3 Strykes

Ktonian Spotlight · Interview by John Lee

Kt213: 3Strykes, give our viewers your 30-second intro!

3S: Waddup L.A, we're 3 Strykes representin' Koreatown, and right now we'd like to take a second to introduce ourselves. Johnjon a.k.a. "Maniac Jack. the Masta Po Pimp," J-riggs a.k.a. " PYRO a.k.a. David Quresh in the Booth," and last but not least Kwest a.k.a. " KDUB Blaq Soul," and we are 3 Strykes.

Kt213: So give us a lil' history, how'd you guys form into a group?

J-Riggs: We've always been friends even before the music. All three of us have been rapping before we even got into high school so its been about 10 years. Each of us would write our own rhymes an meet up at parking lots and jus spit for each other for hours...instrumental after instrumental. We were a group before we knew it. We started performing at local parties and bars and people were showin' us love. We were just doing what we loved to do and decided to make it into our career.

Kt213: I know you guys just performed with Pharoahe Monch, what was that experience like?

Johnjon: Yeah Pharoah was cool, but we pretty much stole the show...ha ha nah just playin'. Yeah I'm a big fan of Pharoah Monch, and it was a great honor to even be on the same stage as the guy. It was truly a great experience on our behalf. Once he said "SIMON SAYS GET DA F**K UP!" we yelled like a buncha school girls. Ummm...I mean we put it down! *wink wink*

Kt213: Any other upcoming projects? When and where can we catch you guys performing?

Kwest: Right now we're going to concentrate on finishing up our debut album that's going to drop in 2008. But, we might have a show before the year's over or maybe a New Years performance to top off the year.

Kt213: What's been the biggest obstacle on your path to success so far?

Kwest: Probably success itself... you ask why? When people succeed or make progress they tend to become comfortable with what little they've earned. We've been there done that. It's easy to lose track and take things for granted but we're working on that. We're only human you know? Kids dont smoke...y'all can use your imagination on that one. There's a quote I live by now and if you don't understand it then y'all in trouble." If you were never prepared to fail you were never prepared to succeed." And that's what's up.

Kt213: On the other end of the spectrum, who or what has been your biggest blessing?

Johnjon: One of our biggest blessings...I would have to say running into our producers D.N.A. and Itchi da killa (digital narcotics)...supplying us with super dope beats and enhanced engineering skills. Also having family and friends that are supportive is a great strength we we're blessed with. And thanks to the big Guy upstairs. Ralph Min from Ktown213, for his time and dedication...and yeah, we thank you guys for blessing us with this interview ha ha ha. And we look forward to many more blessings.

Kt213: How would you describe your music? Your style?

J-Riggs: You could say our music is like Mixed Martial Arts, 3 different styles that blend together as one. Each one of us are influenced by a wide range of artists and music. Classic Westcoast Hip Hop, Wu-tang Clan, Stevie Wonder, Nas, Jay-z, Pac, Biggie, Nirvana, Rage Against the Machine, The Beatles, Jodeci, Boyz 2 men....even Kenny G. The list goes on..We love music in general so we feel as if there really shouldn't be a label upon us. We are continuously trying to perfect our craft, and we continue to learn everyday.

Kt213: You guys representin' K-town? Where do you guys hang out?

Kwest: We're all over the place, its too many places to name, usually in Ktown though . If you ever see one of us passed out in a club...please, water! But yeah usually we're partying it up in Hollywood. We use parties to network an meet girls. I'm playin', mostly network. You'ld be surprised, but clubs are the best places to get out there. So buy some drinks 'cause you never know.

Kt213: Any last minute shout-outs?

3S: Shutouts to God who continues to bless us daily, R.I.P. Jang Jung and James Kang, your boyzs miss you. To Foreign Family Clothing , Debtstock Clothing, Smash Pro, South Bay Music Awards, the Oddibles, DB Tonik, IZ, Lyricks, Sonny Kang, Kublai Kwon, Quoneezy, FM, Million Dollar Babies...mon mon...and the list goes on.

Kt213: Well guys, we thank you for your time, and wish you guys nothing but big success!

3S: Yeah, fo' sho'. We thank you for having us...don't be afraid to call us for events! *hint hint.*