Clova Yoda

http://issuu.com/hiphopstardom101mag/docs/qua_lupage - HipHopStardom

t takes a little something extra to get noticed in Austin, the live music capital of the world, but when three independent hip-hop groups -- Southern Made Click, Fiyah Boi Ent. and Throwed House Click -- came together to form their own label, it was bound to gain some attention. Die Slo Entertainment are focused on promoting innovation and creativity in hip-hop -- not just in Austin, but all over the world. Big JD of Die Slo took time out to talk to Spinner about the label's sound, vision and plans for the future, including their upcoming gig at SXSW.

Describe your sound in your own words.

We have our own sound. We've got people like Stat 1 from Throwed House, who has a distinct voice and a distinct way of rhyming. Our producer makes real orchestrated music, real big and real huge. I'd have to call it real hip-hop. It's something that you've never heard before.

How did your label form?

I had my own group, Southern Made Click, my friend Cham had his own group, Fiyah Boi Ent, and my friend Stat had his own group, Throwed House Click. And at the time we were each doing our own individual shows around Austin. We knew each other, and we just decided to come together as one. We all had the same love of music.




How'd you come up with the name Die Slo?

It started from a simple little phrase we were always throwin' around. It just had a little ring to it, and we stuck to it and ran with it.

Who are you influenced by?

Me personally, I'm influenced by a lot of West Coast rap and underground rap. We're heavily influenced by real music -- music that has a meaning behind it.

Do you have any musical guilty pleasures?

I don't think too many people know that a lot of the dudes from the group listen to alternative music. We like Kings of Leon -- they're a great group.

Who was your first celebrity crush?

I'd have to say Jessica Alba.

What kind of artist grabs your attention?

Somebody with an original sound, somebody that has a sound I've never heard before.

What's in your SXSW survival kit?

This is our first year to be a part of SXSW and I'm really looking forward to it, all the great music that's going on. Just gotta find a way to sleep downtown, maybe on the corner. I'm just really excited to be a part of it.

Anybody you're looking forward to seeing this year?

I was kind of disappointed that the West Coast showcase is the same night as ours. I don't know if it's possible, but I'm gonna try to make it!

What's the craziest thing you've seen or experienced on the road?

I'd have to say when we were performing at a club down here in Austin. We were performing one of our songs, a brand new song at the time. We had the whole crowd jumping, and then the power cut off in the whole club. We just kept doing the song a cappella, and it was just crazy. You feel it in the atmosphere and realize, "Damn, this is badass!" That's one of the best times on the road. That and when Cham almost fell offstage - spinner