Episode 021: An Encounter with CJTopoff
Texas is home to many exceptional artists. One artist in particular has been on my radar for the last three years, and it feels surreal to have had an interview with him. CJTopoff joins me and he had quite a lot to say. The Psychedelic artist and I discussed the origin of his name, and a bit on his views regarding religion, music, and his role in the world. At the time of this being published, Topoffs' most recent project is 'Kingdom of Heaven', which I highly recommend you listen to, as well as his other equally great albums. As always, enjoy!
RH: Mind if we start with a bit about yourself for those reading?
CJ: My name is CJTopoff. I was raised in Fort Worth, Texas, and have lived there my entire life. As a kid, I was awkward, anti-social, and sensitive. I loved writing raps in a notebook or playing endless videogames alone. Now I'm an Underground Hip Hop artist, the three biggest themes in my music are Psychedelics, Nature, and Religion. I'm also an aspiring philosopher & author, but a rapper first and a human being before that.
RH: Since when have you been writing music? How long have you known about and done Psychedelics?
CJ: It's hard to remember but maybe since 12 years old, probably earlier though. Rap was the first genre of music I fell in love with. I was born in 1997 so I mostly enjoyed the early 2000's rap. My favorite rapper was Ludacris, then Lil Wayne for a while. I didn't have beats back then so I use to write pages of rhymes for no reason. My first Psychedelic experience was when I was 17, although I include Marijuana as a psychedelic because it changed my life and I tried that at 16.
RH: What made you continue to use psychedelics as a theme in your music? Would you say it shaped you as a person as well as an artist?
CJ: Psychedelics most definitely shaped me. Getting high turned my awkwardness, anti-social demeanor, and sensitivity into vibrant creativity and universal love. It brought me to a new mode of thinking about life that deeply influenced my music. The first song I wrote after my rebirth was 'Black Boy Alien', that song is a good representation of how I felt stepping into the psychedelic universe. I kept the theme because music can change the world, as can psychedelics. Too many people have no idea about this great experience.
RH: You've made many references to Terrence Mckenna, in both your music as well as some old pieces of merch you had in the past, is Mckenna someone you look up to? What other philosophical figures are you familiar with?
CJ: Terrence Mckenna was the first philosopher I ever watched. I found his lectures after I started smoking weed & he was like a college proffessor to me, breaking down the psychedelic experience and why it's so special. After him I got into Tim Leary, Alan Watts, Ken Kesey, Alexander Shulgin, and Charles Manson. I look up to all of them because they tried to find the deepest parts of life and share them with the world. There's a few others out there that I love, but they aren't psychedelic, just philosophical.
RH: While I don't mean to pry in asking this, has your family been supportive of your message and musical endeavors?
CJ: There is a misconception about me, that I make drug music. My religious views are very different from a traditional church, so these two things make it hard for my family to support my music. They support me as someone they love, and as a black man trying to be successful, but I don't think they like my music. It's still early though, and I understand, I plan to make music even 60 year olds can appreciate.
RH: What does your process look like when making music? Do you write out what's in your head in the moment, or do you take time to write songs out gradually over time?
CJ: It takes time for me to write out my songs, I'm a perfectionist so I never freestyle. I have to write it out or I won't be happy with it. The beat tells me what vibe the song needs so I go from there first. Depending on whether if it's a serious song or something fun i'll write out lines bar by bar. I like rhyming as many words as possible. When I finish a verse I look through it and make sure it has the right amount of meaningful lyrics, but not be boring. When i'm stoned I can write easier.
RH: I'm a big fan of your music videos, and I still give the occasional watch to 'Psychedelic Topoff'. How did you link up with Reel Bump, and do you have a creative say when you guys make videos?
CJ: I just DM'd Reel Bump one day & we set up the shoot for 'White Rabbit', after that we had instant chemistry. He's a cool dude, multi-talented. We usually decide the location together and once we get there we just go with the flow. He has his input & I have my own creative take on it. I took Theatre in high school, won an award for a play I was in, and won another award for one of two plays I wrote. I have tons of crazy ideas for videos, my environment just isn't the best right now. I'd be better in California or Oregon.
RH: I'm aware that you've performed live around Texas, do you get nervous when you perform in front of an audience? What goes through your head when you're on stage?
CJ: Yeah, lowkey I've thrown up in the restroom at multiple shows before my set. *laughs* I'm still a quiet kid at heart so speaking in front of crowds is something I haven't mastered yet. I always think about how I'll look from other people's eyes, but that's wrong, I should be thinking about how my music will make them feel. My saving grace is my lyrics, so even if I look awkward or stupid on stage the music behind me is saying something real that maybe they'll hear.
RH: I'd like to discuss your three most recent albums, those being 'Kingdom of Heaven', 'Love Cult', and 'Psychedelic Prophet'. Do all of these albums tie into the message you're trying to share with people? How has the combination of Religion and Psychedelics played a role in these projects?
CJ: Until Psychedelic Prophet I considered myself an atheist, so all the albums before that like 'Psychodelia', 'Acid House', & 'Fear & Loathing in Fort Worth' were coming from the perspective of a psychedelic rebel who hated religion because I saw it as an evil product of society. Starting with Psychedelic Prophet I got deep into the spirituality movements of the 1960’s and slowly I understood religion as the quest to be one with God, whatever that may be. I believe there should only be one religion, so I speak as if there’s only one religion. I started looking at my psychedelic trips as journeys to the unspeakable world of God we all need to tap into. Kingdom of Heaven is a perfect example of my attempt to combine the spirituality of religion with the psychedelic culture. Both are looking for the same thing.
RH: If you're comfortable sharing, what psychedelic are you most fond of doing?
CJ: One tab of pure acid and a few frams of weed is a fun time, the same goes for 2 or 3 grams of mushrooms and weed. Larger doses are more deep and introspective, but sometimes not so fun.
RH: As it relates to the future, what plans do you have for it? Got anything in the works?
CJ: Right now I want to release constant music videos every month to get people more familiar visually with my music. Mixtapes are like stories to me so whenever I feel the need to tell one I will. I plan to start posting video lectures of explaining different topics. I wanna do everything though just like Tyler the creator did. I have ideas for films, video games, books & anything else I can use to spread this message of peace love & enlightenment.
RH: I've always been curious about your name, what made you decide to rap under the name CJTopoff? Is there any level of significance to it for you?
CJ: There's two levels of significance to it for me. The first level is the name given to me by a rapper named JT I knew who was murdered, I was still young when he brought me into his already established group called "Topoff", I kept it in my name to pay homage to him. Over the years I added the second level of significance by changing the meaning. Topoff means open minded. Topoff is my Philosophy.
RH: Before we close up on this interview, I wanted to ask what is your endgoal as an artist, and what is the message your trying to share?
CJ: Love. Love is the key, not a sexual love or any kind of weak love but the powerful love of being one with the universe. My goal is to have way more influence than just a rapper, I want to reach as many people as the Pope or the Dalai Lama. I want to be able to perform at festivals and raves where people can trip on psychedelics & have a communal experience with God. I want to be able to go to places like India and speak & raise charity. I’m a servant to the world, my endgame is world peace. I know that’s most likely an impossible goal, but I aim as high as I can so even if I don’t get there, my climb will be meaningful & impactful.
RH: That's wonderful man, I think you can really do it. Do you have any final thoughts or shoutouts to give before we close up?
CJ: Shoutout to you for taking this interview. Shoutout to anybody who likes one of my songs. Shoutout to the air, trees, water, & animals. Shoutout to the insects too cause they get left out. I’m working on a book right now that might be my masterpiece, until then we gunna keep it going with the music.
Next Episode: Mikal Jones
