THE REBEL LIFE
Chaunice Japan versus the mainstreamCleveland 16-year-old rap artist wants to add depth to the game’s lyrical output
By GEZUS ZAIRERebel Life Media/www.ClevelandHipHop.net
I pride myself on being able to find unknown Cleveland artist and provide them an opportunity to get an audience. My latest discovery in the vast sea of rappers in Cleveland is a 16-year-old rapper who goes by the name of Chaunice Japan. After making a cameo appearance on Wise Guy’s “Spilled Milk” album, this young lady is working on a project that she assures will encourage thought.Most will agree that collectively women are complicated and the same goes for the mind of Chaunice Japan. Don’t get me wrong – to be complicated is not bad. To be simple – or as Chaunice puts it – to be “mainstream” is bad. Let’s get complicated. Welcome to Japan.
Zaire: Different generations have different things that are important to them. At 16-year-old what is coming out of your pen as a rap artist?
CJ: Strictly me. All me. My surroundings. My feelings. Mostly poetic. I like to use different point of views and also personify things around – and of me – if you get what I mean.
Zaire: OK, so what are your feelings, surroundings and the different point of views that make you worth listening to?
CJ: Hmm. Good one. My feelings are exactly what a young woman my age would feel. I think adding them into my writing will engage [the listener] more – not only into hip-hop but an actual lyrical rapper that’s a female. ’Cause the majority of females who are rappers that young people do listen to, are mainstream. Mainstream as in pretty much nonsense. My feelings are hurt, rage, confusion etc. My surroundings – the followers, haters, wannabes, fakes. And I actually write from their point of view in my notebook. It’s something people especially us young ones can relate to.
Zaire: You have a unique stance on what you like, because most folks under 25 have embraced an era of ringtone hits, catchy hooks and dance routines. What made you rebel against that?
CJ: I see more of that than more of real music. Real music to me is expression, feelings, personal point of views. Most artists now-a-days to me just write just for the fame to say “I’m a rapper.” And they can do it easily with a catchy hit song.
Zaire: Do your friends agree with your feelings or do they see you as a complainer or better yet a hater for your critical feelings about the current state of rap?
CJ: Oh no! I’m not a hater. Oh no. I’m really gentle about it. It’s not a hate thing. I support some of today’s music. I’m just saying it’s mostly nonsense than real music I can relate to. And yes [my friends] feel quite the same. We like music, we just have a certain fashion, we’d like to bring back to equalize the catchy and the real. Ok, for example “Racks on Racks,” I love that song, but I can’t say I can relate.
Zaire: Is there a planned release date for your first project at all? What are your biggest expectations behind it?
CJ: I have to work on it. I’m going step by step. I’m just trying to get heard. And I expect love, respect and if I’m lucky – actual listeners who like what I’m talking about.
(This interview is the official property of Rebel Life Media and www.ClevelandHipHop.net)
