#nolanalexander

[stardustandtheoceanwaves]

He had bathtime with Auntie tonight😊❤️ #NolanAlexander

[tenxten-mgmt]

MUSICxTEN: Get Hip To Jèan P The MC

One of the first rappers that I've come to know and work with early on through TENxTEN was my big bro, Jèan P Johnson. I remember being a freshman at Ohio University and meeting him in our school org, Hip Hop Congress, and immediately thinking this guy has to be a rapper. Maybe the microphone tattoo on his forearm gave it away, or the fact that he and his DJ/producer at the time, DJ iShine, were passing out all types of fliers and promo for their music company, 1Side Music. But what definitely proved it was when he actually rhymed.

I was just getting out of my Little Brother/9th Wonder phase of hip hop at the time (literally, The Listening and The Minstrel Show stayed in rotation on my iPod from the end of my senior year in high school until the beginning of my first year of college)  and I remember thinking Jean's delivery and sound was reminiscent of there's, though authentic in its own right. What struck me most was this guy was an emcee true to form. He was saying stuff with a MESSAGE, and a STORY. 

Not saying I didn't listen to my steady stream of braggadocios, dope-running, gun-slinging rap too, but it was refreshing to see a rapper, one not much older than myself, talking about the real and relatable over some sick 808s and loops. Plus the guy was from the 330, like myself, just the Canton end, not the Youngstown end. 

Multiple albums, mixtapes, singles, and shows later, Jèan P still keeps his music authentic, artistic, and relevant for fans and listeners three years later. I decided to chop it up with the homie to discuss his work as an artist, his creative process, and his upcoming project, All-City.

-Nolan Alexander, Editor-and-Chief, TENxTEN Management 

The interview below: 

TxT: Explain who you are for those that DON'T know. 

JP: My name is Jèan P The MC, aka The Hometown Hero, aka The Puppy Eyed Player (lol). Yeah I'm a 24 year old Hip-Hop artist representing Canton, Ohio.

TxT: Talk about your relationship with hip hop. What was the first song you heard? What was what motivated you to rap? When did you KNOW rapping was the 9-5 for you?

JP: My relationship with Hip-Hop is one that I cherish. I wouldn't have found my true identity if it weren't for the game. The first song I remember hearing was "24 Hours To Live" by Ma$e featuring Black Rob, The LOX and DMX. I loved the energy they all brought as well as the music sampled from the 1979 movie "The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh". That's what motivated me to rap along with my Uncle Jerry being an artist himself.  I knew I wanted to make rap my bread and butter in eighth grade after I performed in front of my class for the first time.

TxT: How would you describe the hip hop scene in Ohio and then, more specifically, how would you describe it in the 330? 

JP:It's so many different sounds coming from Ohio. More than just the "Midwest" label we're given. You can find your niche. Whatever the sound is, we always have that funk influence. Many bands such as Zapp & Roger, The Ohio Players, The Isley Brothers and many more came from here. Oh, and of course, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony. You have artists like Stalley whose recent album Ohio really represented the Hip-Hop around here in the right way. Excluding him and myself, the 330 sound is interesting to say the least. You have your good and bad. I'll leave it at that.

TxT: Can you briefly explain your relationship with Stalley? It's gotta be cool to have another fellow 330 artist right across the way from you, particularly one that has MMG & Blue Collar Gang connects? 

JP: As mentioned before, Stalley is my brother. I'm honored that he even talks to me about things outside of music. We clown and talk about real stuff. Prior to our friendship I was very inspired by him. He's from Massillon, Ohio which is literally up the road from Canton. Seeing him make it out and achieve his dreams really pushes me to do the same. I never sweat the local scene because my range is wider. Speaking to him had also opened my eyes up about the industry. When I joke with him about his new Bape or the new shipment of Nikes he just received, he always reminds me that he didn't wake up and it was given to him. He earned it and I have to earn my success and the rewards from it. Crazy thing is also we're both very similar. We love where we're from, we love education, music, fashion. Talking to each other keeps us both sane, especially him being in the industry and me on the come up. I was so excited when Ohio dropped because I witnessed the early stages of the albums creation as well as original formats. It was dope.

TxT: Your next project that you're dropping will be called All-City. Can you explain the title? 

JP: All-City is kind of a step up from Hometown Hero. It's inspired by my dad who was one of the best basketball players to come out of Canton. It means that you're known as the hometown favorite and you have proven yourself in the "game". You've worked hard, you get your accolades, and earn your stripes in your own backyard. It's also a graffiti term for when you get your name all over your city, meaning people can drive/walk anywhere in town and they'll see your name over and over. That's what I feel like my debut Hometown Hero did. When you say "Hometown Hero" you knew it was Jèan P The MC.

TxT: Do you feel the love in your hometown? 

JP: I feel the love here. My goal is to be a positive and talented representation of not just Canton but Ohio as a whole. Where I'm from opportunities are limited for African American males. Drugs, poverty the whole nine. I want to show people artists who speak the truth without being constantly vulgar still exist.

TxT: You mentioned this upcoming album being inspired by your father. Would you say your previous album, Hometown Hero, was inspired by your mother?

JP: Hometown Hero was definitely inspired by my mother. My next project will have harder production and appeal to the streets and inner city, without being "hood". I'm learning the meaning of upping the ante. My mind is always racing about what's next.

TxT: What music or sounds or things have been inspiring you for this latest project? 

JP: I've started to read more and watch the news. I think the key thing to being an emcee is knowing the world. It's more than just witty bars and flow. You have to know what's going on outside your window, far and wide. Mydus will most likely take over on production similar to my prior release. And if his schedule is freed up, a feature from my big brother Stalley. He's one of my best friends so that will definitely happen. In my spare time, I'm always studying classic albums and how the albums were formatted. That's one aspect I think I have truly mastered and why my projects have always received great reviews. I format my projects like thesis papers.

TxT: You definitely are formulaic in working on albums. Is it 6 or 7 albums now? What's your game plan when you go through the creative process? Do you just listen to a beat and write? Smoke? Do you have to feel an emotion? 

 JP: I think it's like 13 or 14 altogether? Hometown Hero being my formal debut. My game plan is natural. I don't force myself to go into the studio if I'm not ready. To me that's how you make your worst music when it's forced. Let it flow. I don't smoke. I eat graham crackers and turn on blaxploitation films. Have beats playing throughout the crib and I walk around and start humming flows and brainstorming. Then BOOM! I'm a perfectionist when it comes to recoding. Ask DJ iShine lol.

TxT: What can we expect on this next album? 

JP: Jèan P. Bigger and better. It will definitely have a dope concept behind it. Just wait on it.

TxT: What's your ultimate goal in 2015? 

JP: My ultimate goal in 2015 is to expand more outside of Ohio. I've only performed once outside the state line. I love performing so that's what I would like to do more.

TxT: We've heard that you've been producing a lot more lately. Should we expect some songs produced by yourself on your own album? 

JP: Maybe. The production is just a hobby for me now. I have a good ear for samples and sounds so when I feel like I'm ready, you'll hear some self-produced tracks from me. Shoutout to Maschine!

TxT: Fuck the fees, if you could have anyone else jump on your album, producer, rapper, or singer, who would they be and why? 

JP: I would definitely work with Madlib and Elle Varner. And my boo Chaka Khan. Rapper...Q-Tip! That's one of my inspirations.

TxT: Why should people want to listen to Jèan P the Emcee? 

JP: Because there's only one...

You can check out the Puppy Eyed Player, Jèan P's music on his website, bandcamp, and follow him on here! Toast to the Gods! 

[tenxten-mgmt]

MUSICxTEN: Our Top Ten Albums of 2014

2014 was a year that I personally wish to forget. In terms of the events spreading across the country and the amount of social injustice that has affected me as an African-American citizen, the only thing that could keep me going was the blessed music that kept me from going insane-- whether it’d be hardcore hip-hop, indie garage punk, or everything in between. 2014 wasn’t a great year for music, but there were some gems that I kept so close and dear to my iPhone for quite some time. Here lies our TENxTEN Top 10 for 2014.

-Abel Araya, Senior Editor, TENxTEN MGMT

1. Flying Lotus—You’re Dead! 

Reviewed by Abel

I have to admit that his last album Until The Quiet Comes was a bit underwhelming, compared to his previous albums and EPs. But when I saw the track list for this album, featuring notable artists such as Kendrick Lamar, Snoop Dogg, and Herbie Hancock, I was immediately sold. From beginning to end, the album reads like a puzzling novel that you just can’t start midway through. You have to start from track one and let it ride out. Thirty-eight minutes of experimental jazz music embellished with wonky electronic and bass-heavy hip-hop music, this album is certainly a blessing from the great LA Native.

MUST LISTEN TRACKS: 

"Never Catch Me"

"Coronus the Terminator"

"The Protest"

2. YG—My Krazy Life 

Reviewed by Nolan

We know. You're sick of all the DJ Mustard bangers of this year due to Top 40 playing the FXCK out of that signature snap-snare, hand-clap, "Hey" chanting motif, and we are too. But before all the Mustard overdose on the music scene, YG's My Krazy Life was a refreshing album that really partnered the former "Toot It and Boot It" rapper with his "Rack City" producer and friend to create a West Coast sound as smooth as PB&J, y'all. 

My Krazy Life is a modern day blending of G-Funk Era nostalgia coupled with the new wave of hip hop lyricism. Upbeat, almost Hyphy-like rhythms and 808s compliment YG's gritty tales of life in Compton Bompton in a seamless seventeen track ride for the ears, skits included. Plus with collabs featuring this year's hip hop superstars, such as Kendrick Lamar, Ty Dolla $ign, Rich Homie Quan, Jeezy and Aubrey, it's no wonder the album was so well received.

MUST LISTEN TRACKS:

"Really Be (Smokin N Drinkin)"

"Bicken Back Being Bool"

"1 AM"

"Do It To Ya" 

3. Goldlink—The God Complex

The DMV native is one of the more prolific hip-hop artists and his intention of blending multiple sounds of house, jazz, and R&B into hip-hop. When asked to describe his style of music on Diddy’s Revolt.TV, his answer was “Rick James meets Justin Timberlake (N*SYNC days) with Backstreet Boys and a little D12 and Tupac”. If you’re a 90s kid and you’re not feeling reminiscent with any of these artists, then there’s something really wrong with you.

MUST LISTEN TRACKS:

"Ay Ay"

"Planet Paradise"

"Hip-Hop (Interlude)"

"Fuck Being Polite"

"When I Die"

4.  Les Sins—Michael 

Reviewed by Nolan

I've always been a fan of Toro y Moi, but this album he did under his other alias, Les Sins, raised the bar on his coolness for me. Michael may not have had the airy, lo-fi vocals that Chaz usually always provides in his songs, but his production alone compensated for the absence of his singing. 

What's cooler is the number of hip-hop samples and styles Les Sins references in his tracks, starting with his opener, "Talk About," which features a sample from Nas's "One Love." 

I've always felt that Chaz/Toro/Les Sins/whatever you wanna call the guy was at the crossroads of hip hop, electronic, and indie, but this album, Michael aurally proved that point.

MUST LISTEN TRACKS:

"Bother"

"Why"

"Talk About" 

5. Freddie Gibbs & Madlib—Piñata

Reviewed By Abel

  The time was finally over. After waiting for almost 3 years for this album, it finally came through and exceeded the expectations on which people set. The rugged rawness and “gangsta-esque” image of Gary-native artist, Freddie Gibbs, blended with the scientific genius production style of Madlib makes this album an instant 2014 classic, and certainly one to remember. Dark, versatile, creatively ambiguous, mixed with these excellent Blaxploitation movie bites, I would go far as to say that this is a darker and grimier version of MF Doom and Madlib’s Madvilliany. Yeah, that’s right I said it…now go fucking listen to it.

 MUST LISTEN TRACKS: 

EVERY SINGLE FUCKING SONG

6. J. Cole — 2014 Forest Hill Drive

Reviewed by Nolan

The homie Jermaine really came though on the last stretch of 2014 by dropping this gem for us. Initially, I was worried that J. Cole's third album wouldn't move me as much as his previous release, Born Sinner. I held his last release to a standard that I thought 2014 Forest Hill Drive wouldn't meet, and was actually pleasantly surprised once finally sitting down and listening to it. 

As always, and most importantly, the Villematic emcee remained true to himself on this project. Cole has a way of connecting and relating to his listeners through his honest sixteen bars about losing virginity, dealing with struggle, dealing with success and fame, and just loving life. Though it's a bit formulaic (considering these are frequent, reoccurring themes in a lot of previous releases), you can hear his growth as an artist, both lyrically and through his production. 

Extra kudos to J. Cole for addressing all the madness with police brutality and Ferguson in "January 28th" and addressing white appropriation in "Fire Squad." Relevancy for the win!

MUST LISTEN TRACKS:

"Love Yourz"

"St. Tropez"

"A Tale of 2 Citiez" 

"January 28th"

7. Ohbliv—LewseJoints The Third

Reviewed by Abel

This may not be on everybody’s radar, but Ohbliv got next in terms of beatmaking and implementing jazz samples into his style. This most recent project from Ohbliv off his “LewseJoints” series consists of very loose and relaxed hip-hop jazz loops, timely-chopped samples, and some amazing soulful cuts. This 7-track tape is detrimental for instrumental junkies such as myself and for anybody else who dares to call themselves a beathead.

 MUST LISTEN TRACKS: 

"Bentsun"

"Cuz You Need It"

"J’s Groove"

Post Grace

8. Isaiah Rashad—Cilvia Demo

Reviewed by Nolan

TDE's newest signee had some big shoes to fill, between big brothers Schoolboy Q and Ab-Soul's 2014 releases, Oxymoron and These Days coming out that same year. However, Isaiah Rashad not only went above and beyond the call of any good XXL Freshman with the release of his mixtape-turned-EP, the Cilvia Demo, he also did better than Q and Soulo (at least in my opinion). 

Between the smooth but trippy production, Rashad's militant, chant-like flow ("y'all live for bitches and blunts /we live for weed and money!"), and all of the awesome collabs (including the other newest TDE signee, SZA), the Chattanooga rapper proved his worth in the Top Dawg family.

MUST LISTEN TRACKS:

"Brad Jordan"

"R.I.P Kevin Miller" 

"Ronnie Drake"

"Shot You Down (Remix)"

9. D’Angelo—Black Messiah

Reviewed by Abel

As soon as the word got out that D’Angelo was finally putting out an album after a 14-year-hiatus, it was obvious to point out that everybody was able to stop for a second and give this album the listen that it truly deserved. Similar to that of his previous album Voodoo, Black Messiah combines elements of funk, R&B, soul, and jazz music into a certain sound that can only be described in my opinion as “feel good music”. The kind of music you can vibe to while cooking, chilling, or showering. And the timing for this album was much needed, considering all of the social injustices of police officers getting away with the killings of unarmed black men; this album touches on those issues and the unequal experience of the African-American.

MUST LISTEN TRACKS: 

"The Charade"

"Sugah Daddy"

"Really Love"

"Betray My Heart"

"Back to the Future (Part II)"

"Another Life"

10. Mac DeMarco - Salad Days

Reviewed by Nolan

Now, I definitely won't deny that I've just joined the Mac DeMarco bandwagon, thanks to that hilarious scene on The Eric Andre Show. But that still doesn't stop the fact that the Canadian "jizz-jazz" musician made a thirteen track masterpiece with his release of Salad Days.  

You can literally feel the indie, raw vibes in every track that practically melt into each other and make one seamless beautiful album. The bass and guitar riffs play so well together alongside DeMarco's simple, honest, and mellow lyrics, especially when juxtaposed against his weird music videos! He also took us by surprise with his electro-indie ballad, "Chamber of Reflection," which was a bit darker and heavier than the other songs, but strayed from the acoustic guitar and relied on that eerie electronic organ that worked so awesomely. 

And oh yeah, Wiz Khalifa made a pretty cool song out of that sample. 

MUST LISTEN TRACKS:

"Blue Boy"

"Passing Out Pieces"

"Chamber of Reflection"

"Go Easy"