Thavius Beck is an electronic musician, producer, MC, saxophone/bass guitar player, and a certified trainer of Ableton Live.
Hello my name is…Thavius Beck
I was raised in…Richmond, California and Minneapolis, Minnesota
The reason that you’re reading about me is…because of my awesome afro... and because I make music, and teach others how to make music as well
Right now I’m working on…two different solo albums, a project called Black Electro, and a few commercials
But I’d rather be…Having sex with my ex-love
My most prized possessions are… My laptop, my launchpad, and my headphones
But I’d give it all away for…a tenor saxophone
The first thing I do in the morning is… wake up
The last thing I do at night is…get high while making music
My momma always said…stop being lazy, and then she'd say I was a genius
I love it when people…enjoy their life
I hate it when people…cause you to enjoy your own life less
If you ever see me walking down the street…feel free to say whats up and burn one withcha boy!
My most notable run-in with the law…had more of these than I care to remember... I guess getting arrested for weed possession while on tour with Saul Williams the day of our show in Washington D.C. opening up for Talib Kwali was pretty notable
If I had to say sorry it would be because…if i had to say sorry it would have something to do with me breaking someone's heart
I get real aggro when…things take longer than they should for no reason
The last time I swore I’d never drink was after a night of…i've never sworn I'd stop drinking. I love beer, vodka, and absinthe
Future projects and plans…two new solo records, black electro, remixes, music for commercials/film, and teaching/private lessons.
And before I leave I’d like to give a shout out to…Me. Big ups to me. Tell your friends about me so I can play in Barcelona more!!
Like Scarface, KRS-One appears on the lists of several rappers of note. The challenge of getting his Top 5 proved to be more challenging than anybody imagined. Still, journalist Phalary Long managed to extract some of the Blast Master’s favorite artists and why he doesn’t include the “dead” in his Top 5. His list may seem odd, he’s got the experience and the gall to back every word he says. KRS-One: I don’t rate dead rappers. I think that’s unfair. Actually, I think it’s a disservice when the number one rapper is a dead rapper. Like when everyone says Tupac is the best rapper. Tupac wouldn’t say he was the best rapper and he wasn’t. Biggie would never say he was the dopest emcee. We used to battle Biggie all day and all night in Brooklyn in SOB’s, in the Palladium, no. No way, no how. Biggie is an icon in the culture because of his contribution. He had his own unique style. That alone gives you points, originality. Oh, you can win with that off bat but when you say the best, well the best are not really heard. They’re not really heard, like Supernatural. I can’t even say [my Top 5] because I’m arrogant. I think everybody is wack. But then again, I clean that up by saying, I think we all have talent, we can’t be rated. I don’t know how to rate emcees because everybody got there place. If you don’t have your place, you’re not even on the list. So those that have their place, I could never compete with Kool Keith. If you put me and Kool Keith in a battle, we would cancel each other out. I be coming with lyrical and he would put on a Elvis wig and be Kool Keith or me and Biz, we can go on for days, Biz would not battle me with lyrics, he’s going to start doing the dance and get the crowd wild, you may lose a battle messing with Biz, doing that dance, and he never spit a lyric, but Biz come out and be like, “I’m the emizza-k…” and you did all these lyrics and the crowd is giving it to Biz. Don’t get on the stage with Doug E. Fresh and think you’re going to battle because he’s not going to say no rhymes. He’s going to be Doug E. Fresh. Rakim don’t battle but let him step on a stage. Emcees are going to be like, “Oh God.” With KRS, I’m in my own class as well. I don’t know anybody really comparing.
KRS-One took a moment to challenge the youth that also strive for greatness.
KRS-One: I will say this, I want young people, to look down on me, don’t look up to me. Too many young people praise me too much. They shouldn’t because if you keep praising KRS, the culture don’t go nowhere. I’m the old teacher. I will bust you’re a**, no doubt but I’m the standard. You’re standing on me. You’re not supposed to be looking up, I’m not the ceiling because you’ll be like, “I’ll never be KRS, I’ll never be like that. I’ll never be… no.” You’re supposed to look at me, like damn, that’s the mountain that I got to climb. Ok, I’m going to climb it. When you climb it, your skills get better and better.
Another good interview with Gel Roc member of the legendary underground crew EX2 aka E Times 2
"We Support Underground Artists"
Southern California native Gel Roc (Pronounced w/a hard "G") is a Los Angeles based hip hop artist. Primarily known for his abrasive & witty lyrics along side his EX2 (Endangered Elements) co-horts, as a solo artist he explores the personal aspect of his life and taps into a broader array of topics that relate to his audience. Also, veteran street artist from the Whittier/L.A. based "Life Seen Differently" crue. His roots stem from the old school B-Boy, Graffiti, and Hip Hop culture of the 80's & 90's, which is still apparent in his works today. As a member of the legendary underground crew EX2 aka E Times 2, he has recorded 3 albums and solo debut "Laws and Flaws" with producer Mascaria. Besides his own group/solo works he has also appeared on countless independent releases & performed with artist such as legendary emcees KRS1, Awol One & Abstract Rude of "Mass Men", Freestyle Fellowship, 2Mex & XololanXinxo from "Of Mexican Decent", Orko Elohiem, Existereo & The Shape Shifters, Alien Nation, Massive aka MassDog, Daddy Kev, Dj Hive, Deeskee, Psycho Relm, L*Roneous, Global Phlotations, Escape Artists, Ellay Khule & Riddlore of Project Blowed, Tree Dusk Muir, RoachTheDj, JoeDub, BeatCave music and many more.
Gel Roc Inetrview
Hello my name is… gel roc...pronounced with a hard g...like gangster...not like george bush...
I was raised in…southern california...greater los angeles area...all city...
The reason that you’re reading about me is…because I make hip hop for the world....
Right now I’m working on... pushing the new E Time Two (Ex2) record, 'Resurgence' & my free mixtape with Awol One, 'Life Before Death'.
But I’d rather be… in the studio 100 on the next but I wear many hats...
My most prized possessions are… my music collection and time....
But I’d give it all away for… greater value, good luck with that.
The first thing I do in the morning is… hit the snooze.
The last thing I do at night is…kiss my wife.
My momma always said… fuck that bitch!
I love it when people… can teach me something about something. Just know, that I have a bullshit filter....
I hate it when people… ask me shit I don't know the answer to...don't ask me that shit.
If you ever see me walking down the street… offer me a ride damn it...
My most notable run-in with the law… was featured on 20/20 when I was a kid...2nd most damage ever done to a CA. hwy for vandalism...True story.... Los Angeles Street Demons. (C) 2010. Check out the graff book "The history of Los Angeles Graffiti Art" Vol.1. Elika's page as the reference.
If I had to say sorry it would be because… I deem it appropriate not you... good luck with that...
I get real aggro when… when shit don't line up...keep it real with me and we're straight you crooked as mutherfuckers..
The last time I swore I’d never drink was after a night of…gambling with the devil...true story.
Future projects and plans… my next solo record, 'Beautful Tragedy' produced by Xzcircles of Escape Artists. My label Abolano Records will be dropping the new Vyrus(Ex2) solo album 'Silent Kaos' produced by Rezult (TreeDuskMuir) and a couple other records we are excited about.
And before I leave I’d like to give a shout out to… to my crews Leaving Self Destructive & E TIMES TWO (EX2)...and everyone who's down with us. visit abolanorecords.com / facebook.com/abolanorecords / gelroc.bandcamp.com / youtube.com/gelroc / facebook.com/gelroc Thank you Beatnotik!...Thank you too Gel!
Micheal Larsen[1] (November 9, 1981 – October 17, 2010), known by his stage name Eyedea, was a well-known freestyle battle champion and underground rapper. His notable wins included the televised Blaze Battle sponsored by HBO (2000) and a victory at Scribble Jam (1999). He had appeared as a solo artist, and as the emcee half of the duo Eyedea & Abilities (along with longtime friend and collaborator DJ Abilities). His non-battle rhymes were generally philosophically or thematically based, and often told a definite narrative.
For much of his youth, Eyedea lived with his mother, Kathy, just east of Downtown Saint Paul, Minnesota, where he attended Highland Park Senior High School.[1] Eyedea became known as a battle emcee, touring the circuit between 1997 and 2001. During this time he won top prizes at Scribble Jam ‘99, the Rock Steady Anniversary 2000, and Blaze Battle Chicago 2000. He contributed a track to the anticon. compilation, Music for the Advancement of Hip Hop. Additionally, he toured extensively as second emcee and support DJ for Atmosphere. In 2001, he released First Born with his partner DJ Abilities (collectively, they were initially called the Sixth Sense, but they are now known as Eyedea & Abilities). In 2002, under his pen name "Oliver Hart", he released the self-produced The Many Faces of Oliver Hart. In 2004, he and Abilities reunited to release the self-titled album E&A (released March 23, 2004). All of Eyedea's releases have been on the Rhymesayers record label, with the exception of Carbon Carousel's "The Some of All Things or: The Healing Power of Scab Picking", which was released on his own independent label, Crushkill Recordings. In addition to touring independently and with Rhymesayers labelmates and members of Face Candy, Eyedea and Abilities participated in the Def Jux-sponsored Who Killed the Robots? tour, titled by Eyedea. He was signed to Rhymesayers Entertainment, and collaborated with Slug of the underground hip hop group Atmosphere, as well as Sage Francis, Aesop Rock, and Blueprint. After Eyedea released "This Is Where We Were," recorded with his live freestyle/jazz group Face Candy, he created Carbon Carousel, an alternative rock band. They have released one EP titled "The Some of All Things or: The Healing Power of Scab Picking". This brought on speculation that Eyedea & Abilities was no longer together. However, in August 2007, the duo announced on their Myspace that they would be at the Twin Cities Celebration of Hip Hop performing old songs, as well as new material. In December 2007, Eyedea & Abilities embarked upon their Appetite for Distraction Tour with Crushkill labelmate Kristoff Krane and Minnesotan duo Sector7G. The summer of 2009 saw Eyedea & Abilities joining the massive touring hip hop festival Rock the Bells for a limited amount of dates, performing alongside such acts as Sage Francis, Evidence, M.O.P. and the Knux. Larsen died on October 17, 2010. He was found dead by his mother, according to friends.[2] The cause of death has not been determined, but a preliminary autopsy result released October 18 ruled out trauma.
Albums: First Born (2001) (By Eyedea & Abilities) The Many Faces of Oliver Hart (2002) E&A (2004) (By Eyedea & Abilities) This Is Where We Were (2006) (By Face Candy) The Some of All Things or: The Healing Power of Scab Picking (2007) (By Carbon Carousel) By The Throat (2009) (By Eyedea & Abilities) Waste-age Teenland (TBA) (By Face Candy) [edit]Singles "Pushing Buttons 12" (2000) (By Eyedea & Abilities) "Blindly Firing 12" (2001) (By Eyedea & Abilities) "Now" (2003) (By Eyedea & Abilities) "Carbon Carousel Single Series #1" (2007) (By Carbon Carousel) "Nervous." (2007) (By Carbon Carousel) [edit]Other E&A Road Mix (2003) "The Whereabouts of Hidden Bridges" By (Eyedea and Oddjobs) "When in Rome, Kill the King" (By Micheal Larsen)
