Erie PA has seen quite a change in its Underground Music scene over the last 10 years. In the spring of 06 Producer, DJ and Founder of 814 Bass Crew, “NATASK” had found himself back in western PA, (Erie) with an opportunity, or blank canvas as there was a huge void in Electronic Music. Right around the same time period there were also a whole new group of emerging MCs. Both groups struggled to find an outlet, or a stage to present their talents within their Local city scape. As time went on 814 BASS Crew was established and began hosting a variety of events featuring some of the most cutting edge DJs from around the world, all while slowly working the MC culture into these shows. As this was all going down 2189 Skateboardshop Founder “Iggy” Imig, began a series of underground Hip Hop shows, also hosting Talent from all around the US…. as both scenes emerged, it was only natural that there would be some overlap and collaboration. One of the current Hip Hop Acts that have been on the Up and up, hosting tracks with Veteran MCs from around the state Like BEEDIE and JOHN QUEST, is HOLLAH HOUSE. MACK BOYER, of the Hollah House Crew is now dropping this first Single with Producer and DJ, NATASK titled “Never Shook”. With a choice break, Deep Bass and Sultry String arrangements, have a Listen as Mack goes in with laments to his youth, and come up…. much like the scenes these two artists represent.
814 Music.
Have a Listen, we will have the download Link for you real soon!!
The 814 BASS CREW has some exciting shows coming here in the Month of MARCH. First on the 6th of March….. The ELECTRONIC SHOWCASE with NATASK featuring AKUMA, (OH) Celebrating the release on his full length Album on Plasma Pool Records. Look out for a slamming Night of Big Eneregy with choice sounds ranging from Hous eand Electro, to Dubstep and Jungle. also with With Resident…. NATASK .
With the End of 2013 closing, we wanted to make sure and Highlight some of the absolute Heat on the calendar even though its starting to get really cold outside! BASSBLOG sent field reporter Jason “Iggy” Imig out to retrieve some more upclose looks at MC’s in the Regional Hip Hop scene. With A huge show coming up Dec 19th at The Crooked I Erie PA put on by 2189 and BENCHERS UNION, and a brand New Mixtape about to set it off, we wanted to find out what exactly makes Pittsburgh MC, Jon Quest tick. BOOM!
Most MC’s these days are one dimensional…they find their niche and stay there. The story weaver, the battler, the metaphorical cat but few and far between do you find one who encompasses all these in one physical form. Jon Quest is one of those dudes. Having come up through the historic Shadow Lounge era of Pittsburgh hip hop, Jon earned his chops getting involved in their Rhyme Cal series of events. As one half of the Varsity Squad duo, with his homey Beedie, Jon has been able to branch out of the 412 area and start to build a solid fan base of his own.
Currently Jon is working on his third mixtape in his Seasons series, appropriately titled Season 3. Make sure to catch Mr.Quest when he comes to the Crooked I December 19th with Copywrite, Mic Excel& Short Moscato, and Erie’s own Ill Noyz!
Photo: Dan Mason. Currently Jon is working on his third mixtape in his Seasons series, appropriately titled Season 3. Make sure to catch Mr.Quest when he comes to the Crooked I December 19th with Copywrite, Mic Excel& Short Moscato, and Erie’s own Ill Noyz!
You are in the beginning stages of working on Season 3 of your series of mixtape. Are there any producers or MCs you are reaching out to that haven’t been on your past releases?
I wish I could answer this right now but as you stated yourself, I’m in the beginning stages of working on it so it can really go in any direction. I will tell you that I will bring back some of the crew that I did work with as far as producers and I’m going to try to reach out to some new artists for features and producer work! It’s still up in the air right now. I have some new jams on deck that aren’t 100% finished or just haven’t been the right time to release it yet. It might even be a whole new JQ…just never know. Stay tuned! There are going to be surprises i can promise you that!
You have been coming up to Erie pretty steadily since Varsity Squad came up to 2189. How have you seen it change since then and what is it that makes you excited to play here?
Before I came up to Erie, I always thought to myself “man I would never go Erie…what’s even up there?” but now Erie is like my 2nd home. The energy and love that I receive as a solo artist, or group, is incredible. It’s not always like that here in Pittsburgh, I’ll be honest. Erie is a special event every time if its 100 or 10 people in the crowd for the show
You were/are apart of the whole RhymeCal events. Do you feel that has had an impact on your MCing and if you could explain to people reading this how rhyme cal differs from your typical rap battle ..
Rhyme cal has definitely helped shape how I rhyme. It forces you to use your imagination and get out of the box which is what I like to do anyway so rhyme cal was just that advanced course to the school of emceeing for me. For the people reading this – RhymeCal is a freestyle competition with several categories. Although you will have battling one on one at some point in the game but you’ll also run into crowd topics, or may even have to battle a fictional character in 45 seconds to an instrumental. Best emcee gets the grand prize.
What other music do you dig besides hip hop? Who have you been listening too lately?
I try to listen to everything brother – If you live in a box you’ll produce that box type music. Lately I’ve been listening to a lot of TDE, Infected Mushroom, 90s hip hop golden era just to get my mind right to create Season 3 the way I want to create it. It’s really all over the place when it comes to listening to music.
You def have an affinity for video games…favorite system and what games have you been spending time on?
I’m Sony all day! I recently started playing “The Last of Us” again. I beat it in 3 days…tweak mode haha. I should’ve taken my time so that’s why I’m giving it a second spin. I copped the PS4 but Call of Duty Ghosts is the only game I have for it and just like any other COD game…it gets old quick.
Congratulations on your newest addition to your fam. I know you take being a father very seriously. How does being a dad/husband impact you doing your thing musically?
The thing about being a family man and doing other things that can consume your time is all about finding the balance. It’s hard to do but somehow I manage. Every once in awhile I will let life consume me and put music on the back burner and end up getting writers block for however long it may be BUT at the end of the day family is more important than music. Music is just a stress reliever for me and something that I love. When that day comes that I can take care of my family from doing music as a career well then…my story will change but for now it is what it is.
NatasK 