With his album “Not Your Average Joe,” released in Feburary, and the upcoming “Statik Selektah” album dropping later this year, Joe Scudda has been a busy man. Known for being apart of the Justus League collective from North Carolina featuring the likes of Little Brother, Chaundon and Joezeemo just to name few, Joe Scudda took some time out of his busy schedule to talk to Rawe Mag about his career, his affiliates, his love for rap and beer and what he is working on at the moment.
Keturah: Its seems like all that hail from Raleigh, North Carolina (NC) definitely come with heavy heat when it comes to rhyming, so tell us how you got to be apart of the exclusive Raleigh, NC dope emcees?
Joe Scudda: I first got introduced to 9th Wonder through a DJ friend of mine, DJ MC. Just so happened that at the time I was homeless sleeping in a mini van I had, they let me come to the crib and crash on the couch. It just took off from there, [where I ] builded a friendship and 9th introduced me to the rest of the crew. 1621 Crest Road was the hip hop flop house! LOL.
Keturah: Then obviously, since meeting 9th, that’s how your role with the Justus League developed?
Joe Scudda: Yeah, he introduced me to the whole crew, and there was already a Justus League, I [just] stepped in. I technically wasn’t in the Justus League, but I was closely affiliated.
Keturah: Dope story, so is that were you were born and raised [Raleigh, NC]?
Joe Scudda: I am originally from Georgia. I moved to North Carolina, when I was in middle school. So, GA made me and my roots are in Georgia, [and] NC raised me to be a man.
Keturah: We know that Rapper Big Pooh from a previous interview isn’t too cool with 9th…how is your relationship with 9th?
Joe Scudda: Yeah it’s sad to see, but I guess people grow up and grow apart. Goals change for people so it is what it is. I’m focusing on me and things I gotta do. I try not to worry about somebody else’s problems.
Keturah: Do you still catch up with Phonte or Big Pooh since the split of Little Brother?
Joe Scudda: Damn this is really the Little Brother-9th Wonder edition, as seen by Joe Scudda huh…LOL. I see Pooh all the time…that’s my brother! Phonte is my brother but he is doing his [Foreign Exchange] thing so I don’t get to see him as much, unless we are rocking a show. But it’s ALL LOVE with those guys. I see Pooh the most since we go on the road together.
Keturah: LOL. Ok…so you got jokes Mr. Scudda. Lets talk about your affiliation with the Boot Camp Click…how did that start?
Joe Scudda: That came from them [Boot Camp Click] coming to NC and recording with us for a couple days. I love those guys. They were dudes that I looked up to. Coming into this music thing, its mind blowing to say those guys are my friends. Every time I see any of them it is always nothing but love!! Same goes for guys like Evidence and Alchemist….those are my brothers in this game! Guys who I call for advice or to just bounce ideas off of.
Keturah: That’s definitely a good thing. Your most recent album “Not your Average Joe”, Statik Selektah mixed it, how did that connection establish?
Joe Scudda: He did one track on there. But….we are about 13 tracks deep on a Joe Scudda-Statik Selektah album!! That came about from, the both of us just being guys who like to do rap music and drink beer!! I love that guy. We always have fun when we link up. Drink and rap until the sun comes up! He is a super talented dude…..AAAHHHH SPAGET!
Keturah: LOL. Drinking and Rapping…definitely a good combo. So, you’ve been featured on so many albums like, “Separate But Equal”, “The Minstrel Show”, “Connected” by Foreign Exchange and “Project Mayhem”, just to name a few. What has been your all-time dopest track to be featured on and favorite project to work on?
Joe Scudda: Man I have no clue…..Alchemist’s, “No Days Off album”, the song, ‘Its Gone Pop’ was fun because they were smoking and I was drinking a lot of beer and we just put [on]a beat on and started writing. Next thing I know it was on there so that was dope! “The Minstrel Show” was dope to be apart of such a classic album too!
Keturah: Personally, I have to say, ‘Home’ on “Separate But Equal”, is my all-time favorite track off that album and that beat knocks so amazingly, (I swear that’s Jodeci in the background…LOL) how did that concept begin? Did they let you hear the track 1st?
Joe Scudda: 9th and Pooh were in the studio one night and I just rolled through. They already had 2 verses and the hook…..they were like you got something for this??? I said nope….but I’ll write it. LOL. Took about 20 minutes and the rest is history.
Keturah: How do you feel about the state of hip-hop music now? I feel like at times, it’s dominated by sugared down pop artist now. What are your thoughts?
Joe Scudda: I dont give a shit….I don’t listen to radio. My supporters dont really listen to radio. Radio is for SHEEP!! I’m a wolf LOL. There is a time and place for all music….I wish radio would give a little time and place for what I like but since they dont…..fuck em! My iPod is the SHIT!!!
Keturah: Word Life…I dig that. Hopefully this next one, isn’t too personal. Do you feel that your race affects your music grind? For example, do you feel you get the respect you deserve? Cats like Asher and Em always talk about how hard it is to escalate because of their race at times…do you relate?
Joe Scudda: Not really, I’ve learned that in life as a whole, the only thing that can affect you is what you let affect you! I’ve never let it become a issue with me. When people go to that, it’s usually because that is all they got….so I’m cool with that.
Keturah: Dope. Saw on Twitter that you would like to do a track with U-N-I, is there anybody else you would like to work with?
Joe Scudda: Those are good dudes, real cool! I still gotta rock with the homey Curren$y. Sick Jacken is real dope….gotta get the SAS jam done. A lot of people, I just like to record with people I like…..people I have a vibe with!
Keturah: Makes sense. What other projects are you working on now?
Joe Scudda: The album that will be out later this year and the Statik Selektah album that is almost done! Probably put another mixtape out, and I’m doing something on the side. Just getting ideas together for something….FAAAR LEFT!!! So Left I cant even disclose the info yet. LOL
Keturah: Rumor Report…we’ve heard that you are doing an album with Paul Wall called “White”…what is that about?
Joe Scudda: FALSE….and that is the wackest title I have ever heard of!! I think we could come up with something a little more dope than that! LOL.
