What does JFX stand for?

Reks: Our name used to be called Joint FX because we both have two different styles, two different flows combined into one, but JFX is an abbreviation of Joint FX, Joint FX Music, the music is just because we do our own type of music, there is no specific genre.

I like Joint FX..

Reks: Do you, why?

Wait, you go by the name of JFX Music?

Curtis (JFX Booking Manager) They don’t make rap, they don’t make pop, they don’t make indie, it’s JFX Music.

What is JFX Music?

Blackz: There is no way you can actually describe it, without saying JFX Music.

So what makes you different to other UK rappers our there?

Blackz: I think that’s a fake question because every artist is going to say ‘Because we do our own thing’ No. No one’s different really, because it is just recycled it is just how you bring it across and when you do it, it is all about timing. However, the reason why we picked our name JFX Music, is because there was no other way to describe it, we let people tell us why we’re different, let people tell us what genre we’re in, we just do what we do and hope that people like that, so we don’t try to label it ourselves. We try to make the best music we can and hopefully the public say we’re different and they like it.

So, you are different because you make your own style of music..

Reks: Yeah, if you want to phrase it like that. We wouldn’t say were the same as everyone else, as everyone has a slight individuality, to a certain extent.

Is fashion important to you guys?

Blackz: Yeh, but you can’t tell by the way I’m dressed now, just went to the gym, mans been benching a lot, do you know what I’m saying girls.

(Laughter all round!)

Image nowadays is everything. Some people would say image is more important than music itself.

How would you describe your style, are you guys similar or have your own style?

Blackz: What I tend to do is let him buy stuff first and i’ll buy exactly what he buys, so if he gets a compliment I know the next time I wear it I will as well.

So what style do you go for, urban, slick?

Reks: Ive got two styles but Ive got my grown man style which consists of glasses, chinos and blazers.

When you dress on stage, when you perform,is it different to your every day casual clothing?

Reks: Not really, because it’s you, like when I’m on stay I’m not a complete different guy, im not like Superman and Peter Parker, it’s just you all the way.

For example, if a label says they don’t like the way you dress and they want to put you in a suit and change you, would you do it?

Blackz: Depends on how big the cheque was and what it was for.

But would you change your whole persona for them?

Reks: No, not the whole persona,

Blackz: there has to be a common ground in negotiation, but if it was for the best interest of the group.

Okay, so not about style, say someone’s like I like you guys but I don’t want you to sing those songs, sing this types of music, so not your JFX Music, say for example Garage would you do it if they we’re going to sign you?

(They start making Garage sounds ‘Enterrrrr’, they did pretty well)

Reks & Blackz: NOO!

Blackz: Course not, they might as well sign somebody else.

Reks: If that was the case, it’s not worth it, it defeats the whole purpose of you as an artist that you’ve kind of built.

(We got talking about Immortal Technique CHECK HIM OUT! The reason is, Immortal Technique’s music is very explicate and raw about current affairs which cannot be spread within the commercial music industry. He would not sign to a label knowing that he cannot produce the music is does.)

In other words, would you rather not be signed and do what you love?

Blackz: Yes, fortunate to us, the music that we like to do happens to sell a lot of records so we’re lucky.

Would you rather be Rich or Famous?

Blackz: Famous. But I feel that fame can create situations that can bring you wealth, plus I like the attention.

How did you two meet each other?

Blackz: We grew up together from primary school.

How did you get into the music scene?

Blackz: By not paying attention in English class.

Reks: We went to different schools so we weren’t always together, like I went to a school in Battersea and I had my own little group, Battersea were where So Solid Crew were from so that was kind of the thing, so everyone’s MCing . I was in a group and we split up, things didn’t work out, same time Blackz was in the same situation, so we kind of went together, was like a little project at first , we expanded and here we are today.

Curtis: Tell them what you want to originally call the group.

Reks: Rocket Science.

I like it, if I was to hear Rocket Science I would think quirky, what are they.

Blackz: I think it sounds like a dance group.

Reks: What do you think when you hear JFX Music?

Without seeing you I would think you’re a brand or you’re guys who make music. 

Do you guys have arguments and if so what’s it mostly about?

Reks: I’m more like the sensible person with my head screwed on, large amounts, I thought I’d throw that in there, I wouldn’t say he’s like wild or nothing.

Blackz: You’re just boring.

Curtis: Their going to want to know what large amounts is.

Rex: I shouldn’t be telling you, I’m not going to tell you but I’m going to tell you. I say I’m a bit of large amounts meaning we see stuff in a deeper perspective. It’s when you understand something a bit more than the average person does. That’s how I am as a person and he’s more….. we do argue but we’re very similar and very different at the same time, we have different ways so we kind of clash at times. We don’t have big boy arguments.

As in artists, who are you liking at the moment?

Rex: Theres a lot of people.

Blackz: I like everybody.

Reks: I’m not going to say everybody but if I don’t mention their names doesn’t mean I don’t like them. Wretch 32 is sik, all round heavy, erm.. N Dubz, more their older stuff, Tinie Tempah, gotta love that stuff I love his music.

Do you listen to other genres other than rap?

Blackz: Go on say Adele.

Reks: You know Adeles music because you hear it everywhere, I like soul. Erykah Badu, Musiq Soul Child, it just depends on what kind of vibe your going for at the time, get me. The other day i found myself listening to Alanis Morrissette.

Is there anyone up and coming that your liking?

Blackz: The last person that I was feeling strongly was Ed Sheeran, but I wouldn’t say he’s emerging anymore. He’s up there so you can’t say he’s up and coming.

But some people still don’t know who he is..

Reks: He’s like an underdog but there, that guy is going to be something massive. I can’t think you know, I’m a guy, you when people give me their CDs on the street, I am always willing to hear it I’m always going to be like that.

Do you buy these CDs on road?

Reks: Yeah, we used to sell CDs , that’s what we used to do, we used to burn thousands and thousands of mixtapes and go all around the country and sell our music. Some people say its going to be crap but you never know what you’re going to be listening too.

Blackz: ‘Not Another Mixtape’ coming soon bare plug in bare bare plug in.

If you had wish what would it be?

Reks: World Peace.

Really?

(Laughter)

Reks: Yeah!

Blacks: If I had one wish I’d wish for another 9 wishes.

You can’t do that..

Blackz: You can’t make up rules you said the question, you can’t add on extra thing.

Reks: You want to hear something cool like BMW, X5 or 10 hoes and a Range Rover, when you think about it, there is so much wickedness in the world, I know world peace sounds cheesy but it’s humble.

Where would be your idea place to perform?

Blackz: Glastonbury. I’m speaking on behalf of both of us, did you see what Beyonce did.

Reks: Has to be Glastonbury.

What is one of the worst experience’s you’ve had whilst performing?

Blackz: I forgot my lyrics on stage, that was back in the day.

Reks: He forgot his lyrics, I get angry when he does that.

Blackz: What it was yeah, we was backstage and I was practicing Reks’ words, so I can do his doubles. When my verse came, I was practicing his verse so much, I started to rap his verse. I did like the first 3 bars and the I realised, hold on this isn’t my verse that I’m spitting, I tried to switch it to my verse and it didn’t make any sense, I had to rap about some nonsense.

Reks: I did rate him, what he did he freestyled the rest of it and I was like rah that’s kind of sik. I was angry, thinking how could he spit and rap my verse. This isn’t to bad, but you know the cordless mics, we was performing and getting hyped and the mic lead comes out. Nothing to bad.

What is your ideal holiday destination?

(Long pause)

Blackz: I’m getting gassed about this Miami hype, me personally I dont like holidays. I like to work. A holiday for me is being in the studio making half a mill and no one telling me anything. Chilling on the beach and drinking is boring to me.

Reks: Have you seen Holidays from Hell? I tried out a holiday a few years ago and it didn’t go right, I went to Napa 08 and had a bike accident.

(Big scar on leg)

Blackz: It wasn’t his fault.

Reks: I was coming out of the hotel singing ‘would you mind’ (Kyla –Do You Mind) big time, then I was rolling and I was braking and the brakes weren’t working and a jeep came along and knocked my head off, I had to change my quad every day. I crashed on the 4^th day of the holiday. That’s why I’m not a big fan of holidays.

Do you think a perk of being in the music industry is getting the ladies?

Blackz: Well we can’t get all the girls. Groupies they need attention.

(Pure laughter)

Say you weren’t rappers, what other job would you like to do?

Blackz: I want to say something to do with the music industry but that’s because I’m a rapper.

Reks: I think I’d go into the game industry, developing games.

Do you guys write all your own stuff?

Reks & Blackz: Yeap.

Where do you get your inspiration from?

Reks & Blackz: Life.

Reks: That’s the hard thing something, when you’re in a creative mood you’re creative and when your depressed it’s hard.

Blackz: We try to write up tempo music but when stuff aren’t going well for you around you its kind of hard because you want to write the realness. We write on our phones, on the train, just write down little ideas.

If you could be a part of any reality TV show, what would it be?

Blackz: Our own reality TV show. I think we’re bloody hilarious, I think if you put a camera behind us, we’ll be great. No just me and Rex all our bredrins (friends) are hilarious, I would like to say we’re all good looking and we’re an entertaining bunch. I’m being real, is it T4, they need to hit us up N Dubz show is good, I watch that a lot, I think ours would be equally as good. Not being N Dubz but Being JFX.

What do you think about shows like X Factor, do you think it’s a cheating way to get into the music industry?

Reks: No, I don’t think its cheating but I dont rate it. Because if you love music youll do anything, so whether you go on X Factor go on X Factor because some people haven’t got any direction.

Blackz: There opportunities that prepare for you, take it.

JFX MUSIC. TV – videography of daily activities and music sessions

Check out http://www.jfxmusic.co.uk/

Written by  Stella T for GHETRO

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