You might remember Yohnnie and SPYanage from our feature of the first #JFTFOI album. After gaining momentum, #JFTFOI has become it’s own brand now launching into a series of albums, merchandise, and more.
In this interview I speak with SPYanage about the latest and greatest in the New Orleans Hip Hop scene. We also touch upon the effects of politics and a corrupt corporate music industry and its use of entertainment to propagate destructive discourses to the urban community.
Yohnnie will be releasing #JFTFOI3 in the near future.
It’s been a minute since we talked to you. What’s been good since the release of #JFTFOI 1? What’s new in SPY world?
Yes it has been a minute, but since the release of the first #JFTFOI, I ve been getting a lot more recognition than in the past. #JFTFOI the brand itself has been gaining momentum, we even released limited edition #JFTFOI Mardi Gras cups this past Carnival season, which also has the link to our company website www.rexless.net This all made Me and the team decide to make #JFTFOI a series of albums. This brings me to #JFTFOI 2: SPY World K. O! This is my solo project, Yohnnie is slated to Release #JFTFOI 3 during the upcoming summer.
What can we expect on #JFTFOI 2? Any features or producers worth noting?
#JFTFOI 2 Is a bit more serious than the original, on this album I address many of the issues that are connected to how shady the entertainment industry is as a whole but particularly the rap industry. Highlighting the connection between shady industry executives/CEO, and crooked politics are negatively effecting the Urban community. Think about the most popular music on the air today and look at the mostly negative influence entertainment seem to have on our culture. The same holds true for television and social media, this ain’t no coincidence, ITS ALL CONNECTED! A small group of people are getting rich off the exploitation of a far larger group of people and are mostly using entertainment to do so. And at the same time using artist as “puppets” promoting their bullshit agenda and basically giving them pennies compared to what they make. 360’s are Slave deals for the most part. There is no more edutainment and that sucks because so much good could be done if there was more of a balance at least. Through struggle comes progress hence the cover art.
#JFTFOI 2 has features from Da Champ, Yohnnie, Gamble, Joey “Da Y”, Ka$h Wit A.K, Teddy James, Mr. Slimm, Shadow tha. 1st, and Ayo Princezz.
Production was done by Boost UTC/synthetic blend, Joey “Da Y”, Ka$h Wit A.K, and Mr. Piano.
What was the last song you listened to? Who’s your favorite artist(s) releasing music right now?
I m feeling that “Truffle Butter” joint, Nikki did her thang on there, and That “Apparently” by J. Cole. Far as artists I m feeling right now, I d have to say Fabolous, Dee-1, and Dej Loaf.
Who’s poppin’ in your local scene right now? Any other NO artists we need to check out?
Far as my city “the bounce scene” always got new artist. But far as other Emcees ya ll should look out for at this point I d have to say Sess 45, Alfred Banks, and Ayo Princezz. That’s just to name a few but they are so many others as well.
Where can we connect with you online? Stream your music?
You can connect with me at http://www.rexless.net/spyanage.html
Stream #JFTFOI 2 www.soundcloud.com/spyanage
View my videos www.YouTube.com/rexless211
And purchase the album on iTunes.
Its also on ALL other online sites Amazon, Spotify etc…
Any last thoughts? Shout outs? Words of wisdom?
I Thank GOD for another chance for my voice to be heard. Thank You for interviewing me. Shouts out to REXLESS, New Orlanta Music, ALL THE ARTIST AND PRODUCERS featured on this album and any other project i ve put out. DJ Fab, Def DJ 7, The city of New Orleans, and Morgan City/SMP. Also Shouts out to MTM.
I d tell anybody and everybody Just Keep GOD first and you’ll NEVER lose, no matter how bad things look.
