It's gettin', it's gettin', it's gettin' kinda...socially conscious, actually. After the jump, Jus Rhyme talks white guilt, his anti-racist history and how reality TV taught him how to laugh at himself.
Did you enjoy your time on the show?
Yeah, I did. I'd say it was a mixed blessing. There were very high highs. I think meeting hip-hop legends, getting advice from people like Serch, Prince Paul, Just Blaze, was really great. Some of the low lows were the stress of being on the show and the constant cameras on us. Part of it that struck me as difficult came from the fact that I do a lot of work on prisoners' rights in Los Angeles. I work with a lot of formerly incarcerated folks, supporting their struggles in the community. They've told me about surveillance they've been under either in the community or during incarceration, wire tapping and things. It was shocking and, I guess, interesting that the technologies used in imprisonment and surveillance were used to produce entertainment.
Do you think the show portrayed you fairly?
I think so. I'm a fun guy and when it's time to get serious, I get serious. One thing good about the show, at the end of the day, was that watching it gave me the chance to practice laughing at myself. I think it's really healthy, in a way. Trying to give back and build better communities is important, but at the end of the day, I'm still not perfect and awkward and just human, like everybody else.
Do you think your competitors were hard on you?
Maybe. I wonder if they were hard on me or if they were hard on the issues I was bringing up. I'm not really sure what frustrated people. I felt that I was kind to everyone. I never put down anyone. But honestly, I don't know what goes on in the minds of the other MCs.
People often use the phrase "white guilt" when describing you. What do you think of that?
Guilty for what, I guess, is my first question. I imagine "white guilt" has to do with a feeling of guilt for what has happened in history and what it means to be what in America. I don't think I dwell in guilt. If you dwell in guilt, you're really angry with everybody, or you get paralyzed and don't want to do anything. I'm cool with people and I'm involved with the community, so I don't think those are symptoms of guilt, but maybe they are and I'm just unaware. But I think that a little bit of guilt is normal for anyone, whether it be male guilt, white guilt, straight guilt, wealthy guilt. I think a little bit of guilt is healthy because it means you're feeling an emotion for the history of this country. It becomes problematic if that guilt becomes destructive in your behavior with other people. Still, I know that it's easy to dismiss what I say as "white guilt," but I feel like that's a cop-out because it doesn't deal with what I'm really saying. It dismisses me as a person, but it doesn't deal with the issue.
Your approach to social change involves harnessing pop culture. Do you think that's key to reaching people?
It's my contribution. It's what I do. I think there's a variety of ways to give back. For me, I really enjoy pop culture and I think it's the role I play as a poet. I have been told by activists that don't utilize pop culture that they get excited by our work because we can reach a lot of people at one time. I may not be a community organizer, but I've been told by some mentors, "You're a really good mobilizer." In that way, I think it can be really useful.
Is there a point in time that you can look back on as important in shaping your anti-racist consciousness?
Growing up, I didn't really have an analysis about what race meant. I didn't know I was white until I left my hometown. My hometown was predominantly white and I think my experience shows how whiteness is invisible or normal or normalized in communities. It's like, everyone's white, so you don't think of it, which is a danger of racism or white supremacy. I left my hometown at 18 and I was recruited into AmeriCorps to get money for college. That's actually, where I met my rhyme partner, Raw Potential, and that's when I started freestyling. So I traveled the West Coast, and it was the first time that I was in the racial minority. I think it really made me conscious about issues of race and class. We were in a lot of communities that didn't get the benefit of public policy or funding for social programs. Time and time again, I saw that poor people, people of color and women were getting the raw end of the deal. I think that connected the dots for me. We traveled to a different city every two months, and we were in Watts in Los Angeles, doing community service fixing houses. The only thing I knew about South Central L.A. at that point was what I'd seen in a lot of the gangster movies that had come out in the early '90s when I was in middle school: Boyz n the Hood, Menace II Society. I was on a ladder, hammering a nail and a car came around the corner and its tires screeched. I said, thinking it was funny, "Look out for the drivebys," and laughed. One of my team members was from Compton. She happened to be African American. She looked at me with a sad, sort of angry look. I asked her what was going on, and she said, "Four of my friends have died by drive-by shootings and that's not funny." I had messed up big time. I hurt her feelings, I said something that could be called racist and it was just wrong. I had to make amends for that and, I guess, feel guilty (laughs) for saying it, but also, turn that guilt into an attempt to repair the damage that had been done. If it ever could be. So that basically started a whole year of us having conversations about race everyday with mostly me as the student and her as the teacher, sadly enough. One time I said, "How come I always ask you what it's like to be a black woman in L.A., and you never ask me what it's like to be a white guy in Minnesota?" And she said, "What it's like to be a white guy in America is shoved down my throat everyday." And I was like, "Oh. Dang."
You're an interesting case, Jus: you're political and conscious and yet, so nice. I'm accustomed to experiencing outrage from someone who's so aware and active.
I mean, I'm pissed as hell, man. Don't get me wrong. But I don't know how healthy outrage is. I don't know how I could carry that with my everyday as anger. I re-channel my anger into art and social action. I don't let guilt and anger and unfairness get in the way of doing something to change it. At the end of the day, if we can't have healthy relationships with each other, I don't know how we can build a movement.
Are you still a Ph.D. candidate?
I am. What happened on the show [when Jus got word that he'd lost his fellowship] was pretty heavy. I'd been doing my Ph.D. in rap stuff for the past three years. They had never really come in conflict – I was able to juggle both, as well as my activism and being a boyfriend and staying connected to my family. But because of the filming of the show, the timing threw off my fellowship stuff. Luckily, I was able to reinstate my fellowship when I got back to USC. I had conversations with my advisers about my commitment to the program as well as hip-hop. So far, they're believing me, but everyday I have to prove that I can do both.
At one point in the show, a fact popped up about you stating that you refuse to eat at White Castle. Is that true?
(Laughs) I don't know where they got that! I think it was just a joke. It's funny, I laughed at it. At first I didn't understand it, like, "What do they mean? I've been to White Castle." And someone was like, "Because it's white, you don't like it."
Was the dinner with N.O.R.E. as awkward as it seemed?
It was, it was. N.O.R.E. was sitting there for about an hour and a half because we were late on filming. He had a radio obligation at 10 p.m. and they got us there at 9:45. Maybe he just didn't like us, that could be a possibility, but I definitely feel that he's probably not used to waiting an hour and a half for white rappers that he doesn't know.
Has the show done anything to boost your career?
I think so. We [Jus Rhyme and his partner, Raw Potential, who comprise AR-15] are going to do a panel this Saturday (Feb. 24) with MC Serch and La Peace, whom I battled on the show, at Western Michigan University. We're doing a panel on hip-hop and racism. This will be the first big conference I've done since the show came on. The biggest thing, I think, is people recognizing me. Before, when I had to talk about what I did, a lot of people just had deadpan expressions and I really had to sell them on it from the jump. Now, they kind of know what I do and they come to me understanding something about what my approach is. I think the Celebreality status, if I can call it that, allows the message to go places where it wouldn't otherwise, venues or schools or towns where hip-hop isn't popular, but TV is. That's exciting. Also, a lot of people want to get their picture taken with me. That's cool. It's kind of fun. At the end of the day, it's not why I do it, but I'm glad that if a light is shined on me, I can hold up a mirror and direct the light to community work that's being done in people's local communities, or say, "Hey what have you got to say? I want to hand you the mic. I want to hear what you've got to say." I'm part of the community, but it's not all about me.
Keep up with Jus and his lengthy itinerary via the AR-15 MySpace.
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you suck you think your so cool but you are a f***kin' loser f**k you
Posted by: sam666 | February 24, 2007 at 01:47 AM
yo i can spit better and faster then any of the fakes you had on your damn show yo check it im ded man can i rhyme quicka than any corpse can if you dont like it than yo not a fan than step back while i fck you woman. holla to tha grave
Posted by: grim | February 24, 2007 at 05:03 AM
You all are plain wrong! Jus Rhyme is real! The most real there! You think John Brown or $hamrock would've gave up their pHds for this. NO! Jus Rhyme has great music. I heard AR-15 and they are great. You know what? I have a qoute to say to you all who think Jus is jus a loser. "I have bigger fish to fry like common sense!!! Jus is the best. No doubt about it! It is not a game people!
Posted by: Adam | February 24, 2007 at 06:53 AM
Jus Rhyme is the best of the best! WtF are you people talking about!? He can spit better than Persia, $hamrock, John Brown, Misfit, Sulley, 100 Proof, John Boy, Dassit, and G-Child put together. The most real MC here is Jus. How in the hell did he get knocked off? This is not a game people! And his music is great. AR 15.
Posted by: Adam | February 24, 2007 at 07:07 AM
Ay! Buy Jus's CD! www.myspace.com/ar15hiphop.
"Heart of a Champion"
Posted by: Adam | February 24, 2007 at 07:23 AM
Y'ALL DOI'N Y'ALL THAG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: jmari | February 24, 2007 at 06:50 PM
signin up here like its myspace,
i bet u think ur cool, free from fear of my place,
but you should know about the "so-called" white race
it aint about showin a rear up in a this space,
irregardless of race, color, or upbringing,
i bet i can bring it to ya with words of action
stronger than ur crystal quarz are bling blingin it
like trick daddy said fo sha
ya'll tuck tuck yo ice in
cause you aint heard bout it in the dirty dirty
pawn shops will showcase yo bread no sin
so be scared if u a stranger travelin through the ridge
its easy to rap about "305" but its just a bridge
yah a bridge into thinkin you down with the 305
but truth of the matter is
female ridge rappers ride till we die.....
what.
Posted by: Cristaaal | February 25, 2007 at 12:08 AM
i'd like to see a female rapper come out of the dirty dirty...and i dont mean georgia, this how we do in MIA
Posted by: Cristaaal | February 25, 2007 at 12:09 AM
My man that wrote you suck is right you do suck corny ass! You should listen to what you "SPIT" BEFORE you actually open your mouth and then you will realize what everyone already knows, you are wack as an MC for real!
Posted by: SFC | February 25, 2007 at 02:34 PM
I'm not from the ghetto, I'm from the trailer park, I'm white trash to the core. I write better raps when i'm taking a shit than any of those motherfuckers on your show. I wish to god I was on that show I would've smoked all of them in all their competitions. Make part two and put me on that bitch and watch me soar straight to the end. I aint gonna put no raps on here cuz you fake ass bustas would try to take them and use them as your shit. that aint gonna happen. jhon boy is a ho, shamrocks the only one on the show with any originality, but i know i would've smoked him cuz he cant freestyle. i'll freestyle about anything you show me. I hope to god they make part two. if i would have know that they were making the show in the first place i would have done everything i could to get on that bitch. holla back
Posted by: kaotic | February 25, 2007 at 08:13 PM
ayo the white rapper show had it moments....probably the best two made it this far, but the whole lineup was wack....u need to have a big casting and i guarantee you can get better rappers and someone that knows how to spit freestyle....what was that, and it wasnt even freestyle they all said lines they pre rehearsed that whack....i can take any one of those whack white rappers......myspace.com/jonjones22.....ha hollaback...
Posted by: Jon Jone$ | February 25, 2007 at 08:18 PM
Check it if yall wanted to have a good show ud put me on there I unlike everyone elese up here can rap.But insteadt u pick rejects like Juss n Jon Brown both exra weak..But a if Shamrock dont win even though he to is weaker than i thought yall straight bullshitin cause if season two come brang bak any1 of them n ill crush um simple as dat...
Posted by: Big Ben | February 26, 2007 at 12:42 AM
wow. i'm impressed with both his intelligence and earnestness. he's not the best rapper, but his sheer force of will and positive state of mind will take him far. it's refreshing to see someone educated and candid on tv.
Posted by: j.m. | February 26, 2007 at 01:27 AM
Death Before Dishonor
I'm gon teach ya'll somethin' so check it
I'm gon hip hop on this mic and wreck it
Serch said it, Eminem did it, now I'm gonna spit it
It aint bout black, it aint bout white so dig it
My digits growin' larger than a mother f****** migit
This VH1 show has become my only vision
This shit aint impossible so I'm still on a mission
I'll battle anybody even while I'm pissin'
This shits easy for me so be careful who ya dissin'
I glissin' but I leave the ice for dudes who got raps better than mine
I aint $ham with his grillz but I got a nice shine
So listen up yeah one more time
My dream is to meet Serch and let him hear MY rhyme
So this is it ya'll can now say what you think
But I'm real dude so here's my number call me and tell me what you think...
919.609.0193
- SLiM
Posted by: SLiM | February 26, 2007 at 02:06 AM
most of these rappers are decent, and jus rhyme was no exception...he was decent. put any of em in front of me and they get chewed up and spit out. i know a hundred so-called "white rappers " that are more talented and i am far from the best, but they would get eaten... but much respect to em all for doin their thing. the show should get some hotter talent next time.
peace and guidance...
LMVX2 aka Mr Mental
Posted by: Mental | February 26, 2007 at 07:13 AM
ok so yall think its easy. how many of yall have actully been in front of a crowd or had to spit for some people who aint ya friends. get of ya high horses. jus did hi thing in his own way. all of them did. im not gonna lie some did drop some wack shit. but hey nobodys perfect. i dont know why everybody calls jon brown weak. the dude has mad word play. just listen to what he say. just ignore the ghetto revival shit. sham is on point. as is persia.
Posted by: regimerider | February 26, 2007 at 09:09 PM
This Chicks fuckin ill
Posted by: Jamie | February 27, 2007 at 11:05 AM
JUS RYMES YOU ARE A LAME ASS PUNK. YOU PARENTS MUST BE ASHAMED OF YOUR WANNA BE ASS . YOUR A BIGGER BROAD THAN PERSIA AND YOUR NOWHERE CLOSE TO GETTING A RECORD DEAL.
Posted by: Loco Motives | February 28, 2007 at 04:17 PM
(i first must say props to the positive cats here and to the cast for being about what they are about in front of the whole country)
dudes pissed that they couldn't get picked/turn into pricks/lookin for fake battles to pick/but i aint seen shit that outshines/ the lines of a sulley, john brown or jus rymes/just mimes/ acting like they could touch mine/just like the fallacy of a studio thug who touched nines/dont even know the author of im/ "nestle when it's crunch time"/such minds should keep their comments confined/to an audience of me myself and i/cause cats lack the soul of de la/take a second to pause and reflect like selah/sinkin into scriptures/my words are worth a thousand pictures/i got the fakes frozen like a fixture with this verbal equation/one line, three words, one letter = alliteration/idiots hatin on a cat trying to back reparations for the sins of a guilty nation/but the systematically stupified population/remains ignorant to the proclaimation that lacked emancipation/i digress from my point/ i cant stay on it/instead i gotta call out that wack cat kaotic/you makin it on part two is an impossible feat/you couldnt "get on that bitch"/ if that dog was in heat/and not even "fake ass bustas" would spit what you speak/this is grown man business dude, you still lick at the teat/probably the type to sit when you pee/id love to see you try to flip it on me/and if youll "freestyle about anything you show me"/ill give you a mirror and have you explain what a hoe be.
Posted by: poetariat | March 03, 2007 at 11:58 PM
JUS Rhyme u suck so bad it hurts and its not even the fact that your word play is horrible its that your fake. when you were battlin La piece you was tryin to rap like u hood usin words like fams. all of this mixed with corny punchlines and Choppy Rhyme sceme is why you should not rap no more in your entire life. But the Anti racial shit thats a plus stick with that. Its something positve thats wassup.
Posted by: Epic bx all day everyday | March 20, 2007 at 12:59 PM
i have tried and tried to post my raps on this blog
it wont let me it says i'm comment spam.i'm begging for a response...pleeeeeease let me know how i can let vh1 know that i'm down to show the world what i am capable of.i am real,i am white,i'm not "comment spam"and i am (no disrespect to the artist's from the previous show)better than them.so if your system is so flawed that it will not allow me to post then e-mail me an adress and i will mail you my work.if this show goes on without at least hearing what i have to say it would be all the lamer.
sincerely.....the next whte rapper
(whether you listen or not)
Posted by: mudd | April 05, 2007 at 01:42 AM
jus always worried about the the kids
i do what i want no group gana change it learn it
Posted by: alyssa | April 14, 2007 at 11:11 PM
He's wack he can't even spit i'll rip everybody on this show 4ereal n i don't mean 2 sound cocky but i will
Posted by: Blaze | October 20, 2007 at 07:16 PM