Jon B
My name is Jonathan "Jonb" Balazs a writer, photographer and filmmaker here at ugsmag. Originally a long-time forum poster and terribly naive rap head, I first visited the site in 2001, but didn't start speaking my piece until 2006 with a "gizmo review" on Lomography's Fisheye camera. Since then, I've tried to interview only the dopest rappers, producers, DJs and hip hop icons throughout Canada and the United States – or at the very least, shining a light on those artists who have made a significant mark in their respective territories. Hailing from Ugsmag's original prairie home of Edmonton, these days Toronto is where I lay my head at. I am always curious about new music and I encourage legitimate rap folks to email me the new sounds, but there is a very good chance I will not get back to you – I'm terribly grumpy and have very little patience for biters, whiners, posers, toys...as well as overt displays of sexism, homophobia and bigotry. But I love damn good hip hop!
Featured Articles:
- Muneshine Aug 2011 in Video Feature
- Truth Universal Aug 2011 in Interview
- Daedelus Jul 2011 in Interview
- Dibiase Mar 2011 in Interview
- Make Some Noise: A 1994 Canadian Hip Hop Documentary Feb 2011 in Interview
- Thrust Jan 2011 in Video Feature
- Copywrite Jan 2011 in Interview
- Factor Jan 2011 in Interview
- Ras G Dec 2010 in Interview
- Jaykin Dec 2010 in Interview
- MF Grimm Aug 2010 in Interview
- Advokit Feb 2010 in Interview
- TLO Jan 2010 in Interview
- Ricca Razor Sharp Nov 2009 in Interview
- More Or Les & Fresh Kils Oct 2009 in Interview
- Manifesto Festival 2009 Sep 2009 in Photo Mission
- Lazarush Sep 2009 in Interview
- Breez Evahflowin Sep 2009 in Interview
- The Joe Sep 2009 in Interview
- Masta Ace Sep 2009 in Interview
- AOK Jul 2009 in Interview
- Marco Polo May 2009 in Interview
- Hip Hop in the Park 2009 May 2009 in Photo Mission
- Snak The Ripper May 2009 in Interview
- This is the Life May 2009 in DVD Review
- Dragon Fli Empire Mar 2009 in Interview
- Cam the Wizzard Feb 2009 in Interview
- King of the Dot: Put Yo Money Where Yo Mouth Iz Vol. 5 Feb 2009 in Photo Mission
- KazMega Jan 2009 in Interview
- Mantrakid Jan 2009 in Interview
- Birdapres Dec 2008 in Interview
- Corvid Lorax Nov 2008 in Interview
- Kaigen Oct 2008 in Interview
- Hand’Solo Records: Hokey Religions & Ancient Weapons Release Party Oct 2008 in Photo Mission
- Junkyard Sep 2008 in Video Feature
- Noah23 Sep 2008 in Interview
- Mr. Complex Aug 2008 in Interview
- Shad Jul 2008 in Interview
- Anonymous Twist Jul 2008 in Interview
- American Drug War: The Last White Hope Jul 2008 in DVD Review
- Artchild Jul 2008 in Art Feature
- E-dot Jun 2008 in Interview
- Baracuda Jun 2008 in Interview
- EGR Jun 2008 in Art Feature
- Braille May 2008 in Interview
- DJ Weezl May 2008 in Video Feature
- Ava DuVernay: This is the Life May 2008 in Interview
- Nomar Slevik May 2008 in Interview
- Modulok (Red Ants) Apr 2008 in Video Feature
- Off Centre DJ School Mar 2008 in Video Feature
- Benny E Mar 2008 in Interview
- Epic Feb 2008 in Interview
- Jesse Dangerously Jan 2008 in Interview
- Modulok (Red Ants) Dec 2007 in Interview
- Wordburglar Nov 2007 in Interview
- Chadio Nov 2007 in Interview
- Poizunus Oct 2007 in Video Feature
- Cadence Weapon Sep 2007 in Interview
- Low Budget Affiliates Aug 2007 in Interview
- Side Road Records + Friends Jul 2007 in Video Feature
- Fritz Tha Cat Jul 2007 in Interview
- Conspiracy Jul 2007 in Interview
- Touch Jun 2007 in Interview
- Mindbender May 2007 in Interview
- Lomography Fisheye Camera Apr 2006 in Gizmo Review