The city off Phoenix has definitely had a different hora about it ever since the Grand Hustle team left their mark by putting together a compilation mixtape featuring some of the top talent coming out of the valley. Phoenix New Times, one of the leading publications in the state, got a hold of the mixtape and caught up with JAE E for a couple questions regarding the local hip hop scene, coming from New Orleans and more. Check out the first half of the Q&A below. #NoGimmicks
Rapper T.I. must have seen something he liked when he stopped by Phoenix this past weekend. His Atlanta-based record label Grand Hustle is showing Arizona some love with a new mixtape, The Phoenix Edition Mixtape.
The 17-track release showcases some of the Valley’s up and coming hip-hop acts including Yung Kooky, Hannibal Leq, and New Orleans-native Jae E, as well as Lil Wayne, E40 and T.I.
Rapper Jae E’s track “Go Get It” is just one of the record’s highlights. We talk to him about what defines Arizona hip-hop.
Up on the Sun: This mixtape is about repping some of the hottest hip-hop coming out of the Valley today. In a few words, how would you describe Arizona hip-hop?
Jae E: I would say it’s very diverse in the sense of there is no real defined sound. With Arizona, I’d like to call it a melting pot. A lot of artist come from others places and grew up listening to different styles of music. We have guys from the south, some from the east coast, and the Bay area. We definitely have to show love to the talented artist that come right from Arizona as well. The one thing I can honestly say we all have in common is respecting quality music, no matter where it comes from or sounds like. On another note, what does separate us is the fact that the southwest hasn’t had a hip-hop artist break out and constantly deliver at a respectable level. I do feel that our time is coming. We have a group of artists that can stir things up in this region and get more national exposure for Arizona.
Salute – @AudioPathos and @JasonPwoodbury of @PhxMusicDotCom
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