The Check-In - Jansport J

Jansport J, with his name originating as a comedic poke to his habit of taking his backpack EVERYWHERE, is an up-and-coming producer based out of Covina, California. He is on a quest to bring positive, honest music to the masses



Boogie of Toyboxmag: So alright, let’s start with the basics. Name. Age. Location.

Jansport J: Jansport J. 22 yrs old. Covina "The Cov' " California.

Boogie of Toyboxmag: How long have you been producing?

Jansport J: I started messing around with it in 2002, got serious in 2005.

Boogie of Toyboxmag: Word? So what made you get serious about it?

Jansport J: I had always wanted to produce, since 97. When I started messing with it in 02, I would learn more things, study songs and stuff. My computer crashed, and it was like a new start in 05. I actually bought FL Studio then. Ha. Got a lot of encouragement from people, especially my dude BlackWater. So I ran with it.

Boogie of Toyboxmag: That’s what’s up; you got a serious soulful sound what inspires you?

Jansport J: Well, there's a magical 4 for me as far as producers: Pete Rock, 9th Wonder, J-Dilla, and DJ Premier. I listened to a lot of old songs growing up at family bbq's and stuff. And listening to other genres, I’m a big Beatles and The Doors fan, Coldplay, Stevie Wonder, just good music. I feel like soul music brings out the best in people

Boogie of Toyboxmag: I feel you on that, so besides producing, are there any other things you do?

Jansport J: Not really. Ha. I rap on a side project called The Bench Mob, basketball use to be a big part of my life, but music took over. But I am going to school at Pepperdine, majoring in Advertising and Marketing.

Boogie of Toyboxmag: Big moves I see. Hmmm... So are there any artists you worked with or want to work with?

Jansport J: Artists I’m working with include: Black.Water, Velosity, this crew called The Cove Originals (they are making some major moves right now), P.H.I.L.T.H.Y. on an EP, PA (Prince Ali). My dream collabs would be with Common, Lupe, Phonte or Pacific Division.

Boogie of Toyboxmag: Word. Common & Lupe? You chose rather lyrical emcee's to collab with. Could you see your self collabing with a less lyrical rapper?

Jansport J: It'd be tough. I have the ability to make more club type records, which that would work with, but I love the soul records. And I don’t see how less lyricism works on soul records. Soul records require some kind of depth. Its not a knock on those that are less lyrical though, hip hop is about balance, we need all of that stuff, but that’s not my lane.

Boogie of Toyboxmag: I feel you on that. So what’s your all time favorite album?

Jansport J: Ready to Die by Biggie

Boogie of Toyboxmag: A classic.

Jansport J: Blueprint is up there, and Jurassic 5's "Quality Control". Those 2 albums inspired me. But best of all time in my eyes is Ready to Die.

Boogie of Toyboxmag: I got that in my top 3 also, from Biggie's era to now. What you think changed about hip hop?

Jansport J: We just lost a balance. I don’t hate on Soulja Boy, or any of that music that’s out, because we had that in the Golden Era with Uncle Luke, 69 boyz, NWA, so none of that is new. There's just no balance on the radio or TV anymore. If it was all conscious hip hop, it would be the same issue; we'd crave some club shit.

Boogie of Toyboxmag: Preach. That’s the truth. How do you feel we can restore that balance?

Jansport J: Ha. I’m glad you asked that, I was just thinking about this last night. The same way Soulja Boy hit, a conscious rapper could hit. There’s an audience for that as well. That's why I’m constantly posting bulletins, networking, talking to fans, if you make that connection, regardless of your style, you can do well. You got to exploit all media....podcasts, mix tapes, blogs, everything. So if artists from all walks put in that work, they're going to have a movement. These labels don't have the power, the people do. Whatever the people demand, the labels will supply.

Boogie of Toyboxmag: That’s what I've been thinking... How could we go about getting artist to start up this movement?

Jansport J: Network with each other. I’m working with Cove Originals on some stuff, and other artists from the area. If you're dope, the people in the area will support, and before you know it, you got a little buzz going. You can't battle for the top spot in the area, u got to find that other dude or crew and work with them.

Boogie of Toyboxmag: Unity is the future in your words?

Jansport J: Exactly.

Boogie of Toyboxmag: So we are just as responsible for saving hip hop as the major artist, producers, and djs. Right?

Jansport J: If people really want hip hop to be saved, it will. And I'm confident that hip hop isn’t going anywhere.

Boogie of Toyboxmag: I feel you on that. So before we rap this interview up any shout outs?

Jansport J: Yea. Shout out to everybody on my top friends. Haha. If somebody is on there, go check them out, because they're dope and I co-sign. And lookout for the free download, "The Carry-On Experience", in September.

Boogie of Toyboxmag: Oh almost forgot how can the artist, fans, and haters [lol] get at you?

Jansport J: MySpace message. I stay on, even through my phone. And 99% of the time, I'm going to respond.

Boogie of Toyboxmag: What’s your MySpace url?

Jansport J: myspace.com/jansportj

Boogie of Toyboxmag: And that’s a wrap.

Ladies Nike Scandal

Did you hear? .....Relax no Nike is not in any legal trouble ,But they just dropped
some new sneaker's for the women based on the popular Nike Vandal's the Scandal
are a slimmer nice high cut shoe, Coming in a black and white version, they both feature a satin like outer shell with contrast stitching on the midsole and shiny swooshes coming in gold and bronze, which represent none other than the Olympic medals. Since the Beijing games has become such a predominate theme, maybe we will see a silver version sometime soon. Both are now available at Caliroots.

Beautiful Losers EXCLUSIVE NIke Dunk HIgh

The Beautiful Losers video and exhibition set for Friday, August 8th.With Nike being among one of the sposners for the project its looking like a beautiful project. The film itself features some of the low-fi art world’s most acclaimed artists like Ed Templeton, Shepard Fairey, Geoff McFetridge and Barry McGee who represent just a number of the artists featured. Also with the video’s launch, Nike Sportswear will be hosting a series of “Make Something” workshops which cover a range subjects from painting, photography, graphic design, and toy design just to touch on a few. These events will be run by Beautiful Losers artists ensuring a surreal experience for all in attendence. Nike’s role in the event features a collection of Beautiful Loser Dunks which all feature movie shots utilizing Nike’s all new high-resolution digital printing technique. Half shoe, half art the result is something that fully captures the beauty of the Beautiful Losers movement. Two sets of shoes will go on sale to benefit the Children’s Aid Society following their showcasing at the Nike exhibitions. Check the “Make Something” schedule for New York after the jump including additional imagery and the movie’s premiere dates can be found at BeautifulLosers.com.
Source: SuperTouch


Location: 255 Elizabeth Street, New York
August 8: Zine Making with Aaron Rose
August 9: Cinematography with Tobin Yelland
August 10: Character Design with Kaws
August 14: Animation with Todd James
August 16: Photography with Cheryl Dunn
August 17: Design with Eric Elms
August 18 Tattoos with Scott Campbell
August 21: Painting with Eric White
August 22: Sneaker Design with Jesse Leyva

As Nice as They Say- DJ Nice

Exclusive interview with one of the hottest dj's in the game.
His mixtapes has been featured on MTV's Mixtape Monday and in The Ozone Magizine
he's worked with artist such as Tyga , Joe Budden, and Joell Ortiz
just to name a few, And when it comes to his skills i mean....
His name say's it all Nice..Dj Nice that is




Boogie of ToyBoxMag: lets start with the basics: Name, Age, and Location.

DJ Nice: DJ Nice, 20, New Haven, CT.

Boogie of ToyBoxMag: How long you been DJ-ing?

DJ Nice: Picked up my 1st kit when I was 13 but, didn't start getting serious with it until about 17.

Boogie of ToyBoxMag: Word? Sounds like you been mixing longer than that. What inspired you to get serious with it?

DJ Nice: Thanks. Mix-tapes actually inspired me. I've always been a fan of them more than albums. DJ's like Clue and Green Lantern made me want to get into the mix-tape game.

Boogie of ToyBoxMag: Speaking of mix-tapes, when did you drop your first mix-tape?

DJ Nice: I've dropped small ones here and there but, I consider my 1st real tape to be "Lost Sessions" that I did with Joe Budden in March of 08 and it also landed me my 1st MTV Mix-tape Monday feature and broke me in the game.

Boogie of ToyBoxMag: Yeah I heard that. I downloaded it off Datpiff.com. Any other artists ,tapes, etc., the fans should be looking out for?

DJ Nice: I dropped a tape in June with Joell Ortiz who was signed to Aftermath under Dre and it made an MTV Monday Mix-tape feature, and I also dropped two tapes with Tyga who is Lil Wayne's artist under Young Money and Travis of Gym Class Heroe's cousin, which were featured in Ozone Magazine.

Boogie of ToyBoxMag: I see you're making big moves.

DJ Nice: I'm trying, lol. It's definitely not an over-night process.

Boogie of ToyBoxMag: I dig you on that lol. Hmm, my first understanding of mix-tapes was that they were based around the DJ. You would have the DJ feature who was hot at the time. Do you find now the artist is controlling the mix-tape a little more?

DJ Nice: Well, there are different lanes in mix-tapes. You have exclusive tapes, in which the DJ plays the top 20-25 newest or hottest tracks from a variety of artists. Then, you have artist tapes which I am most known for, which focus on a particular artist and showcases them. Next, you have blend tapes in which DJ's take acapellas and remix them over different beats and showcase their skills. Exclusive and artist tapes are both pretty much equal in popularity. Artists definitely have more control now as they choose to host tapes and do specific exclusive tracks for DJ's.

Boogie of ToyBoxMag: Speaking of those artist tapes, I heard you and Tyga finishing up a 3rd mix-tape or am I speaking to soon?

DJ Nice: Yeah, I'm actually finishing it up over the next few days and illroots.com will be premiering it.

Boogie of ToyBoxMag: Yeah, that's what's up rite there. Are there any artist you want to work with?

DJ Nice: I definitely want to do another tape with Joe Budden, possibly a "Lost Sessions" Part 2. I want to do a tape with Ransom as well and I'd love to do a tape with Styles P. from Lox/D-Block.

Boogie of ToyBoxMag: Joey, Ransom, Styles, all northern artists. Hmm, you ever plan on working with any southern artist? Or have you already?

DJ Nice: My artist Cambatta that I'm pushing is out of Tampa, Florida, and has tracks with Ran, Skyzoo, and Tyga. As for others, I'm definitely a fan of T.I. and Jeezy, and would definitely work with them.

Boogie of ToyBoxMag: That's what's up. Besides DJ-ing, is any other things you dabble in?

DJ Nice: I have an associates degree in visual communications and I freelance graphic design on the side. I actually designed the "Lost Sessions" cover as well as the Joell Ortiz "Brooklyn Bomber" cover.

Boogie of ToyBoxMag: Before we bring this interview to a close, how can the fans check out your tapes, contact you, or give shout-outs?

DJ Nice: You can check me out at myspace.com/djnice013 where I post everything I'm doing up-to-date or you can hit me up at djnice013@yahoo.com. I'd like to thank you for the interview and give a shout to my partners Legend, PDA, and Mike Waxx of illroots.com.

Boogie of ToyBoxMag: And one last question, What is your favorite song to throw on that would just turn any party out, lol?

DJ Nice: I don't know about over there but, "Doo Doo Brown" still makes ladies go sick up here, lol, but if you want to talk hip-hop. I'd have to say Freeway "Flipside" or Joe Budden "Pump It Up". Two classics that still get the crowd jumping every time out here.

Boogie of ToyBoxMag: Lol, yeah that Doo Doo Brown do the same down here. Ha ha.

DJ Nice: Ha ha.

Welcome to "The Toy Box"

So this is what the future look like ?
Spaceships,Hover boards,and jet packs?(lol)
Nall we are the future the last of a dying breed,
You know the originals, the trendsetters , the kids
that standout from the rest no matter the circumstances
and on behalf of them i would like to welcome you to
"The Toy Box" Home of the freshest and newest Artist(fashion designers,Musicians,and photographers..etc)