When I was in Jackson I met with a really good friend Skipp CooN.
I made the comment after I took a picture "I am going to document all this shit so when you blow up I can get paid by VH1 and do an episode of driven on yo ass"
I though about it on my way back to Houston I listened to the cd he gave me I better do something now because Skipp is much too talented to go under the radar for much longer. So I thought about it and thought to myself lets do an interview. I'll put this on my blog (your reading it aint you fuck boy) So here he is Jackson Mississippi's own Joecephus Martin BKA SKIPP COON The Mayor of Jackson.
B: Skipp Coon is an unusual moniker how did you come up with it?
SC: Well I was in a group called Team Blitzkriegand. We wanted to do a concept album based off of Orwells Animal Farm, at the time I was Race Bannon like the guy from Johnny Quest anywho, the other guy in the group was James Crow so I needed an animal name so I just started reading and looking around for inspiration and I came across a quote from Paul B. Johnson former MS governor saying that NAACP stood for niggers, apes, aligators, coons, and possums. Then I took a phoney black history quiz on the net and one of the answer choices was skipp coon i thought it was cool and i havent looked back
B: Give me a run down on The Mississippi Music scene and where you feel you fit into that scene?
SC: I don't, its like in Jackson quite a few of our national artists are more dirty south image than I am honestly. I love Project Pat, 3-6, 8 ball and MJG but thats not my limit you know I like Maroon 5. (before I heard Adam Levine with the Ying Yang Twins or Kanye) I just dig the music that I like, I'm more of a rapper than a hustler, music is a hustle I guess, but its also something that I take seriously cause I dont wanna teach school and definitely not in public schools
B: You are a lyrical monster if I had to compare your style to more nationally known artist. I would say a mixture of T.I., Cee-Lo from Goodie and early Biggie Smalls.
But that is me on the outside looking in what are your musical influences inside and outside of hip-hop?
SC: Well in hip hop David Banner cause he reps Mississippi even though I dont like everything he does. His heart does appear to be in the right place. Kanye West cause he made it big without killing anyone or selling dope. and Us From Dirrt they were my favorite group when I was in middle and high school, Dirrt is still making noise but they were so hip hop I was just like damn I wanna be down with them. Also just great blackpeople my grandma and granddad Stokely Carmichael, Booker T. Washington, W.E.B. Dubois, Marcus Garvey, Malcolm X and any black person that works hard for our people.
B: Tell me of some artist that you respect and would like to work with rappers, musicians, producers you name it.
SC: Mannie Fresh, Hi Tek, Tec from the Real World, his group the Firemen are dope Bubba Sparxx, the whole Purple Ribbon roster DJ Paul and Juicy J, Common its so many and so many I dont know Authentic Lyfe out ofMemphis, PJ Morton out of ATL so many people man so many
B: You recently made a trip to Prague and attended a hip hop festival tell the world about the change (if any) that trip made in you as an artist and a business man.
SC: Man you gotta be organized, on the real, them dudes don't have our talent but they eat cause they do it everyday so you gotta work at your craft everyday all day then to hear them refer to us as niggaz cause we do it so much is a bit shocking cause a guy was your enemy first. Nigga sign my t-shirt you're like damn he called me a nigga but how many records have I called myself one. You're upset but then you know you shouldnt be it opened my eyes and i really had a great time what up Chippo
B: Everyone I know from Mississippi carry around a pride for that state that you really don't see everywhere. Tell me why are Mississippians so proud of this state when almost every other state points and laughs. Especially with its tumultuous past.
SC: Cause they dont know any better its like people see Mississippi Burning and think we all live in Sparta or something, man I dont know I love jackson you cant melt me down and pour me out of Jackson its beautiful the people the women and hey Jackson State is there what else do you need in life ya know
B: You are working on your Masters Degree having a Bachelors degree is a major accomplishment what made you push for that next level.
SC: I come from a family that requires achievement. My lil sister graduated early my oldest brother is at Morehouse, my Grandma had her specialist my granddad had his Masters. My mom is a nurse so what am I supposed to do sell dope forever, No way I've been blessed with ability and im using it plus I needed some time to work this music thing out and getting another degree helped me get that time.
B: Name some of the other artist in your circle that we should be checking for?
SC: Strongarm my crew the Groove Movement my girl may do something thats it man. Its a lot of us trying to do something out here
B: Where do you self in 5 years?
Sc: Married making music and raising beautiful black babies hopefully teaching a little.
B: You got anything else you want to put out there any predictions for the Mississippi music scene?
Sc:Gods will, will be done. I want my dreams and his to overlap
©2006 YoungBreezy.com
