Jamo Gang: Straight, No Chase

Jamo Gang is Ras Kass, J57 and El Gant

Let’s hop right into this brand new single, “The 1st Time,” featuring Slug & Tyler Kimbro, and produced by DJ Premier — Tell me about this particular track? And, how did it even come to fruition?

Gant: All three of us in the Jamo Gang had the opportunity to meet up with Premier in his studio last year. Although it was more of a social gathering, he happened to play a couple of things he was working on. When I heard this one particular beat, I literally jumped up and just flat out asked if we can rock it. Now, if something isn’t dope Preem will not allow that song to come out, so he let us take a mp3 of the instrumental and told us to show and prove. A month or so later, J57 and I happened to go see Atmosphere rock live in Atlanta and after the show when we were talking to him backstage a light went on in J57’s head to put Slug on the song since he thought his vibe worked well with this production. The rest is history!

This dope joint comes on the heels of last summer’s “Francis Scott Key”…

Ras: We were starting to put together our LP after releasing our self titled EP last year, and J57 had sent us both this hard instrumental that gave the feeling of impending doom. We knew right there we had to say something important on it. We all talk about current events a lot on the road so this was a no brainer, especially to anybody (who’s) a fan of my catalogue. Gant sent his verse back first, and it was scorching! This wasn’t a hard one to make because of all the emotion, but it’s one of our favorites. Wait til you see the video.

Both songs come courtesy of your highly anticipated forthcoming sophomore collection, ‘Walking With Lions’ — Conceptually, what does that title represent both to and for you all?

Ras: This album really defines us as a group. It’s telling the world how we perceive ourselves. We love this music and culture, and we are walking with the top of the food chain and letting y’all know on the album.

How does ‘Walking With Lions’ either differ and/or compare to that of your self-titled 2018 debut EP?

Ras: It’s a very complete body of work. We have amazing collaborations together, and we effortlessly touched on a lot of subjects. School shootings, if the planet were to end today, relationship problems, young versus old heads in the eyes of hip-hop, politics, where we are headed….its got substance with bars!

And with that being said, what all can be expected, i.e. highlights, producer credits, favorite songs, cameos, at this particular point in time?

Ras: There are some amazing cameos on this album. Listeners are going to be blown away with who is a part of this. I won’t speak on it yet, but it is amazing.

‘Walking With Lions’ is a Fat Beats Records project — What particular string of events actually led to this unification?

J57: I was fortunate enough to work at the legendary Fat Beats N.Y. from Sept 2004 till the store closed in Sept 2010, and I kept a great relationship with them. Honestly, Joe Dent and I kept in touch and I asked him if he wanted to take a listen to some of the demos we had for the album…and then we got signed haha! Been waiting like 15 years for this; insanely grateful.

Longevity, what do you all attribute yours to?

J57: Our timeless sounding records, and our work ethic. Us three could get in the studio for a solid day with no distractions and knock out probably 5 to 6 amazing, flawless songs. I honestly think us three getting together to form this group and bond, was written in the stars. I attribute our longevity to all of that. Great questions by the way!

What do you all want people to get from your music?

J57: Energy, emotion, quotables, neck cramps and most importantly…goosebumps!

If you all could collaborate with any one artist, living or dead, who would it be and why?

J57: Some days that answer is Bjork, other days it’s Jay-Z, and most of the time it’s Freddie Mercury. All three have a lot in common, believe it or not…one thing being, that they’re experts at their own style / sound.

Do you all have any other outside / additional aspirations, maybe even completely away from music?

Gant: I have a few businesses, so I’m always putting my hands in something, and I know J and Ras definitely aspire (and are currently) working with up and coming artists in the game. We all always have something popping, but music is our passion.

To date, what has been your biggest career moment(s), at least thus far anyway?

Gant: For me, it’s really to get to work with people I idolized as a child. Premier, Beatnuts, all these guys. I sat in a hotel lobby and listened to Chuck D and Preem tell crazy stories about back in the day this year. If someone told 14 year old me that would happen one day, he never would have believed you. As far as low points, shit, there have been many. Sleeping on floors, getting treated like shit, traveling for 5 hours to play for 6 people…this game is not for the weak at heart, but it makes you stronger if you tough it out and have the talent and drive.

Looking ahead, say five or maybe even ten years from now, where do you all see yourselves?

Gant: Where everyone else will be…dead after all the polar ice caps melt…lol.

As for the immediate, what’s next for Jamo Gang?

Gant: Getting this new project out, spreading the work and doing we we love the most, Hitting the road!

Is there anything I left out or just plain forgot to mention?

Gant: I think you covered it!

Any “parting” message(s) for our readers?

Yes, come out and see us live…I don’t know how many more tours my liver will be able to tolerate…lol

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