slip and call it a “choke”. Other
crowds will be silent or cheer
during a slip, to get [the rapper]
back on track — that’s a bit
excessive.
relevant and active.
Majin: You don’t seem to be a fan
of “promotional” battles. If battles
were judged do you feel that
would change things?
J-Pro: We have BOLA, then
BOTB later this year. We’re
spacing out our events in
accordance with what our
Canadian partners are doing.
We’re looking for talent in other
places, but I think we’ll stay put in
Cali, in terms of big events. You
never know though.
J-Pro: I’m not sure. I think a
panel of knowledgeable battlers
and fans could do the trick.
Majin: That could work with
judges who are analytical. Is there
anyone on the horizon for you,
battle-wise?
J-Pro: I don’t have anything set
up. I’d like to battle Danny
Myers, Ty Law, Nitty, Sno —
obviously B Magic. It’s just
tough, man. I’m still in a high
risk/low reward situation. We
reached out to Chilla Jones, Ty
Law and Sno, for Vendetta. I’m
not sure about Sno or Ty Law,
but Chilla asked for someone
else. He got Daylyt. That’s
understandable.
Majin: People have wanted that
match for awhile. So who are
some of your favorite battlers? I
expect West Coast bias here.
J-Pro: This is tough. Dizaster is
still my favorite live performer.
Dude’s energy is insane. Bigg
K and B Magic are my favorite
punchers. Illmaculate is my
favorite writer. Aye Verb and
Pass are great at breaking people
down — styles and whatnot. Lux
and Hollow are both great at
what they do. Saurus has stayed
Majin: That’s a dope list. So what
are the plans for KOTD Fresh
Coast? Expansion, maybe?
Majin: Honestly, I’ve been waiting
for Poison Pen to make KOTD
East Coast, but that works. (Majin
laughs) You’ve made a name
for yourself with an aggressive
approach to your battling. Do
you feel that aggression is key to a
battler’s persona?
J-Pro: There used to be. There’s
a good hip-hop scene out here,
but not really a battle scene.
Definitely some good artists out
here.
Majin: Any of them on your
music?
J-Pro: We have some stuff
coming out with Oh No
and M.E.D. Both have good
followings.
Majin: Cool. That should do it.
Anyone you want to thank?
J-Pro: Shout out my KOTD
squad, Epsilon Project and the
whole Ox City.
Photographer: Mary Gemski
J-Pro: I think it helps with the live
element, but it’s the main thing
people critique when they watch
my battles online. I’ve just always
rapped that way. It’s definitely
an advantage in a battle, because
the nature of battling is similar
to boxing or MMA. Aggression
can be effective or it can backfire.
For me, it’s an advantage live, but
people talk a lot of s**t online.
Majin: Seems to be a lot of F