If you’re wondering why Tripp Apparel sponsors Public Defendaz, well, let me tell you. Read the “About” section of this website and you can see that Pub Def is like the poster board image of what we represent. I’ve witnessed these guys first hand since day one. They are a HUGE inspiration of how Tripp Apparel got started. I honor and respect these guys to the fullest, and am very proud to have them rep this apparel to the fullest. Tripp Apparel solutes you Public Defendaz! PD and Tripp Apparel STAND UP!
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The group known as Public Defendaz is a diverse collection of talented musicians who represent their personal views through the lifestyle and music of Hip Hop. The group started in 2006 when five individuals came together and formed Public Defendaz. Their purpose, to bring audiences a quality of music that directly reflects the word of the people. By combining their driving forces of lyrical wordplay and versatile productions, this group from various regions of California band together to preserve Hip Hop’s true elements. The group consists of Oktapu$, Royal, J4RD, Taktical, and IyayI.
The Public Defendaz have opened/performed with many big name artists including Slick Rick, Tech N9ne, Rakim, Immortal Technique, E-40, Boot Camp Click, Mistah F.A.B and plenty more! and we at I Live Hip Hop are here to bring you an exclusive interview with the Public Defendaz, enjoy!
Q: So whats new Public Defendaz, hows life??
Oktapus: Blessed
Royal: Well life has been good, filled with lots of new journeys. I just had a new kid six weeks ago and that’s been something great.
Taktical: Good man, we all just been workn on this next chapter of our life’s and music.
IyayI: Good Good.
Q: So, you put together the Public Defendaz in 2006, how did the group form? Did you all know each other previously?
Royal: The group came together with the help of fate and a lot of mutual friends. A couple of us already knew each other, but the love for the music is what really connected us.
IyayI: Well I’ve known Royal the longest, we go back a long way. I believe I met Taktical second and we even had a class together in college. I introduced Oktapus to Taktical and the rest is what it is.
Q: And what would you say you can bring to the HIP HOP world as a group?
Oktapus: Diversity, we all come from different sections of Cali, so we all have a different flavor to bring…like ingredients in gumbo.
IyayI: We bring something refreshing…
Taktical: That feel good music…..
Q: Ok, and why did you choose to form as a group as opposed to all pursuing a career as a solo artist?
Oktapus: We’re all homies with a common love of this culture and art, so we figured we could all pursue these goals together.
Taktical: Since we’re an independent group it allows some of us to share the duties of running the group. As well as contributing to production, recording, media, promoting, etc…
IyayI: I personally was a solo artist and the last person to join the group. I liked what the group was doing from afar and we all all had the same goals. Figured we might as well do it together.
Royal: I always had a vision to build something amazing and wanted to share that with others. I have thought about going solo at times but it just hasn’t happened really.
Q: Which leads us to ask, Do any of you create music as a solo artist as well as a group member?
Oktapus: As of now, we all stick together. We may work with other artist, but when it comes to the group, PD just focus on us as a team.
Taktical: I make beats….hahahaha….But on the real, most if not all of my energy goes into Public Defendaz. I’m working on something for this group everyday whether it be writing, recording, production, promotion, etc….It’s PD all day
Royal: I do songs and collabs with other people. Sometimes I just write music on my own. I was gonna release an EP with Appetite an up and come producer but it hasn’t been finished as of yet.
Q: So tell us a little about the Public Defendaz, since 2006, what have you achieved?
Oktapus: Hundreds of fans/friends, 3 albums, a lot of traveling, and a stronger bond with my team.
IyayI: Our first mixtape appeared in the Top 8 and Spotlight on DatPiff w/ a 5 star rating. We also just won an award as “Best Hip Hop/DJ/Electric Act” by San Luis Obispo’s New Times newspaper.
Taktical: We’ve been blessed to open up for acts like Rakim, Ice Cube, Slick Rick and the list can go on.
Q: We are close to the end of 2010, so how do you think 2011 will shape up for the Public Defendaz?
Oktapus: I think 2011 will be our biggest year yet. Mainly because of the past work we put in, but I believe bigger situations are in our future.
Royal: It should shape up great for our music. We just gotta stay loving what we do because once you lose your love, you lose your grind. I got high hopes.
Taktical: Expect to see some notable collaborations on the next official album fa sho…
Q: As a group, which other HIP HOP groups have influenced you – past or present?
Oktapus: Hiero, Goodie Mob< Outkast, Living Legends
Taktical: Boot Camp Clik…
IyayI: I can say Wu Tang Clan and presently Slaughterhouse. I really like how Slaughterhouse band together as a group and how Wu Tang Clan put together tracks and albums. We all have different personalities but blend well together on track.
Royal: Goodie Mob, Wu-Tang of course, Outkast, Slaughter House,Living Legends, Ghetto boys, Hieroglyphics and who ever else I forgot sorry.
Q: Do you have any albums, mixtapes or future shows currently planned which we should know about?
IyayI: Speedy Trial Vol. 2 about to drop soon
Taktical: We got a couple mixtapes dropping for the year as well as our studio albums. And of course touring.
Q: Now, being a group… there’s no doubt that from time to time you may have different creative opinions when creating new music, how do you over come these differences to make sure that there are no delays when in the studio?
Royal: I just try to keep an open mind and try new things. there
shouldn’t be any boundaries in music. We’re constantly growing and so is our music.
Oktapus: When a member doesnt feel a track, he doesnt get on it. And just because a track is done, it isnt gaurenteed to make the album..but 90 % of the time we vibe on the same ish anyways..so the creative process isnt a problem.
Taktical: We just keep it moving….and like Oktapus said if one of us don’t feel the track for some reason or another we won’t hop on it. It’s not like we a Boy Band or something….hahaha
IyayI: I think we all recognize each others constructive criticism and put our best ideas together. We rule some out, and sometimes we mix the best of our individual ideas together.
Q: How does being a group affect you in HIP HOP? Do you feel that your music is treated differently as opposed to how a solo artist may be treated?
Oktapus: Not really, I feel like you can give a variety to the masses..every solo artist got folks behind him anyway.
Taktical: I never really even think about it like that. Honestly, it just feels good to make music with the people I love.
IyayI: I believe we do get treated different as a group opposed to a solo artist. I believe it opens us up to a larger fan base in a way.
Q: Do you all think about a long term plan for the Public Defendaz, where do you hope to be in say 3-4 years from here?
Oktapus: Yea, i do. I see Pub Def as a future label, a place for other younger cats to find there crafts and mold them, to keep the culture of hip hop real..
Royal: Touring, traveling, taking our music around the world. Also dropping albums with superb production and working with other elite musicians.
Q: As we bring this to the end, is there anything that you would like to add?
Oktapus: Thank you for having us, and to the other artist out there, start telling these kids the truth..one
Taktical: you can find us on any and every online outlet. Facebook, Twitter, Reverbnation, iTunes, Bandcamp, etc. Just google “Public Defendaz”
Many thanks for your time, that is much appreciated, best of luck in the future.
You can find out more about the Public Defendaz on their official websites.
Public Defendaz on Twitter
Public Defendaz on Facebook
Public Defendaz on Reverbnation
Public Defendaz always bring that good music, consistant quality and delivering what everyone wants to hear!! Alot of respect to the Public Defendaz, Tripp Apparel from the UK!!
Twinn
THEY SURE LOOK GOOD IN ALL THOSES COLORS…LIKE THE UNSCRIPTED PICTURES….I WANT MORE…