Mixed Green's Artist: The B.E
How did the band's name come about?
We didn’t really have a name, but we knew that Lyrix could rap and that we wanted to support his artistry as an MC. So one day J.Crow (Knowledge) came home from work and said we should call ourselves something we feel Hip-Hop is missing.
Was it a group effort or an epiphany?
I’d have to say it was an Epiphany on J.Crow’s part: Beats, Lyrics and Conscious Knowledge became The B.L.A.C.K Experience and later The B.E. It’s a five letter abbreviation to describe what we feel good Hip-Hop should be. Eventually 4 members became 3, but before that we all held the 4 Elements as our identity. Beats=Todd Boogie, Lyrics= Lyrix the Mastermind, Conscious= Jah Da Consious- One (JDC-1), Knowledge= J.Crow the Spoken Word Artist.
Did you get into music for the art of it or was it all because of the groupies?
It was and is for the “Art” and “Elevation” of the Culture!
How do you feel about being a part of Mixed Greens?
As an Indie artist, multi-genre music compilations are the only way to bring our music to a wider audience of music lovers. We look for forward to many more opportunities along these lines.
How about the personalities of the group? Who's the wild one, who's the business one, who's not paying attention?
Nowadays, we’re all paying attention! On the business tip, we’re all pursuing opportunities as a group and individually. Wild one =Lyrix!!!
Who's your idol or inspiration for your music?
Last Poets, Tribe Called Quest, Rakim, KRS-ONE, P.E., Bob Marley, you know the rest! We consider our music “Classic” because of the classic music we embrace.
Where do you feel music is going in the next couple of years?
Music is ever changing and revealing new and old (resurrected) reflections and interpretations. Hip-Hop from its original context and aptitude is dead. It can be revived and it will continue its evolutionary course; which includes times of light and darkness, however in its current commercial appearance it is severely stagnant and overtly misogynistic and egocentric. For the other music genres: in the next couple of years we can look forward to more enhancements and revivals to classic music. Pure artists are emerging everyday (e.g. Amy Winehouse, John Legend, Corinne Bailey Rae, etc.), the future is now- we just have to be patient for the new face of Hip-Hop!
How often do you write songs & how do you come up with your song concepts?
We write conceptually for various music projects for ourselves, our protégés’, and various Film and TV projects we’re involved with. We write frequently to meet deadlines, but we got a hot 16 for anybody who want it!
Mixed Greens is a Blended Musical Compilation how do you describe your music?
Pure, Classic, Original Hip-Hop
What’s the best part about creating your own music?
The freedom to express art, the opportunity to enlighten, uplift, and unify the youth, and the ability to entertain them!
What was the name of the first song? Could you please write down a couple of bars of that song?
Um, yeah we’ll get back to you on that one!!!