The Review

Issue date: 4/17/07 Section: Mosaic

Media Credit: Courtesy of Jet Phynx [Click to enlarge]

Newark may not be known for its Hip-hop scene, but rapper Jet Phynx, pronounced "phoenix," is putting the small town on the map by introducing his positive message from an unconventional angle.

"Everyone wants to be the hero of Hip-hop," Jet, whose real name is Parris Duncan, says. "I want to be the villain."

Jet's desire to be "the villain" refers to breaking the mold of Hip-hop. On his upcoming album, "Amber Glow Light," the 24-year-old Baltimore native uses his music to send out a more positive message than most Hip-hop songs today.

He says he thinks rappers and the industry focus too much attention on making money and not enough on what they want to say.

Jet says he feels it's possible to fix this problem by creating his own voice and remaining true to himself. Most record labels don't want to take the risk by breaking the trend of what is popular because it's what sells, and trying to change that can be risky, he explains. Jet says he was offered record deals but turned them down because he didn't want to be forced to change his style.

"I'm being real," he says. "I'm saying what people are scared to say."

In an effort to put his ideas into motion, Jet created his own record label, Cashmire Records, in which he has the freedom to produce his own style of music without limitations.

Jet has already made a mixtape, "Rise of the Phynx," in which he raps alongside Kanye West.

On "Key to Success," a song on "Amber Glow Light," the chorus, "Honesty is the key to success / So I separate myself from the rest" is played over a reworked version of the Kansas song "Dust in the Wind" that sings, "Just a drop of water in an endless sea."

The slow beat and deep lyrics in "Key to Success" separate Jet's message from most Hip-hop songs and artists today who inspire their audience to learn dance steps rather than to contemplate the meaning of the song's lyrics.

"Patience and persistence - that's my motto. That's me," he says. "You have to be patient while being persistent."

In the chorus of the song Jet says, "Patience waiting my time / not in a rush to reach the finish line / cuz I already know, we gonna shine."

Continued...

Page 1 of 2 next >

Article Tools