The Dux Jones Interview: Unoffically Official Already

Posted on Jul 27 in Headline, Interviewsby adminPrint

Thanks to modern technology I recently had a chance to chop it up with Detroit, Michigan’s very own Dux Jones. These days it’s nothing to get an inbox full of random music from different artist all over the country. The hardest part for me is taking the time to listen to what most of them have to say. Thankfully for myself as well as the future of the game Frontstreet Records runs shit a little bit different on their end. Built just like a successful imprint from the nineties, Frontstreet uses the same multi level marketing strategy that all other companies use and not to mention they’re able to add with that the perks of today’s internet marketing. Rappers rap, producers produce, promoters promote and that’s why Dux Jones and the rest of his Frontstreet cohorts will carve a sizable niche in hip-hop!

Rapavelli.com: I’ve been hearing at least a new song from you each week it seems. What do you feel this type of consistency will do for you and what you’re trying to accomplish in the game?

Dux Jones: Hopefully it will gain me TRUE fans…not just folk that hop on the tip cause you have a hot record for the moment, but fans that have watched me & my Frontstreet family grow as a whole…

Rapavelli.com: People often wrongfully put a time cap on themselves as far as accomplishing certain things. Would you say that you have a time cap or are you in this for the long haul no matter what does or doesn’t come of it?

Dux Jones: I would definitely have to say I’m in it for the “long haul”…you have to understand we’re placed on this earth for the long haul regardless, so you might as  well find what you love doing & stick to it, that’s what I’ve been doing since 7th grade.

Rapavelli.com: How long have you been on your music grind?

Dux Jones: I don’t know if you want to label it “the grind” per say, but I’ve been writing rhymes since 7th grade…so that’s about 11 yrs.

Rapavelli.com: If you don’t label it a grind what do you label it? What exactly is it to you?

Dux Jones: I prefer not to label it “the grind” for its occupation & recreation for me even rehabilitation if you will!

Rapavelli.com: What was it that made you first decide that you wanted to pursue a rap career?

Dux Jones: Well it wasn’t something done in attempt to make it somewhere in life, yet more so a pastime between friends that just became an addiction for me…but shortly after I got the entire lunchroom’s attention as I rhymed I noticed, THIS IS WHAT I WANNA DO FOREVER LOL!

Rapavelli.com: Could you explain what it felt like when you did realize that this is what you wanted to do? Like did you see the look on everyone’s face in the lunchroom and that was it?

Dux Jones: Yea kinda sort of…it was more so the fact that they got enjoyment out of my private thoughts. It almost gives you a feeling of control; you trigger certain emotions with certain lines or statements in different individuals. That’s why I try to place a wide range of topics in my verses for everything isn’t for everyone yet there’s something there for everyone if you follow!

Rapavelli.com: What is your overall objective in the game with things shifting from
a focus on CD sales to other avenues of making money?

Dux Jones: Honestly…of course I want to make money, IM HUMAN…yet that isn’t my overall goal. Once it’s all said and done and they reflect on me & my career I just want them to say “he did it like no other.”

Rapavelli.com: What is that you have that you know they will embrace as different from everybody else?

Dux Jones: Its not that I’m doing something different per say its more so the way I’m doing it…which is “quality music” people appreciate things they cant do themselves…that’s why I watch And 1 basket ball games cause I cant do that 720 dunk! I watch the NFL for I can’t break those three tackles! Its not my music that their enjoying their enjoying the hard work I put into the music.

Rapavelli.com: Who are some other artists that you found inspiration in or people in your own life that you’ve found inspiration in?

Dux Jones: Musically I draw inspiration from The Beatles, Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Cold Play, Jay-Z, Nas, Pac, B.I.G to name a few…In my life I draw from everyone around me, it would be foolish & selfish to only speak on my life, trials, and tribulations, when I’m in contact with tons of interesting people on a day to day basis.

Rapavelli.com: Next year around this time what do you see being different in your music and other endeavors?

Dux Jones: Growth…in all aspects, musically & music aside.

Rapavelli.com: Where do you see yourself in five years?

Dux Jones: Picking up my awards for “best new artist” “rap album of the year” “producer of the year” (THE SKOUTS!!! SHOUTS TO THIRTY LOL) but hopefully it won’t take five years lol!

Rapavelli.com: As a kid did you play any sports and if so did what you learn doing that have any effect on how you grind as far as music?

Dux Jones: Basketball was my 1st love…and it definitely instilled a “don’t be scared of no one” attitude in me that I take in the booth with me every trip.

Rapavelli.com: If your style resembles anyone or would remind anyone else of a mainstream artist who would it be?

Dux Jones: hmmmm I hate this question…I don’t really care to compare myself to other individuals in the same genre as me for I try to keep myself as individual as possible yet I will answer the question by complimenting another artist whom I believe places a lot of thought into his lyrics as I do and further more respect…Lupe Fiasco…he’s lyrically amazing to me.

Rapavelli.com: Outside of rap what do you find that you like to do?

Dux Jones: I’m a movie freak! Love to watch a good movie over a big bowl of Overreddin Bocker OR HOWEVER YOU SPELL IT LOL!

Rapavelli.com: What do you want people to hear or see when they listen to your music?

Dux Jones: I just wanted people to acknowledge a TRUE M.C when they hear me rhyme…not none of that microwave bullshit, something thought provoking, meaning it was actual thought put into it. I want the fans to really sit back, with whatever their vice is and just dissect each line…cause it’s something there for EVERYONE!

Rapavelli.com: How do you come up with your lyrics? Do you write or do you come straight from the head?

Dux Jones: Straight from my head though it’s basically like writing it down just without the paper…not freestyle if you will. But lately I’ve been trying to convert back to putting it on paper just as a different way of approaching things, for its been approximately 5 years since I’ve written anything down.

Rapavelli.com: Why do you choose that particular method of creating your content?

Dux Jones: I first attempted to not write it down just out of sheer curiosity…hearing all the Jay-Z talk about him not writing anything down and being that he was the best rapper I’m like “damn it must be something”, now I’m not certain if that’s exactly what it was but I swear soon as I stopped putting it on paper is when I felt as though I had begun to surpass my peers.

Rapavelli.com: Yo man, I appreciate you taking some time to chop it up with me and the rest of the audience.

Dux Jones: Thank you for your time!

Rapavelli.com: Any last thoughts?

Dux Jones: Peace is priceless!

Checkout FrontStreetRecords.com for more on Dux Jones & Front Street Records