Hawdwerk & Jansport J. . . the interview.

After reviewing their latest and greatest, High Power Moves, I thought it might be a good idea to interview these two. . . they have made what is, in my opinion, a pretty amazing first LP together, and I just thought you might want to know a bit more about them. . . or not, whatever.

Tell us about who you are, where you are from, and all that bullshit…

H: I go by the name of Hawdwerk, emcee based out of West Covina, Ca. My friend Kawnflixx gave me the name. He's from Jersey, hence the East coast drawl; "hawd" instead of hard. I've been rapping actively for about 3-4 years, writing for about 14 years and finally decided to follow my dream, cliche but I'm a lot happier now.
J: I'm Jansport J, from the lesser known Covina, CA...about 5 min from West Covina. How ironic. I'm the producer. Basically I make beats, send emails, and tweet a lot.

How did you two come together? Conceptually, how does it work?

H: I met Jansport through a mutual friend "Funklogik" from my crew the "Cov Originals". He sent us some tracks for his project "Carry-on Experience" pretty much every track we did made the cut. After that he sent me beats for my solo project, which was takin a rocky start, and it just kinda developed into us workin on a rapper+producer colllab album. We have a mutual respect for each other as artists, and he arranges his production a lot differently than ... all the producers I've worked with, which made it easy for me lyrically because he doesn't sound like anyone else. I just listen to the beats and then write around the production... in other words I let the beat tell the story and I just narrate it vocally. We've never had a conceptual conflict. *knocks on wood*
J: Yessir, every time we collaborated on a track dating back to my compilation album in Sept 08, we had great chemistry. His lyricism was providing the exact vision I had for the beat, which as a producer, I can say rarely happens. It's usually a give-and-take of creative ideas when working with an artist, but it always seemed as if Hawdwerk and I were on the same page. It also helped that we are both goofy and crack jokes 24/7.

The LP title, High Power Moves. . . explain it.

H: Basically when we started workin on the project we wanted to make the dopest shit anyones ever heard.... honestly. I came up with the title after Jansport said "its gotta be somethin that says we're here and there's nothing you can do about it" I say "I want it to sound like we hit you upside the head and while you're dazed and confused ... we rob you" ... titles pretty fitting.
J: Yep, this was a statement album. It was about making our mark as Hawdwerk & Jansport J. There is a ton of dope music coming out of LA in particular, and we felt like our sound and angle we provide was missing. I respected him immensely as an artist, and he felt the same about our production. With us being from the same area and having a similar ambitious mindset, we figured we could make these "high power moves" together.

Who are your influences, both as a group and individually?

H: I don't think we have any influences as a unit. It’s easy to compare us to a “Pete Rock and C.L. Smooth" or "Self Scientific" (Chace Infinite and DJ Khalil) based off of the rapper+producer concept, but we never really set out to be the next duo... we just became one. Personally I'm influenced by DJ Quik, Xzibit, Busta Rhymes, Talib Kweli, Lupe Fiasco, Black Thought, Kurupt, Strong Arm Steady, Planet Asia, Nas, and a long list of others for various reasons. Surprisingly I've had people compare me to Del the Funky Homosapien, Tupac, and Chamillionaire ... CAUGHT ME OFF GUARD COMPLETELY but its great cause it means I'm doin what I want to do and not be seen as "that kind of artist".
J: There are 4 in particular that I’m heavily influenced by: Dilla, 9th Wonder, Pete Rock and DJ Premier. Although I'm no longer the biggest fan, Timbaland was the sole reason I ever wanted to be a producer. I use to ride around with my Dad when I was 13 listening to "Welcome to our World" and trying to mimic the drum patterns with my hands and lap. As a duo, not to sound like a prick, but I think our own personalities and talents influence us. The way Hawdwerk is able to convey his personality 100% through his lyricism is influential. We want people to hear our music, and feel like they know us when they meet us. Not be surprised by the individuals they meet.

What do you want to become in terms of music? What do you NOT want to become? Why?

H: I want to be respected as a lyricist and make a living. The fame and fortune sounds nice but not at the cost of my artistry or moral and personal stands. Music is life so my music isn't always squeaky clean nor is it always raunchy, at the end of the day it’s all bullshit and I make it sound good, haha. I’d hate to be the next "remember that guy". But I can only go as far as God allows me, as long as I keep gettin right with him, and steadily workin on my craft, I’ll be successful.
J: All I want from music is to continue to make honest, quality music, and to make a living off of it. Whether that be 100k per beat one day, or 35k per year. I want music to be my full-time profession. I also look forward to seeing like artists like Hawdwerk flourish so I can make a lot of money off of them and trick like I got it.

So this is what Hawdwerk & Jansport J sound like. . . Hmmm.

Listen: Hawdwerk & Jansport J - High Power Moves

Coming straight outta So Cal, Hawdwerk and Jansport J are a duo I had heard about in passing (as is the case with many a rapper/beat maker, as I try to stay up on this California hip hop shit...), but had never actually heard until recently. Their LP, High Power Moves, was recently put out, and so I thought. . . what the fuck, Imma review this shit. So, here we go:

Track one: Live From The 626
From jump, I had a feeling I would be feelin’ this LP. From the opening lines from a humorously corny announcer type, to the upbeat, yet not corny beat… it led me to think this was going to be a good, all round happy, little album. This first song is definitely an upbeat one, in more ways than one. With no mention of what I have come to expect from most rappers, which is what Kanye termed ‘bullshit ice rap’, I was fairly happy with what I heard from from the beginning. No overt cockiness, seemingly none of what I like to call ‘misplaced rap’ (rappers that talk about shit they have no clue about/have never experienced/have no business rapping about). At the same time, the first track was just okay. I mean, it was good, in that it was better than what most people are putting out right now, but it wasn’t. . . great.

Track two: Rap Hustle
Ooooowwwweeeee, a dope beat. Now we’re in business. . . I even like the “I know better than you opener” that proceeds the actual flow. This song def has lines, from “Yeah it’s getting’ cold, bitch niggas better cuddle up, we runnin’ on an audible, there’s no need to huddle up” to “Ya’ll niggas wanna verse, I’m like kick me up a grand, I can’t freestyle for life, I need them hundreds in advance”. Overall, this was a vastly more than satisfactory track, which, if it was released as a single, could reach a wide audience, both based on the sound and subject matter. This is a song that rappers and civilians alike could relate to, and I am DEF feelin’ the fact that this rapper seems to only be talkin’ about shit he actually know about. You got beats and you got rhymes. What else do you want?

3. Track three: Wow!

So, I am gonna be honest. This beat was not my favorite when the track first started. I thought it might grow on me. . . it didn’t. It’s a really fast beat, with a spacey feel, and the rhyme is, not my favorite. I see the vision behind this track, but it honestly feels gimmicky and sort of unoriginal in terms of content. The issue I have with the beat is just one of personal preference, but the chorus is annoying, and the flow/subject matter is less than appealing. Overall, again, not my favorite track.

Track four: That Spliff feat. Poetik Force & El Prez
On this track I was feelin’ this beat much more than the last one, which is DEF a good thing. This is like a spacey party track, which seems like it wouldn’t work, but it actually does. The first guest MC (Poetik Force), wasn’t my favorite, but El Prez and Hawdwerk both did an aight job with this track, and made something I think any smoker would appreciate. It’s not really ‘fun’ per se, but it’s lightweight in subject matter (weed, duh), and it has a beat that will catch you and have you knockin’ your head to and singin’ “that spliff” in no time. Though the beat outshines the flow on this track, it’s not by much, and it’s not even necessarily a bad thing that it does, as it’s a great beat.

Track five: All I Need
So I see we like spacey feels here. Hmmmm, I can’t help but think this might get a bit old, but let’s see how it goes. As for this track, it reminds me of the first, not really in terms of the sound, but in terms of the fact that both tracks make these two dudes, Jansport J and Hawdwerk, seem like two young, potentially talented, idealistic, optimistic, untainted young men. This track just screams “I’m young”. Which is cool, I think we need more music that speaks to youth, but it’s not necessarily what I, a grown as woman, want to be listening to. I’m just saying. Over all, this, like most of the other tracks on this LP so far, is good, but not really anything to write home about. That’s the general problem I could foresee this album having… it’s being, for all intensive purposes, a good album, but that’s it. Nothing special, not a stand out, just. . . okay.

Track six: She Smiles feat. J7
Apparently I spoke to soon. From jump, I am hearing what I think is a sample from The Carpenters - We’ve Only Just Begun, and I am already impressed. Beat = on point. But does the flow match up? Actually, yes, it does. I happen to be a lover of story telling in rap, (N A S spells? Yeah, like that.), and this track definitely has a story to tell. Not only that, the chorus is beautiful. This is the first track I heard that I really felt like, ‘damn, I need to download this track so I can knock it in the ride’. It’s a gorgeous track, with a well spoken, thoughtful, and, yeah, fuckin’ adorable flow and chorus, and the beat is just perfect. This is the type of track, were I to hear it on the radio, I would call up the station to find out who it was… it’s that kinds good. It’s feel good… and what’s better than a track that makes you feel good? I’m just sayin’.

Track seven: Ride
So, though I LOVED the last track (I literally listened to it three or four times before I moved onto the next), I was a bit worried it was a fluke. Even the worst rappers/beat makers can have one good track on their LP. . . though it’s not usually quite as good as that one, you never know. I was wrong, this track failed to disappoint as well. The beat is nice, and the flow is nice, with another hot chorus. At this point I am thinking, this LP is DEF taking a turn I like, and I am hoping this more relaxed, yet adult vibe I have gotten off of the last few tracks lasts. The vibe off this song is so chill, and the beat and rhyme go hand in hand. That is until you get to about the last minute of the track. . . there is a little surprise in terms of a change in the flow of things, but it’s well met, and I was feelin’ this song from start to finish.

Track eight: Throw The Bombs
This track if definitely a different feel than the last two, which I kinda feared, because I was thinkin’ that the whole relaxed vibe was this duos niche, and if they strayed, it wouldn’t sound good. Incorrect. This track is actually quite good. It feels so primal with a really basic beat, that almost sounds like you are listening to a few rappers sitting around a table pounding on it to make a beat. But that’s a good thing… it feels really intense. This is an example of stripping a group down, and seeing what they’re really made of. Seeing what can be done with no games, no gimmicks. In my opinion, this is a great opportunity to show off skill, and it was utilized. This is also the first track where the verse potentially outshines the beat, though there is DEF something about that grimy beat that really stands out too. Perhaps my favorite track so far.

Track nine: Gremlins
Ummmm. . . yes. So. . . yes. I. . . yes. This is not my favorite track. . . and not even because it’s a bad track per se, because it’s not. . . it’s just corny. And I hate that. But that’s a personal preference, and corny seems to sell, so from that standpoint, I feel like ‘people’ might like this track, I just don’t happen to. . . moving right along.

Track ten: High Power Moves
Awww, I was hooked from jump off this beat. It’s grimy as fuck, and I LOVE it. This track is a lot like track 8, Throw The Bombs, both in sound and in feel, and that’s probably why I like it so much. Basically just read my review for that track, the same comments apply. Solid beat, fluid rhyme, great track. That is all.

Track eleven: Believers feat. Prophit & Avi The Most Ill
Wow. . . just. . .wow. . . this beat made me want to bust out my apartment and go on an angry ass power walk or some shit. It’s fucking AMAZING. That, followed up by the first guest MCs verse. . . This track sold me on the entire LP. Every other track could be garbage, but hearing this would have made it all worth it. This track demonstrates a level of creativity, uniqueness, and just all around talent that so many people are not coming with… probably because they don’t have it. It’s usually an either or proposition with the aforementioned criteria, but this track has it all, and it just kills it. It almost reminds me of some Beastie Boys type craziness, but just on a totally different level. It even has some witty fuckin’ lines. I honestly could not ask anything more from this track, and I kinda wanna just go Radio Raheem this shit in front of record company offices screaming “THIS IS IT”. What else can I say? I’m sold. You made a believer out of me with this track... and I know saying that was corny AND cliche, but it's also fuckin' true.

Track tweleve: Hearin’ Shit
You know… as bad as this sounds, I keep waiting for this duo to fuck up, and they haven’t. Another solid track, and I am knee deep in the creativity of the beats on this LP. I am not gonna lie and say the beat of this is something everyone is going to feel, but I feel it, so who fucking cares. This track is kinda campy in ways, but it works, so I don’t mean that to have a negative connotation. The rhyme is great at the fast space, and it really compliments the beat. I am not totally sure about the subject matter, but it sounds good, so further analyzation isn’t really necessary in my opinion. It’s almost of some Geto Boys ‘Mind Is Playing Tricks On Me’ type shit. . . almost. In general though, it’s a solid track.

Track thirteen: Fly As Me feat. No One (Noni Spitz & Dae One) & Chevy Jones
So, I am literally running out of things to say, as the past several tracks have been more than satisfactory. Granted, I think this is a track where the beat outshines the flow, but it’s a REALLY good beat, and the flow isn’t bad, it’s just hard to stand up to such a good beat. Otherwise, again. . . I don’t really know what else I can say. There isn’t much here for me to critique, and in terms of a review, it’s solid as shit, and it sounds great. Well met people, well fuckin’ met. . .

Track fourteen: Computer
Okay, so… I REALLY wanted to hate on this track. . . I listened to it twice, and I couldn’t help but crack up both times… I literally wanted to launch into a tirade about how foul this track was, and how hypocritical, disgusting, disrespectful, etc, etc, etc these types of tracks are. But the truth is, I would be lying if I said I didn’t find it amusing, and for the most part, desperately true. I am just gonna leave it at this: These dudes are assholes for making it, but it’s a good track. I’m just sayin’.

Track fifteen: Change Your Mind
So, again, I am immediately drawn into the beat of this track. . . but the rhyme is well met too, and I am again left thinking, damn, how many tracks have I heard now and not really been able to hate on? Too many. This isn’t my favorite track on the album, as I can’t really relate to it, but it’s still a good overall track, with a great beat. Moving on.

Track sixteen: Season Finale
So. . . they waited til the final track to really come with some hawt ass verses. Interesting. The save the best for last theory? I guess. This is a good beat, don’t get me wrong, but the rhyme really stands out here. The message is clear, concise, and we thought out. I really was feelin’ this song, and it made me take the lyrical aspect of this LP seriously. This track made me want to go back and re-listen to the whole album again. I feel like this was a really good way to end the album, as the song definitely leaves you wanting to re-experience what you just did with the whole album, trying to listen for something you might have missed, or hear things in a different way. A very solid track with a very solid flow and message.

Overall, I have to say I was feelin’ this album. There were a few tracks in the beginning that had me like ‘oh this is gonna be some fuckery’. . . but, not the case. I have said this before and I will say it again, even my most favorite albums have a few songs on them that I skip when listening to them. On the whole, this is a unique, creative, fun, and talent driven LP, in both beats and verses. I would definitely recommend giving this album a good listening to, probably a few times… some of the tracks from this LP are definitely making it into my MP3 player for some strong play. All and all, well met. . . That is all.