Thursday

The Hot Seat

The Unstoppable Ajaxxx

Orlando-based rapper Ajaxxx can simply be described by one word: unstoppable. With numerous mixtape projects, national performances, and international hit tracks all under his belt, he is intent on spreading his music as people continue to join his worldwide fan-base. He’s graced the covers of national and international magazines, released song after song, and even had a commercial of his air on MTV – truly a remarkable feat for any up-and-coming emcee. He is truly an accomplished artist with a driven mindset. Although this hardworking attitude has rewarded Ajaxxx, much of his success can be attributed to his amazing skill as well. His abilities on the mic have made him a rising star in the music industry and a name that’s going to make a mark. I don’t need to sit here and boast such talent, though – just continue reading and find out…

Ajaxxx – I’ve done my research on you, and it really seems like you’re everywhere – magazines, websites, and now TV. How do you manage all that?
I think the reason I’m poppin’ up in a lot of diff places is because I’ve been pretty active musically. From the shows to the new music to everything else, I feel that I’m gaining more exposure which translates into more publicity. That’s just my guess though, who knows for sure?

Almost every week there’s a new single, a new collaboration, or a new mixtape you’re featured on! How do you have the time to do all this?
I don’t. For all the new songs or features or whatever that I put out, I’m always behind and I always have a producer or a singer or someone yelling at me to hurry up with my verse haha. I mean, I shouldn’t say yelling, but always asking me. It’s not easy to balance everything, but you gotta’ find time to make it happen which means you’ve gotta really be good about time management and you really have to learn how to prioritize. If you want to get somewhere, you have to realize its importance.

Describe a typical day in the life of Ajaxxx!
That’s a really hard question to answer, because there’s never one day alike. I may have some days where I’m recording all day, while I may have other days where I’m gearing up for a performance. That’s one great thing about music – you never know what to expect, and with each day you’re presented with new challenges and opportunities.

Of all the songs which you’ve recorded till date, which would you say are your top three?
Damn, that’s a tough one. I like my more-personal songs more, so “Ghost in the Dark” (off the Set-Up CD) would be one. Ummm, I also have a new song on my upcoming CD called “Storybook Ending” which is very emotional that’s gotta be up there too. And as far as number three – let me get back to you on that!

The “Rap Against Violence” contest was one of the major highlights in your musical career. Tell our readers about this contest and the song you wrote.
Sure thing. The Florida State Attorney’s Office, in collaboration in Brighthouse Networks and local radio station 102 Jamz, created a contest where they asked artists in the state of Florida to make a song promoting anti-gun violence. I kept witnessing all the school shootings on T.V. and I always wanted to do a song about the issue, and thought that the contest was a good opportunity for it. I wanted to write a song that not only encouraged people to step up against unnecessary gun violence, but also to offer hope to the family and friends of the deceased.I ended up writing a song called “Walk With You” and submitting it, and then the next thing you know I was told that I was one of ten winners for the contest. Since winning, I’ve had a commercial air on TV and have been featured on a CD distributed all over Florida too. It’s been a blessing, but more importantly the song has impacted a lot of people.


You just released your latest mixtape, “The Set-Up.” Tell us a little bit about the concept and some of the singles from the mixtape.
Well, originally “The Set-Up” was supposed to be just that – a set up to my next CD, “Something to Prove.” Somewhere along the way, though, it took on a new meaning. I’ve always had obstacles present themselves to me, and I kept having people stand in my way of doing music. So, in that sense, they’re also trying to set me up. That’s where the title came from.The Set-Up is more of a compilation versus a new CD with all new original material. It’s got freestyles I did for different DJs, unreleased songs, and also “Something to Prove” teasers too. Its main purpose was to serve as an appetizer before the main course.

What other projects do you have in the pipeline?
Well I’ve got a few more CDs to drop this year, the next one being “Something to Prove.” I’m putting all my efforts into this project. It really shows my progression and my versatility too.

You JUST released “The Set-Up” and you’re already working on another one! Tell us more about this project!
Well I’m currently working on it as we speak, just bangin’ tracks and writing more and more for it. Right now I’m pretty deep in the project, but it’s tough to single out which tracks to make the final cut. As far as the music goes, it’s got a lot of my best stuff to date. I’ve got a lot of heartfelt and personal songs on there, some real crazy party songs, and then your hardcore hip-hop head-nodders as well. It’s an eclectic CD, and it’s truly showcasing my songwriting skills more than anything. I wanted to let people get Ajaxxx in true vintage form. So I’m saying, look out for it!

Talk about going off on a tangent! So back to your recent release, “The Set-Up.” Is there any particular track from “The Set-Up” which you would label as one of your ‘favorites’ and why?
I mentioned it before, but “Ghost in the Dark” is probably up there. “As I Stand,” the last track on the album, also has special meaning to me. Both of them talk about the struggles I’ve encountered and how I feel about them. “Ghost in the Dark” is a song talking about how alone I am in terms of music, while “As I Stand” talks about where my mindset is right now at this very moment. It also serves its purpose of tying together the whole CD into one song to make everything make sense.

Other than the artists you’ve already collaborated with, who from the South Asian scene would you like to work with…producers and artists?
To be honest with you, there’s not one specific person. I just look for someone who knows how to create good music, who is very talented, and who is passionate about his or her work.

What would be your dream collaboration on a mainstream level?
Probably Timbo, his depth is ridiculous.

What makes the South Asian music scene in the U.K. very different than that of the music scene here?
Well I think there’s more of a market for the “Urban Desi Scene” or whatever it is you call it. A lot more people are doing it there, and a lot more stations are supporting it there too. Here in the U.S., there’s not too much of that and we probably wouldn’t know about each other without the Internet. That’s why I encourage artists not to rely on their race, and instead use their talents to the fullest.

Till date, what has been your greatest musical accomplishment?
I’d have to say the release of my first mixtape, “It’s About Time.” I remember on campus I’d always have people coming at me like, “Yo, what’s up with the CD?” I kept participating in these emcee battles so they’d always see me, but they’d never have anything tangible. So I mean, I finally decided to get into the studio and record a CD. “It’s About Time” was a 24-track CD that had your hardcore hip-hop songs to your club bangers to your to thought-provoking stories. It was like this long-awaited project for me too, which made it much more meaningful.

From the past or current music industry, who do you look towards as a source of inspiration?
There are way too many people that have inspired me musically. I’d have to give it up to legends like BIG, Pac and also Pun. Nas and Jay have also been real influential on me. Other emcees include Eminem, Andre3000, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Common, and LL Cool J. I’m just scratching the surface and definitely leaving out a lot, but those are just some artists off the top of my head who I know have been real inspirational to me.

What advice to do have for up-and-coming artists?
I mean, it’s hard to give advice to someone in the same boat as me. Haha. If anything, just keep grindin’ and don’t look back. That’s what I’ve been doing and I’m definitely starting to make waves. So yeah, probably that.

Do you have any final words for your fans and the readers of Bravura Artist Magazine?
Yes. I wanna’ thank Bravura Artist Magazine for taking the time out and interviewing me, and also a big thank you to all my fans for their continued support! If you’d like to check out more from me, make sure you log onto www.Ajaxxx.com or www.myspace.com/Ajaxxx. Be sure to download my latest mixtape, “The Set-Up” if you already haven’t! PEACE!

Please click on the CD cover below to start downloading “The Set-Up“