Big J tha White Wonder Exclusive Interview!

BlaqcRain.com sat down with Big J tha White Wonder and discussed a few things such as his new mixtape "Black Van Music", his thought process for the project and, why he chose "Back in the Day" as his single to start of his Black Van Music campaign!

[Download "Black Van Music" Mixtape & Watch"Back in the Day" Video]

CHECK IT OUT BELOW!!

Who is Big J as an artist and as an individual?

A father, an emcee, a student of hip-hop, an individual plagued with repercussions of his past mistakes, with music being one of his only outlets to express that frustration.

What is your musical background and influences in the music game?

Although I wasn't raised around my father. Every memory I can recall with him was surrounded by music. My father can play almost any instrument and is a studio musician in Nashville, TN. The other half of my musical influence comes from my upbringing. I was raised by in a low income area, and was given a unique opportunity to be in an environment where I learned about emceeing and battling daily among my piers.

What are your songs about and what are you trying to convey to your fans?

It changes so much! As an emcee you get in moods to just go in lyrically, or you may be in a shit talkin mood, but then you have those moments where you're able to dig inside and give the people a part of yourself. Those are the joints I love. Joints where you can showcase your skill, your passion, and leave a part of yourself out there for people to take in and possibly learn from.

Recently, you just released your newest mixtape called “Black Van Music” Explain how you came up with that concept and how the songs relate with this title?

Well Black Van Music was an accident. I was writing for another project that Im currently preparing to release and my writing hit a wall. I threw in the Jake One "White Van Music" instrumental cd and wrote almost the whole project. I of course got my team involved and got production from Avalanche and Ski of Ground Breaking Ent. and that was that. We went with Black Van as opposed to White Van because I felt like my project was darker than the original. And I felt like "Black Van Music" epitomized Underground Hip-Hop as I see it.

“Back in the Day” was the single you released and you eventually made a video for it. How was this song conceived and why did you choose that particular song to start off your “Black Van Music” campaign?

First and foremost I chose "Back in the Day' as the single because it was different than anything out right now. And the game needs change. The track was definitely not my most lyrical, or maybe "hood" as my fans might have wanted, but I felt like it epitomized how I was feeling at the time. And ultimately that's how Ive decided to set my career path, if you listen to me then you get me, not a clone of who's hot at the moment. And I feel like the fans reward me for it by supporting everything I do. I mean "Back in the Day" is in rotation on both Hip-Hop stations in my city 107.3 & 97.3 so I feel like it was the right decision.

The “Back in the Day” video is amazing. Who shot the video and what were some of the things you and your team talked about as far as locations and the feel of each scene?

My video man is Steve Staffan of 7th Floor Media in Toledo, Ohio. Steve and I discussed a ton of ideas for the video, but we definitely wanted it to be organic and include all the elements of what Hip-Hop was built on; the Emcee, the Dj, Graffiti, and Breakdancing. I also was set on having an intro with no music. I feel like the art of storytelling is dying in Hip-hop and I remember watching the "Nothing but a G Thang" and "What's my Name" videos comin up and it was more of a movie than a music video. That's Steve and myself are striving to bring back to the game.

Are there any future projects and if so, what are some of the things that you are working on?

Man! There's too much to mention here! The mixtape "Midwest Muscle 2" is almost ready. My debut album "I'm Hungry" is also almost complete. It's slated for a 2nd quarter 2011 release. With production form Illmind, Jake One, Scram Jones, Avalanche, Ski of Ground Breaking Ent. And features from Copyright, Donny Goines, jay Rush, UMA winner D Dave, and D Black, with more that we are keepin hush hush. The entire album is being recorded at Stadium Red Studios in Harlem, NYC, Just Blaze's studio. I've got a ton more videos droppin, a Hip-Hop documentary, my right hand man, Avalanche is releasing his own cigar that will be available regionally, while I am releasing my own blunt wrap. We've recently opened our own upscale recording studio in Maumee, OH and have been grooming several new artists under our Monster Mouth Records label. There are so many more things that haven't been confirmed yet that are crazy. I just appreciate the support of all my fans to continue doing what I love successfully.

Can you tell the people where they can find your material and how to contact to you for any future collabs or business?

Yeah the number one place to catch all things BIG J is www.bigjthawhitewonder.com or contact me directly at bigjthawhitewonder@gmail.com and also at
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www.facebook.com/bigjthawhitewonder
www.youtube.com/thawhitewonder
www.twitter.com/bigjwhitewonder
www.myspace.com/bigjthawhitewonder