COMBAT JACK: FOCUSED (INTERVIEW)

Words & Interview By Jake Paine In the 2010s, the Hip-Hop interview is a shifting paradigm. Many of the genre’s top-selling artists shun the media’s interrogation, or simply opt for select trusted journalists or far-reaching sources to tell their story, share their thoughts, and face the curious public. Those asking the questions seemingly need to…

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FASHAWN: LOVE THE WHOLE WORLD (INTERVIEW)

Words & Interview By Jake Paine In the fast-paced world of Hip-Hop, Fashawn’s protected his legacy with care. Approaching five years since his independently-released debut, Boy Meets World made fast friends and challenged year-end lists everywhere, Fash’ is still without a follow-up. However, the Fresno, California MC who refers to himself as “the little guy”…

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JOELL ORTIZ: ALREADY HOME (INTERVIEW)

Words & Interview By Jake Paine If you listen to Joell Ortiz’s early solo recordings, you know of the uphill climb. The Brooklyn, New Yorker had devotedly pursued a career in Hip-Hop since before he was Jo-Ell Quickman, in the last great wave of Rawkus Records-distributed 12” singles. Entering the 2000s with a buzz in…

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NON-PHIXION – THE FUTURE IS HERE (INTERVIEW)

Interview & Words by Jake Paine On March 26, 2002, New York City quartet Non-Phixion released an album that truly took a decade to make. Ill Bill, Goretex, Sabac Red, and DJ Eclipse had withstood at least three deals gone dry, an early exit from their most recognizable member in 3rd Bass’ MC Serch, and…

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GUNPLAY: GOING AGAINST THE GRAIN (INTERVIEW)

Words and Interview by Jake Paine Gunplay and Jay Electronica have more in common than one might think. Both artists, well into their thirties are newly privy to major label record contracts, following respective decades of paying dues. Each rapper commanded the spotlight, independent of their high-profile friendships and backers, through simply going against the…

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DJ EFN FEAT. MOTHER SUPERIA & GUNPLAY – “FROM THE BOTTOM”

In another ode to mixtape freestyles of old – DJ EFN presents “From The Bottom” featuring Miami legend Mother Superia and MMG’s “Living Legend” – Gunplay. Midi Mafia flip a remix of Drakes’s “Started From The Bottom” – while both MC’s pay tribute to the bottom of the map aka the “Rock Bottom” – Miami Fl.…

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