Histories Greatest Battles, Campaigns and Topics – J Rawls
Tags: United States
J Rawls is a master at creating beats that speak to you. Besides having produced for J-Live, Black Star and a host of others he is mostly known for his role as the one half of the Lone Catalysts. His latest album “Histories Greatest Battles” is a masterpiece. Check out the interview I did with him recently.
WHAT’S UP JRAWLS HOW YOU DOING?
I’m coolin
LET ME CONGRATULATE YOU ON THIS ALBUM, FROM LISTENING TO IT WE CAN HEAR THAT A LOT OF HARD WORK WENT INTO IT. CAN YOU TELL US HOW LONG IT TOOK YOU TO PUT IT TOGETHER?
About 2 months or so….
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THIS ALBUM?
Hip hop with some education. I intended it to be something that would make people want to research a little history and enjoy some good music at the same time..
HOW DID THE WHOLE DEAL COME ABOUT WITH FEMALE FUN?
I met Peter Agoston a while ago. He interviewed the Lone Catalysts a few times back in the day. We just kept the relationship strong.
THIS TIME AROUND YOU DID SOME AFRICAN STUFF, WOULD YOU EVER CONSIDER DOING A WHOLE ALBUM LIKE THAT?
Certainly. That would be a big challenge. But I would enjoy it.
ARE YOU A CRATE DIGGER? IF SO WHAT RECORDS HAVE YOU BOUGHT THAT HAVE REALLY IMPRESSED YOU (SAMPLE WIZE)?
I am a big crate digger. That is an important part of hip hop to me. I have too many to name….
I KNOW OF “THE ESSENCE..” WHAT OTHER ALBUMS HAVE YOU DONE?
A lot. I have worked with J Live, IG Off and Hazadous, Mos Def and Kweli, and El Da Sensai
WHICH ONES DO YOU THINK HAVE GIVEN YOU THE MOST SATISFACTION?
Probably my solo joints because they are fun to do..
THE ALBUM COVER, IT’S SOMETHING I CAN STARE AT FOR A LONG TIME, WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE COVER?
My man Peter Agoston had his art man put it together… I thought it embodied the idea of the project very well..
IF YOU EVER GET THE CHANCE TO COME OVER TO AFRICA WHICH COUNTRY WOULD YOU VISIT FIRST AND WHY?
South Africa because I have heard so much about it. I would also like to visit Egypt to learn more about ancient Egyptian culture….
ARE THERE TIMES WHEN IT’S BETTER TO JUST HAVE A TRACK THAT’S INSTRUMENTAL BECAUSE THERE’S NO WORDS TO EXPRESS THE EMOTIONS GOING ON, IS THAT WHAT YOU EXPERIENCED ON SOME OF THE TRACKS?
Some times that is the case. Really, a lot of these jams, cats didnt pick for beats and I wanted to get them out there. this was the perfect opportunity…
WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR PRODUCTION METHOD, IS THERE ANY SET ROUTINE YOU FOLLOW?
Nope. I just have to be in the mood…..thats really it
DO YOU HAVE ANY DATES FOR WHEN THE LONE CATALYSTS AND 3582 ALBUMS WILL BE RELEASED?
3582 will be released very soon…..within the next couple months and Lone Catalysts good music in late summer 2003!
CAN YOU TELL US ANYTHING ABOUT JRAWLS THAT NOBODY IN THE MEDIA KNOWS ABOUT?
Nah….that I’m really ready to do some touring this summer….
WHAT’S A TYPICAL DAY LIKE FOR YOU?
Work. I am a fifth grade teacher.
WHAT OTHER PRODUCERS ARE YOU FEELING OUT THERE?
Fat Jon, Jay Dee, Madlib, Thes One, Ninth Wonder…
THE JOINT “WELCOME TO NORTH AFRICA”, IT SOUNDS AS IF YOU WANTED TO USE LESS INSTRUMENTS AS POSSIBLE AND THE SAMPLE OF THE VOCALS IS NO DOUBT POWERFUL, WHO’S LACING THE VOCALS?
Ancient Chinese secret….you will surely find it if you are a crate digger! 🙂
WHO DO YOU THINK ARE REALLY DOING INNOVATIVE MUSIC IN TERMS OF PRODUCTION?
Jay Dee, Timbaland, Neptunes
THE ALBUM TAKES ON A HISTORY LESSON ANGLE, WAS THIS THE IDEA?
Yes. I knew I wanted it to have a concept. That was the one I chose..
WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE INSTRUMENT OF ALL TIME AND ALSO WHAT’S THE MOST DIVERSE INSTRUMENT YOU’VE EVER USED?
Vibes are my favorite…I am not sure what the most diverse is…maybe a set of keys that I used to create a tambourine sound….
IF YOU WERE GIVEN A CHANCE TO RECORD WITH ANYONE WHO WOULD IT BE AND WHY?
Thes One, Ninth Wonder and Jay Dee – I admire their production
CONGRATS ON DOING THIS TIMELESS ALBUM, WE HOPE TO SEE YOU IN SOUTH AFRICA SOON.
Nah….I just hope I get to come to South Africa too! Peace!
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