HHC:First off, tell the people who you are. AD: Artfull Dodgers(Jackpot and B.Gozza)
HHC:What influenced your decision to call yourself that? AD: After disbanding from our old 5 man crew "Juggernaut" in 96, B.Gozza was working at a local TV station and caught the movie version of Charles Dickens' "Oliver". At the time, our group was starting all over and struggling, and with this current mind state he related to the "Artful Dodger" character in the film. The character, like Gozza and Jackpot was struggling and doing whatever he could to survive. Gozza took note of the unusual name, later ran it by Jackpot who approved, and Artfull Dodgers were born.
HHC:What is your musical background? AD: Both members born in the mid-seventies witnessed the birth and expansion of hip hop music and culture. We were fortunate enough to have older siblings that turned us on to hip hop at a very young age. Early interests in breaking and graffiti eventually led to experimentation with rhyming. Gozza began rapping in 1986 (at the age of 10) with his older brother, forming a short-lived crew called Mega Masters. Jackpot began rapping in 1988 (at the age of 13) as a solo MC.
HHC:Where did you grow up? Does this affect your style of production in your music? AD: Both members grew up just outside Flint Michigan were a small local hip hop scene had begun in the 80s. Geography really played no part in the development of our style of production. Although there were a few groups coming out of there are, we contracted inspiration from west and east coast artists.
HHC:When did you first start listening to hip hop? What effect did it have on you? AD: We both began listening to hip hop as children. It changed our lives forever, being the first music and culture that we actually felt apart of and were able to contribute to.
HHC:Who are some of your favorite artists that you listen to that you would like to work with? AD: Artists like Hieroglyphics, Atmosphere, Freestyle Fellowship, Wu-Tang, Red Man, De La Soul, Beastie Boys, Slick Rick, Rakim, Everlast, Kool G Rap, Kool Kieth, and Chino XL are a few.
HHC:Who is your producer? What type of equipment is used? AD: B.Gozza is the main producer creating beats on the good old ASR10. Other producers who we have worked with include Bangtown, Ope, Mic One, His-Panik, Jeff Baraka, and Shanrock. They all use various tools for production including everything from computer soft ware to keyboards.
HHC:What groups/crews/artists have you worked with in the past? How did that go? AD: We have worked with Juice, O-Type Star, Invincible(MTVs Lyricist Lounge Show), Mic One, Pugzlee Adams, Novacaine, Rubber Rooms' Metamo, and various members of our crew Midwestern Union.
HHC:How did you guys hook up with one another? AD: Most of them we met at hip hop functions and concerts.
HHC:Who do you most enjoy working with to accomplish your sound? AD: O-Type Star and Juice
HHC:Are you on a contacted label or independent? AD: Independent and proud baby!
HHC:What projects are you currently working on? When and where can we get a hold of it? AD: Currently we are working on our second full length album entitled "Second Wind". We are releasing a single off the album this winter and the album will be dropping in the spring/early summer. It will be available at our website www.artfulldodgers.com as well as various stores. Other projects include a collaboration album with Detroit's One Man Army and Chicago's Frontline.
HHC:What does the future hold for artist name? AD: The future is looking bright for Artfull Dodgers. Our album "Lazy Eyes" is still selling well and recieving critical acclaim. We are expanding our fan base every day with the help of our website and touring. Our next album is nearly complete and will dominate the global hip hop scene. Watch out for a US tour coming as well as over seas. In addition, we are still improving with every track we make, our future music will continue to be creative and innovative. We may eventually sign to a major label, but it will be under our terms and we'll never sacrifice our creativity. We have a strong "no sellout" work ethic and we don't compromise our beliefs.
HHC:What are your thoughts on today's hip-hop? AD: Our thoughts on hip hop today is very optimistic. The worlds attention has gone from the East Coast to the West Coast down to the Dirty South, and soon all eyes will be on the Mid West. There will always be wack artists fixated on money clouding up the charts, but at the same time there will always be an underground with hungry cats like us making classic music. A lot of people say hip hop is dead, but I believe it is alive and well. There is dope creative music out there, you just half to look past the bullshit.
HHC:What do you feel you bring to hip-hop? AD: What we bring to hip hop is creativity, knowledge of self, respect, innovation, originality, and above all, dope rhymes and ill beats.
HHC:If there was something you could change in hip-hop what would it be and why? AD: We would like to change the level of negativity and materialism. The focus should be on the music, not how hard or evil an artist is or how much money they have. Whether artists like it or not, hip hop has taken over pop culture and children are influenced by the music every day. We must make positive and creative music to expand the listener's minds.
HHC:Any shout outs? AD: Shots to go out to -J-Woody, the entire Midwestern Union(Lab Cult, Sons of the Empire, God Aslaam, and Shanrock), Starving Artists Crew, O-Type Star, Juice, DJ Risky Business, One Man Army, Sun, Invincible, the Molemen Crew, Rising Sunz, Funktelligence, Mic One, Pugslee Adams, Metamo, Optimus Prime, Novacaine, Stylus Pilots and everyone who supports hip hop music and culture.
The interview was conducted electronically.
HHC:Who is your producer? What type of equipment is used?