SICK JACKEN INTERVIEW 3/26/09
Sick Jacken / Psycho Realm, one of the last soldiers with a real worldwide cult-like following who speak on self-empowerment for Chicanos and expose lies by the Government greed machine.Jehuniko, with the help of Latina Beatz, was able to ask about unreleased music featuring Jacken’s legendary brother Big Duke,their upcoming compilation album and much more.
Peace Sick Jacken, how have you been? Been a minute since I’ve seen you…Como estas carnal?
I’M GOOD BROTHER. JUST RIGHT HERE TRYING TO GET THIS ALBUM OUT.
So what’s up with this compilation?
THIS COMPILATION IS BASICALLY BEING PUT OUT TO SHOWCASE MYSELF OUTSIDE OF THE GROUP. THINGS I’VE BEEN FEATURED ON, ETC. INCLUDED IS SOME NEW MATERIAL WITH B-REAL, SELF SCIENTIFIC (OFF THE BLACK & BROWN UNDERGROUND), AND BIG DUKE. IT’S THE FIRST TIME WE’VE WORKED ON SOMETHING SINCE BOOK 2.
Psycho Realm- In This Life Time
http://www.youtube.com/v/vmvokwjMe_w&hl=en&fs=1
When is it coming out? Is it coming out on RMG?
IT’S SET TO COME OUT IN EARLY APRIL. WE PUSHED IT BACK ‘BECAUSE WE WERE WAITING ON SOME OF THE NEW MUSIC. IT WILL BE ON THE RMG LABEL.
Psycho Realm started in 1989 and in 1993 you guys got a song on the soundtrack for Mi Vida Loca? How did that come about?
WE MET B-REAL IN THE SUMMER OF ’93. WHEN WE SIGNED TO HIS PRODUCTION COMPANY, HE PUT US ON THAT SOUNDTRACK. I THINK THAT SONG CAME OUT IN ’94.
B-Real featuring Sick Jacken: Psycho Realm Revolution
http://www.youtube.com/v/OEGcBDoWTgo&hl=en&fs=1
Kemo has told me cool stories about traveling with you and Big Duke, tell us about those days in the mid 90’s….
THOSE DAYS WERE WILD HOMIE. WE WERE BRAND NEW TO THE TOURING SCENE, SO WE USED TO GO ALL OUT. ESPECIALLY WHEN WE GOT ON TOUR WITH OUR FOLKS. THE TRIBAL JAPAN TOUR WITH DELINQUENT HABITS AND FUNKDOOBIEST IS ONE OF THE MOST MEMORABLE. I’M GOING TO HAVE TO LEAVE OUT THE EXPLICIT DETAILS THOUGH, KIDS MIGHT READ THIS INTERVIEW.
The effect that Big Duke has had on music is eternal, how is brother doing? What’s cracking with Duke’s beats?
DUKE’S DOING GOOD. HE’S STILL A BIG PART OF WHAT WE DO. BEATWISE, HE HAS ONE ON “STRAY BULLETS” CALLED “METAL RAIN”. HE BASICALLY SHIFTED HIS CREATIVE ENERGY TO THE MUSIC SIDE OF THINGS TILL HE CAN EXPRESS HIS IDEAS VOCALLY. IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR TRACKS, GET AT A BROTHER. HE’S DOING IT RIGHT NOW.
From your early days, to Duke getting shot, the label drama, you guys have been on a crazy ride but what is so timeless about you guys is that the sincerity is evident in the music. What’s up with the Psycho Realm movie that would be sick.
I THINK THAT’LL COME WHEN THE STORY ENDS. WE’RE STIL IN THE MIDDLE OF LIVING IT OUT RIGHT NOW. NOT A BAD IDEA THOUGH.
Once at a stoplight in LA, this guy pulls up with the gasmask PR logo on the whole hood of his car, this is like 5 years ago, that shit tripped me out, PR is a cult around the world.
IT’S A FOLLOWING LIKE NO OTHER. THE SUPPORT WE GET FROM THE LISTENERS IS AMAZING. I STARTED TRIPPIN OUT WHEN I NOTICED IT HAPPENING AROUND THE WORLD. WE APPRECIATE ALL THE SUPPORT FROM OUR PEOPLE, AND WE DO OUR BEST TO KEEP THEM COMING BACK FOR MORE.
The classic “Psycho City Blocks”-Psycho Realm feat. B Real
http://www.youtube.com/v/JzRgDmp7RAU&hl=en&fs=1
From the personal music where you discuss your internal battles to songs about street soldiers taking back the power, what inspires you to keep going?
THE MUSIC, LIFE, AND THE PEOPLE AROUND ME. I CAN’T SEE MYSELF DOING ANYTHING ELSE. THERE’S TOO MANY THINGS GOING ON IN LIFE. THE INSPIRATION TO WRITE AND CREATE IS EVERYWHERE.
What music do you find yourself listening to?
LATE 60’s SOUL AND ROCK. 90’s HIP HOP. I LISTEN TO EVERYTHING, BUT THAT’S THE MUSIC THAT GETS ME COMFORTABLY NUMB.
As Chicanos, what message do you have for your fellow working class soldiers?
WORK HARD AND DON’T WAIT FOR A HAND OUT. TAKE RESPONSIBILTY FOR YOURSELF AND DON’T BLAME OTHERS FOR YOUR MISFORTUNES. LEGIT MONEY LASTS LONGER AND IS MORE POWERFUL THAN CROOKED MONEY.
Your music is filled knowledge, history, wisdom of the ancients, what books would you recommend to someone beginning their path of awakening?
IT ALL DEPENDS ON WHAT YOU’RE INTO. I RECOMMEND YOU PICK UP A BOOK, PERIOD. THERE’S A BIBLIOGRAPHY ON THE MASK & THE ASSASSIN ALBUM. IT’LL HELP YOU UNDERSTAND THAT RECORD A LITTLE BETTER AND INTRODUCE YOU TO A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE. CHECK IT OUT.
Eastlosradio.com with Sick Jacken
http://www.youtube.com/v/-IQm8rZfthE&hl=en&fs=1
With the global economy in a crisis, talks about the FDIC going bankrupt, continued police brutality, it makes me revert even more to the knowledge of our ancestors in an effort to get back to a more indigenous lifestyle. What do you think?
I THINK THE MONEY THAT’S RUNNING THE WORLD RIGHT NOW IS PLAYING A LOT OF GAMES. I TRY NOT TO GET TOO CAUGHT UP IN IT.
Are their any unreleased songs with Duke?
YES. WE WILL BE RELEASING A FULL LENGTH UNRELEASED RECORD THIS YEAR.
Is there a favorite PR song that you have?
I DON’T HAVE A FAVORITE. EVERY SONG PLAYS IT’S ROLE ON EACH ALBUM AND I DIG ALL THREE ALBUMS.
Sick Jacken- Life Of A Drug Dealer
http://www.youtube.com/v/gTMYAX0H2oQ&hl=en&fs=1
So Sick Symphonies has your upcoming compilation, then a Spanish album no? What’s up with a Street Platoon album?
THE COMPILATION IS A SOLO JOINT. I’M WAITING ON UNIVERSAL TO PULL THE TRIGGER ON THE SPANISH RECORD, OR PULL OUT. CYNIC FROM STREET PLATOON IS WORKING ON A SOLO ALBUM TOO. WE HAVE A FEW PROJECTS FOR THE STREET THIS YEAR.
Question, what’s up with Sick Side soldiers? I see it all over MySpace, I believe I saw a Sick Side mixtape, for those that don’t know, what the affiliation with you and Psycho Realm?
THE FANS ARE KNOWN AS THE SICKSIDE ARMY. SOME OF THEM ARE RAPPERS, ARTISTS, AND PRODUCERS. THEY PUT A PROJECT TOGETHER ON THEIR OWN SO THEY COULD SHARE THEIR ART WITH THEIR FELLOW SOLDIERS. I GOT MY COPY.
What’s next in life for you?
ONLY TIME WILL TELL. I’LL BE AT THE DRUG LAB THOUGH, TRYING TO FIND THE PERFECT COMBINATION OF WORDS AND SOUNDS.
SICKSYMPHONIES.COM
MYSPACE.COM/SICKJACKEN
REBELMUSIC.LA
*THANKS FOR TAKING THE TIME BROTHER. I APPRECIATE IT. HOPE ALL IS WELL WITH YOU, YOUR FAMILY, AND THE MUSIC. PEACE.
-JACK
Sick Jacken- VLOG
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