Showing posts with label Def Jux. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Def Jux. Show all posts
Monday, June 6, 2011
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
"FROM HOOPTY'S, TO HOVERCRAFTS" - EL-P SPEAKS ON DEFINITIVE JUX & IT'S FUTURE...
Dear Inter-web, fans, friends and JUX family,
People keep asking me what's up with JUX. There's been some talk, there have been some rumors. Some half true, some way off. Reports of our demise have been mildly exaggerated. Here's what it really all boils down to: (read on)
This year, a decade after starting DEF JUX and after overseeing the releases of some incredible albums including the forthcoming release of my dear late and great friend Camu Tao's brilliant "KING OF HEARTS" LP, I'm stepping away from my duties as artistic director for the label to concentrate on what I love most: being a producer and an artist full time. This is something I've been contemplating for a few years now, and can't think of a better time or, with the eventual release of Camu's record, a more poetic way to transition into a new direction.
This means change for JUX. Of course we'll still have our website, we will still sell our catalog, merch and more as well as bring you news and updates on all our projects and artists. We will be releasing "KING OF HEARTS", a DEF JUX remix compilation, a 10 year anniversary retrospective and some other goodies. But then as a traditional record label DEF JUX will effectively be put on hiatus. We are not closing, but we are changing. The process is already underway, and the last several months (for those wondering what the hell we've been up to) have been spent dealing with the technical aspects of wrapping up the label in it's current form and re-imagining our collective and individual futures.
In 2000 starting a traditional record label made a lot of sense. But now, in 2010, less so and I find myself yearning for something else to put my energy into. I also see newer, smarter, more interesting things on the horizon for the way art and commerce intersect, and as an artist and an entrepreneur, I'm eager to see them unfold. The evolution of this industry is, in my opinion, exciting, inevitable and it would be nice to see the DEFINITIVE JUX brand be a part of it. In other words, maybe we can turn this hoopty in to a hovercraft.
All business aside, and regardless of what form JUX may inevitably take, my focus for the immediate future is going to be back-to-basics. The fun stuff: sitting in the studio and immersing myself in music, performing it for for my fans when the time comes and whatever (or wherever) else might be out there creatively for me. Thats how it all started and that's how the next phase will begin. The days of me dedicating the majority of my time and energy into providing JUX with a constant stream of physical releases from multiple artists are on hold for the time being. My heart (and what little common sense I possess) is telling me to simplify my focus and it has always been my policy to listen to my heart.
Truly, DEF JUX has been amazing to be a part of. So many good people. So much fun. I feel very lucky to be friends and collaborators with people who have affected and continue to affect my life and work deeply and indelibly. Working with the likes of Amaechi Uzoigwe, Jesse Ferguson, Jason Drake, and Katy Eustis at JUX as well as allies like Kathryn Frazier (biz3), Michael Bull and Lisa Socransky-Austin (to name only a few) has been incredible. These are people who worked for generally meager wages because they loved what they did and they believed in the artists and the idea of DEF JUX. Anyone would be lucky to have worked with even one person as dedicated and passionate as all of them are. They are true champions of indie music and they (and too many others to mention here) have my gratitude and loyalty forever.
None of it would have existed, though, if not for the artists. Artists who rolled the dice on us the same way we did on them, and were there with us as we battled it all out. CAMU, MR LIF, AESOP ROCK, MURS, CAGE, ROB SONIC, HANGAR 18, CHIN CHIN, CANNIBAL OX, THE PERCEPTIONISTS, RJD2, DESPOT, SA SMASH, YAK BALLZ, CRAYZ, THE MIGHTY UNDERDOGS, DIZZEE RASCAL, DEL, P.F.A.C, ACTIVATOR, COOL CALM PETE ... the list goes on. I consider them all geniuses at what they do. Every victory that they have had and will have will always feel like a victory for myself and all of us at JUX. It's been a joy to create and even struggle with them all. It has not always been easy, but it's almost always been fulfilling. I only hope the work we put in together helped build a path to their collective futures. They have my sincerest well wishes and genuine respect.
Lastly and most importantly are the fans... holy shit THE FANS! Our fans are no joke. I can't tell you how humbled I am to have felt the love and respect that they have shown us all. Even when we did things they didn't like, they stuck around. This was their label as much as ours. We answered to them, and yet they respected that we did what we loved, nothing more and nothing less. We always will. You are why we do any of this, and I'll never be able to express how much your support means to all of us. I think I speak for all of us Jukies when I say I love making music for you and can't wait to make more.
Until then, on behalf of everyone here at JUX and from the bottom of my heart, thank you.
EL-P
Founder/Artistic Director/Recording Artist
DEFINITIVE JUX
People keep asking me what's up with JUX. There's been some talk, there have been some rumors. Some half true, some way off. Reports of our demise have been mildly exaggerated. Here's what it really all boils down to: (read on)
This year, a decade after starting DEF JUX and after overseeing the releases of some incredible albums including the forthcoming release of my dear late and great friend Camu Tao's brilliant "KING OF HEARTS" LP, I'm stepping away from my duties as artistic director for the label to concentrate on what I love most: being a producer and an artist full time. This is something I've been contemplating for a few years now, and can't think of a better time or, with the eventual release of Camu's record, a more poetic way to transition into a new direction.
This means change for JUX. Of course we'll still have our website, we will still sell our catalog, merch and more as well as bring you news and updates on all our projects and artists. We will be releasing "KING OF HEARTS", a DEF JUX remix compilation, a 10 year anniversary retrospective and some other goodies. But then as a traditional record label DEF JUX will effectively be put on hiatus. We are not closing, but we are changing. The process is already underway, and the last several months (for those wondering what the hell we've been up to) have been spent dealing with the technical aspects of wrapping up the label in it's current form and re-imagining our collective and individual futures.
In 2000 starting a traditional record label made a lot of sense. But now, in 2010, less so and I find myself yearning for something else to put my energy into. I also see newer, smarter, more interesting things on the horizon for the way art and commerce intersect, and as an artist and an entrepreneur, I'm eager to see them unfold. The evolution of this industry is, in my opinion, exciting, inevitable and it would be nice to see the DEFINITIVE JUX brand be a part of it. In other words, maybe we can turn this hoopty in to a hovercraft.
All business aside, and regardless of what form JUX may inevitably take, my focus for the immediate future is going to be back-to-basics. The fun stuff: sitting in the studio and immersing myself in music, performing it for for my fans when the time comes and whatever (or wherever) else might be out there creatively for me. Thats how it all started and that's how the next phase will begin. The days of me dedicating the majority of my time and energy into providing JUX with a constant stream of physical releases from multiple artists are on hold for the time being. My heart (and what little common sense I possess) is telling me to simplify my focus and it has always been my policy to listen to my heart.
Truly, DEF JUX has been amazing to be a part of. So many good people. So much fun. I feel very lucky to be friends and collaborators with people who have affected and continue to affect my life and work deeply and indelibly. Working with the likes of Amaechi Uzoigwe, Jesse Ferguson, Jason Drake, and Katy Eustis at JUX as well as allies like Kathryn Frazier (biz3), Michael Bull and Lisa Socransky-Austin (to name only a few) has been incredible. These are people who worked for generally meager wages because they loved what they did and they believed in the artists and the idea of DEF JUX. Anyone would be lucky to have worked with even one person as dedicated and passionate as all of them are. They are true champions of indie music and they (and too many others to mention here) have my gratitude and loyalty forever.
None of it would have existed, though, if not for the artists. Artists who rolled the dice on us the same way we did on them, and were there with us as we battled it all out. CAMU, MR LIF, AESOP ROCK, MURS, CAGE, ROB SONIC, HANGAR 18, CHIN CHIN, CANNIBAL OX, THE PERCEPTIONISTS, RJD2, DESPOT, SA SMASH, YAK BALLZ, CRAYZ, THE MIGHTY UNDERDOGS, DIZZEE RASCAL, DEL, P.F.A.C, ACTIVATOR, COOL CALM PETE ... the list goes on. I consider them all geniuses at what they do. Every victory that they have had and will have will always feel like a victory for myself and all of us at JUX. It's been a joy to create and even struggle with them all. It has not always been easy, but it's almost always been fulfilling. I only hope the work we put in together helped build a path to their collective futures. They have my sincerest well wishes and genuine respect.
Lastly and most importantly are the fans... holy shit THE FANS! Our fans are no joke. I can't tell you how humbled I am to have felt the love and respect that they have shown us all. Even when we did things they didn't like, they stuck around. This was their label as much as ours. We answered to them, and yet they respected that we did what we loved, nothing more and nothing less. We always will. You are why we do any of this, and I'll never be able to express how much your support means to all of us. I think I speak for all of us Jukies when I say I love making music for you and can't wait to make more.
Until then, on behalf of everyone here at JUX and from the bottom of my heart, thank you.
EL-P
Founder/Artistic Director/Recording Artist
DEFINITIVE JUX
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Monday, June 1, 2009
Monday, May 18, 2009
NEW, FREE CAGE EP AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD!!!
http://www.subterraneanblog.com/2009/05/18/download-cages-new-ep-in-full/
Peace to the good people @ Subterranean Blog...
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Peace to the good people @ Subterranean Blog...
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Cage "I Never Knew You" Video Premiere, Directed by Shia Labeouf!!!
Wow, CCWM gang, makin' major moves...
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Tuesday, April 28, 2009
NEW MURS VIDEO, "THE SCIENCE"!
Dude, is a mad professor, pull up your seat in the front of the class for this one...
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Murs - The Science from 2dopeboyz.com on Vimeo.
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Murs - The Science from 2dopeboyz.com on Vimeo.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
HELP VOTE CHIN CHIN'S "GO THERE WITH YOU" ON MTVU!!!
http://www.mtvu.com/music/the-freshmen/nominees-042009/
Monday, April 6, 2009
Interview With C-Chan of Slow Suicide Stimulus & Dusted Dons!
Everything you heard is true....SLOW SUICIDE STIMULUS IS DAT CREW. LIVE FAST DIE SLOW idealogy laces the grass they force feed the sheep. The dysfunctional brain child of Tame One & Dusted Dons, SSS is something different for the different. Their debut album, released on FloSpot Records, features Weathermen affiliates Aesop Rock, Cage, Camu Tao and Yak Ballz. Cold Crush Brother Grandmaster Caz, which was nominated for the 2006 Independent Music Awards' Rap Song of the Year. Vast Aire (Cannibal Ox) and songstress R.A.W. (Bernie Worrel/ G. Clinton) lent lyrical madness to the album as well. Def Jux honcho El-P lends production to the cause, as does DJ Might Mi (EC RECS/ High n Mighty). SSS have performed with everyone from El-P & Kool Herc to Daryl Palumbo (Head Automatica/ Glass Jaw) and F. Sean Martin (Hatebreed/ House of Blow/ XO Skeletons). Whether a sold out college appearance or a small hip hop dive in Brooklyn, Slow Suicide Stimulus' "aggressively funky", "genre crossing" music is well received by everyone with ears. With a sponsorship from MethodsNyc Clothing and a new deal for FloSpot through Time Warner sub-label RYKO, SSS has gotten a lot of new exposure in all their latest press campaigns and countless national promotional mixtapes to keep the buzz growing for their sophomore release in the Fall of 2007. For the last year and a half, Slow Suicide Stimulus has been touring both the U.S. and Canada, non-stop, with Definitive Jux's Cage, Mr. Lif, Camu Tao and many other acts. In the summer of 2006, SSS co-headlined their own tour (TEEN WOLF) with Vast Aire and Yak Ballz. This fresh new sound and a refusal to fail are keeping the Slow Suicide Stimulus moving forward, breaking down barriers like a Sherman tank.
1.) - How has the new years been treating you? I know you have a new album in the works(tentatively entitled, "Sharks and Dinosaurs"), and lent your hand to Yak Ballz Scifentology II, creatively, what's been popping?!
2009 has been really productive so far. Feel like its been non stop recording and making all kinds of weirdo music. Im gettin the art together for SHARKS AND DINOSAURS & still running STFU Studio, FloSpot Records and rhymin, producing, performing and walking my dog.
2.) - Any word on a new SSS proejct? I'm sure a few people have asked you since released the self-titled LP in '06..
The word on SSS2 is 7 songs deep and not settling for mediocre beats. In order for the chemistry between us all to pop, the music has to be undeniable. None of uSSS are the type to get on a track we dont feel. So yeah, we build n conceptualize but we arent rushing to create any music we arent all together hype on. and by build i mean roll things up n light em on fire and by conceptualize i mean high talk. those cats are my blood for real. so everything we do is SSS. deep huh? so the answer is: 60%-80% done with SSS2, depending on who you ask and what day of the week.
3.) - Any plan to jump on tour w/ Cage, or Yak again? Did you contribute anything to the new Cage album?
Cage and I both do our own thing, musically, and he always impresses me with some ill shit. I know he had a strong vision for his lp and I wouldnt have wanted to try n taint that and that's how I kinda felt with S&D. I tend to introvert the fuck up and get lost a lil when creating and I just wanted to dive into my lp and cut off the outside world. As for touring...why not? Id tour with anyone, be it good friend, foe or Jacques Clouseau. Those Weathervan tours were always a fuckin adventure and filled with some legendary moments.
4.) - Having roots in hip hop, rock, harDCore, metal, etc. who are you listening to now, who/what's impressing you?
Im not easily impressed til I see someone live. Im a supporter of the "if u aint an MC if u cant rock da party" philosophy. haha. The radio's Hip Hop these days is ehhhhh... MYKAH 9's 1969 lp was pretty dope, Camp lo's new music is cool. MF DOOM's lp was tight as fuck, New Glassjaw had me light things on fire. I checked out Chin Chin's record yesterday and was real impressed with that. I dont want to tell you anymore. I had a chance to record with Activator's lead singer n lead guitarist, so I did my homework on Activator and I think their music is donkey ballz bezerker. Anything out of Cardboard City Im listenin to.
5.) - Do you find it having an effect on the music you want to, and eventually make?
I cant even get half the ideas, rhythms n melodies outta my head from youth, I HAVE NO ROOM FOR INFLUENCE YET. But, as a symptom of having a sponge between my ears, Im sure it bleeds into music we make.
6.) - I know you play drums, don't you also play guitar and a little keys? Do you find yourself producing as much as emceeing? Video editing?
Video editing was a skill I picked up outta necessity and having no $$ FOR A VIDEO. Making little movies, skits, music videos, performance pieces is a hobby I have mad fun with my friends doing, but it's just a hobby. I enjoy creating, period. I co-edited the CupCake Girl's DVD (out now on FloSpot. myspace/acupcakeorange) so I got nice on Final Cut and After Effects and I try to keep the skills sharp. I think every program I ux with I got nice at outta necessity. No one wanted to put out for studio time, so we put down the Tascam 4 track n copped ProTools. Slowly building something from nothing. I live, literally, in the studio so my time is split between doing my music and eating off recording/ producing/ guest spots. I ghostwrite and produce for alot of the music that comes outta my studio, so all colors have blended into one job: MAKE THE BEST SOUND FROM THE LEAST AMOUNT OF CAPITAL. I still play drums and will until the Parkinson's fucks up my rhythm. My piano/ guitar skills are percussive in nature, so Im kinda limited in expediting my ideas. I never learned the scales or how to read music, so it takes me a little longer to figure out a melody or to express something Im humming. I think u can hear the drums as the backbone of my cadence in rhyme too. Everything I do has a beat to it, from brushing my teeth to typing right now. Im answering your questions to the Apache break. I twitch when someone's in my studio n cant ride the beat or their delivery sucks. Yeah, I know offbeat too. But bad timing is still bad timing. "try it like this" is chan speak for "you're fucking killing me".
7.) - Have you done any features, or cameo's lately?
I cameo'd in NJ Traffic court last week and skated with no fine for driving with no license for the 3rd time. I also contributed to Chapter 7's Mix Cd "THE COLOR SCHEME", Benn Grim's "NUTMEG EP" and Yak's "Scifentology II". I've done some verses and some beats for Team D and some other local artists that are If its not a genuine thing, it's hard to do it, even for good money. I didnt seek out any collabos for my record and the ones that r there, just happened as a matter of consequence of creative people inspiring each other. Im a part of such a dope creative process with SSS, that my need for collaborations is taken care of. I just worked with Shannon & Jared of Activator because we had an idea for a song and they came through and made an idea into some other shit ...what was the question? oh yeah....cameo's...a couple. Im consistently recording with n for Tame One. That cat inspires the hell outta me to stay on top of my writing game.
8.) - I heard you on Sirius a few times throughout the year on a couple of radio shows, how did that come about?
Mickey Knox and his show the Mix Chronicles reached out to get us on the air, so we just did it. I can't turn down an opportunity to go into that place. Its insane. Where else can u bump into Cousin Brucie and recklessly eye-ball rockstars, besides the rub-n-tug parlor ? We also made a couple visits to DJ Eclipse's HALFTIME SHOW.
9.) - If you had one, major goal you would like to accomplish by year's end, what would it be, and why?
I wanna pen the song that saves the world and profit immensely off of it. Other than that-To really find a solid machine to back the sound. I learned the hard way that integrity has little to do with popular music. It takes $$ to get exposure, play and PR. Without funding, u wont hear anything better than whats on the air now. So I guess the goal is to give u something better (or worse, choice is yours) to listen to. I wanna stay making music and writing the way I been burnin paper n drive space now for the rest of the year and many more. I got another solo lp half done and a punk/rap project called LIMITED DEAD with Tommy Phenoms which is dope. So for the year, I wanna get all the music out there, hit the road and see the people that support, take a nap, wake up, smoke a cigarette, eat breakfast and start over.
10.) - Shouts...R.I.P. JERU NRG & CAMU TAO!
TWITTER/CHANSSS, Slow Suicide Stimulus, Boom Skwad, Cardboard City, Dusted Delux, Weathermen, Team D, Tommy P, DJ Pre, Nom Mineral, Mondee, Blockhead, Mazzi, Bisc1, Chapter 7, Joey Raia, Todd Westphal Photography, DJ Eclipse, DeepThroat Bliss, Ballin PR, Spectre Music, DJX, Activator, Chin Chin, Dr Fecal Matter, Mr Dibbs, STFU Soldiers, Shabooty, FUEL TV, Leon ,Hugh Jeffe, Metro, E.Q., Cubic Zirconia, Limited Dead,DJ WIZ, BTC Magazine, Asia and every1 that supports our music.
UT NOW on FloSpot Records
YAK BALLZ' SCIFENTOLOGY II.
Slow Suicide Stimulus debut lp OUT NOW EVERYWHERE.featuring: Aesop Rock, Grandmaster Caz, Camu Tao, Vast Aire, Cage Kennylz, Yak Ballz and more. Production by Dusted Dons, Camu Tao, EL-P, DJ Mighty Mi, Mondee and Face Valyou.
www.FLOSPOT.com
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Sunday, March 1, 2009
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