Dramatic with a James Brown Feel – J.ROCC on hip hop innovation and the sound of China

Californian J.ROCC is responsible for one of the most impressive bodies of work in underground hip hop, introducing quality instrumental music and funky grooves to party masses worldwide.

This Saturday, August 29 J.ROCC funks it up at Yugong Yishan on his first visit to China. Leo Messias caught up with the “Funky President” and talked Beat Junkies, J.Dilla, Madlib, and what China would sound like if it were a J.ROCC track.

How did hip hop enter your life?
I’ve loved music since I was a kid. My parents used to buy me records and hip hop was a genre that spoke to me.

If you could summarize the Beat Junkie philosophy what would it be?
To bring good music and skills to the party.

Has J.Dilla’s passing affected the way you approach life?
Dilla’s passing made me appreciate my friends and enjoy life to the fullest.

How much has he influenced your music?
He made me hear things in records that I would have never heard before. He also gave me tips every once in a while about how to sample things and track things down. I don't want to sound like him but, really, I wouldn't mind.

What do you think is the most important thing about his legacy?
He influenced so many producers. He still does. He was ahead of his time. Dilla helped the whole Neo-Soul movement: D'Angelo, Erykah Badu, Common, A Tribe Called Quest ... all that stuff was Dilla-influenced.

You are one of the great forces behind the rise of instrumental hip-hop. How do you think this very specific sub-genre has evolved since you formed the Beat Junkies?
Now everyone is into the party music – hipster, electro, down south. Back then it was a different thing. No-one was thinking about making a whole album of instrumentals. Then DJ Shadow came out with his debut LP and everything changed. It's still around with guys like Flying Lotus, Paul White, Danny Breaks, Gas Lamp Killer, k Fuzz Face and a few others. But now it's done with a little Dilla influence.

In your opinion what does it take to be a sound innovator?
Just try to be ahead of the curve. I don't want to sound like everyone else, so I just try to keep it new and fresh for me. That and I surround myself with likeminded people who don't follow the rules.

You once said that Madlib is one of the people you love playing with. You also DJ in his live shows. Is a there certain greater force connecting your spirits?
I get along with him because we are Scorpios and we think somewhat alike. It's really a musical connection. Once that was established then the rest fell into place.

What is the role of Madlib in the history of hip hop?
I think he showed a lot of people you can do whatever you want. He has made jazz albums, a house album, hip hop albums with other MCs, hip hop with Quasimoto … He showed hip hop folks you don't have to do just one type of music. You have to be open to all kinds of stuff.

You have traveled everywhere. Have other places changed your attitude towards music?
When you go travel you don't want to buy what you can buy at home. That makes me dig for local music, be it London soul, German prog rock, Polish jazz, or cartoon soundtracks from Japan. If I stayed home I would never have been able to buy those types of records and learn about different cultures through music.

What music from other cultures has made it into your sets?
Brazilian – there's just so much energy in the music. I don't even know what they say but you can feel they were really into what they were doing. It just makes you want to dance.

If you had to explain hip hop to a kid who never heard of it, what would you say?
It's an expression. An attitude. Nothing can stop you. You can be different and still fit in to the hip hop scene.

If China was a song that you produced, what do you think it would sound like?
A very dramatic theme with a James Brown feel. It would be around 80 bpm, then go to 120bpm. The take off would be slow … the landing and the drive to the hotel would be fast – super fast! Oh yeah … there would be a dope break beat somewhere in the middle too!

See you in China!

Interview conducted by Leo Messias of Free the Wax.

Catch J.ROCC live at Yugong Yishan on Saturday, August 29, at 9pm. RMB 50/80 (Pre-sale tickets at NLGX, [6404 8088]/On the door)