January 1 Issue 1 EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH HIP HOPS “GOLDEN CHILD“ J-Dot! Our very own John Stein sits down and has a Exclusive interview with new hip hop sensation J-Dot. Q: Who inspired you to start making music? J-Dot: Nas, Jay Z, MF Doom, Grand Puba., Biggie Smalls Basically real lyricists. Q: Do you write your songs or is it just a freestyle off the top? J-Dot: On most occasions I go into the studio without a pen and pad... Sometimes I write, sometimes I just come up with it in my head. I started free styling more often because I thought it would be necessary to develop that skill, being that people are saying I'm going places , its just me preparing myself. Eventually that turned into not writing at all, just saving the same couple of bars in my head, doing it over and adding on. Q: How did you come up with the name J-Dot? J-Dot: My name is Jamie Dotten so I just took away the ten and haven't looked back ever since Q: How did you come up with the name J-Dot? J-Dot: My name is Jamie Dotten so I just took away the ten and haven't looked back ever since Q: How would you describe your style, then? A lot of people try to pigeonhole you; they contrast you with A$AP Rocky. Do you see yourself as a typical UK rapper? J-Dot: I hate the term "rapper." In the present world, it's so degrading. I hate that term, I hate being called a rapper. There was a point in my life where I didn't want to tell anybody I was really interested in rapping, because I thought it would make me look bad. Q: So what do you prefer, artist? J-Dot: I don't even know what I prefer. I am a rapper, right? It sort of sucks. It sucks. I'm a rapper. Q: So, typical interview question, what's the first hip-hop song you heard that you really got into? J-Dot: [laughs] Biggie Smalls' "Hypnotize." Q: I feel like there's not enough attention given to the network of people around you; there's just too much attention on a single individual artist. J-Dot It sucks. I hate it, man. I hate it. I really hate it. They always tell me, "Don't worry, get your shine," but deep down inside I wish we could all get our shine together. Q: How would you describe your style, then? A lot of people try to pigeonhole you; they contrast you with A$AP Rocky. Do you see yourself as a typical UK rapper? J-Dot: I hate the term "rapper." In the present world, it's so degrading. I hate that term, I hate being called a rapper. There was a point in my life where I didn't want to tell anybody I was really interested in rapping, because I thought it would make me look bad. Q: So what do you prefer, artist? Q: So, typical interview question, what's the first hip-hop song you heard that you really J-Dot: I don't even know what I prefer. got into? I am a rapper, right? It sort of J-Dot: [laughs] Biggie sucks. It sucks. I'm Smalls' "Hypnotize." a rapper. Q: I feel like there's not enough attention given to the network of people around you; there's just too much attention on a single individual artist. J-Dot It sucks. I hate it, man. I hate it. I really hate it. They always tell me, "Don't worry, get your shine," but deep down inside I wish we could all get our shine together. 17| Old school vs. New school hip hop 33| Jay Z’s The Blueprint 3 album review 67| Jessy Edward,, taking the west end by a storm 25| Top 10 hip hop single 46|Banksy art for Jan 60|Last hip hop fashion column 77| Weekly shoe review, this week we look at Yeezy 2