Aside from being a member of one of the biggest crews to come out of Rhode Island, Jahpan’s been doing his own shit for a very long time now, making moves with reknowned underground groups such as People Under The Stairs and Time Machine, doing shows all around the country and globe, and perfecting his own solo joint, An Album Called Life, which is due out at the end of August for your listening pleasure. I kicked it with Jahpan to find out a little more about the album, and also what he thinks about the New Boys, being snubbed for shows in his hometown, and how the city of LA is treating him.

Check out the full interview after the jump.

Jots: so tell the world who you are and where you’re from
Jahpan: whaaat up
this jahpan and i am from the infamous providence ri

Jots: and who are your major influences in hip-hop music?
Jahpan: hmmmm
let me see
first and foremost kool herc
ummm
special ed “youngest in charge” was prolly my first ever sooo
krs
dana dane
slick rick
common sence
i could go on

Jots: we’ll cut it there, dope list though
so tell us about this album of yours
Jahpan: ahh “an album called life”
this is my baby…U know this is something that i have been sculpting for maybe years now
not recording
but building up the energy and influence
i mean from begining to end its a very strong and creative album

Jots: sounds ill. Any guest spots?
Jahpan: oh yeah
of course time machine,fedd hill
shhhhhhhhh we got a sneak from mary j blige
umm
my mello beloved
billy malloy from muriel
and mekalek ex produced the whoooole thing
i hope i didnt forget anyone

Jots: haha sounds serious. What’s the general feel of it? Like is it on some classic boom-bap shit or some radio ish or what
Jahpan: i mean i def carries out a boom bap feel but it truely has its variety
i mean i feel there is def some radio(maybe not commercial) but
theres funk flex classics on there
Jahpan: u know a crazy summer album
and thats not to limit it to that season
but uhh the feel of it is strong similar to that

Jots: yeah i know what you mean, like how rza always says cuban linx is a summery album and liquid swords is some winter shit. sounds dope. so you’re out in california right now?
Jahpan: lol yeah
yeah man lovely l.A.

Jots: what’s it like out there? Like weather and shit, but also how’s the hip-hop scene?
Jahpan: the scene is cool
i feel like any “scene” its boxed in
almost trendy
but its fly
and it is l.A.
soooo its a huge mixture
the weather
whoooo
its hot as shit right now

Jots: have you been doing any shows or live stuff out there at all?
Jahpan: well i just linked with pretty much all the serious promoters at the venues out here
and they are feeling my mission
also due to my relationship with p.U.T.S. And time machine and shawn jackson
they know im bout goin in
so yeah we got the release party coming late august

at a huge venue out here called “the airliner”

Jots: oh nice, my man jonwayne just rocked with oh no there like two or three days ago
so what’s working with people under the stairs like?
Jahpan: i actually seen that flyer
ahhhman
first double is like my uncle
and working with hime u better be ready for an alllll nighter
maybe
and thes….He goes so far in_pause______
like he is a workaholic
and im grateful to have been down with them since -
really really cool dudes

thats family

Jots: that’s dope. I’ve been on a puts kick for like months now, they make classic music. You went on tour with them before right?
with time machine
that was a seperate tour
i did go alotta places with them tho
like we just did the reggae/jazz fest at ucla
bonnaroo
and a few others
im hoping after this release i can hit up uncle thes and see whats up with a slot
yeah i did like – dates with tm last year

Jots: nice nice. Alright, so it’s opinion time
Jahpan: lol

Jots: who’s the worst rapper out right now
Jahpan: ahhhh man local or globally
nosa
i just dug a whole
uuum

Jots: hahahaha
the new boys
from l.A.
the “your a jerk” kids

Jots: are those the clowns who did that you’re a jerk song
Jots: yeah
Jots: man
Jots: fuck those guys, haha
Jahpan: i know one of em too
i mean
its like this they young
u know so u cant expect much
but ignorance is neve an excuse

Jots: it seems like they’re just a major label’s attempt at trying to cash in on the cool kids’ hype
Jahpan: well they in fact said thats who inspired em
which is great for the younger generation
they wanna have fun
but rapping….Lol\
i cant stand asher
uuummmm
lmafo

Jots: so speaking of local rap, what inspired you to make that video
Jots: the message to rhode island rappers, i mean
Jahpan: everybody
from being one of those
and watching the scene suffer because of it
i can be direct with the who’s
but im not tryna alienate folks

Jots: you seemed to have some specific words for a hypothetical peacefest that may or may not have happened in ri. So the hypothetical peacefest didn’t let fedd hill rock because of your subject matter?
Jahpan: oh yeah
i mean theres that box in prov
and if u dont fit in u dont fit in
there isnt a balance
and i feel u know u dont hafta invite us
but what other group in our state was as big as mine
movement wise
roulette??
i mean
we are guilty ourselve for potraying that image
but wtf!

Jots: it kind of reminds me of when people protested nas doing that virginia tech shooting benefit show
Jots: but hey, to each his own
Jahpan: very true

Jots: so anyway, what’s your favorite album of all time
Jahpan: its a toss up between ressurection/ready to die

Jots: if you could do a song with anyone, ever, dead or alive, who would it be?
Jahpan: awwman
um m
de la soul

Jots: good choice. Alright, so i think we can start wrappin this up
Jots: when does the album come out?
Jahpan: due date was tues aug th
but we gonna push it back late aug
for proper promo …Etc
vids also
and 1 classic album

Jots: where can people go to buy it when it comes out?
itunes amazon cd baby
glowlikethis.Com
late fall you will be able to make a purchase at the any store

Jots: any shoutouts?
Jahpan: awwman
fedd hill
blockroyal
tm
puts
and everyone in rhode island
and of course yall for taking the time out
Jots: good shit
Jots: any parting words?
Jahpan: “an album called life” …For a change r.I. Lets support huh?
lol
peace!

Visit http://www.myspace.com/jahpan1 and www.blockroyal.com for more information.

Tags: block royal, Fedd Hill, jahpan, people under the stairs, time machine

This entry was posted on Tuesday, June 30th, 2009 at 3:53 pm and is filed under Artist Spotlight . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.