Check it out…Here’s a sneak peek at some of Reinalisa’s(my wife) art work. These items are not for sale…yet. But please let us know your thoughts…I’ll get some Home design decor pics up as well, as soon as I get clearance.. So proud of my girl!!! More art, designs and online store to come soon…
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A community of artists changing the face of pop culture
In faith, love and revolt.
I have tons of memories growing up of the Hip Hop scene. My older brother was known for his pop lock dancing. I was just a kid, but this was during the beat street days with the Kangol hats, thick laces and Puma gear. From time to time there would be a DJ who would spin the beats while the crews battled it out on the linoleum floor. It was so cool. From time to time I rent the movie Beat Street and faintly remember those days as a kid. I still get a kick out of a good DJ spinning the classics and mixing in some cool beats from the present. The beats and rhythms still move people…
JS: This is Aaron Lopez aka “Moral One”. We’ve known each other for quite some time dude. From playing in a hip hop band together to collaborating on other projects for the future. I wanna welcome you to the living room sessions.
AL: What’s good Jesse! Thanks for having me be apart of Living Room Sessions. The first couple of Sessions have been great, hopefully I’ll keep it up, lol.
JS: We’ve recently turned over our TSP tracks for some remix action. Can’t wait to hear em…So tell me bro, how long have you been spinning?
AL: I’ve been spinning for 9 years collectively, but as an “amature professional” (if I can use that term loosely) it’s been about 6 years.
JS: What motivated you to get into Spinning? Is there a time/era or specific artists you are drawn to?
AL: What originally drew me to DJ’ing (at the time) was the lack of DJ’s playing good (aka: quality) Christian hip hop. This was around 2000/2001 and the scene was extremely hit and miss. I had major beef with Chicago Christian radio and Christian (popular) music in general. So I made up my mind that I wanted to DJ and introduce people to the Christian hip hop that’s out there, but they didn’t know about. At this time I was going to a lot of local Hip Hop shows (this is how I ended up meeting Boogalu, Stiky and eventually you, Jesse) and I was getting my hands on a lot of good local hip hop. My plan was to start a pirate radio station and play all my friends music. That never happened, lol. But it’s still a passion of mine.
As far as the artists/ dj’s that inspire me, its interesting- all of my favorites aren’t technically DJ’s by trade; they’re producers, drummers and artists who happen to DJ too. They don’t have the best technical skills, scratching skills or blending skills. They’re sloppy, clumsy, yet inspiring. Study Madlib, J Dilla, ?uestlove and Karriem Riggins and you’ll see who/ what inspires me not just a DJ, but as a drummer, producer and artist in general. The thing they all have in common is impeccable song selection and timing. That’s what inspires me.
JS: What has your experience been like in today’s DJ culture? What do you think it is lacking? Do you feel it is evolving or are we repeating the past in a new track package?
AL: I’m in a weird/ new place right now; I used to be all about “the scene”, “the culture”, not so much anymore. Right now I’m all about puling together all my friends (artist or not) and creating music to effect “the scene”, “the culture” for the cause of Christ. The church, the youth groups shouldn’t be the only ones to hear this music, to be effected by this music, to have their lives changed by the music, “the culture” needs it too.
But yea, my experience…
The industry/ culture/ scene is a filthy place. I have zero passion to re-enter it (under the circumstances I entered into it the first time). The thing it’s lacking and honestly needs is artists willing to not compromise their art and message for the sake of “making it”. I fell victim to that and it will never happen again, wait till ALERT hits.
Is it evolving? Yes. Christian Hip Hop (for the sake of labels) has made MAJOR leaps and advancements in quality and quantity. I still have my lil soapboxes on certain issues but nowadays no one should have ANY problems finding a Christian artist that can hold their own with someone on the radio. My only major issue is that no one is making a push to infiltrate the culture. Artists like Lacrae who can hold their own with anyone in The South is not pushing to change the Hip Hop culture, he’s staying in the church. On the other side of the spectrum we have cats like Pigeon John who has major footing in the culture- especially on the indy scene- is taking no stance at all. So who’s gonna make the move?
JS: You obviously Spin in all sorts of venues. What type of venues really stand out to you? And Why? Do you think our generation has lost something?
AL: The venues that stand out to me are the ones that allow you to be yourself. The ones who say, “hey you have 60 minutes, play whatever you want, keep it diverse and keep the people moving.” So I can take it from Hip Hop, to Samba, to Funk, to Electro, to Soul and back full circle to Hip Hop. There are only a handful of those in Chicago; I’ve had the privilege of playing a couple of them on the regular.
This generation has lost a lot of things, and having the privilege of working in Englewood, Chicago has only made my heart heavier for them. This generation has lost their innocence; their ability to be creative; their work ethic; I can go on and on. But in a musical sense, this generation does not appreciate the concept of the entire album. They want song #3, #7, #8 and #11. That’s it. Thank you iTunes.
JS: Some people may view Spinning as simple. Anyone can do it. But is there an art form to it? And looking beyond that, how can your spinning influence today’s pop culture? Or can it? I know you can make people move on the dance floor, but do you think you can make People “move” into a new way of thinking? Life? Etc? how?
AL: It’s not as simple as it looks. It took me about a good solid year to develop in to a confident DJ. I would agree hands down that there is a serious art form to DJ’ing. Earlier I mentioned how song selection is the biggest thing that sets apart a good DJ from a great DJ. Song selection is the art form.
Me and Boogalu have been going back to this recent quote by Joel Houston. He said, “ at the end of the day, our art is simply a donkey…just like the one that carried Jesus…just a donkey, who’s purpose was to carry the Savior.” So can what I do as an artist, as a DJ influence and change a culture? Move a person? Inspire a new way of thinking for them? Heck yea it can. If it’s carrying the Savior. If its not, then I’m just like all the other club DJ’s. I’m just another faceless producer with a myspace page.
JS: What are you working on these days? Care to share any visions and dreams? What motivates you? What are your passions? And will there ever be a time you can sit back on your chair and say….I am successful…I did it? What would you say to our future DJ’s? Any advice?
AL: Oh man, what am I not working on these days. Ok…me and Boogalu have been totally consumed with a vision called ALERT. What is it exactly, we’re not fully sure and we’re fine with that. All we know is that its God given and that it’s starting with this full length LP. The record is in the mixing and mastering stages and should be out late this summer. It’ll be preceded by a mini EP of songs and such.
1773 just released their 2nd album in Japan called “Return of the New”; it’ll be released in the states later this summer also. I’ll be doing all their local dates in Chicago promoting the LP.
I’m also working a 10 song LP called Maxwell Street with Just J. It’s loosely a tribute to Chicago. Ill be producing all the music and Jay is handling all the raps. We’re about %75 done with the record. We’re releasing it independently online for free.
My brother and me are slowly piecing a rock project together called A Sudden Branch For Safety. It’s a real labor of love so we’re not rushing it. We’ve even brought our sister into the mix to round us out. Actually yesterday we started laying demo’s for her first EP and some songs for the Sudden Branch project, we’re taking it slow.
Last but not least I’m working on remixes for Anthems for a Broken World! Chris sent down all the stems and pro tool files from the Atlanta sessions so I’m all ready to go. Myself and Boogalu will be giving the record a Hip Hop and Electro makeover, so keep your eyes peeled for that.
I know that’s a lot, right? Lol. But I have a passion for getting my hands on projects that I know have the potential to reach people for the sake of the gospel. Some are more aggressive than others, but all have the same bottom line, and that is Christ and Him crucified and raised, for us.
And for all future artists, if I could say one thing I would say this:
Have purpose and have accountability. The industry can be an alluring thing. It’ll suck you in and spit you out. And you’ll let them.
Make art to change lives for the better. Don’t do it to rock shows and get blog buzz, there’s plenty of people doing that.
Do it to change lives.
JS: What do you hope to accomplish with your creative beats and productions?
AL: To be a donkey, to carry Christ’s message of freedom. And do it with some bangin music behind me.
JS: Where can people find out more about your Spinning world? Blog? Web site?
AL:
moralone.tumblr.com // virb.com/moralonemusic
I post my life on tumblr, daily. And you can hear all my music and download all my mixtapes on virb.
thank you so much for the opportunity Jesse, Anthems is an awesome record and TSP is doing an awesome work, thank you for letting me be apart. The remixes are coming soon! Promise!
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