Music:
Member Since: 5/8/2007
Band Website: soundclick.com/jajakenyattaakahastyle
Band Members:
On January 2nd 1975 A star was born in Glenridge NJ. This star named Ja Ja Kenyatta aka Hastyle may have been born in Glenridge, but he came up the hard way during hard times in the streets of Newark (Brick City), NJ. With his mother (on drugs) raising him, and his drug addict father nowhere in the picture, Hastyle turned to some of Newark’s most notorious for guidance. They guided him in the wrong direction. After a brief bid in a county correctional facility he decided his music was the way to go, yet he still had to eat. Between juggling his street hustle, studio time, a relationship, and fatherhood Hastyle ended up back behind bars for a longer stay than the first time. He vowed to never end up in the system again. Little did he know this was just the beginning. Although he saw music as the only way out of his present situation, he still had to provide for himself, and a family. He turned back to the block. It was his crutch. It’s what he knew how to do. It took years for him to realize he needed to FOCUS on his dream of being on of hip hops greatest for it to actually happen. He teamed up with some of his homies from around the way and formed a team that would later be known as M.B.I (Mad Bum Inc.). They performed at plenty of spots. Such as, Club 88, The Black Music Expo, The Pipline, Industry Tuesdays (Philly) and The Kool Jazz Festival (in Newark) to name a few. Eventually, the group disbanded, and everyone went solo. Hastyle figures with the life he lived, and hardships he’s been through he has plenty to say to the world, if the world will only listen. He’s not looking for a break. He’s looking for an opportunity. An opportunity to tell his story. Just check out joints like Victim, The Building, Special, and The P.R.O.J.E.C.T.S to get a glimpse of the graphic picture he paints so well. And that’s not even ½ of his story. So, just like his first couple of jail sentences……….This is just the beginning. Hastyle says, “I’m going to tell my story with, or without a record dealâ€. And with that being said…………………..Da Newark Riots (coming soon)
Influences:
My influences were cats like KRS ONE (maaaaaaaaan you couldn't tell me I wasn't gonna be a member of BDP back when I lived in the bronx), Kool G Rap ( I feel he is the MOST slept on cat in the game), Big Daddy Kane, and Special ED (I know some of these young cats don't even know who Special Ed is). But yeah, I came up in that era of hip hop. When niggaz had to have lyrics. Don't get me wrong.......I don't knock the game for what it is now, but as I stroll through memory lane, I can't help but miss the early-mid 90s man. The days when a battle didn't mean a fight, or worse. It was just about the lyrics. Who was the sickest mc ya know? Shit is different now, but it is what it is. I'm still sticking to the the old way though. I don't know about yall niggaz, but I gotta be saying something EVERYTIME I spit. But maybe that's just me...........*wink*
Sounds Like:
Record Label: Da UndaGround Nation (Da UN)
Type of Label: Indie