Our Interview with Gajah

If you’ve been a fan of Los Angeles underground at all over the last 15 years, chances are you’ve heard of Gajah, either as a part of Acid Reign along with beOND, or as an alumni of the infamous Project Blowed open mic in LA. Gajah has a lengthy discography under his belt, and has added to it with another banger, Hands Of Gold Are Always Cold, that was produced by Uncommon Nasa. Uncommon Nasa's prog rock infused off kilter dusty funk beats make the perfect place for Gajah to flex his chopping prowess. They both have hit the road (and might be done by the time you read this) on the “Golden Telephone” Tour through the Southwest, but the polymorphic swordfish took a few out of his busy Rap Dad schedule to answer some questions I threw at him.

He’s a tall, frizzy drink of orange-tinged LA tap water who knows how to rap his pankcake ass off, and deserves all the money in your wallet right now, so read this shit, the buy this shit.

OUR INTERVIEW WITH Gajah STARTS NOW!!!

SYFFAL: You're a Project Blowedian, a member of Acid Reign, a polymorphic swordfish, and you've been chopping your ass of for years now. What's your mindset going into the Hands Of Gold Are Always Cold album, and upcoming tour with Uncommon Nasa?

GAJAH: Well, Nasa and I had been building for a few years, and we always entertained the idea of a collaboration project. So once it was set in stone, he sent me the beat for what was to become the track, "Soldier of Truth". That track pretty much set the tone for the album conceptually. The following track I laid down was "Hot Pants" which was a play on the truth theme, paving the way for various tales of greed, deception, materialism and so forth. When the album was nearly complete, Nasa and I then started discussing and pre-planning a tour in support of my record and his record, NY Telephone, which had dropped a couple months earlier in August.

SYFFAL: Like, On and Offspring, your previous record with Mute Speaker, this is another solo album where it's just you and one producer. What attracts you to that format of creating a record?

GAJAH: I find working with one producer to be a much easier process, especially when they are as serious and focused as I am. I'm not the type of guy to beat around the bush, nor do I like to play internet tag, I'm all business. So is Nasa, therefore we were able to finish this record at a pace that we both desired. Hunting down multiple producers for beats, mixes, etc. can be strenuous. In the past, some have went ghost and held up projects for months. That's not the way I like to work. There must be an equal understanding.

SYFFAL: Do you think that the music scene is suffering because there aren't places like The Blowed around anymore, forcing these little rap bastards to sharpen, master, and earn their stripes?

GAJAH: In a talent sense, yes. For years now, the scene has been oversaturated with MCs due to accessibility. There are more open doors, more opportunities, and the allure of being a rapper has invited so many to aspire. The fear and intimidation factor that once was has vanished from the equation. And us artists who have had to fight our way through the rough have no choice but to accept it for what it is. But I don't complain or worry about it, these are just different times.

SYFFAL: You're leaving out on tour with Uncommon Nasa. What's the hardest thing about hitting the road these days? And will you rag on the awfulness that is SOA the whole time, or give him day breaks?

GAJAH: For me it's leaving my family, number one. Number two, budgeting my income to ensure a successful outcome at the end of the trip. With proper preparation, everything else comes easy. Dealing with lack of sleep from partying would be a third if it was 6 years ago. I don't plan on bringing up SOA, but I'm sure Nasa will...well maybe haha. We could just agree to disagree.

SYFFAL: What was the thought going into this new record, and what inspired the title, The Hands Of Gold Are Always Cold?

GAJAH: Aside from the necessity of it, I've always had a distaste for money and gold, due to the effects that they have on people. We are all aware of the level of evil and destruction they can cause, yet we are blinded by our own selfish needs, wants, goals and agenda's, so most can care less. We are a cold race, living in a cold world. I pretty much adapted this mind frame to my writings on this record in a fun, mild way, without trying to depress anyone. The actual title, "Hands of Gold Are Always Cold" is a title of a hymn sung by Symon Silver Tongue in the George R.R. Martin novel, A Storm of Swords.

SYFFAL: So's that like a Dungeons and Dragons thing we're supposed to know about? Chopping is a very LA thing to me, but a lot of rappers do it now. Being the stellar chopper that you are, what's the key to pulling it off? And, do you think Myka9 is owed royalties for how much cats have adopted this style?

GAJAH: After years of practice, it becomes second nature. Once you find that rhythm pocket and get that roll down, you just sort of cruise your way through it like nothing. Myka is definitely the King of chop, so is Ellay Khule and many good lifers who founded that flow. They are credited and acknowledged Worldwide for patenting that style, but definitely not enough, not how they deserve. I can proudly say that they are my mentors, and their music has helped make me the MC I am today.

SYFFAL: Okay, challenge. Name your top 5 LA MCs right now. Curious to see who you are feeling.

GAJAH: In no particular order and subject to change:

• Express Fresh
• Pigeon John
• Open Mike Eagle
• Self Jupiter
• EQ

SYFFAL: You and beOND have been together years now, from marble jar to starting acid lab records. How Have you not murdered each other, and when’s the next Acid Reign album?

GAJAH: beOND and I have always been tight, and we continue to grow tighter. We've always wondered why other groups fight and bicker, it baffles us. The next Acid Reign album, Losaka, is already mastered and ready for release as soon as this video is edited. It's a bilingual rap collaboration with Osaka-based MC Gebo. Expect some hyper-speed stylings on this one.

SYFFAL: Thanks for taking the time to chop it up with us. We love you deeply. Keep fighting the good fight.