December 2, 2000

Yak Ballz

Yak BallzWith his single Homepiss b/w The Plague available on Fondle Em Records and member of the crew The Weathermen, Y@k has a lot going on in his life these days. I caught up with him on AOL to discuss a variety of topics including why he won’t be releasing his next single on Fondle Em and his surprising distaste for freestyling.

Jbutters: So where do you work now that Footwork closed?

Y@k Ballz: I am currently unemployed… I’m a full time student living at school now..my Footwork days are long gone… now the internet took my job… www.BobbitosFootwork.net… and Vaz’s and Eli’s for that matter… RIP FOOTWORK… the dungeon on E9th

JB: Where do you go to school?

Y: That information is TOP SECRET… I’d have to kill u if I told u..

JB: Haha well can you at least tell me what you’re studying? Is it Street Gynecology? Yo what the hell is a Street Gynecologist anyway?

Y: Hahaaa……Street Gynecology is what I practice on a regular basis…knowhumsayin? but I’m majoring in Computer Science….who knows if I’ll stick wit it though……lemme tell u what street gynecology is…I like that question…I’m always saying I’m a doctor….Street Gynecology …is the type of raw shit doctor’s like me enjoy best..its like some ill perverted shit…getting real downright dirty rotten scoundrel Jeru shit when it comes to being wit a Slore…SLUT-WHORE

JB: Haha

Y: As me and my fellow Weathermen call them

JB: Aside from being a member of the weathermen how has life changed since you dropped your 12″

Y: I’ve definitely gained respect from people that I’ve been a fan of …and I get a lot more kids annoying me..

JB: How so?

Y: Kids on the internet foolish cuz they got nothing better to do with their lives then try to get a response from me.. shit like kids saying I SUK or saying that I sound like Cage… all that bullshit.. they probably know all the words anyway…the positives outweigh the negatives though….

JB: Word, Speaking about the 12″, you have gotten good reviews so far how do you plan on building off of that success?

Y: Bobbito told me once to take it all in stride…that’s basically what I’m doing… I love making good music… I gotta stay on my toes… so the next shit is definitely gotta be strong… and better then the shit before

JB: Will you be releasing the next single on Fondle em as well?

Y: Nahhhhhhhh…releasing my first shit on Fondle’em was something I had to do…its like the first step up the ladder of success…now its time to move on …I’m grateful for what Fondle Em records has done for me…..

JB: So do you have a label that you will be releasing your new single off of or are you still shopping labels?

Y: I’m looking into Eastern Conference…or Def Jux…..most likely one of those two..time will tell..

JB: Switching gears a little bit being a Braggin Rights veteran do you think the art of freestyling is dead now that a lot of emcees come with written rhymes?

Y: I loved battling when I did it…but battling really isn’t about Skills anymore, its all theatrics…..you really can’t develop your style strictly battling…..there are so many kids that rely on battling but couldn’t make a record if their life depended on it…..so as far as freestyling…that shit is weak to me……I barely do it anymore….I’d rather hear a written…

JB: Did you ever come to the battle with written rhymes?

Y: I think a battle is like a War…Your not gonna step into War without a strategy… I don’t care how nice u are… so yes I did… but you have to improvise on stage. That’s what the art of freestyling is… improvising and making shit ill at that very moment off the top niggaz freestyle for hours and shit using easy ass words… shit is corny… its all the same shit after a while

JB: I noticed like you said that a lot of battle MCs cant write rhymes for songs what other types of rhymes will you get into can we expect some story telling type of rhymes. what do you have planned for the next single

Y: I got some shit..Wait and See..WAS crew big up

JB: Where do you feel the opinions of fellow MCs rank in importance to you?

Y: I always take criticism constructively… if I kick some shit for Cage, Copy, or Camu… and they tell me that maybe I should scratch this and change something else… I always listen… they are a lot further ahead in this game then I am… so their opinions mean a lot to me

JB: What motivates you to grab the Mic?

Y: Its the greatest feeling ….the iLLest rush……its better then drugs …………….really cant explain it that much….and groupies are ill too…female ONES

JB: So you already have a complete set of Yak Ballz groupies?

Y: Hahahah….awwww man..what kind of question is that..? I don’t think its complete yeT..it will never be….the more patients that step into the doctor’s office the better….u knowhumsayin?

JB: Haha I guess there are never enough groupies

Y: Word to the third

JB: Not many question your skills but some critics do question your ability to hold down a full length how do you respond to them?

Y: FUCK EM……I am not trying to put out an album yet anyway…..take it how u want….

JB: How will you avoid being labeled as just another underground MC with dope punchlines?

Y: I’m trying to take it to another level…..I know everyone says that shit….but I ain’t fucking around….I take this shit seriously………The Force is with me…that’s all I need…….punchlines are dope…but they only go so far….you gotta come wit the buttaZ…you know?

JB: If you could mail one person a letter bomb who would that be, and why?

Y: Hmmmmmmmmm………..I gotta think about this one…..I mean there is no one person…

JB: A crew? A state?

Y: I’d like to send a whole bunch of them out… cuz mothafukaz be getting on my nerves… well Extended Fam would be up on that list…bunch of internet ducks

JB: Haha here is another important question, How much do you really have to drink to take a HOMEPISS?

Y: I’m not a big drinker… I ain’t gonna front… but I’m straight wit like 2 40’s… but I smoke like a fuckin Chimney… I love smoking…

JB: Exactly what you smoking is the question

Y: That’s a rhetorical question isn’t it? u know the deal kid “JaRs-a-Dro”…as Beanie Mac would say…it don’t always come in jars though Haha

JB: What do you think you bring to the Mic that other MCs lack?

Y: I think my WeathermenZ and me bring what was always supposed to be brought to the Mic… or a cipher…or the studio… SKILLZ… there’s no excuse for being wack… f you suck then this shit ain’t for u…. go pick up another hobby just like you picked up this one… everybody rhymes now… just look at Lil Bow Wow… if he can do it so can you!!

JB: What are your plans for the future where are you trying to take your career?

Y: Right now…its real sketchy cuz I’m going to school and shit… trying to do that part… and then the music at the same time… but I’d like to put out at least one full length before my career is over… some major label shit… some classic Queens shit

JB: Some Mobb Deep shit

Y: Mobb Deep is one of many… from TatooiNe

JB: So could you see yourself behind the boards or the turntables in the future?

Y: Maybe some production… but I’ll leave the Dj’in up to Mondee… the production should probably be left to Mondee as well that nigga is on some next shiT… wit the MPC

JB: Are you and DJ Mondee an unofficial group?

Y: Yea…..something like that…that’s my homepiss

JB: Do you have a name for the group that we may see in the future?

Y: Nope..Mondee and me just enjoy making music together…and we got a good product…

JB: Are you setting up spots do shows in the future or concentrating more on school?

Y: Right now….it’s all about school…..but I’m hoping to do mad shows in the future…shows are where its at

JB: What’s your most memorable moment onstage?

Y: Hahaaaaaaa…at Wetlands where I lost my balance….on stage….and Cage caught me right when I was about to become part of the audience….

JB: Unintentional stage dive

Y: yea….it was a Kodak moment

JB: Speaking of Cage has he somewhat taken you under his wing as far as doing shows are concerned?

Y: Yea Cage taught me a lot …….schooled me to the ways…

JB: I heard he is kind of crazy

Y: He’s bugged out…..

JB: Are there any projects to look out for from the Weathermen in the future?

Y: everybody is getting their solo shit out…..right now…..Masai Bey is next to drop some shit on Def Jux…….we are looking into recording a album….we’ve got someshit in the works…but its still to early to tell what’s gonna happen

Jb: For all those that don’t know give a little history about the crew

Y: Cage and Copywrite (MHz) started it..it’s named after an organization that started out around when the Black Panthers were flourishing……they would set bombs in public places and shit…some real Fightclub type of Rebellion against the Government type shit.. The Weathermen Frontline consist of….Myself, Copy, Cage, Camu Tao, Tage Proto, Masai Bey, Jakki the Motamouth, EL-P, Breezely Brewin…..Cannibal Ox are the two newest members..

JB: It sort of resembles an evolved Indelible MCs

Y: Except we are on some Longevity shit….ain’t no turning back ….fuck that break up buLLshit that plagues all groups these days

JB: Word I guess personal differences lead to all that

Y: Those differences do not exist within our crew…believe that….

JB: What are some of your non-hiphop related interests?

Y: Digging out chicks……smoking a L…….or taking bonghitS….I write graff….but I really don’t bomb…..drawing and shit………..video games…..dreamcast the Internet is where I’m at as well..

JB: Where can the fans reach you to send you the fan mail you love to receive?

Y: If u wanna get at me…Post up on MhzSite.com….or CagevsAlex.com

JB: Last question, what’s the most important thing in your life right now?

Y: School…I am not trying to be stuck like some of my niggaz u know..i’m trying to break the mold…

JB: Any parting words, shoutouts etc.

Y: Yea……PICK UP MY NEXT SHIT……..my Fans got my back ….peace to Nasty Vaz…Bobbito…….TCK massive…..The Weathermen……WAS …..URNVS….QUEENS!…and everyone that stays hating on me for whatever reaSon….eaT a diCK….