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D.Jones
PR: I want to start out with, growing up, who were some of the rappers that you listened to and who had the most influence on you?
D. Jones: I was listening to a lot of Big, Mase, Jay-z. Jay-Z and Mase were my two favorite artists.
PR: They had the most influence on you? What was it about them?
DJ: Their cool, laid back style and the way that they delivered it. It always had such arrogance to it.
PR: What part of Philly are you from, and what high school did you go to?
DJ: Im from North Philly. I went to William Penn High School.
PR: Were you known there as a good rapper?
DJ: Naw, I wasnt really rapping back then. I was just playing around, laughing and joking. All that kind of stuff (laughs).
PR: So, when did you start your rap career?
DJ: I think it was around 04-05. Pretty recently.
PR: Well, the first time I heard you was on Big Starrs 2 Raw for the Streets DVD. Can you tell the followers on our page how you first came into the game and who you were affiliated with?
DJ: When I first started rapping, I was rapping with Joey Jihad and the Go Gettas at the time. We was running with Headshots, you know, that whole little movement at that time. I wasnt really into the rapping, I just liked the music at first. I didnt really want to do it too much. Then, all of the sudden, I just got into it with a lucky rap.
PR: Back then you were close with Haddy, right?
DJ: Yea, we were real close then.
PR: So, when Haddy left Headshots, did you feel pressure to leave as well?
DJ: Naw, when he left, I was still there. Like, I still kick it with Bob and them. I still kick it with all of them, but thats where the whole issue came in with me and him, you know what Im saying? I think he felt like I should have went with him but I stayed with Headshots.
PR: So, he kind of caused a problem there?
DJ: Yea he caused a problem there, well, it wasnt really a problem but I thought he was still my man, I thought we were still homies at the time. I guess he felt a different way. We talk now though. We live right around the corner from each other. Some of the old guys who live near us sat us down, made us talk to each other and told us to work it out because all this was just over rap. You know how that is.
PR: I want to talk to you about the whole Reed Dollaz and Haddy beef. What were your thoughts at that time?
DJ: It was highly entertaining (laughs). It was highly entertaining! I had never used to watch the DVDs, but when that was happening I was glued to them. I was grabbing every one I saw. If I saw he was on the cover or I was on there or people I knew was on there, I would grab it. It was fun entertainment to me (laughs).
PR: But, you never really got involved with that right, you just got at Reed on the Headshots DVD?
DJ: Yeah, you right.
PR: Would you have done anything differently now that you look back on it?
DJ: No! ( laughs).
PR: Okay, so I want to bring you to a different point. Haddy leaves Headshots and him and Quilly get tight. He names his CD The Big Dog Yard and drops Freakazoid and Cant Be Me, when you heard those songs, what were your thoughts?
DJ: When I first heard Freakazoid it was funny, like, I was laughing. That was a word we used to always use around our way. Like yo! You a freak, you real funny. So when he said it, I was laughing. Then, when I finally tuned into it and actually listened to it, then I was upset. I was like, did all this come from me dissing Quilly? I must have struck a nerve. I dont know, I just never could take it seriously, because it was all entertainment to me. I never thought, oh, wait til I see him, Ima fuck him up. Naw. At the same time he was dropping those joints and then he would call me and be like Naw man, its not like that.
PR: So, you were never hurt that it go personal?
DJ: Naw. There was a lot of stuff that was said that made me want to take it personal and get personal. But, at the same time there was just so much other stuff going on and I didnt have time to pay it any attention. I cant bring myself to write a bunch of raps about somebody, like, I cant be giving so much attention like that to another man. So, If someone is doing that to me, then I must be doing something right! Like, Im going to keep doing it then, so people give me more attention.
PR: Thats actually what I wanted to bring up next, because, out of all the raps Ive heard from you, Ive only heard you spit a few lines Haddys way. You never really did a diss song. Why did you choose to go on a positive route?
DJ: Because at the end of the day, it wouldnt have went anywhere. You know what Im saying. I did the same thing with Reed too, like I might say one thing and then Im done with it. I dont have time to write a whole CD about a person. Like, if a person did that for me I would feel honored not dissed (laughs). Thank You!
PR: Thats a good way to look at it.
DJ: Yeah, like some people think this way. Like, oh, Im going to get up on this DVD and Im going to diss D. Jones, and then they right these raps about me and they get on the DVD and you see it in their eyes. Theyre sweating and theyre meaning everything theyre saying. Then, there hyping it up and oooh, theyre mad (laughs). Then, after that, I never see or heard from them again! (laughs)
PR: Well, you mentioned before that you and Haddy are on pretty good terms.
DJ: Yeah, were alright. We both came to a mutual agreement.
PR: Let me know, how do you feel about Quilly Millz?
DJ: Quill's alright. Like, hes a good rapper. Theres not so much more I can say besides that.
PR: Youre still down with Headshot records right?
DJ: Yeah, Im still affiliated with them.
PR: Whos currently on Headshots?
DJ: Honestly, I couldnt tell you (laughs).
PR: Okay, so lets talk about your CD Mr. Right Now. Why dont you let the people who dont know about it, whats it about and who are some of the people you have featured on there.
DJ: I got Young Hot on there. I put that CD together pretty fast, I just had a lot of music that I put together.
PR: I listened to it, its a hot CD, I like it.
DJ: Yeah, like, I got hot music! (laughs)
PR: (laughs). I know.
DJ: My projects will never be below average! I am one of the most underrated PERIOD. Its really a shame. Slowly but surely Im drafting them over to the other side. Every now and then I walk into a studio session and spit a few things and people say I got it (sighs).
PR: How do you feel about politics in Philly, including things like The Come Up Show and speculation about it being involved with money?
DJ: As far as The Come Up Show , I got myself into a little situation management wise. Im supposed to be on the show real soon.
PR: Did you find it hard to get on the show?
DJ: Yeah, I dont what it is! Its like they pick. Its like, if youre not what theyre used to, youre not going to be who they want.
PR: Do you think it has to do with money?
DJ: I guess so. Like those little guys, those little funny flyby ones they go up there a few thousand to get their song in rotation. So, if theyre paying a few thousand to put their song out there and I hate them but I act like I love it, then I can charge you too? Now, for me, its about finding another lane. Im banging on them doors right now though.
PR: I hope people are going to know about you soon.
DJ: Yeah, Im so underrated. Like, I dont just go and get up on a song. I do my own hard work, I hold my own. I aint doing it like the rest.
PR: Who are you feeling right now in Philly?
DJ: A lot of people are doing their thing. My favorite underground rappers in Philly right now are Hollowman, NH, Meek.
PR: D. Jones is nice too right? (laughs)
DJ: (laughs). Yeah Im something different, Im something special. I put them words together beautifully.
PR: So, whats next for you? What can our readers look out for?
DJ: Im actually on my way to the studio right now to put together a little street album with all original joints. I got new management. Im about to be everywhere and do everything. Block parties for the kids, and all the positive attention. Thats what I need.
PR: Thank you for taking the time to talk to us today.
DJ: No problem, thank you.
