The World Is A 뻥카

AJ Rok is partly responsible for blessing us with an unforgetable 1988 classic, "Strong Island" by JVC Force. A song that is still played and talked about today and has made it's way onto many a classic/old school compilations. This record and other JVC Force release's have become sought after these days as new heads enjoy what has been enjoyed time and time again. Checkout Wax caught up with AJ Rok, who at present time can be found chillin' online clockin' up a hundred posts a minute on Vinyl Exchange.

                                                      Strong Island




BEVAN: Who or What influenced you pick up the Mic and when did you start MCing?

AJ ROK: Grandmaster Caz (Cold Crush), Melle Mel and Kool Moe Dee. I started emceeing at the age of 14.



B: How did you meet up with MC B-Luv and DJ Curt Cazal to form JVC Force?

AJ: B-Luv lived one block behind me and Curt lived one block ahead of me. When I moved back to Long Island from Mt. Vernon a mutual friend told B and myself about each other and took me to a party Curt and B were doing and I got on the mic and we went back and forth for a while and everyone thought we sounded good together.



B: What does JVC Force stand for and who came up with the name?

AJ: "Justified By Virtue of Creativity FOr All Reasons Concerning Entertainment". Curt made it up when we signed to B-Boy. The label thought we could be sued by JVC electronics so we put periods between all the letters and Curt came up with what the letters stood for.



B: You released the Single "Strong Island" in 1988, a hip-hop classic, do you know how many copies of the 12" and your LPs were sold?

AJ: Not exactly, B Boy Records were good for having several sets of books.



B: How long did each JVC song take to record?

AJ: Actual recording time was between 1/2 hour to 2 hours. It varied but most were done in a 1/2 hour or so. Curt worked in the studio as an engineer, so beats were always laid down when we got to the studio, most of the time.



B: what is your favorite JVC song?

AJ: I have many but one that comes to mind is 'Tear the Show Up' from the Forcefield album.



B: What studio equipment (drum machine, sampler, etc.) did you guys to create the albums?

AJ: That's a question Curt Cazal could answer better.



B: Who actually signed you guys to B-Boy Records?

AJ: The president of the label.



B: Can you tell us some information about B-Boy Records, how the operation ran?

AJ: "Like theives in the night…"



B: Did the label take care of their business?

AJ: They took care of business, great promotions and marketing, they just didnt like to pay anyone especiallly their artists.



B: Complete this line in your own words or a rhyme, "Industry rule #4080..."

AJ: B-Boy Records is shady!



B: Cut Cazal, JVC's producer & DJ, is now in a group alongside MC Q-Ball. Did Curt Cazal ever rhyme with JVC Force or did you guys collaborate in any form?

AJ: First off, its not fair to Curt to call him just the DJ/producer he was the third member of the group, we were a trio all our names appeared on the contract unlike a lot of other DJs and producers at the time. And yes, Curt kicked a few rhymes and also wrote my part in the groups last single 'Big Trax' on Big Beat Records. I handled a lot of the business (management, promotions and publicity)



B: Why did the group break up?

AJ: Internal differences. We all still speak but are at different places of our lives now.



B: Are there any plans to pick up the mic or have a JVC Force reunion?

AJ: I'm not rulin' anything out, but I dont see a reunion in the near future, as far as picking up the mic I may kick it on an artist I am managing's project. His name is Poepan - Poetical Pandemonium and Curt may be doing one or two of the tracks.



B: I just read on Spine that they feel that your second album is slept on, do you think that is the case?

AJ: Yes, many didn't even know we had a second album. I think Forcefield was slept on, but Idlers/Warlock didnt do their part as far as marketing and promotions and that has a lot to do with it.

B: You were a Part Owner and the Associate Editor of On The Go magazine, A lot of people in Australia (Writers and Hip-Hop Heads) really liked that magazine, what happened to it and any plans to bring it back?

AJ: On The Go was the greatest. It was really Steve Powers (Espo) and Ari Forman who started the magazine. It was their baby. I was introduced to Espo by Wendy Day when they were getting into more hip-hop. I think it was more of a graf mag at first. Anyway, they did give me a small percentage. As far as it coming back, I couldn't really say. Everyone has gone on to do many other things: Ari had a promotion company last time I heard from him. Max Glaxer is spinning everywhere. Espo got back into graf fulltime, I think, and wrote a book or two. And I started doin a few other things. Oh, and Jimmy the other graphic artist had a kid started a family and was doing album covers and stuff of that nature. It would be great but I dont think it will be back. I think a lack of advertising is what finally put things on hold.



B: You were also a former Aerosol Artist, what did you write and do you have an interesting chase story to tell us?

AJ: I used to write AJ ROK 241 down with TGF in Mt Vernon back in the days. I wasn't as serious as many others. It was something to do since I was always into art. No really great chase stories unfortunately!



B: Who do you think are the top Graffiti Artists of all time?

AJ: I wasnt in it that deep, but even if he isn't the greatest I was always a fan of ESPO even before we worked together. And out my way there were two cats who tagged REM311 and LM444 they were the greatest in my area.



B: Hip-Hop in 2002, where is it and where is it headed over the next decade?

AJ: All I can say is the last time we had a Bush in office (The whole 'Reganomics' era) groups like Public Enemy were big and I believe after September 11th people are looking for a change.



B: You are down with two companies, Big Mouth Ntertainment and Conscious Brothers Clothing, tell us about both

AJ: Big Mouth Ntertainment (no E at the beginning), is the name I do promotions, marketing, radio promo and freelance writing. Conscious Brothers Clothing is a new black owned clothing company started by my friend Brian Marable and a few others. It was made to offer an alternative to some of the negative images our young kids and people wear on their clothes. The slogan is "Gear With A Positive Attitude". I was first introduced to them by Vance Wright (former producer/DJ for Slick Rick). He is also one of the partners. Look out for our new entertainment company, Urban Soul Entertainment, it will be a record label, web site, promotions company etc.




B: What are you thoughts on the whole September 11th incident?

AJ: September 11th was our modern day Sodom and Gomorrah. In the Bible those our the two cities God destroyed as a warning sign of his disapproval of the way the people were living. When his warning was taken serious God destroyed the Earth with 40 days and 40 nights of water and started over. In short I believe September 11th was our warning sign, we need to change our ways.



B: Do you feel that off the dome freestyling is an important skill MCs should posess.

AJ: I believe its a skill that everyone cant do, but I do beleive it has to be balanced with be able to rock a crowd and being able to make songs as well as to be a truly great emcee.




B: What are the first 3 things that pop into your mind when you hear "Australia"

1. Crocodile Dundee
2. Kangaroos
3. Boomerangs.



B: Have you heard any Australian Hip-Hop and if not, what do you think it would sound like?

AJ: I would be interesting to hearing some, I not up on any groups from Australia, I dont think it will sound too much different except for the accent and the subject matter.



B: What advice do you offer to up and coming MCs?

AJ: Stay on top of your craft. learn all you can about copyrights and publishing. Rhyming to DAT tapes isn't Hip-Hop!

B: What MCs should everyone be looking out for?

AJ: Poepan - Poectical Pandemonium.

B: What are your Top 10 things of all time?

1. God
2. Paula Sharelle Woodson (my daughter, my pride and joy)
3. My Autographed picture of Pam Grier
4. Hip-Hop (especially Pre-1992)
5. Real Music (anything you can feel)
6. The Internet (great for small business & independant / underground artists)
7. Writing
8. Being Mobile
9. Church
10. Heineken or Grey Goose & Cranberry

B: What does the future hold for AJ Rok, do you still want to make more albums?

AJ: No more music as an artist. I enjoy being behind the scenes, I want to put other artists out!




B: Any last words to the readers out there?

AJ: Thanks for remembering and keeping the name "J.V.C. FORCE" alive. Keep on the lookout for the companies and artists mentioned in this article. Thanks for the love and continued support of everything we are working on individually. And most importantly, keep God first!



출처 : 호주 힙합 사이트 www.checkoutwax.com