INTERVIEW: Pigeon John

So, you may or may not have heard, but PIGEON JOHN will be in the big easy on March 11th at the HI-HO Lounge, 2239 Saint Claude. So before John got here I felt we should get to know him a little better, so I emailed him a few questions about Hip Hop and culture among other things.

STATIC: When most think of Pigeons and Hip Hop in New Orleans we think of the Bird Man from Cash Money. I know that you aren’t referencing the same thing he is, where did this name come from?

Pigeon John: Ah man, I've had that name since I was a kid. I got it from my good friend's mom in Hermosa Beach, CA. I was playing around and said "dude, you should be called Chicken John, it would be dope!" I grimaced. Then his nosy moms poke her head in the kitchen and said "you don't look like a chicken, you look more like a pigeon." I shuttered. And then for no reason at all, that was my name...HB baby.

ST: Also, when most think of LA Hip Hop they think of gangsta rap, explain to some people who may not know anything about you what they can expect from your live show.

PJ: Well, I got into hip hop when De La Soul and The Native Toungus drops in the late 80's. I was a kid and they pretty much engulfed my life. They were my Beatles and Bob Dylan and that led me to be completely myself and not let the industry or what's hot guide me. My style, if I had to box it in is classic, jazzy, melodic hip hop laced with dark humor and hope....I try to let my guard down on stage and be vulnerable at a hip hop show, which isn't that normal here. Its a live DJ with drums and keys killing your section! I'm trying to carve my own lane, period.

ST: I’ve read some stuff on your history, but I’d love to hear how you got started and you got to be the amazing entertainer you are now.

PJ: I got started at the only open mic in LA at the time called The Good Life Cafe. It was held at a health food store on Thursday from 8pm till 10pm. No cussing, b-words, biting or disrespectful dissing allowed which wasn't and isn't normal, again. So we all learned how to get our point across in different ways without leaning on formal hip hop rules. We had to be different, original and good to get the place to go nuts. It was like the apollo or something. Kurupt, Freestyle Fellowship, Will.I.Am, Souls Of Mischief and many others grew there....it was a beautiful time...the biggest influence on my music for sure.

ST: What are your general thoughts on the state of Hip Hop?

PJ: I love it and it is alive and well. The South is leading it and has been for around 5 years, since OutKast won for best album. What they do with the hooks, the bid beats, the laid back flow influence modern music the most. The Chop and Screwed style has been around for 10 years. Jay Z brought to the world with "Big Pimpin'" and its never been the same. Hip Hop needs to move from coast to coast to stay alive. If it was still in NY, it would be dead. LA too....but its the Mid West and Souths turn to run things....I love the way my 15 year old nephew loves his hip hop. Its real to him and not a phase or style....just ask the kids how hip hop is doing. They'll say something totally different than the older folks, and that's the way music has always grown...

ST: What are your thoughts on Steroids in Hip Hop?

PJ: Corny. Weak. Gay. Its the strongest looking dudes that are the most fragile. Everybody knows the loudess dude in the room is the weakest. If you don't know, now you do. Its very stupid and has nothing to do with music....I laugh at these poster boy, dope dealer dudes, runners, errand boys that don't taste the real money. Hahahahahahaha

ST: Who is your favorite New Orleans rapper?

PJ: Lil Wayne for sure. Ever since the "bling bling" hook I've always asked..."whose that kid?" I'm so glad he's going for the throne. New blood is needed, literally. I'm from Inglewood if you forgot!!! His flow is loose, drug induced, untraceable and original...he's a killer.

ST: Something I love about your rhymes is the visuals I get from them. I feel like you are telling a story. Who do you think deserved best film last year? No Country or There Will Be Blood?

PJ: Good question. I'd say There Will Be Blood. Because I'm from Inglewood! Hahahaha. No for real it felt like "The Shining" and the instantly felt like I was watching something new and startingling. Its a "slow" movie. But life moves very slow and art is inspired by life. P.T. Anderson is a leader. Has been since "Hard Eight"

ST: Reading anything interesting now?

PJ: Yes. I'm reading my first Vonnegut book. "Cats Cradle", a book riddled with God, Love, Religion and lies. Founded on satire. I love it! I'd want to write music in that vein...

ST: You make just good old fun booty shaking Hip Hop, what albums do you put on when you want to get your own groove on?

PJ: Anything from Slum Village . They got it going on. Crazy beats and ryhmes. I love em, one of my favorite groups. Even without Dilla (R.I.P.) They pull off quality "on the way to the club" music for sure.

ST: What are some things you like to do on your off time?

PJ: Play video games, watch Flavor Of Love with my wife, sleep and read. Real boring, but life on the road will flatten a man and make him relize that simple things and rules are the real mysteries in life and not drugs, women, legendary rock bands and laughs...even though that's hella fun for a time. I always taste gravel in the morning if you know what I mean.

ST: It has been a minute since your last album, when can we expect something new?

PJ: Ah man, writing now and recording this Spring. New record probably next year. But I started a group called ROOTBEER with my friend Flynn Adam from L.A. Symphony and we wanna tour and release the record this fall! Check it out....

ST: Looking forward to doing anything while in New Orleans?

PJ: Eating those powdered donuts in the main square. I forgot what its called, but they stay open real late and you can't find them anywhere in America ...I love that place...oh and get a bomb Po Boy sandwich. Do you know the best place?

ST: DO I! Well, I will take to just the place when you get here! Really looking forward to seeing you again.