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AB: Who is James Watts? How would you introduce yourself to new listeners?

Watts: James Watts is hip-hop. James Watts is creativity. James Watts is soul. James Watts is honesty. James Watts is humor. James Watts is real life.

What inspires you the most when thinking of your song concepts?

I’m most inspired by life. I think every songwriter is – you take all that’s surrounding you day to day and you funnel it into your songs. I think you can tell a lot about the hearts and minds of people by listening to their songs. You can hear how they interpret their lives.

You have about 3 solid mixtapes. 12 Minute mixtape was pretty creative. Whats next on the table we can expect?

Thank you; The 12 Minute Mixtape was a lot of fun to put together. For the early part of 2009, just expect a steady stream of music from me. I think I’m going to hold off on any mixtape projects until I feel that I can conjure up a solid concept; plus, I want there to be a crazy demand for it.

Click To Download "!2 Minute Mixtape"

How has the Internet helped you in promoting music, do you feel its more effective than the streets?

The Internet has helped me a great deal in pushing my music to the world; it’s a beautiful tool when used correctly. The downside to it is saturation – there’s way too many people who shouldn’t be making records, or are making records for the wrong reasons, and they’re all over the ‘net, crowding the space for people who do this for real. As far as comparing it to the streets, I feel like you need both. You can’t do just one. Music is a social thing, so for it only to exist on peoples’ computer screens would be tragic.

Is the song “The Gray Area” based on a true story?

The “Gray Area” is not really based on a true story – it’s more or less made up of a bunch of experiences that either I’ve had or things that I’ve seen happen to other people – it’s definitely not literal to my own life. Then again, the situations in that song happens everyday.

“To this day, I’m a 8-bit and 16-bit head!…”

Jersey has a lot of talent, Do you feel like rappers like Joe Budden are making it easier for emerging rappers like yourself?

I think Jersey does have a lot of talent – I think there’s a lot of talent everywhere around the world, though. As for people like Budden, I don’t think he’s making it easier for people like me. He’s just doing what he does and I’m doing what I do. However, I do feel that’s part of the problem that we have in Jersey – we need more unity, because I feel there’s enough good music here to really bolster the local scene.

So on the gaming tip, what video games did you mess with growing up?

Aw man! To this day, I’m a 8-bit and 16-bit head! I own a PS2, but I just use it to play DVDs for the most part…I know, mad behind with mine…but really, my favorite games came out of the NES and Super Nintendo era. I’m a big Super Mario Brothers fan, I loved Mega Man; all of the older 1995 and 1996 EA Sports games were classic. And Street Fighter 2 Hyper Fighting! Hands down my favorite. I actually just bought a console off of Ebay that plays both NES and SNES games, so I’ve been picking up old titles off of the ‘net as of late. I’m really looking to build my collection again.

The line between games and music are closing in. Rockband songs are getting purchased as much as itunes mp3’s are. There will be a hiphop version of Guitar Hero called “Dj Hero”. You think hip hop can carry that same success rock music has with games?

I don’t know if hip-hop will be able to do what rock did the with current wave of music based games. I can’t say, though. I feel like anything can be successful if it’s done right. It’d be interesting to see. I probably wouldn’t buy it though (laughs).

Alot of artist are using sports games as a way to get exposure on another level. Can you see yourself making a hit for NBA Live in the future?

Absolutely. I really am looking to explore outside avenues for getting my music to the world – I don’t think inside the box of just free mp3s on the ‘net and mixtapes. There’s so many more places that we can go, because music is a part of all facets of life. So yes, I would love to be the theme song for an EA game, or any game for that matter. Games sell more than records anyway (laughs).

I always ask people this one question. If your life was made into a game, what would be the biggest enemy we would have to defeat?

Ha! It would have to be something big, a huge juggernaut of an enemy. Something you’d have to play on a 50” wide screen TV to fully appreciate. But I think for me, I’d have the last boss in the game of my life be myself. You got through all these levels to fight a mirror image of yourself in the end, because for a lot of people, you are your greatest enemy.

Any Last words for the readers?

Keep your eyes on me! Good things on the way! And of course, I have to thank you for this interview.

Written By A.B. Frasier

I don't think outside of the box. Because if I did then that would presume I was already in one. Co Founder Of The Koalition.

1. Randy Ledet Jr. says:

   February 1, 2009 at 2:51 pm

   good shit his music is ill, i def will keep a look out for him. Keep up the good work

   Reply
2. Gary A Swaby says:

   February 1, 2009 at 2:51 pm

   hot damn, amazing interview. dont sleep this is a deep read

   Reply
3. A.B. Frasier says:

   February 1, 2009 at 2:54 pm

   i think the hiphop dj hero could werk if markted and made right

   Reply
4. fmills15. says:

   February 1, 2009 at 10:52 pm

   Let me check this dude out. I’ll listen to it as in-game music with the ps3… if I could.

   P.S… F*ck the Steelers.

   Reply