Punk rock and hip-hop have deep roots together. Seeping out of different boroughs, both genres stripped down what was necessary to make powerful art and changed the youth’s musical landscape. Blondie was one of the first groups to crossover, and had one of the first rap videos, with 1981’s Rapture. In fact, The Beastie Boys paid famous tribute to their idols the Bad Brains choosing the same initials.
But, don’t get it twisted with rap rock. That’s very different, and I don’t want to remember.
Today dozens of artists are blending the aesthetics together. Death Grips and Odd Future get the most press, but artists like Houston’s B LA C K I E, Richmond’s Lil Ugly Mane and Memphis’ Cities Aviv are rooted in the underground pushing both genres to new limits; all are committed to having more kids come out to shows and to progressing the state of hip-hop.
Allston Pudding chatted with San Jose’s Antwon, who’s touring the country this month, about the roots of his style, the intersection of punk and hip hop and the best burritos.
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**ANTWON IS PLAYING TONIGHT (9/28) AT BRIGHTON MUSIC HALL AT 11:30. SHOW IS 21+ AND 17 BONEZ. HAVE A GOOD SATURDAY NIGHT!!**
San Jose has a long history of musicians trying something different, like Sleep and Peanut Butter Wolf, when you first started out using non-traditional samples what was the response?
Cant forget about smash mouth. Fantasy beds was when I went non traditional with hip hop. I mean tradition is cool but bending the rules doesn’t hurt and has great results and feels so freeing and it’s what I always wanted.
You started in punk, have a song called “Darby Crash” and own a Wipers shirt, how will punk and hip-hop mix more? Every B L A C K I E show I’ve ever been to is in a basement full of punks. Are your shows bringing out the punks and trap fans?
My shows are for anyone and everyone with an open mind and not for for people ignorant to progression. If you want to see something visceral and leave with something that will change the way you view current music come to the tree house party tour. Future of rap.
You mentioned thrash as a huge influence in an interveiw with Interviewmagazine, what are some punk bands that influenced you the most?
Floorpunch for sure. Since yall in boston cant not mention lockin out. Shouts to greg. Shout outs to jesse, jaybo, sean, and ian.
You work a lot with southern artists (Lil Ugly Mane, Cities Aviv, and B L A C K I E) what influence has southern hip-hop had on your music? (the artwork for “play cuzns” looks a lot like Indo G. an Lil Blunt’s, from Memphis, “The Antidote” cover)
I was born in the south but I love the south over all shouts out to my texas lockin out fam.
What Bay Area artist do you wanna work with most?
Dudes who do HBK [Heart Break Gang] production those guys are doin good. 1luv ti them
Who are the Nature Boyz?
Thas the clique many people in youll
On “Pussy Wet” Marilyn Manson said “girl I wanna see your cameltoe,” reaction?
Love it.
Who’s your 3rd World Girl?
All of them
Explain Dark Myspace.
Lol like a parody of the dark Webb
Favorite 40?
None I hate malt liquor
What’s the best burrito in San Jose? If you’ve never been to Boston you gotta go to El Pelon Taqueria.
El gruellense no disrepect but mexican food in east coast doesnt exist lol
Before anyone comes to your show what do you want them to know?
You’re here to have fun