Five Deez - rap group - Brief Article - Interview

Thrasher Magazine, March, 2002 by Martine Kelsch

CINCINNATI IS A STRANGE AND INTRIGUING PLACE. WHILE it seems like there's no one there, masses of people are hiding through the outskirts. The Five Deez's headquarters is located on the quietest Main Street I've ever been on, yet it's home to the most creative and innovative minds in hip hop today. Just when I was sick of every ounce of rap music out there, the Five Deez stole my attention. The four pieces to this Midwestern puzzle are Fat Jon (MC, producer, playboy), Pase (DJ, MC, turntablist, smooth talker), Kyle David (MC, alcoholic), and Sonic (producer, asshole). With their latest masterpiece, KoolMotor, they push the boundaries of hip hop even further with a fusion of Jazz, drum & bass, and whatever else they can get their hands on.

Where did the title KoolMotor come from?

Fat Jon: From a can of motor oil from the '70s. Believe it or not it was called 5D KoolMotor. We thought it was pretty tight and it kind of represents us...cool, slick, but functional.

What's really going on in the Natti?

Pase: Not a damn thing. Just riots and racism, you know, your typical city fare. This city never realizes its potential. Skribble Jam, holla!

Where are the flyest girls at?

Pase: In Cincinnati I would have to say in Clifton, but our girls are for the most part pretty busted, Anywhere else I'd have to say either Miami, Amsterdam or ATL. Cali too.

What kind of booty do you like?

Pase: I like a nice, firm, chunky booty, personally. Big, but not too big. I love small petite chicks with a monster ass, but not so it looks out of place. Fat Jon gets the most ass, hands down. Everybody knows that, I'm a distant second, since I'm the one with the looks.

Fat Jon: I like the shakable kind and a booty that bends.

Any good groupie stories?

Pase: Actually there was this one chick that gave Kyle David a blumpkin. She was a playmate! For those of you that do know what a blumpkin is, I need not say anymore.

Influences?

Fat Jon: Prince, all the Cincinnati funk pioneers, Marley Marl, Kraftwerk, Marvin Gaye--too many to list.

Pase:I'd have to say Prince, Miles Davis, Bobby McFerrin, Fat Jon, and all the hip hop from 1982-1994. I'm feelin Coldp]ay right now.

What album do you throw on when you're with a lady?

Fat Jon: Humanoid Erotica.

Pase: some Love Unlimited Orchestra. KoolMotor works.

How would you describe Five Deez's style to someone who has never heard of you?

Pase: A lot of people with untrained ears compare us to Tribe and De La, but we're a little more eclectic. I'd say we sound like a sexy hip hop fusion group. Real mellow. Basically, we got la mierta caliente.

When are you planning to go on tour?

Pase: We don't have any plans for the US right now, we're just doing spot dates. But you can catch us in Europe in January and then in February we'll be in Japan and Brazil.

I heard that there is a resident alcoholic in the group...where's the dope spot to go drink one's troubles away in the Natti?

Pase: We're all avid drinkers, but I believe you are referring to Kyle David. He definitely has his lik moments. We live in the bar district, so it's a constant party. We go to the Lab or Top Cat's on Wednesday. Lava is a cool spot if you wanna go drink with a lady.

What's your first video going to be like? Lay it out for me.

Pase: We shoot in a few days. We were just talking about the ideas a minute ago. Joey Castrucci from Habitat is doing it. He says it is going to be some "tech-low-fl" type shit. It better be hot, he's charging us like $60,000. He thinks he's hot shit. No, but seriously, it might make it to MTV2.

Favorite skater?

Pase: Dill, hands down. Gary Collins, he's from the Natti and Stevie Williams. Gotta big up the bro's. That fool got style. Black skaters kick ass.

When did you see your first Thrasher ?

Pase: In the '80s when I used to skate. I used to collect Thrasher. First I had a Gator everybody had those. Actually, it was a bootleg Gator called the Dominator. They I had the real Gator and then I rocked the red Ron Allen H-Street board. I also had a piece in the graffiti issue you guys did.

Last words?

Pase: Peace to all the skaters...the scrubz in the Natti, Anonymous, and all our people. Flash it!