(continued from Part 1)

OK, back to the topic of hip hop. What do you think about what’s on the radio now?

Justin Battle | kidphotography

Battle: I think the music industry has been slacking for such a long time, you know. All the people who have paved the way for artists today, their music has been kind of drowned out. Everyone is so used to hearing the artists like Common, Jay-Z or Kanye, that when a new song comes out today, it’s not about substance–it’s about a song that will get a following and make money in the end. I think that’s what happened to the radio–they just found the formula to success…

Gabe: Yeah, I totally agree. They have learned the formula because there has always been quote-unquote “crap” on the radio, and a lot of times the executives don’t really care about the substance. Like Battle said–it’s just the money. And it’s always about the hook; is it something catchy.

Battle: I think music really has turned into The Blueprint 3. “Mastering the Art of Business.” And that’s what it boils down to.

Very true, very true. What or who do you think is different or evolving in music today?

Battle: Cudi!

What makes Cudi different?

Battle: I feel that he took to the college crowd. His songs to me are more like chants and hymns, ya know? More than like a straight rap song, I feel it works that way because people can get wasted at parties and just… “Strooobe lights, drinks faaaall…,” ya know? It’s easier to sing along with and it’s not complicated. Say for instance–not to dog him–but if you go to a Lupe concert you’re gonna get winded trying to keep up with him while he raps… But at a Cudi show we can all just carry it on.

Gabe: I like Gucci Mane.

Word?!

Gabe: Yeah because as I mentioned before–the formula to success, he’s got it! I like to think that that is commendable.

Well yeah, I can see if you put it that way.

Gabe: Going about finding and listening to music today is just so different. Since we are in an IPod/mp3 player stage and music is just so accessible, people have more of an option and their playlists are bigger than ever.

Yea, I know personally I will stay up hours at night just finding new music. That is my fun–I’d rather that than watch TV, to tell you the truth. On another note if you could go back in time and choose an artist to work with who would it be?

Battle: I’d say Stevie Wonder, and a group called Tonto. Tonto was actually the crew who put Stevie Wonder onto synthesizers and all that. They gave him like a real funky edge that brought out a kind of anger. There’s just a lot of emotion in his music. Music, women, drugs and just living.

Gabe: I wanna work with Sade. And not just her but her band, too; they’re amazing… Oh yeah, and Rick James. [laughs]

Battle: If I can add, I say Jimmie Hendrix, too. We would definitely have been rocking out all afternoon.

If I can back track a little, I probably should have asked this earlier, but where are y’all from?

Gabe Niles | kidphotography

Gabe: I am from the 757…

Battle: I am from the Beach.

Gabe: I mean so am I, but I say 757 cause the whole area contributes.

Word. Have y’all ever been anywhere and gotten inspiration from the area? I know y’all have been on tour, like have you gone anywhere and seen or heard or had anything outside the 757 and just thought, you know what, “that’s DOPE”?

Battle: You know man, Tennessee was pretty cool, but I would have to say that D.C. is like the ideal place for me outside the 757. Just because so many people around are cultural, and you can get some good-ass food out there; especially some good Thai food. But yeah, Tennessee was cool, but after a while it’s still like any other country place and gets boring.

Gabe: I’ll definitely say my most influential trip involving music would have to be SXSW [South by South West] two years ago. Crazy. People were saying that it was probably the best SXSW yet. It was like ’07 or ’08, and just being out there in that atmosphere makes you realize that there are so many people out there doing the same thing you are and whose style is close to yours.

Battle: It’s a hunger.

Yeah, I feel that, like it’s a fight to reach your overall goal and give you more of a push to get what you want out of it.

Gabe: It made me embrace what makes my music MY music, you know? It also made me look into that and push it forward and helped me develop my own sound.

Yeah because when you do stuff, I know it’s you. Same goes for Battle.

Both: Thanks man.

I remember the first track I heard of yours, Gabe–it was the MIA remix, “Bamboo Bangas.” I thought it was dope and I sent it to my brother. I think I actually stole that from your MySpace page at the time. [laughs]

Gabe: [laughs] Son if you know how to do it then do it. It aint nothing.

I must say I am a fan. Well on that note we can bring this to a close, I appreciate you two getting up with me on this.

Both: No problem, homie.

I guess it’s customary that we do the shout-outs now and add where people can hear your stuff…

Battle: I want to thank InIT Ignition [author Jarrell Williams' design/promotion company]…

Gabe: JESUS CHRIST!

Battle: … Yeah. [laughs] Umm… Hannah [AltDaily's editor], Tallwood, General Public, Prolyfic Music Group, oh and SUBWAY!

Gabe: And for those who want to check us out, you can go to www.rebel-e.com.