KJ (of Dosia & Kingpins Only)

Ein Interview mit dem spätestens seit seinen A.W.O.L.-Records Tagen für seinen extravaganten Flow bekannten KJ – wer den guten Kumpel von Killa Tay auf dem längst zum Klassiker avancierten Dosia-Hitalbum “Waiting To Inhale” rappen gehört hat, der weiß, was dem Westen heute fehlt. Wo KJ in den Jahren danach steckte, warum es nie zu einem Soloalbum kam und was wir in naher Zukunft erwarten dürfen – das alles und mehr lest ihr hier.

What’s up K.J. how are you doing – could you give an introduction of who you are and your background?

Well first of all as you already know my rap name is K-J born as Kureen J. Cook. The concept of my name is just my initials excluding my last name since my pops left when I was 12 years old never to return. I come from a single parent broken home were we lived like that E-40 song that talks about using sheets for curtains and socks for wash towels. I’ve lived in a shelter and a car before and still pushin. Im a ex-gangbanging Laker fan that keep my mind on my money and my money on my mind. I now bang Green! That in god we trust feel me!?

From which city and neighborhood do you come from and how’s life out there?

I was born on the West Side of Fresno, California. But most of my family lived in Los Angeles so we were always moving back and forth from L.A. to Fresno. I did use to gangbang heavily but I would prefer not to represent the ignorant trend I used to follow. With that said I do know the streets and speak all truth in my music. Fresno/CA is the most boring place on earth to me but for some strange reason when you leave you always miss it. We have no real producers or labels out here. No money flows through this litte city, it’s just bang bang bang bang don’t get caught slippin maine. Some of the realest gangsters are in Fresno trust that! DJ Quik should have named us on that Just Like Compton song. Fresno is serious.

Tell us about your first steps in the rapgame – who brought you in?

Well I started writing at 12 years old, influenced by Ice Cube, Too $hort, Big Daddy Kane and more. My first rap group was called Smoov Wit A Ruffness – I was The Ruffnes. My second group where I started getting noticed from opening for MC Eiht was called P.C.P which stands for Phunky Coalition Players. We was supposed to sign with E-40 and the Click but my partner with the line moved to Texas in the middle of the deal. I came from names like Reen-Dogg to Menace all the way to simply K-J. The group before Dosia was KingPins Only with me, Killa Tay, Lil Dee, Sly, C-Money and Buggy. Killa Tay brought me in the real rapgame.

Could you give up some more information on the group?

KingPins for life! That was my first actual leap into the game. We did a talent show at the Memorial Auditorium here in Fresno back in 1994. There was a few scouts in the crown we heard. After the show Carmelita Sanchez from Delicious Vinyl approached me and said, “Have you though of going solo?”. I was like, “Naw I’m stickin with my nigga’s!” She gave me a card and I never called with loyalty to my crew. After that my niggas was at 90.7 Fresno State College radio station spittin that heat and this dude called. He had major connections and wanted to sign us. We did and put out the album in 1995. Everyone loved it but we caught a bad deal. The album was under Greedy Green / Noo Tribe. A new KingPins album is a major possibility.

One of your biggest successes was the Dosia album “Waiting To Inhale” – tell us how this collaboration came together…

Dosia came together when me and Killa Tay went on tour with Lunasicc aka Luni Coleone. We met up with Luni who was already on tour and we hit Ohio, Kansas City, Texas, Denver and so on. Me and Killa Tay have been homies for about 15 years now but that was my first time meeting Luni in 1997. When I met Luni we clicked off top real recognized real and especially after he heard me rap! We freestyled and spit written in the back of the A.W.O.L van and that’s where the brainstorm took flight – Dosia: Waiting To Inhale!

Could you describe a typical recording session back then? How did it go down?

We used to have this thing we called mashin’! So every song your intentions was to go hard on the track. We would put a slappin ass beat on and just go! Everybody was tight so it didn’t matter who went first or third. We all lived the same life pretty much so we was all on the same page wit it. I was still new to the game but I learned fast and seen alot of things and places. For instance I went to a record company party with major labels such as SoSo Def, Virgin and so on. At 19 I met Scarface, C-Bo, B-Legit, Goodie Mob, E-40, Yukmouth, Richie Rich, JT The Bigga Figga, Mac Mall and more. I used to be in the studio with some of these cats so that was a typical day for us. We blew the best bomb and drank Henessy daily. We used to do it real tycoon, feel me!

Rumors say that Tay plans to do another Dosia album – is there anything true about that?

We actually started working on it. So it could be soon it’s up to Tay and Luni cause I’m with it. I went down to Sacramento to swoop Luni and we hit Richmond to record at Laroo’s. As soon as I get there I guess the change of climate my voice go out! So I still spit that shit and to me I feel I want to redo it. So there could be a Part 2 with some old and new members. I think we should, but it’s on the other two fellows.

Where have you been over the last few years since AWOL was shut down? Everybody and their mama drops an album, but for some reason you never did. Why?

Well I was kind of messed up after catching a bad deal with A.W.O.L so I quit. This cat told me part of the game is getting got for your money and I’m not with that! I lost the spirit to become what I always wanted to be since 12 years old. I made an album in 2005 but never released it. I made a mixtape that slapped so hard, but – never released it. I am currently working on an album with KingPin’s Buggy called, “All Gas No Brakes”. We need 2 more songs and its a wrap. Im trying to release it in the summer time. Then I have my solo called “Game Bangin” along with other projects. I’m gone have Killa Tay and Marvaless but I don’t know who else I want yet because I dont want to get the same feature that everybody get.I’m a real dude you know? Im not like alot of these rappers! I’m a real ass nigga before I am a rapper! If I get got the person who gets me gets got! Both of the people who got me in this game was saved by a higher power.

Are you still in contact with some rappers/producer from A.W.O.L. Records ?

Of course! I holla at Luni, Marvaless, Tay, Laroo, Pizzo, B.C. – and every once in a while I chop it with C-Bo. We still family no matter what. It’s crazy because I was a C-Bo and Marvaless fan now they are my family.

Are there any unreleased songs or features from the AWOL days that the public doesn’t know about?

Me and Killa Tay have a whole album just me and him we recorded while in Denver but, my boy who got the archives is doing 12 years in prison. I got a song with Marvaless called “Do Or Die Nigga’s” but that’s it so far.

What local artists are your bumpin in your car right now? Do you have any recommandations?

Kontak, my brother that was featured on Dosia album, and my homie Dengee. I only listen to my click and majors. We got some talent here in Fresno with artist like Planet Asia, Dengee, Kontak, Diego Redd, CakeMixx, P. Coat Jackson and more….

Here is the place for some shout outs, fuck yous, thank yous. Whatever you want!

I wanna give a shout out to everybody who is feeling my music and who bought the Dosia album. And everyone who will buy my solo and set up shows for me to come rock they state or city. Shout out to Meham the Match Light, Kontak, Ken the Barber, Dengee Killa Tay, Marva Jean, Luni Coleone, Bo Loc, B.C. Andolis, BooZilla, Big Ju, Laroo, Pizzo, Cricket, Kayvon, Kureen Jr., Tiara and Kiara , Mont Dogg, Pookie, Huccubucc, Big Pep, Nike Loc, Vamp Dogg, Cosmo, Buggy, Do Shitty, The Siccness, Double C, Black Jesus and all my family. I wanna say FUCK YOU to all haters and to Deshawn Greyes who killed my nigga Brent Jolivette over a bitch!! Rest In Paradise Brent Jolivette. Much love Germany, check me out at my myspace!

http://www.myspace.com/kjdonvon1