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| Sketch of Richee drawn by yours truly |
Straight outta Yokohama, Richee been representing the Bay Side for years alongside his Hip-Hop groups such as Ghetto Inc. and Tha DSC. The Smooth Operator is now back with the upcoming 2nd album of his new group Jack Rabbitz. Since I had the opportunity to draw the album cover, it was a good occasion to ask him some questions. Ready, set, go!
Can you please introduce yourself? Who are you and where are you from?
They call me RICHEE aka Smooth Operator from Yokosuka city Japan. I'm da Smooth Operator since everything I do is smooth (laughs)!
How did you discover Hip-Hop culture and how did you start to rap?
As a kid, I grew up listening to Hip-Hop. I was a skater during those ages and had a boom box going while we was skating. I never thought I would be a rapper during the time, but around 1994 or so I started to try freestyling but was just fooling around... I actually really got into rapping around 1999.
Your big brother Big Ron sings and you rap. Did your passion for music started at the same time?
BIG RON was a very big influence for me to start in the music world. I started to feel the passion when I seen him on stage for the first time. After that I said I may be able to do it also! And I just started to write my raps.
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| Big Ron |
Westcoast Rap music and especially G-Funk style been huge in Japan for years (NB: it's so popular that Japanese G-Funk is called J-Funk). Why do you think Japanese people feel these types of Rap? And where do your interest for this genre comes from?
Westcoast scene in Japan now has become fairly large in the Japanese community. When we first started, it was never easy because there was a whole bunch of other style rappers around and they got their props at the time. DS455 was one of the Westcoast style pioneers and the smooth beats DJ PMX was making just was easy to get into. They got the verses and the hooks came with singers singing on them. I guess the melody was very nice and easy for the Japanese people to get into. My interest of this genre came automatically since I was located on a military base. Always been listening to Westcoast music starting from NWA!
Favorite artists so far and influences?
Too many to name but it got me when Dr. Dre came up with "The Chronic". Snoop Doggy Dogg, Ice Cube, Cypress Hill, Eminem, etc. I just love their shit!
How different is Yokohama Rap scene from other japanese cities?
Since there are many American bases around in our town and also the outlying cities, the scene in Yokohama was much more prone to the music overseas. The culture of lowriding started way back when I was a kid. I used to go to Yokohama around a large park called Yamashita where all the lowriders where bumping their music and doing all kinds of stuff. My interest at the time was to hit on the honeys who be chillin' in the same park! Anyways, the difference is just the style because most of the JP Rappers were just influenced over the Eastcoast style and there wasn't too many of them also. The Westcoast style actually got popular within this 15 years I think.
How do you consider Hip-Hop's evolution in Japan thru the years?
It's great! The scene grew as time fled and now many artist are starting to get recognized. The next step is to take it to another level so we can get more people to listen to many of the music we make.
You're part of different groups and structures. How did you connect with Hood Sound, Ghetto Inc., Tha DSC, etc?
I started out my career with Ghetto Inc.! I was leader of the group and we got instrumentals of songs already out and started rapping to it. Got hooked up with DS455 after Big Ron started to work with them. I went solo for a bit, then made a group called Jack Rabbitz since I had Cherry Brown and Knux around my crew. Tha DSC was formed around 2 years ago since we just went to perform all over Japan as a crew all the time!
You created RS Enterprise in 2009 if I'm right. What were your wishes and objectives through it?
Reason why I made RS ENTERPRISE was mainly because I wanted to do more things that was different from all the past projects. Another reason is that I wanted to make my own studio (G-Studio) so we can make everything at our own spot.
One of your recent project is the creation of your new group Jack Rabbitz alongside Cherry Brown and Knux (formerly of Trill Grillz) who represent the next generation of rappers in Yokohama. Why that choice and how did they catch your attention?
Simple. As a large group called HI-RISE, we had a very large number of people who wanted to be a rapper or singer. I first met Cherry Brown when he was 16 years old and he brought me a demo. I thought he had a different flavor from others and just caught my mind. Ever since he was a close member of the team. I met Knux afterward when Cherry started to kick it with his peeps in Trill Grillz. I heard several of his songs and thought he had a very nice style of singing at the time.
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| Richee, Cherry Brown, Knux |
An interesting thing's that you have 25% of Japanese blood and 75% of American blood. Is it difficult to represent a new generation of Japanese people with mixed cultures?
It's never been easy to be mixed or being a foreigner in Japan. When I was a kid, there was so many negativity that I don't even want to get into details about... Now, it's very different because the new age people mind have changed and see everything differently. It's just starting to get better but who knows how it will be! Gotta see how it goes.
How come there are so many halfu in Yokosuka?.. Because of the US army?
I think the fact that the military base is around is a huge reason for people like us to be seen a lot!
You often go to Thailand with your group and label mates. How do Thai people show you love out there?
Thai is great. We are linked up with the artists in Bangkok (Thaitanium and the family) and everytime we go there we have fun times. Just wait till all the fun coming up with the Asian music scene.
Upcoming projects and desires for the future?
Jack Rabbitz 2nd album coming soon. Has been postponed for a bit but it will be out. I'm working on my 2nd solo album and Ghetto Inc. 2nd also. Hope we can keep making great music for all ya ears!
Last question: why Sakura Sena (laughs)?
Oh boy... just look at her and her body!!!!!! She old now though... (laughs)
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| Sakura Sena aka Monster Body |
Would you like to say one last thing?
Thanx for reading!! Listen to our music and hope all will enjoy.
Thanks a lot for answering my questions!
Purchase Richee's and Jack Rabbitz latest releases on http://www.rs-enterprise.net/
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