First off, give us a brief summary of this project, Chain Smoke.
Chain Smoke is basically a production mix tape. Its 17 tracks that I have put together over the last few years, while I have been in the lab redeveloping my sound. It was originally going to be called “the architect”, but I had been kicking around the other title as a play on Miles’ album (Smell Smoke) and Dri’s album (Smoke Rings), and Lucid did a dope ass cover so that wrapped it. I wanted to put it out as a full album, but decided to go with a mix tape format because; in the end I didn’t feel it was complete as an album yet. But I wanted to get these tracks out there now cause I feel they’re dope songs, and a solid representation of where I’m going production wise these days. Also, I’d like to add, there will be a full album release of Chain Smoke with the full versions of all the tracks, and some special treats that aren’t on the mixtape
What did you use to mix these tracks into a seamless DJ mix?
The album was put together at my studio, using Serato and Pro Tools.
You’re a rather multi-faceted artist, as far as having skills in rhyming, production and DJing. Is there one thing that you feel more comfortable doing? If you had to focus on just one of those practices, what would it be?
That’s something I struggle with all the time, and partly why it takes me so long to get a project finished. I love all aspects of making music. I started rapping in 8th grade and it was always my first love. Then in high school, I started to spin and really got deep into that aspect of the culture, parties, battling, opening lots of shows, and that led me in to more serious digging, which led me into production. After getting into making beats, I got really into studio shit, went to school, and have been engineering for about 8 years. Being an Mc is probably the most instantly gratifying aspect of making music, it’s just you and a mic, and anyone within earshot is pretty much forced to listen, and the feeling from really rocking a crowd is amazing. But as I’ve gotten older, I really just love finding those little musical moments in records and flipping them. I see making beats as an extension of being a dj, it’s just a way more controlled environment, put fundamentally, it’s still blending bits and pieces together to make something new. And for what ever reason, that has been the most satisfying for me lately. Although, I have been really missing live performance and am getting my new show put together and will start performing again this month.
Is DJing something that you’d like to get more active in?
I am making it one of my priorities to start Djing more; I took a break when the scene got so flooded. There was a period where everyone was a dj, and ANYONE could get gigs, and I would see so many awful, like painful to watch, Dj sets that I didn’t want to be associated with the Dj scene at the time so I just put it on the back burner for a while. But recently I’ve seen things get a lot better, I think I has to do with audiences having higher standards, and it kinda relit the fire for me and I’ve been converting my wax and getting ready, when I do, watch out.
Tell us about the featured rappers and vocalists on this mixtape.
There are a lot of people that have contributed time and love to this album, let’s see, on the mix tape there is Reach, Id, Gene Conner, Adru the Misphit, Brother of Moses, Stik Figa, Joe Good, Taha, Approach, Nez did a remix, Sg did a beat I’m on, a female singer I was working with for a while named Monique. She’s got a solo joint and then is on another one with Adru that is really fly. Then I’m still finishing up some other tracks for the official release that will include Joc Max, Onebelo, and some other surprises.
At about the 23 minute mark on this mix tape, there’s a really nice track featuring Reach singing. Do you think that Reach should incorporate more singing in his future projects?
I think Reach is an extremely talented dude, and he should continue to do what he’s doing. He came to the studio, did that song and was out the door in less than 10 minutes, and it’s definitely one of the standouts.
Tell us about the track with Joe Good. Is that something he recently recorded with you, or was that something you’ve had sitting on your desk for a while?
Nah, haha, if you listen closely to that song, he says 2006 like four times, that track was done a while ago, back when I was his Dj, right before he quit. Jamal was an amazing rapper, a funny ass dude, and a really genuinely nice person. I think we all wish he’d come back.
What do you have coming up, as far as shows, events, etc.?
I am playing July 22nd, at the Replay Lounge in Lawrence with Reach and Stik Figa. Then the again on the 23rd at the Penut on 9th and Broadway in KC. Then I have a Dj spot out back at the Replay Sept 26th. That’s it for now, anyone interested in booking, holla at me.
Intro
Right Now-ID
I Gotcha-Gene Conner
I Don’t Play-Monique
Back For The Title-Stik Figa
Roc Boys-Chain Smoke Remix
Looking For Today-Archetype
Show Love-Approach
Put You On-Reach
Chain Smoke Intermission
Know The Name-Joe Good
Lights On-Johnny Quest Prod by SG
Bus 39-Adru the Misphit Feat Monique
Day In Day Out-Brother of Moses
925 Remix-Johnny Quest & Taha Prod By Nezbeat
All Falls Down-Chain Smoke Remix
Call It What You Want-Stik Figa
JOHNNY QUEST – THE CHAIN SMOKE MIXTAPE – (((download here)))
Chris Mills
Editor-in-Chief at Demencha Magazine LLC and Demencha.com. Send music and event submissions to chris@demencha.com.
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