Interview with J-Loc of the Darkroom Familia

Interview with J-Loc of the Darkroom Familia

This is the long-awaited interview with J-Loc of the Darkroom Familia. The questions were sent to him about two weeks before we received the following, which was on September the 12th, 2000. Read on to find out whats been going on most recently with the Familia and the career of one of its newest producer/rapper:

  • Boomin' Words From Portsmouth: 1. How old are you?
    J-Loc: I'm 17 right now, i'll be turning 18 in December.

  • BWFP: 2. How long have you been rapping?
    J-Loc: Damn bro, i have been puutin' in work since '92. Not just raping but also producing. I've been through karoke machines, tape recorders, 4 tracks, puter programs and now digital 8's. I started off in a little group just me and my cousin called " The A.M. Mobb ", we had a little indi label called " Concrete Jungle Productions ". Then i was in a group called " Young Playaz ", " East Bay Playaz ", " Easy Money Click ". I fuckin' hated groups, no one did shit but me. So i went solo. Hooked up with Young Will who is currently w/ Flip Tha SWitch Records back in '98, and it was on from there. I had always had alot of drive in this game, but he gave me the extra boost. We used to slang my single on the streets entitled " Visionz Of Insanity ", me, him, our homiez Esky ( Will's Little Bro ), Dopey & Big Vega. That's right around the time i started getting recognized by other playaz in the game, like Mr. Kee, D.R.F. etc.

  • BWFP: 3. When do you first hear of Darkroom Familia?
    J-Loc: Back in '93, i bought the " TEmporary Insainty " album entitled "Bitches Never Learn ", it was the hardest shit from the bay ever as far as i'm concerned. That inspired me to do this, if the Hayward/Tracy/Oakland boys could do it, i could. It's a trip to work and be close ass homeboys with your inspirations, to me every track we lay together is a dream come true.

  • BWFP: 4. Has joining Darkroom Familia changed your life?
    J-Loc: Damn, i bugged the fuck out of Duke and Dyno ever since i was 12. I would right them letters, send demos, any thing for them to notice my skills. They used to send tapes and posters to me, it ment a lot to a young homie. Finally in '99 they picked me up for a song on the first " Brown Area " entitled " Bay Area Latins ". My track was entitled " Livin' Illegal ", then the next week Duke, Crooked, me and Sapo went to lunch and they offered me a solo deal. So i swooped that shit up. It's fuuny, my bugging must have left an inpression, they still rememberd my name and shit.
    Dyno still jokes with me about that.

  • BWFP: 5. Whats going on with you and Darkroom Familia at the moment? Word is that you're no longer with them.
    J-Loc: I'm releasing my solo myself, but i'm still in D.R.F. I just wanted to be involved 100% in my album. I want to expierance it from the ground up. That rumor is some bull shit.

  • BWFP: 6. Do you hang out with the other members of Drf when you aren't in the studio?
    J-Loc: Duke and Crooked are like my big brothers, we kick it all the time. We go see movies, eat lunch, play pool, go to the mall, make jokes.. just enjoy life to the fullest. Sapo and me are hella close also, we live in the same city and kick it almost every day. I'm hella down with the rest also, Dyno, A.L.G., Oso, Never, Nyghtmare, Dub, Nyghtmare and K.I.D.. I got all there backs to the fullest.

  • BWFP: 7. Are you still going to make a group album with Sapo?
    J-Loc: 92510 Sickness " In Theze Last Dayz " due out March '01.

  • BWFP: 8. How did you hook up with Hoe Dog records?
    J-Loc: The same way i hooked up w/ D.R.F. ( STORY UP TOP )

  • BWFP: 9. Is "Crimal Element" your first cd?
    J-Loc: Yep, First solo.

  • BWFP: 10. How long did it take to make "Crimal Element"?
    J-Loc: Shit, i only got two weeks to do it. My new shit is fuckin' knockin'. Ive been fuckin' with Young Droop, Dyno, Low Downm, Nasty Nate... It's gonna be heated.

  • BWFP: 11. How would you describe your style of rap?
    J-Loc: Like a hard boooyyaa hit of crystal meth... street hustle.

  • BWFP: 12. Do you like rapping or producing more?
    J-Loc: Producing by far, music is my love.

  • BWFP: 13. What is your favorite song that you produced?
    J-Loc: Right now on released material i would say " Self Destructive Behavior " on Homicide Kings.

  • BWFP: 14. What do you think about other Northern California rappers?
    J-Loc: Were hardest shit out there right now. We are runnin' things like we should be doing. We talk about real shit, that hard street shit other fools wont mention or dont know about.

  • BWFP: 15. Who do you think is the hardest rapper?
    J-Loc: Damn, i got a list. Woodie, D.R.F., Mr. Kee, Low Down, Young Droop, KIlla Tay, 14 Caliber, Doc, Lynch, Nasty Nate, Ant Dog, Cadillac Todd, Black Rhino, Sideways of the Yoc, Bacardi 151, Cougnut,Taydatay, Skarface of Project Affiliated & B-Legit.

  • BWFP: 16. Who is your favorite rapper?
    J-Loc: Duke, Dyno & Crooked. There the original Norteņo rappers. They laid the tracks for us all.

  • BWFP: 17. What are some of your favorite albums of all time?
    J-Loc: "Northern Exposure Comp", "G.U.N. Comp", Homicide Kings Comp - Sir Dyno-Interview with a Chicano, & I.T.P.G.

  • BWFP: 18. What are you into to besides rapping? (hobbies, etc.)
    J-Loc: Movies, Kicking it, Drinking, Enjoying life with family and friends.

  • BWFP: 19. Have you ever been to jail?
    J-Loc: Not Yet.

  • BWFP: 20. Do you still bang?
    J-Loc: I've never been a full fledged banger, but every one around was.. so im down for Norte to the fullest, but im also a hustler, so i gotta make my fetti.

  • BWFP: 21. Do you have another job other than rapping?
    J-Loc: Nothing i can discuss on the web, but ya'll get the hint.

  • BWFP: 22. Any last words for your listeners?
    J-Loc: Peep my new Album " Business As Usual " coming in January '01. Keep it alive homies, keep bumpin' D.R.F.

    LATERZ
    J-Loc of the Darkroom Familia

    Thank you very much to J-Loc for having done this review for Boomin' Words From Portsmouth.

    Now go check out the Darkroom Familia Reviews page right here on Boomin'.

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