Interview: St. Paul, Minn Based Rap Artist Taylor J
@TaylorJTakeover is Minnesota's hottest new rapper on the scene, and he's just the right blend of mellow and turn-up...
Taylor J is Minnesota's hottest new rapper on the scene, and he's just the right blend of mellow and turn-up. He dominates the sing-song rap style that has blown up the game the past couple of years - a hard sound with a hint of Jeremiah. His integration of RnB influence juxtaposed with rap and electronic production influence show us that Taylor K is an artist to watch out for.
After reading our exclusive interview with Taylor J, be sure to follow him on Twitter and definitely go to his website to get some DOPE Scenious merch.
How did you get into music, and who is the 91 Family? Are they a collective you're a part of?
I’ve always been into music since I was born. I fell in love with it at an early age. But my older brother is the reason I started making music back in 2003. He’s an artist too. I always wanted to do whatever he was doing so I started by just impressing him then it turned into my own craft. The 91 Family is me and Lex. A brand we started. In the future we may add other artists and producers.
How did you find your sound and how would you describe it?
I found my sound just working and experiencing stuff over the years. Studying different artists and sounds. Eventually created my own naturally.
So you're from Minnesota - you don't really hear about a big rap game out there. Do you think you'll be the first to really blow up and dominate the scene? It seems like you're already on that road.
There’s a good number of people from Minnesota who are successful in music and who are dominating. Nobody has become like a major mainstream artist yet since Prince. But I’m working on being that artist. It’s happening right now.
Earlier this year in June, you released your first album "Who Would've Thought", and are currently finishing up your second album, titled "Only Us." Can you tell us about that upcoming release and what that album is all about, along with a bit about your creative process?
"Only Us" came from the mindset me and my team grew to have during this journey. And events that happened along the way. We find ourselves saying “Only Us” when something outta the ordinary happens to us that would normally happen to somebody else. Kinda in a sarcastic way. But it also is the way we were forced to make it. Wit no help no extra shit or assistance, literally "Only Us". My creative proceeds is simple; I listen to beats till I catch a solid vibe and I just go. It’s a gift from God; can’t really explain it. I just go.
Do you have any singles out from that album yet that readers can check out?
Not yet I'ma drop the first single soon tho.
How did you and Lex Luger get connected?
Through my in-house producer KUSH2X. Lex had a show in Minneapolis and Kush told him he should work wit me. And he was wit it right away he said he been fuckin wit the music. Since then it’s been takeover.
How do you decide on collaborations and producers, and do you ever produce your own tracks? You seem to have quite a range on your SC, and not everything sounds the same, which a lot of rappers and artists can fall into.
I just go for what sounds right. Not for what’s popular. What’s necessary. What compliments the overall sound. I'm producing now, just getting myself sharp before I step into the field wit it. That’s a whole different takeover that’s gon' happen when it’s ready.
And how do your find collaborators and a team for your music videos? We love the 5 Guys shoutout in your "Five Times" video.
I rock wit the people I been rocking wit. Everything is in house. People I’ve grown with over the years. I don’t really search. 13Twentythree shot "Five Times". That’s my GoTo in the Twin Cities.
Who are your biggest inspirations and how do you use them as your role models while creating your own innovative sound?
I’m inspired by overall life. People and situations. Experiences. Natural inspiration that I can learn from. All the music and sounds that are out there, is just a tool box for me, for whatever I need. I learn and grown and get ideas and inspiration from everything around me.
What's your dream collaboration with an emerging/indie artist that you're really digging right now?
Don’t really have one. Wish I could’ve worked with Prince and Micheal Jackson. Other than that, Andre 3000.
What's the number one thing you try to avoid as an artist?
Negative Energy.
Flying Lotus's Magic 3D Tour - Our Favorite Flying Lotus Music Videos to Date
We wanted to pay tribute by showing you our fave @flyinglotus videos, which are just as immersive as his tours!..
Creativity and innovation are two things that Flying Lotus has never been lacking in - that goes for his production, his collaborations and his videos. Apparently, his tours are no exception. For his latest tour, Flying Lotus is going to provide concert-goers with 3D glasses (brought to you by 3D Live) that force you to fully engage in the experience and stay present, instead of having our eyes glued to your phone. We think that’s an amazing way to unite a generation of social media isolated folks, and we wanted to pay tribute by showing you our fave Flying Lotus videos, which are just as immersive as his tours! Buy tickets for his tour now.
(https://www.ticketmaster.com/Flying-Lotus-in-3D-tickets/artist/2404464)
Until The Quiet Comes
This video isn’t just visually stunning, it invokes serious emotion and provides a poignant social commentary that makes you think for hours after. The visuals are straight up transcendent, and feature some truly beautiful dancers.
Corunus, The Terminator
The haunting cinematography of this music video matches the beat - it carries a full story that feels genuine, rather than forced, as a lot of music video storytelling can. Flying Lotus himself watches a sick man dwindling in this sorrowful visual.
Never Catch Me feat. Kendrick Lamar
This film by Hiro Murai for this Grammy-nominated track is honestly a masterpiece. And those kids dancing in the church deserve an award. This feels like a scene out of a Spike Lee movie, with an undertone that manages to be both somber and joyful. An amazing collab.
Phantasm feat. Laura Darlington
This video was filmed over the course of two days, on an island in New Zealand, explaining the breathtaking natural landscape, and with vintage lenses, explaining that sepia-toned, romantic coloring. So trippy - but isn’t always the Flying Lotus way?
Zodiac Shit
Speaking of trippy…no wonder Adult Swim and Flying Lotus have a serious bromance. They’re heavy fans of his, and decided to collaborate on the visuals. People ponder on whether it’s zodiac inspired, or the result of a powerful trip. Either way, we’re grateful.
MmmHmm
This is one of the artist’s oldest videos, and it’s on some Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe shit that’s out of this world. The intergalactic, semi-animated visuals feature a lovely lady who happens to be ganja incarnate, Flying Lotus in a Native American headdress, and digital tipis.
Little Dragon's High Tour - Our Favorite Little Dragon Music Videos to Date
You know that type of music that just nourishes your soul? @littledragon manages to manifest that feeling in every one of their tracks, and their music videos are no different...
You know that type of music that just nourishes your soul? Little Dragon manages to manifest that feeling in every one of their tracks, and their music videos are no different. The Swedish electro-soul/r&b group came out with a hypnotizing, percussion-rooted single called “high”, and are following it up with their first North American tour in two years. The tickets go on sale February 17, and to celebrate, we compiled a list of our favorite Little Dragon music videos (because they’re somehow as aesthetically creative as they are sonically.)
Strobe Light
Strobe Light’s video matches it’s strident beat. Using South Africa as her inspiration with beautiful voguing men in sombreros, pastel capes and septum rings, this is a fever dream that we never want to wake up from. Pure fashion and a thing of art.
Peace Of Mind
This soulful hit came out less than a month ago, and the video is a moodily lit story of the song’s recording, in-studio, with Faith and Yukimi (the band’s front woman) pouring their hearts out into the mic. Raw, flawless talent doesn’t need overly fancy talent sometimes.
High
And of course, the highlight track of the year and the reason for Little Dragon’s kick-off tour! This mesmerizing single and video have us so hype for the rest o the album - we love the hazy harem/ayahuasca vibes.
Crystalfilm
This anthem is one of the best LD beats in our opinion. It’s more profound than effervescent, and we can easily say the same for the music video. A little girl goes through an intense journey only to realize that you can’t run from your demons. You will probably cry after making it through this vid.
Paris
The vocals and strong, bouncy beat almost remind us of Pat Benatar, in the best way possible. And we love that the cam is mostly focused on Little Dragon’s gorgeous heroine Yukimi, and the band’s Scooby Doo van. One of their quirkier, more playful pieces - to cheer up from all their sad pensive music.
Sunshine
The mountain landscape against the low afternoon sun fits the track “Sunshine” perfectly. Graceful tango dancers make some rogue appearances in the arid, dirt-filled surroundings. When will a nature vid ever be bad?