Every so often we get graced with a
battler who stands out. Yeah I know
that’s become such a cliche phrase
in battle rap (along with 3-0, bars
over bullshit and that insipid phrase
“bodybag”) but this actually seems to
be the case. Boston’s own Chilla Jones
has come onto the scene with striking
effectiveness. The schemes this man
concocts are nothing more than the
rubik’s cube of battle rap. Pure genius.
High complexity, yet simplistic in
design. I had the honor of interviewing
this man via text message to see what
drives his schemes and what makes
him tick. Here it is. The Chilla Jones
interview.
100 Bars: Aight. First question.
How’s everything been? Seems you’re
more in the limelight now.
Chilla: It seems that way, doesn’t it? I
hear that a lot but...I cant tell honestly.
From the inside looking out I feel like
I haven’t done half of what I’m setting
out to but I have definitely made a
ton of progress for sure. I’m great
though, working on a mixtape and EP
,
preparing for my KOTD debut and,
currently playing this new Madden.
100 Bars: I sense a madden scheme
being developed as we speak. Haha.
So you seem to be one of the more
humble battlers. Grateful as well.
What do you attribute that to?
Chilla: I attribute that to my
upbringing. I didn’t have a lot growing
up. I was raised with the mentality, here
today, gone tomorrow. My friends,
my notoriety, my money can all be
gone tomorrow, and what am I left
with? That’s why I wont let my success
change me as a person. Not for the
worse, anyway.
100 Bars:: That aspect seems missing
in battle culture. Appreciation. Glad
to see it still exists. What artists
influence you when you grab the
pen?
Chilla: Currently, B. Magic, Big
Kannon and Danja Zone. Incredible
writers who are creative, unorthodox,
and still improving tremendously in
this game. I consider myself part of that
same class of battle emcee who brings
outside-the-box thinking, fresh original
material and give 110% everytime we
step in for 3 rounds.
100 Bars: You stated you felt you lost
against b-magic. Citing the stumble
in the 3rd of what is considered a
great battle. Do you feel chokes/
stumbles can cost a round?
Chilla: Definitely. I mean, I feel the only
scenario where it doesn’t cost someone
a round is when both competitors
choke or stumble. When that happens,
I believe the better round still wins. But
a great round with a choke is at least
equal to a good round without. Poor
preparation should never be overlooked
because to me its probably the most
vital part of it all, just as important as
the creation stage.
100 Bars: Great analysis. So what
drives the schemes and wordplay
of Chilla Jones? Does it come
spontaneously or through genuine
writing?
Chilla: Both. I rarely go thru a writers
block but often go through writing
streaks where ill come up with a ton of
ideas over a day or 2, then spend a week
developing and putting them together.
chilla jones
Cover Story
I really try to get the most of every bar.
But honestly I try to find alot of words
that people don’t use and then build a
punchline, or scheme from it. I have
a huge vocabulary so it usually doesn’t
take long to come up with stuff but,
my best stuff usually hits me out of the
blue.
100 Bars: I can see how that would
work. Where do you feel the state of
battle rap is headed?
Chilla: Man, its hard to tell. I feel like
we go through stretches of growth and
progression and then something sets
us back. I think battle rap can possibly
transition to TV in the next year if
URL can link a few huge successful
events together. Whether being
commercialized for television helps or
hurts the culture is yet to be seen, but
increasing the exposure of the platform
can only lead to expansion and growth
of the culture.
100 Bars: The term any press is
good press couldn’t be more wrong
in battle rap. And I agree with that
assessment. Speaking of s V6????W ?F??Vv?G2???F???ff?6W&?W3??6????????F?B?F????w2&WGFW ??B??F?6???FVB?????f?"v?@??V?VB??V?FW'7F?Bv???RF?@??B?'WB?F??( ?B6??F??R?B?&Vf?&RF?P?7V?GW&R6?&?w&W72?vR?fRF?f?&v?fP??F?f?"v?B?V?VB?gFW"F?B??vR?W7B??fRf?'v&B?Bf?7W2??&P???F?R???VF?FRgWGW&R?b&GF?R&????rvRv???&RffV7FVB'??B??B??p?vR6??fW&6??R???'7F6?W2F??0???6?FV?B???fR?6VB??g&??B?`?W2?'WB?( ??6??f?FV?BvRv???&R&?RF??&V6?fW"?BF?&?fR??6Rv???S ??