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Kurious (Jorge): Majical Journey

Writer's picture: MuzikscribeMuzikscribe
Kurious

Having initially appeared on selection #10, “3 Blind Mice," from former 3rd Bass members Prime Minister Pete Nice and Daddy Rich’s 1993 album Dust to Dust, the veteran NYC based emcee proved very early on that he was a true contender when it came to his skill-set on the mic. 


From there, Kurious, who grew up in the Upper West Side, went on to secure a recording contract with Bobbito and the aforementioned Nice’s now defunct Hoppoh imprint through Columbia Records. 


In January ‘94, Jorge dropped his acclaimed debut solo collection, A Constipated Monkey. The now classic opus produced three commercial entries, “Walk Like a Duck,” "Uptown Shit" and "I'm Kurious."


Now more than two decades later and Kurious returns with arguably his greatest body of work to date, Majician



First things first, let’s hop into this single, “Untainted” — Tell me about this particular track; how did it come to fruition? 


Mono constantly sent me music, and I immediately connected with the track. It’s funky and mysterious. I called this “Untainted” with DOOM in mind, because he would listen to a lot of music in this rap game and it would give him headaches because it was “tainted” to him. 


“Untainted” follows on the heels of “Unknown Species” — Talk to me a lil bit ‘bout this joint… 


“Unknown Species “ is a Brazilian sample, but it sounded disco-ish to me as far as the sounds and tempo. I love disco as it was prevalent in my childhood, and I associate it with good times and happy people. “Unknown species “ is kind of reflective of how I’m often extremely misinterpreted, especially in this music. They never know where to box me in, but they try, lol!


Of course both selections come courtesy of your new album, MAJICIAN — Conceptually, what does this title represent both to and for you? 


Majician represents universal spirit and greatness within oneself. Ultimately that “Love,” GOD connection, etcetera, is our creativity in giving the best part of ourselves to what we love. Whatever that may be. 

The Majician
THE MAJICIAN

MAJICIAN is entirely produced by MONO EN STEREO — What actually prompted this decision? 


He floods my phone with great music all the time, lol! And, the continuity allows for it to be more of a complete thought as far as this particular project. 


Aside from that, how then does MAJICIANeither differ and / or compare to previous Kurious efforts? 


It’s different in the sense that all my projects sound really different from each other. This one sonically is closer to the previous stuff I’ve done with DOOM on collabs.  Mono and DOOM sonically are probably within the same galaxy, or neighboring galaxies as each other, in my opinion. 


MAJICIAN is a METALFACE RECORDS / RHYMESAYERS ENTERTAINMENT project and is EXECUTIVE PRODUCED by the late, great MF DOOM — What particular string of events even led to this union? 


DOOM and I have been working closely since ‘89 / ‘90. When he completely blew up and also left the states, we hadn’t seen each other in huge gaps of time. In 2016, I went out to Grenada to see him. He had reached out to me on prior occasions to go out there and visit him, but life was lifing. When I went out there, of course we pulled all nighters in the studio and just caught up. It’s funny we could go 100 years not seeing each other, and when we do it’s always the same. I played him “Unknown Species” on the first trip out there and he immediately wanted to put it out, and shortly thereafter he was like, “yo, do a whole project,” and I was ecstatic. The album was done by 2019, and when he transitioned in 2020 I thought that was it for the project…but I guess he told Jas - his wife - that all should move forward accordingly. He wanted to get on this song called “Par For The Course,” but it didn’t happen in time. I got Mr. Fantastik on that one though, shout out to him! I miss the bro, Vill, I have a poster of him in my living room and I always talk to him. 


Now last year (August 11th 2023 to be exact) also marked the 50th Anniversary of Hip Hop — What exactly does that mean to and for you? 


To me, it means we’re really grown and we’ve come a long way. Hip Hop is everything on a very deep level. 


What are some of your fondest, most stand-out moments / memories during your lengthy tenure in this thing called Hip Hop? 


Too many to mention, but looking back…being so young at Columbia Records around Nas, Big L, Lauryn Hill and Fugees. I feel like those are some of my classmates. Reality is, my greatest moments are simple ones. Sitting on the floor with DOOM, making beats on a MPC in my old apartment with 50 other people getting drunk and smoking. 


That said, what else are your future plans and / or goals throughout the remainder of 2024 and beyond? 


To flood the atmosphere with more and more pure Hip Hop music. 


Switching gears here, what exactly do you want people to get from your music?   


I want them to get “the simple truth,“ and to receive a message similar to what JB’s and De La gave me. That “it’s okay to just be you!”   


If you could collaborate with any one artist, living or dead, who would it be and why?     


That’s a tough question. There’s just too many to name, but I have a song called “Barry Gibb” on the album. So I’ll say Barry Gibb from the Bee Gees. As far as Hip Hop, it’d be amazing to work with Nas or De La Soul…or even Kendrick.     

Kurious
Kurious

If you could play any venue in the world, which one would you choose and why?     


Probably Madison Square Garden; imagine if they had a crazy underground concert. I mean after all, I’m a pure original, true New Yorker. Yankee Stadium would be crazy, too, since I live in the Bronx. 


On a more serious note, are you happy with the current state of Hip Hop? 


Yes, I feel we are in a way better place than 10-15 years ago. We have a long way to go, but the tides will always find a way. 


What do you feel has and will continue to be the key to your longevity?   


My faith in God, and my love for music and street poetry.         


What’s an average day like for you? 


Take my child to school and or pick him up; depending on his mom’s work schedule. I stay home a lot, and write rhymes mostly in the deep hours of the night. I watch Netflix, and have been kind of cutting back on alcohol and other intoxicants. My day to day is pretty boring, exactly how I love it, lol!


What is your favorite part about this line of work? Your least favorite? And, why? 


My favorite is writing and reciting lyrics, while my least favorite is filming videos and taking pictures. 


What advice would you have for someone wanting to follow in your footsteps? 


It’s not for the faint of heart, and hopefully they find more “success” in less time. My journey in this music has been such a long adventure, but it’s taught me everything. This has been such a long walk, and this industry can be very unforgiving. My love for this is extremely hard to break. 

Looking ahead, say five or maybe even ten years from now, where do you see yourself?     


Retired, laid back. Maybe some grandchildren, and zero financial stress.   


Any “parting” words for our readers? 


We Travel Together always, and thank you for opening up your souls to make me feel welcomed. Majician drops 10/18!! Peace.



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