One of my favorite things to do is discovering new music, from any genre that I can really vibe to. When I was doing my Wisconsin spotlight I happened across Sheol Dynasty, a hip hop duo from the Northeast Wisconsin area. The group is comprised of members Tigga and Jester Exodus. Initially both were affiliates of other groups, The Brotherhood and Chump Service, respectably, and were frequent collaborators. It was only a natural progression that the two artists whose chemistry works so well together, would form their own set. Sheol Dynasty formed in 2014, and has been going strong since. I have had the opportunity to listen to their catalog and as emcees they continue to grow, dope as a duo while still holding their own and maintaining their own style. Jester Exodus also doubles on the boards. The pair recently came off tour and I wanted to speak to them about the experience, about them as artists, and about their views on hip-hop. Check it Out!
Scy: So I have to ask Sheol Dynasty. Did you get your name from the Hebrew afterlife? And if yes why did you choose that name?
Jester Exodus(JE):The word Sheol has been used in many religious and mythological documents, and used in various ways. It’s been referred to as a grave, a pit, a ‘heaven’ or ‘hell’, even Purgatory and limbo, along with others, generally involving death or afterlife. Tigga actually came in with an idea based around the mythological creatures called ‘rephaims’ or ‘shades’ from the Hebrew Sheol. We played around quite a bit with different ideas and eventually, just ran with Sheol. The word dynasty came into play from using it in other related musical projects, such as Chump Service, The Brotherhood, and Twoface Media in general. It became a theme before Sheol Dynasty was even around.
Tigga(T):Dynasties have arisen and fallen throughout the time of man, for thousands of years different Dynasties have reigned across the globe, we plan to do this in a musical aspect as well, excluding the falling part of course. Lol.
Scy: So how did Sheol Dynasty come to be?
(JE): We were both involved in different projects under the Twoface Media label. I was, and still am, involved in a hip hop group called Chump Service, and Tigga was in a group called The Brotherhood. Everybody in Twoface Media is really close on personal levels, so collaborating between the groups was regular. Tigga and I were in the studio together writing collabs for each other’s projects along with getting a head start on new material for both groups. The new material sat on the back burner for a short amount of time while things continued as usual. Progress slowed down for Chump Service due to MC N-V having a child on the way and going through school, as well as The Brotherhood slowing down due to C.J.’s intense work schedule. Between Tigga and I, we were hungry, anxious to move forward, so we took the tracks off of the back burner, and began working together. We didn’t rush it, everything just came together. We didn’t rush to choose a name, didn’t rush material, everything just came together with perfect timing.
(T): I will eternally have love and respect for my previous group The Brotherhood. this group consisted of my brother C.J. and myself. C.J. was taken from us August 4th 2014. As he ascended I vowed to go in with this music until we meet again. The album Initiation written and recorded by The Brotherhood in Twoface Media Studio is still scheduled to be released in a years’ time.
Scy: Peace to him. That’s a good promise to keep. I look forward to hearing it.
So what was your first experience with hip-hop? And what do you think about the state of hip-hop today? Do you still have the same love for the culture that you did when you first became a fan?
(JE): I grew up interested in rap music. Eventually I lost interest because I was a radio head, and the radio started letting me down musically. Then I fell in love with heavy metal and electronic music in my teen years. Down the road a friend of mine introduced me to the more ‘underground’ hip hop sound, and I fell back in love. Atmosphere, Aesop Rock, Sage Francis… Then from there, getting into Sean P, Immortal Technique, etc… When we formed Chump Service and we began doing shows, I didn’t think there was an underground ‘scene’ in our area, or in Wisconsin in general. Then my guy Ill MC introduced me to Adam Racette and FACE Entertainment who helped us explore the local ‘scene’ and sprouted a little faith. I’m not into a lot of the newer hip hop. There are a few names that have popped up that I definitely want to check out more, but I’m not big into the J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar, Kevin Gates… Just not my thing. I still have the same love; I understand that it’s just a change in time. I recognize the skill, the talent, the message that some of these cats get across, I’m just not much into the music.
(T): I have used literature as an outlet via poems, bars, and just daily verses since I was about 11, I was in foster homes and boy’s homes for a portion of my youth and expressive literature helped me through those times. My first published written poem titled Rose was an award winning piece in my 13th year of life through The American Poet Society. As for Hip Hop today and the past few years, contrary to popular here-say, it is very much alive, with a little help we are trying to resurrect the essence of its roots by showing the difference of an Emcee and a Rapper. The difference being in my opinion, Emcee’s focus on the roots, where this genre derives from versus the rapper which I believe is in it for the money and cares little about the culture. KRS One says it best.
Scy: Agreed. I started writing poems which led to spoken word and naturally progressed to me being an emcee. (Retired) But I drew from all different styles of music for inspiration. Who are/were your musical influences?
(T): I grew up influenced by artists like Pink Floyd, R.E.O. Speed Wagon, Janis, The Doors, The Temptations etc. I had a love for the guitar as a youngin, Joe Walsh, Eric Clapton, Jimmy, Santana and others. when I was introduced to Hip Hop I was instantly enthralled with the prospect of myself putting my written poetry and just life experiences into motion. In Hip Hop I drew off artist like Bone Thugs, Pac, Biggie, Wu Tang, Twista, Michel Jackson as well as artists in the R&B genre like Boys 2 men, Seal, Kc an JoJo, and others. I have an all-around love for music in general. Now I listen to a lot of Strange musik. Tech, Krizz, Ritzz, Kutt and others, I am also a high tier member of Battleaxe Warriors so I mess with my Brother Adlib, Swollen Members and Madchild. I am also a very big fan of NF.
(JE): My roots aren’t much different from Tigga’s. I also grew up on a lot of classic rock, old school hip hop, and although I’m not very familiar with artists and groups, I’ve always loved the sound of blues. During my teen years I got real big into hard rock/heavy metal, along with electronic music, more specifically drum ‘n’ bass. I’m a firm believer that we are influenced by everything around us, even the things that we don’t like, and music is no different. BUT, if I had to name drop, I would include most of the old Definitive Jux artists (Aesop Rock, El-P, Mr. Lif), along with Atmosphere, Sage Francis, Heltah Skeltah, Deltron 3030, Method Man and ODB, Outkast, Onyx… A lot of the one-of-a-kind artists who had individual personalities and strived to be original. Those are qualities that I think are very inspirational.
Scy: I had an eclectic music upbringing as well. Growing up I had 7 older siblings all with different music tastes that influenced what I listened to from hip-hop to heavy metal, even country and world. There’s a lot of new gen artists out there doing that dope though, not the mainstream artists. Case in point, you guys. That’s why we do what we do.
You have a sound completely your own. How do you maintain your voice when all around you artists are going by way of mainstream? And how do you maintain a boom bap type sound in an area that celebrates a more southern vibe?
(T): My mentality is strongly set on being myself, in life, in music and just all of my endeavors. we just do what comes natural, and what comes natural is hitting the booth an droppin bars that advocate my style and the fact that being you is the best thing to do. We put Wisconsin on the map for all the right reasons.
(JE): We’ve never listened to somebody else’s music and been like “oh, we should make a song that sounds like this”, or we’ve never stepped into the lab to make an intentional hit. A lot of people recently have been referring to us as ‘boom bap’ and I’ve never really seen it… We just do what we do and people will call it what they will. Appealing to a specific market isn’t a focus, never has been. That may be the exact reason why we’re not rich and famous, but, so be it. I’m a fan of the music we make. Biased as it may be, I’m always content with the shit that we put out. I’m not into a lot of music that sounds like everything else. I get bored easily or lose interest. So, when it comes to us not sounding like the popular styles, especially in the Midwest, it’s because we just don’t care. It’s a conversation that we’ve had a few times in the past, and it always ended with “We’ll do what we do regardless”.
Scy: That’s a great way to think about that. You are members of the Baxwar collective. There’s been both negative and positive views on the movement. What does being a member of Baxwar represent for you?
(T): Baxwar to me is a movement bigger than any one individual. While we have members across the globe doing big things in either music, UFC, Boxing, Tattooing, Videography, and just supporters, we also have members who make mistakes, we do not advocate their behavior, but we are built on the foundation of forgiveness and the ability to change for the better if one wants to. Due to hard work and perseverance, I have climbed the ranks as an Elite member and a district leader of many, with the strong family we have built in the Midwest I have hopes of growing so much more. Bax is a family.
(JE): Everybody’s in it for their own reasons, whatever they may be. We had been allied with a few other members who are active artists before we joined, and we had got to witness the beauty of it firsthand. It represents a lot of different things, but to me, it’s an alliance, a brotherhood, and a network for those like-minded. It’s bringing people together across the globe, and unity is something that we have always been all about. Sure, there are plenty of movements/clubs/organizations around the world that do the exact same things as Baxwar does, but we didn’t enter the music world in search of movements and organizations… Baxwar appealed to us, and we aim to build with it looking forward. There are some very serious artists doing very serious things and we look forward to reaching out and connecting with the intention on building something serious as artists. Like most things, Baxwar is what you make it, and our aim is to make it a positive addition in our lives and the lives of those around us who are involved. We have responsibilities in our membership and ranks, responsibilities bring purpose, and purpose increases self-value.
Scy: I can respect that. Hip-hop is based on unity and any organazation that represents that is good in my book. You recently went on a 47 show tour in 50 days. That’s insane! What was that like?
(JE): It’s been amazing! We’ve not only been blessed to see the many different sites and rock the many different venues, but also the individuals that have endured this whole tour with us have been great people. Of course there’s been minor complications, we’ve been seven or more male emcees and musicians living in limited space together. We stink, we’re tired, we’re hungover, hungry, sick of looking at each other… I think we’ve been everything but lonely. But everybody’s always been respectful, respectable, and just overall decent with each other.
Scy: I don’t think I could be around people that long without needing some personal space. Hahahah
(T): I have to agree with my brother. It has been a trying yet great time. We made a lot of great connections and built with artists across the country. 47 shows in 50 days was said to be outrageous and maybe undoable, but we did it, as a collective. At the end of the day we do what so many wish to do, we live our dream, you can follow your dream or you can spend the rest of your life working for someone who did.
Scy: Your album Immortals has been in rotation for me for a minute. What can we expect from you next?
(JE): More music! That’s our main focus once we get off this tour. We have done a lot of writing on the road, and we are ready to add it to the material that we already have prepared for album number two. We have a few shows lined up already, but we are trying not to wear ourselves out again right away. We’ve been gone for almost two months. We have some catching up to do with work, friends, and family.
(T): A lot more of that lyrical fire. Our next album should be ready to drop in the fall. Always on some next level type stuff. As an artist, with each song we evolve.
Scy: Are there any emcees or producers you’re hoping to collaborate with in the future?
(JE): Definitely the guys from the tour. They are all quality artists, plus knowing them on a personal level adds a-whole-nother substance to any collaborations. We’ve also exchanged information with a few quality acts that we have met on the road for this purpose. We’re always interested in working with our Wisconsin allies, already have tracks featuring R. Braille, Bo1katt The Impossible, MC N-V, all from Wisconsin. We are looking to get a feature from Baxwar brother Adlib for this next album. Someday I’d love to get features from all of our favorite artists, but for now, it’s not a main focus.
(T): As Jester said, we will move forward with our music while always staying in our lane. The Brotherhood has done collabs with Glace Conway, Project Pat and Plies, I would like to see a collab with NF or a few Strange Musik artists. But our focal point right now is to continue to grow as artists.
Scy: If someone is new to your music what three songs from your catalog will give them some insight into who you are as artists?
(JE/T):
Made featuring MC N-V
Try Me
Talkin’
Scy: All dope choices. Thank you for taking this time with us. Any final words you’d like to leave our readers with?
(JE/T): Huge shout out to Scy and the 7th Boro, thank you for this opportunity and all that you provide to other artists. To everybody reading this; Support the people and the music that you love, especially in your local scene! People forget that it all starts local and support is necessary! And be yourself, especially in hip hop. Originality is not always applauded, but it is recognized, and appreciated. Thank you for tuning in, much love!
Scy: Salute!
