JuztKP

Where to begin with this video?? Well let me just say… what a breath of fresh air that was. The imagery is incredible!! I love all the shots and setting. The video was so clear and very well done. The change of focus in some shots and the angles spoke to me. This is just me being a video nerd but after going to school and studying video I think I’m allowed to nerd out once in awhile.

Now back to the video. The concept behind this video is like going back to 90s hip-hop with a modern twist. The same goes for the song. He takes it back to break dancers in the street and choreographed dances. After watching this video I am def a fan and I feel like I need to visit Bull City to hang out with KP and his crew. If you listen closely to the song you will catch some very slick and well-executed references to that 90s hip-hop I was talking about. Can you spot the references, if so what are they? - Melly Starz

While stuck in Raleigh, NC I listened to the new soundwaves of JustKP. He is a new emcee hailing from Durham, NC with a new album entitled “Lost Son of Miles Davis”. Immediately because of the title my expectations are high, because Miles Davis is one of the top trumpeteers period and he created his own lane of jazz. Miles is still widely recognized when you speak of Jazz and its impact on music today. The very first track is 7 minutes and 20 seconds long and one can easily get lost in the music, while doing something entirely different. However, there are some gems on the album such as, “Fuckin’ The Same” where the young emcee spits knowledge by beginning the second verse, “You speaking of a chain but you lack common sense” spitting over saxophones and melodic instrumental. The young emcee, shows that he is trying to be a teacher with the microphone in his hands. This skill to educate while rapping, has become somewhat of a lost skill and it was refereshing to here from the emcee who is “A product of his destiny”. “Gahdamn”, comes in with the southern sounds and chops that you can ride down the block, with the drop down as you ride slow and smoke something to. Later on there is the anthem for Bullcity “BullCity Maniac” which features Dynasty Official and now we get into some serious head nodding with a dope visual to match, with B-Boys and JustKP’s crew wilding out, now this track is what I have been waiting for, and this song most definitely makes a statement.



Although “Blaxploitation” starts with a clip from the infamous Rudy Ray Moore, it fails to live up to the expectation of the title of track. Same thing happens with “Set It Off (Remix Of XXYYXX), with an introduction of just music lasting for 1 minute and 47 seconds, by the time the track drops it’s a disappointing listen, considering the wait….but this one was meant for the ladies, but fails to land the mark, as the emcee struggles to keep up with twister version of his rhymes. He saves the day, at the end of the album, with the track “3 Duces Ft. Shonie Taylor”, where the singing can be found scatting and singing, “they can’t stop us now” and the emcee lets the world know he won’t be stopping here. The 20 track project includes heavy boom bap and soulful sounds, however in the land of people trying to legalize marijuana for illnesses such as ADHD, eventually the motive of the project is lost due to the duration of the album. He has a long way to go to live up to the name of “Lost Son of Miles Davis”, but the kid most definitely has some potential and would be worth giving a second listen to. - Too Fesh

Protests, marches and hashtag activism can seem the preferred ways of supporting a cause. Two of those things require some degree of physical activity, but neither of them are exactly, well, fun. This weekend, statewide collective Black Excellence puts the fun in fundraising for the Durham Teen Center by putting on a nine-act concert. Rappers Huego the Heathen and JustKP, experimental rock group Posifaction and rising vocalist Shonie Taylor offer highlights. —Eric Tullis - IndyWeek

Happy Tuesday Luvs,

Have you ever met people that you just genuinely respected their artistry and you know that in the blink of an eye they are going to be a greater influence in their craft? I had that opportunity when I went to my first blog event at The Pinhook in Durham, NC called “Black Soul Street”. It featured various artists by the now familiar names of JuztKp, Von Dupree, Jas Natasha, and Quentin Rashad. I call them my “Day 1’s” because they truly were there to see the very humble beginnings of this blog and have supported me through every transition. So this week I’m kicking off a new series highlighting each artist individually!

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Follow on IG @Juztkp & Like him on Facebook at Juztkp

Allow me to introduce you to the self-proclaimed “Lost son of Miles Davis” the eclectic flowing lyricist JuztKp. He’s an NC A&T Alum, yes he’s an Aggie I won’t hold it against him lol #EaglePride, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Relations. Originally, from Durham, NC he’s a captivating performance artist and a devoted loving family man as his pride & joy is his son. Along with Producer/Artist Quentin Rashad he hosted “Black Soul Street” which was a showcase of various local artists on the rise. Still, there is so much musically to this young man’s career that he’s accomplished and forthcoming in 2016. So you know I had to share more in-depth about his story, music, and what’s next for him!

So here’s how it all went down…….

How did your new mixtape project come together?

JuztKP: “Yes, JuztBU is my new album, well I like to call it a mixtape, but it came about where I actually recorded it a year ago. It seems like a long time but it was alot of things going on in between. The main reason why I waited is because at the time I felt it was good but I also produced 3 other mixtapes that I will drop periodically throughout the year. So I wanted to take that year to promote and perform and I felt like it was real dope and inspirational. It gets you moving!


Where do you get your inspiration from when you write music?

JuztKP: “I get inspiration from all types of places like the songs “GOP” and “Ferguson” with the Mike Brown case was like my way of a protest even though people protest in so many ways but for me I write. Also, being in love because I’ve been in a relationship for a long time so “I Wanna Know” song is about just that. You know people don’t write about love anymore especially in the hip hop community in general writing about loving somebody you don’t really see.”



Are there other projects your working on at this time?

JuztKP: “I think about doing stuff all the time. I even think about doing stuff outside of rap and I’m a singer too even though I don’t sing a lot. I do at one point of my career want to do something more melodic and R&B feel. But for just right now I’m concentrating on rap.”

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What separates me as an artist is I’m real down to earth. I really don’t care about image but it comes to a point where you have to but for me everything is strictly music and progressing with different flows. – JuztKP
How is transition of balancing music and fatherhood?

JuztKP: “Finally somebody asked me this because no one asks me about fatherhood and I want to talk about it. Fatherhood has greatly influenced me when it comes to music. It takes a lot out of your schedule. I tell people all the time I have 3 full-time jobs between working, music, and fatherhood. I don’t want to be a part-time father so it takes skill to juggle all of that. But luckily if I’m working on music I can put him down and he can do his little dance.”

JuztKP is an artist to watch! His lyrical flows and his genuineness to be himself makes him an artist to not only watch but respect. Music is a creative expression and in the mainstream levels too many times people become jaded on connecting to their communities. That’s why that night back in October as I watched this young man perform I knew then I was witnessing a change agent. We need more people using their “gifts” to uplift others because fact is your only at your best when you JuztBU!

Until next time ladies and gentleman this is The Lux Blog – K. Knight - The Lux Blog NC