In the early-’90s, Chi-Ali created a buzz for himself as
a child rapper rolling with the Native Tongues family. (He was the voice behind
the Jeff character on certain De La Soul b-sides.) By the time of the new millennium
though, Chi’s name was better associated with an appearance on America’s
Most Wanted after he went on the run following the fatal shooting of someone
his sister was dating. It was a rise and fall that resonated strongly with another
young New Yorker, Skyzoo, who invoked Chi-Ali’s story on his plucky 9th
Wonder-produced single “Jansport Strings.”
Now Sky’s pulled off a creative coup by getting Chi-Ali, who was recently
released from jail, to rhyme on the remix of “Jansport Strings.”
The remix showcases Chi-Ali’s first freedom rap since he was locked up
and has him declaring how the track’s “got me feeling myself like
it’s a throwback from 9-2,” while Sky tailors his own lyrics to
welcome home his new guest. Hive caught up with Skyzoo to learn how the “Jansport
Strings” remix went down.
What was the inspiration behind referring to Chi-Ali on “Jansport Strings”?
The reference ties back into why I initially started rapping. I feel as if
me seeing that video (for Ali’s “Age Aint’ Nothing But a Number”)
at nine-years-old prevented a lot of other things from happening in my life.
Certain roads I could’ve went down were deterred due to me wanting to
rap and wanting to be like that Chi-Ali video. That’s what it all ties
into.
How did you feel when you heard he was on the run and in trouble with the law?
I was definitely surprised, and I began to follow the story immensely. I remember
being glued to the TV when America’s Most Wanted showed his story the
same way I was glued to the TV when I saw his video in ’91. The irony
in that, you know? That’s what “Jansport Strings” is about:
“My mama prayed that I wouldn’t be Chi-Ali/ Now my mama straight
because I wanted to be Chi-Ali.” My mom raised me to not get into similar
troubles and prayed that I wouldn’t go down roads like that, but I saw
the other side of my Chi-Ali inspiration. I took lemons and made lemonade without
knowing it.
Read
Full Article
"