Author: Jake Paine
Published: December 31, 1969
Tool: [ email ]
When you first put the needle to the Slumplordz'12" "Slump" single,
you feel a sense of family and purpose. Then, when you sit down and have a
chance to talk with the men behind the mic, it only confirms that dedication
and chemistry to, and within, each other. This group is quickly gaining
recognition. Their LP and singles are widely getting mixtape cameos, as well
as underground credibility. On the list of "About to blow Oakland Hip Hop",
the ˜Lordz find themselves with a very down to earth mindframe, and clearly
understanding of the music they create.
This crew, which has congregated as friends since toddler years, has
been working as a unit since ˜97. They have focus, and a new twist approach
to the underground. This is a group that can put themselves and their goals
within the reality that they rhyme about. Musically, it seems that they go
against the grain. Sounding nothing like the other hip hop figures in their
area code, yet still providing a west coast theme, the Slumplordz have a
tremendous asset to offer our ears, minds, and record collections. Raw beats,
grimy slang, and the cypher-friendly "pass the mic" approach set the ˜Lordz
apart from the others. Still early in their career, this group will surely be
a major player on the authentic hip hop market. But enough about that, see
what the ˜Lordz themselves had to say, when we sat down and played "20
Questions".
1. First off, let me congratulate you on the exceptional work on the 12"
single. I strongly dug "Slump". After doing the
research, I noticed that you are a five man crew, not counting your producer
(Hard Rard), is that difficult?.
Dave Doses: Thank you. I mean Yes and No. We are all on the same
wavelength, so its easy to communicate. But sometimes, it can be difficult
to reach concensus.
J. Jonah : No, not very difficult at all because we are all on the same team.
(Actually we all do some producing.)
Pokerface: First we'd like to say thanx for the support & positive words. We
greatly appreciate it. Also, thanx for the opportunity to be interviewed on
your site. Being a five man crew, at times, is extremely difficult. There
might be a song someone is feeling and someone else isn't or some fool might
miss practice, or worse yet, a show. But from the individual's perspective,
its dope to have four homies to go through this experience with.
2. Just as large crews such as Outsidaz or Wu Tang, there aren't always
everybody on a track. For you, how do you decide who spits when, and whodoesn't?
D.D.: Pretty much its always been who's around when the beat is created.
Every once in a while the producer will have someone in mind for a particular
track.
J. Jonah: It's pretty much based on who's feel'in a particular track. It
depends on on who's vibing at the time, since we are not always all present
at the studio.
P.F. :That depends on A) who made the beat, B) who's feelin the beat, C)
exactly what they have to say.
3. Gotta ask the common Gumble question, how you guys meet, and how long you
been together doing this?
D.D.: Some members have known each other since diapers. Everybody knows
someone in the group since pre-school. We've been Slump'in collectively for
at least three years.
P.F.: I have known Gravanaut since we were about 10 or 11. We really didn't
hook up again after that until after I met Irahk in '94-'95 in high school.
Irahk & myself in '97 started SunnMoon Sekt. That led to the rise of the
Slumplordz. Gravy & Jonah came in & laced The S.M.S. album. Dave Doses came
in & laced "Don't worry about the Kaliber". We basically been at it as a
group since '97 or '98, each having done some shit prior to that with other
crews.
4. There's the history, now how bout the future. Where do see the Slumplordz
in five years?
D.D.: I hope to be a group that can make a living solely off of music and
that we are widely recognized and respected.
J.J. : Workin hard and still doin it, steadily advancing to the next level of
the game.
P.F.: I wanna say I see us as a lot of things. I'm kinda happy to say I
can't wait to find out.
5. One thing I love about you, is the originality. You are representing a
mecca of hip hop, Oakland. Yet, you don't stereo
type your sound to the area code. Was it harder to get accepted with
unconventional sound and style?.
5. One thing I love about you, is the originality. You are representing a
mecca of hip hop, Oakland. Yet, you don't stereo
type your sound to the area code. Was it harder to get accepted with
unconventional sound and style?.
J.J. : Yes, because people notice when you are original and the music is good
- the music speaks for itself. No, because I feel we still are not accepted
because we don't have a mainstream sound, (which to me, means fools not comin
with it and tryin to be like everyone else.) Nothing wrong with that, but
that's not what we are doing..
P.F.: It seems nowadays that in order to get accepted in "hip-hop", you have
to follow a set formula. If you want millions of listeners to be exposed to
your music, you better make a hit & have money behind you. Well, if the
Slumplordz are gonna reach millions, then that's divine. But music doesn't
start from being a fan. I say all that to say this - our sound is like
feelings, one way or another, you have to accept it. And it is not hard.
6. Another cliche question, but this question-I like. Who are your biggest
inspirations (musical), and why?.
D.D.: Groups like De La Soul and Tribe Called Quest influenced me when I was
young to do my own thing and stand on my own two feet when it came to rappin
and life in general.
J.J. : Gangstarr and Too Short because after all these years they are still
in the game and doin their thing.
P.F.: Collectively the Lordz are influenced by good, unique, emotional music
of whatever genre. Me - I'm influenced by people like Bob Mauley, Billie
Holiday, Too Short, Sade, The Last Poets, Goodie Mob, Saafir, Nirvana, damn
near everything that was on the radio in the '80's & real early '90's. These
are artists that exude the most emotion to me.
7. This is Year 2000. I love your work. This isn't a question to judge you in
any way. But there's a million hip hop acts, why should we listen to you?
What can you offer us that the others can't?
D.D.: I'd have to say that Slumplordz is not your average hip-hop group. I
think S.L. has a unique way of lookin at and expressing things that you won't
find with other groups as far as lyrics and production are concerned.
J.J. : We're comin out of Oakland, not too many like us out of Oakland or
anywhere else.
P.F.: The Lordz as a whole offer a sort of chaotic type of order to whatever
scene we're associated with. We offer change inside of constant, freedom
inside of prison. You listen to us when you realize a lot of other artists
don't know how to respect your intelligence as a listener yet.
8. In one word, please limit the slang (Although I love some of that slang
throwin' on the single), but in one word....describe your group's collective
style?
D.D : Unorthodox
J.J. :SLUMP!
P.F.: Intrusive
9. Give us the plug, when's the LP ready. And how can kids all across the
globe get it?.
P.F.: Now, the album is called, "Slumplordz: Present: The Yakuza in: "Don't
Worry About The Kaliber" dropped in October. Luckily we got national
distribution so one can pick it up just about anywhere, even the 'net where
you'll biographical info. and tracks at dogdayrecords.com, then go to the
Stray banner. Also, look for the re-release of the SunnMoonSekt Album in Feb
2001.
10. With that in mind, are you doing any solo, or collaborative work?. Who
you working with?, and what's the next step from here?.
J.J.: Look for upcoming solo projects and a few surprise collaborations.
P.F.: Stay tuned...
11. Thank you kindly, I wish you the greatest support. We at joe538.com
appreciate your time and effort. Is there anything you'd like to add, that I
haven't said, or anything else?. Thank you kindly, and most definitley...we
will do this again. Peace, Respect, One!
D.D. : Peace!
J.J. : Thanks for the opportunity of putting us on your site. Bump that
SlumpLordz S@#T till yo speakers blow!
P.F. :Peace to Knock Factor, Stray, Manhunt & ADA/ To all who listen &
support good music. One Love! Peace Pokerface Tanaka!
