What can we expect to see from Jdubs over the next year?
I'll be taking the album on tour in May, hopefully performing all over the place throughout the year. I've also finished an 8 track EP showcasing my new music that was written from when the album was finished until now. And of course album number 2 has begun construction! I will also be spending ample time with the paintbrush in 2010 too!
Who are your favourite NZ musicians/bands, and why?
I'm a massive fan of NZ music through and through, to name a few demigods we have here ; The mighty Shapeshifter, Parks and Ladi 6, Electric Wire Hustle, Sacha Vee, Aeries, Lisa Tomlins.. the list goes on. These musicians are not only exceptionally talented and gifted, they are also supremely beautiful, soulful people. Artists in this country are family, respect is paramount and the music is worldclass.
What will Jdubs next release be?
Unofficially my EP will be next off the blocks, it's gunna be recorded mixtape style (rough and gritty!) and will be thrown out at live gigs etc. And of course my follow up album which im chiseling away at with Charles Kickens and his beat apprentice Dempski. If all things go to plan I should have number 2 ready for the start of summer!
How do you come up with your lyrics?
Over many years I have come to write my best lyrics in my car, with the iPod thru the tape player. I have a few peaceful spots around Christchurch that I park up and write at. The process involves brainstorming the song subject and concept.. general idea jamming which then manifests into lyrics. I'll usually sit there for 3 or 4 hours at a time for a verse. I do alot of outside research on concepts and learning the information on which I choose to have an opinion on.
Who would you most like to support live?
The shifters are awesome to support live, but I'd have to say at this very moment i would most like to support Ladi 6 and Parks live. Love those two!
JDubs - aka Ben James - began making music at just 13, MCing and eventually hosting RDU's $ Mix hip-hop show before catching the attention of Shapeshifter's Devin Abrams.
The breakthrough came when he was offered a spot alongside partner-in-rhyme MC Aeries on Devin's third solo album as Pacific Heights.
Dubs' work impressed, and now comes his crafted release out on Shapeshifter's record label, Truetone. JDubs uses music as a tool to gently but powerfully push a message of love and forgiveness - with a view to waking people up to the system that controls the way they think, feel and act.