On the eve of Hurricane Irene, we spoke with Jah-Jah, who comprises ½ of the punk-rap duo Ninjasonik. Even as thousands were being evacuated, and as their set at the Afro-Punk Festival was canceled, Jah-Jah was preparing to DJ a party in Brooklyn.
Ian Doreian for melophobe:
Feels good to be out DJing again?
Jah-Jah:
Dude, it’s something that I do all the time. It’s a hobby of mine, and how Ninjasonic started. Our former DJ and me crewed up and made some funky songs, and just DJed them out. I never thought about being a vocalist in a band.
melophobe:
Is there an annoying song that people want to hear at parties?
Jah-Jah:
What’s funny is that people don’t usually come up to me and ask for songs. But when it does happen, it’s Shakira. For some reason, and I hate to stereotype it, it usually happens at those weekend warrior spots. There’s always a girl who’s like, put on some Shakira.
melophobe:
How do you feel about the reception to the No Swords or Masks mixtape?
Jah-Jah:
It shows a really good body of work, really diverse: my punk rock element and Telli’s hip-hop element. It gives an explanation of why we exist and what we stand for, how we didn’t jeopardize our integrity by holding back.
melophobe:
Do you think people didn’t get your first album?
Jah-Jah:
Art School Girls was us showing that we had fun making music. Fun songs, not to be taken seriously. But then we realized that people were actually listening to our music so we started to evolve. The music is all about showing kids that you can be yourself, and don’t have to grow up- even though you have responsibilities. Have fun be creative, but pay your bills and take care of your kids. People often feel they need to work a 9-5, and they lose their imagination. Ninjasonic stands for being grown kids.
melophobe:
This theme is going to be unpacked when Peter Pan Syndrome drops next year?
Jah-Jah:
Peter Pan Syndrome shows the fine print of life’s seriousness, even while having fun. Peter Pan had an imaginary world, and he made the best of living in both. I still draw and skate everyday. The idols of mine, they are still breaking boundaries and doing what they love even after “growing up.”
melophobe:
Why has there been such a long delay on its release?
Jah-Jah:
Honestly we are creating so much music, and the more we make the better it gets. For instance, we have five songs, and it feels like they’re the shit. Then we get five more, and it seems like these are so much better. It’s us holding back from releasing something until it has the perfect storyline.
melophobe:
Any plans to tour with the No Swords material?
Jah-Jah:
We’ll be in Portland in mid September then San Francisco and L.A., back to NYC before a full east and west coast tour in November.
melophobe:
How does playing live influence your music?
Jah-Jah:
Telli and me are always in the crowd; we don’t like to be isolated. I mean, I never want to talk down to them. Even if I blow up like Kanye I need to be in the crowd. We give and take so much energy from the crowd. Think of Onyx, straight up hard-core hip-hop, and with moshing. It’s not just a rock thing; it’s another form of dancing.
Here’s a crazy story; we were playing for the Jersey Klan at a punk house and my wallet went flying out. That’s a set back, all the IDs gone, since you don’t want to take your passport to the bar. But kid you not; someone returned the wallet in the mail four months later.
At another show we were covering a Minor Threat song, and I said, “You’re not active!” Suddenly there was a tornado of action. I got an elbow to the head, so hard I was seeing stars; it was like a hardcore show. After the song, I said, “That’s what I’m talking about,” and we played the song again.
melophobe:
I’m not sure what Irene will bring, so I just ordered a chicken roti from Ali’s to hold me over. What would you have for a pre-hurricane meal?
Jah-Jah:
This would be the perfect plate: salmon, mac and cheese, side of cornbread, and a slice of pizza. A can of Pepsi, not in the bottle, but a can. That would be perfect.
Ninjasonik's homage to The Warriors "MoshPit"
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