Interview With Jukstapose

 

The first time I have ever heard of Jukstapose was through my brother Tyrone @ Intriqued Music.  Juks has been on his constant grind being featured on records with Shabaam Sahdeeq, Snowgoons, Sha Stimuli, Verse Essential, JoJo Pelligrino, Access Immortal and many more dope artists.  Solovibes kicks it with the man known as Jukstapose as we discuss his crew the Empire Nation, Team Villian, his upcoming projects, porn goddess Isis Taylor and his alter ego Wally Thrasher.

 

Sincere: What good Juks?  For those who are not familiar with your music.  Can you tell the world where you’re from and when did you start rhyming?

Jukstapose: What's up world? I am 28 years old hailing from a place called Newark NJ. I've been involved with music since I was a kid. I started doing hip hop in the late 90s and got a lil' more serious with it over the last decade or so.

Sincere: Describe your writing process when a track is presented to you?

Jukstapose: I've always just done whatever comes natural. I never reached for a certain sound or direction. It's really whatever hits me. I feed off emotion & life experiences mostly.

Sincere: You have a nice following in Jersey and the fans are receptive to your work, what motivates you to do music and give the fans what they want?

Jukstapose: Well lately I've been exploring other avenues besides hip hop but I am thankful I still have people checking my work out. Making art for me is fun. I don't think I'll ever stop creating music, whether its the sound I'm most known for or something else. Selfishly, I've always just done it for me because I never fully agree with what the majority wants to hear. I'm too all over the place in what I am a fan of to dumb it down and get love from just one genre. My new goals are to expand beyond just the limits of hip hop.

Sincere: Jukstapose is a very unique name but you also call yourself Wally Thrasher.   There was a project you have released called “Life Press” (Finding Wally Thrasher). Is Wally Thrasher your alter ego? 

Jukstapose: Wally Thrasher is a scumbag. Don't like that guy at all he is very dangerous. Haha I'm constantly trying to reinvent myself & push the limits hence the man the myth the legend of Wallace Thrasher. That's exactly why I haven't released much music in the last year. I went hard for years & put out tons of material I think was overlooked. The "Life Press" was sort of different. From the production, topics, lyrics and all it doesn't sound like the traditional boom bap I'm most known for. Wally is the man though!

Sincere: You have released an album last year called “Love, Hate & Relationships”.   You definitely had some joints on there such as The L Word, Love & Lust and Lonely Girl.  This whole project was about you rhyming about the ups and downs in relationships. What made you decide to put this concept together?

Jukstapose: Thank you brother I appreciate it! I always had that project in me. I went through some crazy stuff with females over the years as I'm sure a lot of men have. To put it all out there was a personal risk I must say but I'm glad I pulled it off. I really have gotten great feedback on it. It's my favorite record to date. Shit, I'm still trying to make a record to follow that one haha. I think I'll make a part two for next Valentines Day.

Sincere: “In The Pocket” has that rugged sound I truly enjoy.  What was the thought process into making that record? 

Jukstapose: Thank you sir! I honestly have no clue. The joint is a few years old. I've been living a different lifestyle the last 2 years therefore I can't really remember but the "Check 1, Check 2" album is a great collection of songs. It's up for free download all over the Internet.

Sincere: Access Immortal, Verse Essential, Fess Gotchu, Dayz Da Empora and yourself are known as the Empire Nation.  Can you explain how did you get involved with the whole crew?

 Empire Nation

Jukstapose: I first knew of Access Immortal. What's crazy is we actually were featured on a song together before we met. I was a fan of the guy then we met & became friends. I met all the other guys threw him. Access & Verse are my family.

Sincere: Access Immortal wears many hats. He is an emcee, engineer and a videographer.  He has been instrumental in directing your videos.  How do you view Access work ethic?

Jukstapose:  The guy is proper. He only puts forth efforts of quality.  Can't say anything but positive for that man.

Sincere: You have worked with many artists from Shabaam Sahdeeq, Chaundon, Foreign Exchange and including members of the Empire Nation, which is your favorite collaboration track and why?

Jukstapose: I like the joint I did with Agallah & Jojo Pellegrino! The jam with Copywrite, Ryshon Jones & the Snowgoons is major. I have some songs I been holding for ransom. One with Outerspace & King Magnetic! Oh y'all heard the joint on Godilla's album with me & Sha Stimuli?

Sincere:  Oh yes the "Laughin" joint the three of you did is definitely a good track. A few months ago you released the visuals to the “H E Double Hockey Sticks” joint.  Will this track be on your new album and if so have you come up with a title yet?

Jukstapose:  I have a few projects in limbo right now. I might put out a mixtape for the summer to circulate my buzz again. I been laying low & hitting the dance music scene heavy lately which has a lot of my focus. I gotta get back on my hip hop heavy man. I have a group effort album coming with my click from Newark. We are called Team Villain.

Sincere: Who is in the group Team Villain and will there be any guest appearances or producers for your upcoming project?

Jukstapose: Team Villain is a brand. A clothing line is in the works. It is a way of life for me & some friends. It's really more than just a music project.  Millie the Kid aka Skydive Mike & McGuyverr de la Ghetto spit on joints with me.  Mike founded the name years ago and I kind of propelled it once we started hanging out again last year. Groups never fully work with me though cause I always wind up doing all the work. With us it won't even matter if we buzz cause they are my family. We party and run the neighborhood, the music is just extra. Our project is about half done.  The official video for the first single "Bond Therapy" is out on YouTube.  The next 2 singles/videos are "Chop It Up" & "Different Shades" so look out for them. There's no outside features & the production so far been Ben Jacks, Symbo Science, DJ Absurd & James Digger.  Any producers who want to contribute email beats to Jukstaposehiphop@gmail.com  Uh oh here comes the spammy beat lease offers!!! Haha

Sincere: (laughs) The creation of social media and the blogosphere has created an avenue for independent artists to make a name for themselves without relying on radio or trying to get signed to a major.  Do you think record labels will be around in the next 10 to 20 years?

Jukstapose: Yeah I suppose they will be haha. I mean I would hope so.

Sincere: Lately, we have artists such as Rick Ross and Lil Wayne who were in hot water for their controversial lyrics.  Do you believe artists should be held accountable for the things they say on record?

Jukstapose: To a certain extent. It is good old freedom of speech isn't it? I remember when rappers had to be real & lyrics mattered. There's tons of liars who make records. I don't care. To each his own, whatever your into.

Sincere:  You have opened up for some pretty big names such as Prodigy & Talib Kweli.  How does it feel to be performing on the same card with those artists?

Jukstapose: Well it's cool if you actually have a chance to meet & build with them which I have been fortunate enough to in some cases. Although some headliners are hollywood & just show up to rock and leave. I don't get not interacting with your fans! These people are putting food on your table & allowing you to do what you love for a living. Hey man I dunno what's right or wrong but truthfully I'm grateful I've got to share the stage with some legends.

Sincere: A lot of upcoming artists are giving away their music like candy in order for fans to hear their music.   Even producers are charging artists $2 for tracks and in my eyes they are ruining the game.  Do you feel this process devalues their worth in the long run?

Jukstapose: Depends on what you want out of it. I give away a lot of my music because I'm unsigned. I'd rather be heard that not heard. Support is rarer than ever these days in the hip hop community. The producers crack me up though. I don't lease beats AT ALL!

Sincere: I see that you are a fan of the lovely porn goddess Isis Taylor.  You have made a track about her that I have posted on here.  What made you decide to make a record about Isis Taylor and does she know about it?

Jukstapose: Haha I think the beat was called Isis & then I just went off! Can you believe someone just recently made a song called Isis Taylor? I was the first I know that! She's heard it. She dug it and we actually got to meet & party at a porn function. My buddy is in the business so I've been around these people before, they aren't really that special. 

Sincere: Nah I wasn't aware that another artist made a song called "Isis Taylor".  Is the track any good?

Jukstapose: Cobe Obeah is his name.  Look it up I don't even remember what it sounded like to be honest but I always come with stuff before others.  It's just been the way of my life.  Even Hov has said punchlines 10 years after me.  It doesn't mean anything because I'm just Wally Thrasher.  But for the record I'm happy and doing well financially so biters have rotted teeth.  By the way, I ghost write so 80 % of the untalented can swap a holler!

Sincere: Kristina Rose & Skin Diamond are my top two porn chicks.  Who are your favorite pornstars right now? (haha) 

Jukstapose: Jada Stevens, Christy Mack, Madison Rose & Angelina Valentine are dope. There's so many slores, they come and they go. 

Sincere: What can fans expect from Jukstapose in 2013?

Jukstapose: I'm in DJ school right now lol. I really want a piece of this electronic dance music scene. Lots of money & women! I'm still gonna build my legacy within hip hop though. I promise everyone I have some tricks up my sleeve still!

Sincere: Before we wrap up this interview.  I would like for you to participate in a word association game. If you can describe in one or two words the artists you have worked with. What would it be?

Sincere: Verse Essential?

Jukstapose: Humble

Sincere: Access Immortal? 

Jukstapose: Brooklyn

Sincere: Fess Gotchu? 

Jukstapose: Unfamiliar

Sincere: DJ Priority? 

Jukstapose: Soul

Sincere: Shabaam Sahdeeq?

Jukstapose: Monster

Jukstapose: Peace to everyone out there & especially Solo Vibes. Check for my catalog on the Internet & come to my events in the tri state area!  Wally Thrasher! Ironbound's mayor! Team Villain waddup!

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