.com/

Please leave comments on my blog or on Twitter @dpgmarine
Check out my other blog posts and subscribe if you'd like.

More Q & A sessions to come!

Thanks for reading!

dpgmarine

DMG Q & A

Back in 1993, I was introduced to the artist named DMG. First it was on Scarface's The World is Yours album on the track You Don't Hear Me Doe. Also, he was featured on the Rap-A-Lot posse track Bring it On. I remember hearing the song on Scarface's album and thinking he was very raw on the mic. As a matter of fact, he sounded very much like Mr. Scarface. I think that could be seen as a compliment.

It's been a while since he has put out any music. However, I reached out to him and he was very willing and gracious to speak with me. I was able to connect with him and ask him my questions.

This was conducted over the phone 5/2014

DPG = Me
DMG = DMG

Enjoy!

DPG: Where did you find the inspiration to create your music?

DMG: It was a natural passion. Prince used to rehearse in my grandma’s basement.

DPG: Did you grow up in a rough neighborhood?

DMG: I grew up on the turf!

DPG: When did you first discover that you were good at writing rhymes?

DMG: I started rhyming at nine years old.

DPG: Who were the artists that you looked up to growing up?

DMG: First and foremost Scarface. Shot out to Scarface! There was NWA, Slick Rick, Brand Nubian, Grand Puba, Kool G Rap, and Busta Rhymes.

DPG: Did you release any other music prior to your debut album on Rap-A-Lot?

DMG: No, but I had songs. I was actually working with King-T from the Alcoholics. He helped me put my demo together. Shot out to King-T!

DPG: How did you link up with James Prince?

DMG: I was 15 years old. J. Prince and Scarface came out to Minnesota. I was at a show with my sister. The show was over and I was in the back of the club Glam Slam. I literally bumped into Scarface. He ended up giving me his number and he asked if I had a tape. I retrieved the tape and met back with Face. He actually told me if the tape was wack, he was going throw it out of the window and kick me out the room.

DPG: How did you end up on the Bring it On song?

DMG: Face and J asked me to get on it. However, it was a bad day. It was Jan 28^th. This was they day Mad Ron died.

DPG: Your song You Don’t Hear Me Doe was on Scarface's album. It was unusual back them for an artist to have a song on their album that they didn’t appear on. Did he decide it was a good way to promote you?

DMG: Face and the Co made that decision.  The Song was already done and it was hot. It was a way to further promote me. I was the first artist signed to Face's label. I didn’t sign to Rap-A-Lot, but the album was distributed by Rap-A-Lot. I  signed to Face II Face records.

DPG: Why did you name your first album Rigormortiz? 

DMG: Bushwick Bill and I decided on that name.

DPG: As I told you in the past, your album is an instant classic. There’s just a lot of really good music on there. On the track Prelude to a Murdah, you had a beat very similar to that of the song Gangsters Paradise by Coolio. Did you use the Stevie Wonder Pastime Paradise sample for that track?

DMG: Yes. N.O. Joe produced it for me.

DPG: What made you chose that sample?

DMG: N.O. played me the track and I loved it.

DPG: Also, you had a rapper by the name of Cozy K from I believe the Bay Area on there? Why did you choose him and how did you get him on that track?

DMG: He is JR Ridah’s cousin and I met Cozy in Houston.

DPG: I thought he had a tight verse. . I don’t remember hearing him on any other albums. Do you know what happened to him?

DMG: No, I don't. Lets put out an APB for Cozy. Where are you? Ha!

DPG: Another song on your album was Rest in Peace featuring Big Mike. That song was about Mad Ron. 

DMG: Yeah, it's dedicated to Ron and homies; Ted Bobo, Dennis Bobo, Lilttle Furgeson-Abdul, Christoper Gayles.

DPG: Where did you get the inspiration for the posse cut Buck'em Down ft. Scarface, 2-Low, Big Mike, Mr. 3-2, and the 5th Ward Boyz?

DMG: The inspiration came from the one and only DOC. I grew up on him, He's an idol to me. The track is similar to his Grand Finale cut.

DPG: Are you happy with how the Rigormortiz album turned out?

DMG: I can do better. It was cool for a 15 year old. I had left High School. I dropped out in tenth grade. I did end up getting my GED.

DPG: There was a huge gap between that album and your Black Roulette album. Why didn’t you release another solo project in between?

DMG; The reason for that was because the Facemob albums came out.  Devin and I actually came into the group at the same time. Shot out to Devin the Dude!

DPG: You were also featured on the Geto Boys album The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly. Were you asked to fill the void while Bushwick Bill was gone?

DMG: That was the Geto Boys showing love towards my way. Big thanks to Face and Little J for that.

DPG: Getting back to the Black Roulette album, was this an album that you truly put out?

DMG: Yes, I fulfilled my contract. It was the company's decision.  I wasn't against it. 

DPG: Do you feel that it lacked promotion?

DMG: Absolutely!

DPG: Did you end on good terms with the Rap-A-Lot label?

DMG: I have nothing ill to say. Shout out to Rap-A-Lot. They gave me my start.

DPG: I stumbled across your album Chek from 2007. How did that come about.

DMG: Yeah, that was with DeMario Walton. I tried something new. It’s a mixtape. 

DPG: Why was it only digitally released? 

DMG: I got lock up so there was no further promotion. Yukmouth, my blood  brother, helped make it possible through Roughish Music based out of Arizona. Also, 101 Distribution with Damon Evans.

Damario lived in Arizona, and I lived out there for a while as well. Shot out to Yuk!

DPG: You had C-Bo on the track Riding. How did you link up with him?

DMG: That was also through Yukmouth. Bo lived in Arizona. Shot out to C-Bo. Shot out to Spice-1! He's and inspiration!

DPG: You had two label mates that passed before their time. One was Seagram and the other was Big Mello. Did you know either of them personally?

DMG: I knew them very well. Big Mello was a live dude! He was way before his time. A Musical genius. He knew all the words to most songs. He used to beat box a lot.  Seagram was a raw Bay Area cat. It was an honor to work with both of them. 

DPG: What's your take on rap music these days?

DMG: It’s not the same music! It moves the way it wants to. Prepare for it to all come back!

DPG: How is the new Facemob album coming along?

DMG: It's in the works. It's moving a bit slower than anticipated. We took a song off the Facemob album titled Gangsta Rocks and put it out. Check that out! Eventually, I hope to pass the torch. But we’re coming out. We are the streets! And let me say this, Scarface is the The Hardest Ever and the Greatest of all Time (T.H.E.G.O.A.T).

DPG: Is there anything else you‘d like to say or promote?

DMG: St. Paul stand up! Facemob Stand up! The new album it coming out! Facemob music! I have a solo with Layzie Bone coming out. I also want to say that a lot of my positive energy comes from my wife. I'm an angry dude! She keeps me positive. Shot out to my wife! I’m a Facemob gangsta! 

DPG: Well, I’d like to say thank you for taking the time to speak with me. It’s been a pleasure to speak with you. I look forward to hearing your new albums.

DMG: For sure!

Follow DMG on Twitter @IAMTheREALDMG
Be on the lookout for the new FaceMob album!

Please leave comments on my blog or on Twitter @dpgmarine
Check out my other blog posts and subscribe if you'd like.

More Q & A sessions to come!
Thanks for reading!
dpgmarine