IamA Soup aka Daakir from Jurassic 5. AMA!

Can't wait to see you guys tonight in San Diego! Any chance you will perform "The Influence" or "Thin Line"?

We will do both just for you!

If you're close to a town that we're performing this year. Please come say "Hi!" to us.

Hey Soup, fell in love with you guys at the Coachella reunion show, then checked you out in S.F. and then last year at the Del Mar show. You guys consistently bring it, keep on doing what you do bro. Thanks for the tunes. Who are some of your favorite artists right now?

Thank you. You're putting me on the spot! It varies - Otis Redding, Al Green, Con-funk-shun, ‘oldies,’ etc.

I'm out! Thank you so much for the questions. Hopefully we can do this again soon. Later.

Craziest fan story?

A girl was beat up by her boyfriend for making 'eyes' at me while onstage. He accused me of reciprocating her so called advances.

What's up man! I just Chali 2na and the Funk Hunters at WTFestival in Oregon. He performed some J5 stuff and it just wasn't the same... Do you guys ever plan on doing a joint performance? Also... got any extra tickets to your show in Seattle on Friday? ;)

How many tickets do you need? Don't go overboard. No joint performances. J5 should be J5 and Chali 2na and the Funk Hunters should be the Funk Hunters.

Haha that's fair.. I can get behind that.

WOW! Really? I was mostly joking but 1 or 2 would be more than generous... and very greatly appreciated! Either way, Thanks a bunch for the response! (And of course the awesome music...)

Give me your full name and I will leave you two tickets at will-call.

Oh man... thanks a ton! My name is REDACTED (Sam P) Let me you know if I can leave you any bud or anything in return! This is fuckin' awesome.

I got you. All good, thanks though.

HUGE FAN! Your lyrics are top notch sir! Ever think you guys might.make your way to Montana? Yes we are small, but we would love for you guys to come here!

If you build it, we will come! Message us on FB and we will try to build a campaign for us to play in Montana. Thanks for your support!

What's your favorite J5 track?

Do you feel hip hop has changed for the better in your time?

No. It's lost a lot of creativity and balance.

What was your best experience on stage?

Having over 20,000 stay for your show and participate the whole time that we're on stage. It's an ill feeling.

Coachella?

Yes, that's what I'm talking about.

We ever gonna get a new J5 album?

Still up in the air...

Sup Soup! Love your rhythms, was wondering when creating your pieces do you find a rhythm first and match words to it? Just interested in your creative process...

Somewhat. It varies with each track. Most of the time I take the words and see how I can manipulate them to sound fly over the music.

Makes sense; your stuff seems rhythmically diverse and that would explain it. It's all really cohesive, clever and fun.

Do you ever collaborate on the instrumental beat / backing to get your lyrics in place?

Yeah, at times. I use different methods to bring out different vibes and feelings.

Thanks for answering! Appreciate it :)

I'm hopefully going to your show tomorrow in LA, really looking forward to it. I hope that the LA crowd isn't a bummer and connect with you guys.

Me as well.

What music do you listen to outside of hiphop?

Old soul and classic hip-hop.

Hey Soup, big fan from NZ here! J5 is one of my favorite groups! My question is this: what influenced your group to be more Message Rap than Gangsta Rap (e.g. a positive influence than glorifying Gangsta lifestyles)? Thanks for doin this!

It's just we are. We don't look down on it, it's just not what we do. It wasn't a conscious effort to not do it. It's who we are.

Last round of questions. I have to head out to the first show of our West Coast tour in San Diego.

I'll be there tonight!

So will I. See you tonight!

I was pretty bummed when Rock the Bells got cancelled last year, do you guys have any plans of coming back to NYC anytime soon?

I was as well. We don't have any NYC shows in the works, but I would love to come back as soon as possible.

Have you found out what the beef is with you being "hands-on" yet?

Great question. I'm still looking....

Who, if anyone, is your favorite out of the "New" hiphop artists? Also, keep up the awesome work man you guys are dope!

Thank you first and foremost. I don't really listen to a lot of "new" hip-hop artists, but I like Joey Badass.

If you could collab with anyone who would it be and why?

Larry Smith (R.I.P.) because Run DMC was my favorite group growing up and his beats just really bang.

Besides Nu-Mark, who are some other producers you would love to work with? Keep makin' good music!

I'm open. Whoever has something that I can vibe to is who I would love to work with - name or no name. Who said I like Nu-Mark?

haha good luck on the tour man!

Thank you.

J5 is big in Brazil. Any plans in touring here again?

We will be in South America in November of THIS YEAR! Come down and don't play. Check our website for details.

Hey Soup, big fan, keep doing what you guys do - will see you guys in London this September! What is your favorite J5 album, and why?

"Power in Numbers" because I felt that I shined more on that. See you in London!

What do you listen to when you're driving in your car?

See above. :)

Saw you guys in Nottingham UK last year and you all signed my ticket after the gig. Was great to meet you all, have been a massive J5 fan for a long time. How do you guys like playing in the UK and how does you think gigs differ from the States?

The UK gave us our start so we will always be grateful for your support. Our UK fans are always ready to party with us at each show. It's not about the branding of the group or all of the 'camera tricks' or the phoniness of it, which I love.

Thank you so much for replying it means a lot. When J5 are in town all anyone wants to do is party!!! Please keep the party going for many years to come!

Thanks for the love. As long as my legs allow.

Good man! Also do you happen to remember what the song was that had you stumped at that show in Nottingham when you were asking the audience to shout out requests? I was in the middle of the crowd but couldn't hear what it was the guy shouted out, but you guys couldn't do it so dedicated him another song.

It was probably our first single, "Unified Revolution."

How tall are you ?

5'11

What time does the meet and greet event start tonight?

Check your email. You should've received some sort of instructions. If not, message us on FB.