Brainsick Mob

Seitdem er auf dem legendären Group Home Erstling “Livin Proof” in “The Realness” über einen düster krachenden DJ-Premier-Beat seinen Rapeinstand gab, ist Jack The Ripper aus der Entourage von Lil Dap nicht mehr wegzudenken. Doch während der ungleich bekanntere Kollege zumindest kurzzeitig auch internationale Höhenluft schnuppern konnte, blieb der aus Jack The Ripper und Black-E-Starr bestehende Brainsick Mob mehr oder weniger auf der Strecke. Das “D&D Project Vol. 3″ mit DJ Premier erschien ausschließlich auf Vinyl – sonst passierte da bis auf ein paar Singles und Gastauftritte dann auch nicht mehr viel. Was uns dabei entgangen sein könnte, zeigen Lieder wie “Playin’ For Keeps” oder “East NY Theory”: der Brainsick Mob, später in Brainsick Enterprize und dann schlicht Brainsick umgetauft, war immer voll am Puls der Strasse und hätte zu seinen besten Zeiten wohl mit links ein Album von klassischem Format zustande gebracht. Stattdessen war erst mal Schluss mit Musik. Erst jetzt, gut zehn Jahre später, will man’s nochmal wissen – was uns die neue Brainsick-Offensive bringen wird, verrät uns Jack The Ripper kurz und knapp.

We haven’t heard from you for a couple of years – what have you been up to lately?

Well, I’m a family man now. I got a wife and six kids, so I have been laying now. I am working on the new Brainsick album, a compilation and groups that’s gonna be on my independent record label. Everything is in the making, it will be coming soon.

Give us some more details please…

Jack The Ripper is a solo project, that album is called “Back In The Game”. Some people who will be featured on it: my lil brother Ikon Tha Don, my man Gino – he’s gonna be the first artist on my record label. Dap will also be on it. I don’t have a date yet, it’s all in the works. And there will be an album of the best of Brainsick and a compilation coming soon. Just waiting for a distribution deal.

Why haven’t you accomplished to release a solo album back in the 90s?

Bad business moves. I was dealing with alot of fake people, so I had to cut everyone off and start over. Now I’m back. See, I don’t do music for money. I do it for the love.

You haven’t been featured on Lil Dap’s solo album which came out this year – aren’t you that close to him anymore?

Well like I said, I have been busy with my family life at home so I haven’t been able to make any moves. For the second part of the question: that’s my brother, of course we are close.

Are you still connected to the Group Home Gangstas? Who’s in the crew right now?

Always for life – KY-B, Black-A-Dawn, Blackstar, Dap and me, Jack The Ripper.

I always wondered why Agallah didn’t show any love to artists like you or even The Group Home when he had his breakthrough. I mean, he had been featured on four songs on “A Tear For The Ghetto”, but nothing came back. Are you disappointed of him?

I can’t say I’m not disappointed. I’m sure he has his reason, but there’s always love.

I think there are alot of people out here that would really appreciate to get your old records on CD – wouldn’t it make sense to re-relase the D&D Project Vol. 3 that you did with DJ Premier? Do you own the rights on these tracks?

I own rights to all my music. The D&D project will be on the Best of Brainsick.

I once read a journal article from 1993 that described East New York as one of the most fucked up places in the whole city. Are you still out there hustling? And: how has your hood changed since then?

No, I left East New York in 1998. I’m in PA now. To me, the hood is still the same.

Haven’t you also been to Germany once?

I didn’t go to Germany. Blackstar did on the Lil Dap tour. Unfortunately I didn’t get to go ’cause I was having problems with my passport. I’m looking to come out there to do some shows. So thank you for the love and support – God bless.