-1985+watermark.jpg)
Porn & Tame piece & Tame One 1985
I found the photos that Tame One's Graff partner & DJ Porno sent me a while back!
Updated interview with new photos HERE
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Tame One putting in work!
Showing posts with label CWK. Show all posts
Showing posts with label CWK. Show all posts
Monday, 10 September 2012
Monday, 30 August 2010
The Kool Skool Interviews Tame One - Boom Skwad (Ex-Artifacts)
The Kool Skool Interviews Tame One
Boom Skwad, Artifacts, CWK
Tame One putting in work!
Despite the long history of quality underground artists, it took Redman's 1990 collabo with EPMD, for New Jersey to get some serious love out of the Tri-state. MC, DJ and Graffiti writer Tame One's a New Jersey representer all the way, who's been getting up, and throwing down for some time, just across the river from the Big Apple.
The Artifacts (originally The Brick City Kids) Press shot
In 1994 alongside El Da Sensei, their group The Artifacts (originally The Brick City Kids) slotted smoothly into the weed headed, Timbo-clad "keep it real" era. Punters were getting tired of the shouty chorus based tracks of that time, and the brothers from New Jeruse brought the skills, art and elements back. Artifacts became part of new generation of real East Coast hood MC's getting their shine on.
Wrong Side Of The Tracks single cover Graffiti Piece by Reas AOK
Their first single Wrong Side Of The Tracks can be considered a bonified classic not just because it was a heavy track but for several reasons:
1. It was one of the first proper Graff based records; an element long ignored by the MC population.
2. It became a Graf writers anthem, who in turn showed the group love.
3. The cover featured a slick mock up of Artifacts train piece by New York writer Reas [AOK], and started the rumour mill going… "Did Artifacts do it?!" "Can they paint as well as they rap?!"
4. The Artifacts tore down the now legendary 1995 Rock Steady Crew Anniversary Jam, gaining them serious true school respect.
Artifacts - "Wrong Side of the Tracks
Their first album, "Between A Rock And A Hard Place" (1994) was on Big Beat Records, (also home to New Jersey group Double X Posse). Another single of the album "Come On Wit Da Git Down" also featured a Busta Rhymes appearance on the remix, I imagine a pretty pricey guest now.
The Artifacts "That's Them"
The Facts second album "That's Them" followed in 1997, and the [DITC's] Show Biz blessed them with Remix club smasher "The Ultimate", a standard in any mix set of that era. The two parted ways after, and Tame continued on the long haul alone, and what with some of the recent not so subliminal dissing, a re-united album looks highly unlikely.
Tame One - Homage 2 The Bombers
A series of releases on the High & Mighty's independent imprint Eastern Conference Records, solo LP's "When Rappers Attack", and a collaboration with Cage for the Leak Brothers project "Waterworld." Tame also ripped a sick verse along side J-Zone, Cage, Mr. Eon [High & Mighty] Mad Skillz and others on the 2001 Posse cut "Eastern Conference All Stars."
Tame One "O.G. Bobby Johnson"
2005 brought the DOPE "O.G. Bobby Johnson" solo album, an over-looked gem, and really defines the versatility that can be achieved by a real MC, and an open mind. This year, Ahead Records released a new "Spazmatic" solo but strength in numbers is now his modern mantra, as he puts in work as a member of the Weathermen, and Slow Suicide Stimulus (with the Dusted Dons) for several recent and upcoming projects and tours.
MC skills are not the only thing he is known for, getting live on the decks, dope handstyles and pieces got him rockin' with some of the best graffiti crews New York has ever seen, FC, TC5, and [like Kool Sphere] he's CWK too. To continue our mission to support the real art, we copped a few with the Knotty Headed Terrorist, and mixed it up on his favourite elements.
Tame One Piece
What do you write and what crews are you connected to?
Tameone, LTD, NRG, FC, TC5, QM8, CBS, CWK and the Boom Skwad.
Tamer by Tame One 1985
-1985+watermark.jpg)
Porn & Tame 1985
Ben by Tame 1985
What area are you from and when did you start writing?
Newark, New Jersey, [and I started in] 1980.
Who was the first writer that got you interested in graff?
2 Nastie Nas a.k.a. Jerry Jinx, out of Newark, NJ.
Smokemon by Tame One 2003
For people who don't know that much about the New Jersey scene, what was it like back in the day?
It was real competitive for "choice spots" to have your work seen. North Jerz (Essex County) had its spurts of activity, it seemed as if every other summer, another duo would start a new crew, and team up to bomb all city, only to be replaced by a newer duo from another neighbourhood. There was more emphasis on actual piecing back in the late '80's - early '90's, as compared to nowadays, more tagging and throw-ups are being done.
El Da Sensei (feat. Tame One & DJ Kaos) - Everyday In The Street (!llmind Remix)
Were New Jersey writers accepted by the New Yorkers?
Yeah, the ones with either skills, the balls to hang out in NY, or the ones willing to play "your guide" for NY cats looking for new areas to bomb, rack paint from, or get drugs from cheaper.
-Tame-1998watermark.jpg)
Tame (Aerosol Blues 2) Tame One 1998
Did a lot of Freights get done?
Not by me, I hate Freights, only because after you're done painting, the chances of ever seeing your piece again are slim to none.
Tame One Wild Style 2003
What would you say is "the Tame One style"?
Readable with a distinct flavour, the original Bronx-style.
Artifacts back in the Lab!
Freshman year of Arts High School, I bombed the school so hard. I single-handedly caused the banning of the marker as a medium, for any artists from 9th grade through 12th!!!
You're down with a lot of serious crews, what do you feel are the benefits?
To be able to create with similar minded artists I respect and/or admire.
-Jeru,-Porn,-Tame+watermark.jpg)
Uprise by Porn & Tame One
Do you feel that graffiti has changed?
Paint colours are more vibrant now, and artists push the envelope, experimenting with wilder styles (depending on their location).
Unknown writer and Tame One
Has being a writer as well as an MC changed your life in any particular way? It has influenced me socially, in relationships with dealing with groups of friends or crews, as well as rivals.
Black Book Mathematics
Self-expression, self-gratification, and disregard for the socially accepted, and as further inspiration for personal self-expression in general. I record for fame. I do graffiti for me.
Tame One - Spazmatic
Pursuing and then obtaining a recording deal in 1993.
Tame One photo by Nick Ceglia at Division East
Can you name some of the artists you have worked with in the past?
Redman, Busta Rhymes, George Clinton [Parliament], [and graff writers] Gnome CWK [designed covers for T La Rock & Just-ice] and West FC. [I toured with] The Beatnuts, Organized Konfusion and Common.
MC/D.I.T.C. member/Producer & DJ - Lord Finnesse
Who were the coolest MC's/DJ's that you met back then?
DJ Rockraider, DJ Sinister, Hard To Obtain, Busta Rhymes, Kurious, Cage, Lord Finesse and Brand Nubian.
What would you say has your best show?
Just to irritate you, I'm going to say I haven't done my best show yet. [Career wise] I still haven't made it yet. I'm still grinding!!!
Tame One "Thow-Up" T-shirt design
As an artist do you design your own record covers as well?
I don't do the album covers; I leave that up to other members of my crew Boom Skwad. But [I like] the "Tame1 tag" on my merchandise (t-shirts etc), because it's my actual graffiti tag worn as a "moving canvas".
Del The Funky Homosapien & Tame One - Flashback
Del The Funky Homosapien & Tame 1- Flashback
Del The Funky Homosapien & Tame 1- Flashback
Are you bringing any new music coming out soon?
Probably not until winter '06, but until then [I'll do] a few mix CD appearances or collabos.
Tame One & DJ Junkwaffel - The Hell or High Water E.P.
Is there anything you would like to plug?
My Boom Skwad Crew, Slow Suicide Stimulus, The "Weathermen" and Division East Clothing Line.
Porno by DJ Porno
Special Thanks goes to DJ Porno/Ber One FC aka Porn LTD, FC, CWK, 156, NRG for the Graffiti Flicks!!
Also check out The Kool Skool Interview with Kool Sphere, who cut his teeth as both a graffiti writer riding the 7's surviving local hood wars, and later on battling MC's live on New York College radio. Here
Interview originally released here on 06.12.06 words: Shucks One
Tame One photo by Nick Ceglia at Division East
Tuesday, 3 March 2009
Kool Sphere (CWK/Verbal Threat) Interview
Kool Sphere Interview
As writers from the Bronx and Manhattan gained much of the media shine in the early days, Queens borough graffiti contribution is undeniable but one that often gets over looked. Kool Sphere cut his teeth as both a graffiti writer riding the 7's surviving local hood wars, and later on battling MC's live on New York College radio, so he definitely knows the Queens County's legacy.
While moving back and forth between New York and L.A. over the years, he got to experience both coasts' hiphop scenes along with the familiar story of hustling to get equipment and studio time. It all paid off though, what with rocking shows with The Neptunes, Method Man, The Pharcyde, Slum Village, and recording with DJ Premier, Kool G Rap and Wu-Tang's Bronze Nazareth.
Sphere has kept all angles covered still regularly dropping burners designing graffiti t-shirts for clothing label Wild Style Technicians, and his music featured in the Interscope movie "The Next Episode". There is a lot in the works; as well as breaking into soundtrack work, there is a solo Kool Sphere project and a Verbal Threat album coming soon. Sphere took time away from the grind to talk to us about, the past, the future and keeping the love for the game alive.
What do you write and what crew are you in?
Kool Sphere, CWK, KDM, TDC, WST and Verbal Threat.
Where are you from?
Queens, NYC.
Who was the first writer you noticed?
[It was a writer called] Sick from the Bronx, and seeing him up on highways, as well as Saint and Sife UQA.
When did you start writing?
Around 1985 or so.
Outside of New York, a lot of people are aware of the Bronx through Subway Art; but the story of Queens graf is not a very well known one. What was it like back then?
Queens, just like the other boros in NYC, has a history of its own. The 80’s were a very real time in hip-hop, the graff and the music. Violence came hand in hand in both aspects, where as now it seems to be non-existent. There were many real pioneers that did their thing coming up in the game. NYC was a crazy place from the 80's through to the early 90's. We lived through years of roll ups, with 10 car loads of cats, packing bats, box cutters, mace etc. Years of chillin' on the corners, outside bodegas and liquor stores. So many good memories from the good, to the bad. NYC will never be the same again.
New York Bodega
Who are some of the Kings from Queens people should be aware of?
Saint and Ghost.
Ket&Ghost Clean Train from Press Pause's Flickr page
How would you describe your style?
Traditional.
Being from the old school, what do you feel about modern graffiti?
I'm not really feeling the new styles. I prefer the 80's NYC style of piecing, straight letters, throw-ups, handstyles etc.
How do you feel has graff influenced, or changed your life? For the good or bad?
For the good. I took the respect I had for graff into the hip-hop game, as an MC for my group Verbal Threat.
What are some of your graffiti memories?
Just rocking pieces with cats I respected over the years, Sketch CWK, Snatch CWK, SHO TDC, Zone, Dase WST.
What does it mean to you to be a member of your crew?
Its nice to be down with cats that have a high level of skill with styles, and pieces. It makes you want to step up your game.
Going forward what do you hope to accomplish with your art?
Just preserving styles from the old school and incorporating my style into that. I bring it back to life through my designs for Verbal Threat clothing and promotional material. Right now I'm liking the shirt design, I wrote Verbal Threat in a tag with a pilot [marker] for one. I'm starting a clothing line in 2007.
Who does Verbal Threat consist of?
Kool Sphere and MC Reppond, and we collab with Ray Rob on the drums, and DJ Flict for live shows.
As an MC, when did it become more serious, and less of just ciphering with your crew?
I started MCing around 1990 or so. Kool G Rap’s Wanted Dead Or Alive changed me personally, forever. We became more serious when the whole game started getting too commercial. We were heavily influenced by Gangstarr and DJ Premier Kool G Rap etc, so we felt the need to take the torch, and continue down the same road they paved for us. That’s the difference! I’ve heard rappers in the past that have gone commercial, cite people like Primo or Wu-Tang as influences… Then put out that typical radio garbage rap. Reppond feel and me that, if you really want to give props to the cats that influenced you, follow in the footsteps they were headed and put out legitimate hip-hop music. That is the ultimate thanks you could give back to the pioneers that came before you. Believe me… If it wasn’t for cats like Gangstarr, Kool G Rap and Wu?! We wouldn't be here today.
How did you first get introduced into the music industry?
Around 1994 me and M.C. Reppond starting getting access to recording studios, and began recording where ever we could, and just started to hit the streets.
Who are some of the artists you have worked with?
Kool G Rap, DJ Premier, Sadat X, Da Beatminerz, DJ Babu from Dilated Peoples/BeatJunkies, the Wu-Tang's Mathematics, 4th Disciple and Bronze Nazareth.
Verbal Threat with DJ Premier
How did you end up hooking up with Premier and Kool G Rap?
Many years of grinding in the game, and having mutual friends in the industry, who wanted to make the collabos happen. We've prided ourselves over the years by sticking to a real formula, and keeping the old school current.
When can people expect to hear some new releases from Verbal Threat?
Our new single Reality Check (produced by DJ Premier) is killing the streets, and we flipped the b-side with Kool G Rap, and production by the Wu's Bronze Nazareth. The new Verbal Threat album is coming soon, entitled The Golden Era and is dropping December 2006. We just got back from shooting the video for Reality Check in NYC last week. Locations from Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan to Brooklyn rooftops.
The Verbal Threat 12" single "Reality Check" is in stores now, and Autobiography/Boxcutter/BackStagePasses out now
- Originally posted on 24.10.06 by Shucks One
- Photo credit: Kool Sphere
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Related Links:
Kool Sphere's Blog
Kool Sphere's Myspace
Kool Shere's Youtube Page
Verbal Threat Myspace
www.verbalthreat.com
Also check The Kool Skool Interviews Tame One - Boom Skwad (Ex-Artifacts)
As writers from the Bronx and Manhattan gained much of the media shine in the early days, Queens borough graffiti contribution is undeniable but one that often gets over looked. Kool Sphere cut his teeth as both a graffiti writer riding the 7's surviving local hood wars, and later on battling MC's live on New York College radio, so he definitely knows the Queens County's legacy.
While moving back and forth between New York and L.A. over the years, he got to experience both coasts' hiphop scenes along with the familiar story of hustling to get equipment and studio time. It all paid off though, what with rocking shows with The Neptunes, Method Man, The Pharcyde, Slum Village, and recording with DJ Premier, Kool G Rap and Wu-Tang's Bronze Nazareth.
Sphere has kept all angles covered still regularly dropping burners designing graffiti t-shirts for clothing label Wild Style Technicians, and his music featured in the Interscope movie "The Next Episode". There is a lot in the works; as well as breaking into soundtrack work, there is a solo Kool Sphere project and a Verbal Threat album coming soon. Sphere took time away from the grind to talk to us about, the past, the future and keeping the love for the game alive.
What do you write and what crew are you in?
Kool Sphere, CWK, KDM, TDC, WST and Verbal Threat.
Where are you from?
Queens, NYC.
Who was the first writer you noticed?
[It was a writer called] Sick from the Bronx, and seeing him up on highways, as well as Saint and Sife UQA.
When did you start writing?
Around 1985 or so.
Outside of New York, a lot of people are aware of the Bronx through Subway Art; but the story of Queens graf is not a very well known one. What was it like back then?
Queens, just like the other boros in NYC, has a history of its own. The 80’s were a very real time in hip-hop, the graff and the music. Violence came hand in hand in both aspects, where as now it seems to be non-existent. There were many real pioneers that did their thing coming up in the game. NYC was a crazy place from the 80's through to the early 90's. We lived through years of roll ups, with 10 car loads of cats, packing bats, box cutters, mace etc. Years of chillin' on the corners, outside bodegas and liquor stores. So many good memories from the good, to the bad. NYC will never be the same again.
New York Bodega
Who are some of the Kings from Queens people should be aware of?
Saint and Ghost.
Ket&Ghost Clean Train from Press Pause's Flickr page
How would you describe your style?
Traditional.
Being from the old school, what do you feel about modern graffiti?
I'm not really feeling the new styles. I prefer the 80's NYC style of piecing, straight letters, throw-ups, handstyles etc.
How do you feel has graff influenced, or changed your life? For the good or bad?
For the good. I took the respect I had for graff into the hip-hop game, as an MC for my group Verbal Threat.
What are some of your graffiti memories?
Just rocking pieces with cats I respected over the years, Sketch CWK, Snatch CWK, SHO TDC, Zone, Dase WST.
What does it mean to you to be a member of your crew?
Its nice to be down with cats that have a high level of skill with styles, and pieces. It makes you want to step up your game.
Going forward what do you hope to accomplish with your art?
Just preserving styles from the old school and incorporating my style into that. I bring it back to life through my designs for Verbal Threat clothing and promotional material. Right now I'm liking the shirt design, I wrote Verbal Threat in a tag with a pilot [marker] for one. I'm starting a clothing line in 2007.
Who does Verbal Threat consist of?
Kool Sphere and MC Reppond, and we collab with Ray Rob on the drums, and DJ Flict for live shows.
As an MC, when did it become more serious, and less of just ciphering with your crew?
I started MCing around 1990 or so. Kool G Rap’s Wanted Dead Or Alive changed me personally, forever. We became more serious when the whole game started getting too commercial. We were heavily influenced by Gangstarr and DJ Premier Kool G Rap etc, so we felt the need to take the torch, and continue down the same road they paved for us. That’s the difference! I’ve heard rappers in the past that have gone commercial, cite people like Primo or Wu-Tang as influences… Then put out that typical radio garbage rap. Reppond feel and me that, if you really want to give props to the cats that influenced you, follow in the footsteps they were headed and put out legitimate hip-hop music. That is the ultimate thanks you could give back to the pioneers that came before you. Believe me… If it wasn’t for cats like Gangstarr, Kool G Rap and Wu?! We wouldn't be here today.
How did you first get introduced into the music industry?
Around 1994 me and M.C. Reppond starting getting access to recording studios, and began recording where ever we could, and just started to hit the streets.
Who are some of the artists you have worked with?
Kool G Rap, DJ Premier, Sadat X, Da Beatminerz, DJ Babu from Dilated Peoples/BeatJunkies, the Wu-Tang's Mathematics, 4th Disciple and Bronze Nazareth.
Verbal Threat with DJ Premier
How did you end up hooking up with Premier and Kool G Rap?
Many years of grinding in the game, and having mutual friends in the industry, who wanted to make the collabos happen. We've prided ourselves over the years by sticking to a real formula, and keeping the old school current.
When can people expect to hear some new releases from Verbal Threat?
Our new single Reality Check (produced by DJ Premier) is killing the streets, and we flipped the b-side with Kool G Rap, and production by the Wu's Bronze Nazareth. The new Verbal Threat album is coming soon, entitled The Golden Era and is dropping December 2006. We just got back from shooting the video for Reality Check in NYC last week. Locations from Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan to Brooklyn rooftops.
The Verbal Threat 12" single "Reality Check" is in stores now, and Autobiography/Boxcutter/BackStagePasses out now
- Originally posted on 24.10.06 by Shucks One
- Photo credit: Kool Sphere
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Related Links:
Kool Sphere's Blog
Kool Sphere's Myspace
Kool Shere's Youtube Page
Verbal Threat Myspace
www.verbalthreat.com
Also check The Kool Skool Interviews Tame One - Boom Skwad (Ex-Artifacts)
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