LDJ

Born in White Plains, New York, HipHop artist LDJ has made an impressive following for himself thus far. Growing up in Nanuet, New York he has done everything possible to make his career in rap a successful one. Working with talented and noted artists such as Redman, KRS-One, Jim Jones, Black Rob – to name a few – LDJ has the makings and ingredients every indie artists wishes they had – being co-signed. Mixtape, after mixtape with heavy features, as well as work on others projects, the versatile artist is ready for the world to know him – take a second and get to learn that is of, LDJ…


LDJ feat. Jim Jones & ReddBone - Da Official Baseline Video from DEATH HOUSE on Vimeo.


AllHipHop.com: Musically speaking, what have you accomplished thus far?


LDJ: I’ve released 10 street albums – The Ready to Rock Mixtape, Undisputed, Who is LDJ?, It’s My Turn (hosted by DJ Envy), Dow Jones, F*ck themedia, Jonesin the mixtape, Mr. Official, Dopeman and New Yack City. My debut album, “Jonesin” is featuring KRS-One, Pete Rock, Redman with my lead single, “Get Ya Gun” is available on iunes right now for download. The new single, “Da Baseline” features Jim Jones”.



AllHipHop.com: Generating your fan-base and getting your buzz out there – what are some of the things you’ve done to make certain that people know LDJ?


LDJ: I do a lot of shows and get featured on Vlad TV, Hip Hop Weekly. I help a lot of other artists put out mixtapes and been featured on DVDS and shows also. I worked with Wyclef and KRS One, Pete Rock, Black Rob, Jim Jones, Cam'ron, G Dep – I’ve worked with a lot of signed artists over the course of my career.


AllHipHop.com: Who are some other people you are working with?


LDJ: Right now I’m working with LES. Just finished working with Pete Rock on his last album. I’m also working with Redman on his new album. There’s also KRS One’s last album. For the most part I’ve been doing a lot of in-house production from Ed who has done for 50 Cent, Mary J Blidge, Wyclef, Alicia Keys. I got AG from Showbiz and AG, Raquel Reid, Julexa, Jovonn and Jermaine Paul.


AllHipHop.com: What does LDJ stand for?


LDJ: Its my initials. My name is Landell Jones and I was always known as LD, once I started rapping I added the J – just went from there.


AllHipHop.com: Where are you from?


LDJ: Born in New York but raised in Nanuet and been living back in New York for the past 10 years.


AllHipHop.com: How is your fan base in New York? Has it been difficult to build?


Not really. There aren’t very many rappers from here so I’m like the City’s golden child right now. When I do shows I have at least 20 people travel outside of the area to come see me on stage. The only other rapper that is from my City is Saigon and n*ggas don’t really f*ck with him anymore. It’s like he moved to the big city and forgot where he was from and turned his back on us. He doesn’t claim our City so its now My City.


AllHipHop.com: Who are people within the music business that have influenced you?


I’m influenced by some of the greats – Method Man and Redman of course. Just the guys who paved a way for the next generation in this hiphop game. I respect them all and hope to get on their level one day.


AllHipHop.com: Your label – tell me more about it. Do you have other artists signed to it yet?


LDJ: My record label is. Dollar J Records, was created by me and right now I’m focusing on my project and soon hope to bring other artists aboard to start a movement with my label.


AllHipHop.com: Under what category would you say your music genre is?


LDJ: Genre wise, it is definitely hip-hop. Some of my songs include singing which is not all that I’m trying to do but it’s an added bonus. I work with other R & B singers also though, such as Janee McCall who is Alicia Keys back-up singer and Kell Reed who has worked with Lady Gaga. I just like good music. I don’t like to be put into one box as far as genre.


AllHipHop.com: What are your future projects?


LDJ: Right now my song and video with Jim Jones has been getting a lot of love on the internet, “Da Baseline”. It’s been getting spins on Hot 97 and 105.1 – it’s the first single off of my album. When Redman, Pete Rock and KRS-One’s projects drop, you’ll hear me on there also. It don’t stop. I’m grinding. - ALLHIPHOP.COM

"I’m influenced by some of the greats -- Method Man and Redman of course. Just the guys who paved a way for the next generation in this Hip-Hop game. I respect them all and hope to get on their level one day."



Independent artists have to strive hard to get recognition and notoriety, especially in an era where it appears everyone is picking up the mic and calling him or herself a “rapper”. Getting people to notice you sometimes would require one to enlist the assistance from an established artist in the same genre -- having a handful of artist co-sign and collaborate with you must count for something.



Taking time to speak with Nanuet raised artist, LDJ, getting to know him personally and being inviting into his world, he leaves a lasting impression; a rather impressive impression at that. Having worked with some of the best in the Hip-Hop game, LDJ’s strive is not unnoticed.



What does LDJ stand for?



It’s my name abbreviated. Lynn-Darryl Jones and I was always known as LD outside of rapping and once I started rapping I added the J -- just went from there.



Where are you from exactly?



Born in New York but raised in Nanuet and been living back in New York for the past 10 years.



The music scene in New York is over populated lately, how are you making yourself stand out?



If you can’t make it in NY, you can’t make it anywhere. I hold my own and do what I got to do. That’s where it’s at but I’m definitely on my grind.



Who are some people you are working with?

Right now, I’m working with LES. Just finished working with Pete Rock on his last album. I’m also working with Redman on his new album. There’s also KRS-One’s last album. For the most part I’ve been doing a lot of in-house production from Ed who has done for 50 Cent, Mary J. Blidge, Wyclef, Alicia Keys.



What’s your genre style? Where do you fit in the music scene?



Genre wise, it is definitely Hip-Hop. Some of my songs include singing which is not all that I’m trying to do but it’s an added bonus. I work with other R&B singers also though, such as Jermaine Paul who is Alicia Keys back-up singer and Raquel Reed who has worked with Lady Gaga -- I just like good music. I don’t like to be put into one box as far as genre.



Your accomplishments thus far would include?



I put 10 street albums or mixtapes over the course of my career. I do a lot of shows and get featured on Vlad TV, Hip Hop Weekly. I help a lot of other artists put out mixtapes and been featured on DVDs and shows also. I put a real album out, Jonesn, its on iTunes. I worked with Wyclef and KRS-One, Pete Rock, Black Rob, Jim Jones, Cam’ron, G Dep -- I’ve worked with a lot of signed artists over the course of my career.



Who has influenced you?



I’m influenced by some of the greats -- Method Man and Redman of course. Just the guys who paved a way for the next generation in this Hip-Hop game. I respect them all and hope to get on their level one day.



How is your fan base in New York? Has it been difficult to build?



Not really. There aren’t very many rappers from here so I’m like the city’s golden child right now. When I do shows I have at least 20 people travel outside of the area to come see me on stage. The only other rapper that is from my city is Saigon and n*ggas don’t really f*ck with him anymore. It’s like he moved to the big city and forgot where he was from and turned his back on us. He doesn’t claim our city so it’s now my city.



What are your future projects?



Right now, my song and video with Jim Jones has been getting a lot of love on the Internet, Da Baseline. It’s been getting spins on Hot 97 / Power 105.1 and is the first single off of my album. My record label is Dollar J Records that was created by me and right now I’m focusing on my project and soon hope to bring other artists aboard to start a movement with my label. - YO RAPS MAGAZINE

Meet LDJ – more than just initials for a name; it’s a business. The New York based rapper is the sole artist on his Dollar J Records, record label – creating a solid foundation of business, talent and creativity that any up and coming artist would aspire to be a part of when the label is enlisting talent. Having a background of working with noted HipHop artists with minimum following; check out his latest video that features Jim Jones and has a cameo by Redman.

LDJ feat. Jim Jones & ReddBone – Da Official Baseline Video from DEATH HOUSE on Vimeo.

LDJ is making moves under the radar but are indeed moves worth recognizing.

Eb: Are you originally from New York?
LDJ: Yup! Born and raised in New York. Well, I was raised in Nanuet and but moved back to New York 10 years ago and have been here since.
Eb:Who has been some key players when it comes to influencing your musical style?
LDJ:Method Man and Redman of course. Just the guys who paved a way for the next generation in this hip-hop game. I respect them all and hope to get on their level one day. Real Hip-hop heads.
Eb: What’s your genre style? Where do you fit in the music scene?
LDJ:Genre wise, it is definitely hip-hop. Some of my songs include singing which is not all that I’m trying to do but it’s an added bonus. I work with other R & B singers also though, such as Janee McCall who is Alicia Keys back-up singer and Kell Reed who has worked with Lady Gaga. I just like good music. I don’t like to be put into one box as far as genre.

Eb:Creating a fanbase and getting out there is a difficult task for up and coming artists – the fans make the artist and his success. What would you credit to contributing to you generating your fan-base?
LDJ:My ten mixtapes have been holding me down. I do a lot of shows and get featured on Vlad TV, Hip Hop Weekly. I help a lot of other artists put out mixtapes and been featured on DVDS and shows also. I worked with Wyclef and KRS One, Pete Rock, Black Rob, Jim Jones, Camron, G Dep – I’ve worked with a lot of signed artists over the course of my career.

Eb:New York Hip-Hop scene is rather large, how are you making certain you stand out from the others rappers in the area?
LDJ:If you can’t make it in NY, you can’t make it anywhere. I hold my own and do what I got to do. That’s where it’s at but I’m definitely on my grind. There aren’t very many rappers from here so I’m like the City’s golden child right now. When I do shows I have at least 20 people travel outside of the area to come see me on stage.

Eb:I know you say its your initials but what exactly does LDJ stand for?
LDJ:Its my name abbreviated. Landell Jones and I was always known as LD outside of rapping and once I started rapping I added the J – just went from there.

Eb:Collaboration wise, who are you currently working with?
LDJ:Just finished working with Pete Rock on his last album. I worked with Redman and KRS One’s new albums. For the most part I’ve been doing a lot of in-house production from Ed who has done for 50 Cent, Mary J Blige, Wyclef, Alicia Keys. I’m also working with L.E.S.

Eb: If you had to give a couple accomplishments that have contributed to your career thus far, what would they be?
LDJ:I’ve released 10 street albums – “The Ready to Rock Mixtape”, “Undisputed”, “Who is LDJ?”, “It’s my turn” (hosted by DJ Envy), “Dow Jones”, “F*ck themedia”, Jonesin the mixtape”, “Mr. Official”, “Dopeman” and New Yack City”. My debut album, “Jonesin” is featuring KRS-One, Pete Rock, Redman with my lead single, “Get Ya Gun” is available on itunes right now for download. The new single, “Da Baseline” features Jim Jones”

Eb:What can we expect from you in the future?
LDJ:Right now my song and video with Jim Jones has been getting a lot of love on the internet, “Da Baseline”. It’s been getting spins on Hot 97 and 105.1 – it’s the first single off of my album. When Redman, Pete Rock and KRS-One’s projects drop, you’ll hear me on there also. It don’t stop. I’m grinding.

Check him out on facebook (LDJ Jones), twitter (@LDJBLDG3) and Reverbnation – www.reverbnation.com/LDJ - B.E.T.COM