Okay, I welcome you back to the second interview in the EYE FOCUS series.
This time we have a brother from the east. I had the pleasure of meeting him when he was, at the time, killing it with SPUTNIK BROWN! I was out on tour with PSEUDO-SLANG and we were on the east coast run. I'm not sure how many heads were out that night but the show was just serious. There wasn't one moment I hadn't had that inner b-boy smile, I and I tell you. (You know things are going well, when you have a place to crash for days, and after your rocking show, you get propositioned by females...but that is another story for another time. Hey, I was a moral and smart RacecaR that night, but it still feels good.)
Well as tours go, we had to jump out eventually, but I stayed in contact with OX and we've kinda kept in touch and traded wisdoms. This man has worked with DJ SPINNA. I'm not co-signing but that right there tells you something. A legend in his own right, a dedicated crate digger and DJ, a heckuva emcee, and most importantly a solid person. Without further ado I give you the one and the only OXYGEN.
1a. So OXYGEN, can you give us any background info you want the heads to know about?
OXYGEN: Peace to the world. I go by the name Oxygen. An emcee/DJ/crate digger representing Strong Island, New York. Former host of my own college radio show called "Chemical Breakdowns" (WUSB-FM: University of Stony Brook, NY). I'm a Virgo. I like boomboxes, cassette tapes, Cazals, brass belt buckles, old school flyers, hand held video games, and fly honey dips. Been releasing material on wax since 1988 under the names Jonzhaft The Psychopath, Jon Shaft (with the group Jazz Not Jazz), MC Just Divine, and of course Oxygen. Down with the groups Sputnik Brown, Soundsci, and SPOX PhD along with DJ Spinna. Also involved with two vinyl diggin' collectives: Vinyl Veterans, and one that I started years ago called Crate Invaders.
1. As a digger of the expert caliber, which break do you find has NOT been freaked right?
OXYGEN: Wow, that's a tough one. All the more common breaks have been touched by some of everybody, and usually all flipped a little differently. So I wind up liking at least one of them. I can't say I know of any that hasn't been freaked right to some extreme.
2. One of your most memorable moments in digging/ performing (whichever or both.)
OXYGEN: One of the most memorable moments diggin' would have to be when my man Gensu Dean and I were out scooping up joints one winter around NY City, and I was coming up with the verses to our song "Gone Diggin" as we were hitting up spots. It was BRICK freezing out too! All I know is ideas kept flowing, and I had to keep snatching off my gloves to save some rhymes in the Sidekick. I don't recall finding anything special record wise, but that entire experience was one I'll always cherish. The most memorable performance I'll have to say was Sputnik Brown's show with The Herbaliser at the old Knitting Factory when it was in Manhattan. That was our first time rocking the main stage in there, plus the energy from that crowd was amazing! That was a fun night. Opening up for Public Enemy over in Dresden, Germany back in 2010 was fly too. That was my first trip to Germany. Those kids are live wire out there. My set was a little off-balanced though. I didn't have a DJ or my crew with me out there, so I didn't have my best performance. But still..............rockin' with P.E.? Are you kidding me? Legendary.
3. What is the best vinyl/dessert combination you have experienced (i.e. chocolate ice cream and Apache)?
OXYGEN: Eating warm peach cobbler listening to Rudy Ray Moore's "Eat Out More Often" LP. Gets no better than that, my friends.
3b. Closing statement, shout outs acknowledgements words of wisdom, advice and of course links to music or sites. upcoming projects etc.
OXYGEN: Yeah man, big ups to YOU first and foremost. Thanks for this interview. One love always to my parents. Shouts to everybody that has enjoyed any piece of music I've ever dropped. All the people who encourage me on a regular. I don't want to start naming names because the list is endless, but those who show Ox love you are appreciated to no end. I have quite a few things coming up before this year's out & the start of 2013. Lots of material with my group, Soundsci, the re-release of "Gone Diggin" on Slice Of Spice Records, 12" with Daily Diggers + Vinyl Veterans from the U.K., project with my man Audessey from Soundsci and the beat maker Ill Treats from the U.K., track out now on my man Danny Spice's "A King Amongst Thieves" EP, a 45 out now with J-Zone, Breeze Brewin of Juggaknots and Prince Paul, I have a feature on the upcoming album with Fabreeze Bros. (Phill Most Chill & Paul Nice), another SPOX PhD single on deck. The collab/posse cut with YOU!!! The list goes on and on. Just staying as busy as I could. Final words of wisdom: Do what makes you happy. That's it. Peace.
LINKS:
Sputnik Brown "U Havin' Fun Yet" on Youtube
SPOX PhD "Brilliance" on Youtube
SPOX PhD "Four Times Raw" (feat Sadat X, Diamond & Kurious) on Youtube
Soundsci (website)
Slice Of Spice (website)
Oxygen (Ox The Architect) page on Facebook
http://soundcloud.com/
I also wanted to include this video interview so you can have an even deeper feeling for where OX comes from and where his roots really lie. The dude is meant for greatness and is well versed in many facets of our Hip-Hop culture.
Enough talk what about the music?
I picked these jammies but I feel you should do more research because this man's catalogue runs DEEP!
SPUTNIK BROWN-SUPERSTAR
Jus ridiculous stupid fresh fat lyrics. I'm a fan! You can't front.
SPUTNIK BROWN and DJ SPINNA @ FAT BEATS
Your favorite rapper might not have rocked at FAT BEATS. Now tell me your favorite rapper was at FAT BEATS with DJ SPINNA. NOT! Respects due all around!
BRILLIANCE-SPOX PhD
Ox holds his own on a jumping DJ Spinna gem.
FOUR TIMES RAW-SPOX PhD
Ox CAN hold his own even in legendary company. That definitely show the sign of a legend in the making himself. Again, no fronting. Freshness.
I want to give thanks and blessings to OX for giving us inspiration and a true school view on his ideas and feelings about Hip-Hop. My dude, keep rising and DO NOT retire as you say you plan to. If I get my lyrics on that GREEK track you can't retire. Deal? Aiiight deal.
Much love and continued success to THE ARCHITECT. Fans of music, pay attention and support this artist. He brings quality to Hip-Hop and continues to both stay rooted and expand our foundation.
LINKS:
OX on FACEBOOK
SOUNDSCI on FACEBOOK
In the words of Zulu King JowL and King Siroko, "GIVE THANKS!"
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