“Yakkkk balllzzzzzzz, Yakkkkk ballzzzzzzz” -when you’re at a Weathermen show, you’ll probably hear that chant.
As good as Scifen may be as a clothing line, the better endorsement deal would be for an energy drink to get with Yak. The man has energy out the asshole (no homo). I don’t think there is any part of the alias Yak Ballz that makes you think, stationary/immobile object. And when he is on stage, the last thing he is, is a lummox. To me, Yak Ballz means Ballz to the wall, until you want to Vomit.
Yak –the good man he is, stopped to talk with “Shaboobie,” as he called me. Check it.
Shabooty: What are your ties with Scifen clothing? Owner? Sponsored by them? endorsement deal?
Yak ballz: Barmak and Ewok are my good friends. Yes, I’m sponsored by Scifen, and it’s not just free clothes. Getting free clothes does not mean you are sponsored.
We know ya are from NY, but what is your heritage, where are your parents from?
I was born in New York City but my parents are both from Iran.
I saw you in D.C. last year lugging in shit (equipment) for the EL-P show. I guess that’s all a part of the game, you take it in stride?
For sure. I’ll always lend a helping hand and I’m not too proud to carry my own shit.
I watched the part2 interview on scifentology2. You mentioned you had an office job and at lunch you were mailing out cds, and that the office gig wasn’t the thing for you. What do you tell another ‘creative’ mind that is in your shoes during those times?
Keep your eye on the prize.
I know EL-P had his days of basically living off a few bucks and a few ramen noodles, only to spend his spare dough on w33d. Is it true that simpler life is a lot less stressful, and more rewarding as an artist?
Maybe for some people. Life can get complicated no matter how simple you try to live it. For example, I’ve been trying to save money lately and I got two parking tickets and my car got towed within a matter of 2 weeks.
Where did you get your WeatherMen (WM) tattoo? By who?
This dude named Nick at Super 88 tattoo in Long Island NY.
I need to know, what would you say is a better gig for getting chicks. Decent to avg job out of school. Or getting probably paid less on the jump, but doing the music thing?
Depends what kind of chicks you are looking for really. I know people that do pretty well in both worlds.
Is it true with the success of DefJux and WeatherMen that the caliber of broads (“talent”) at shows has gotten better?
I believe there is some type of direct correlation. I wouldn’t say that is the main reason, but who am I to say that it doesn’t play a part?
Do you have any special things on your ‘rider’?
No, but I’ll take a banana for the road if they are there.
Any pre or post show rituals or things you have to consume, do?
Beforehand I usually take a few hops in the air and hum a couple songs I like.
What’s your favorite movie(s)?
Star Wars; Empire Strikes Back and Return of The Jedi, Terminator II.
When did you get hooked up with EL/Cage/WM?
I linked up with Cage in 97-98 and became one of the first members of WM. Cage played EL a couple of my songs in ’99 and EL put out The Freakshow which was one of the first ever 12″ releases by Def Jux.
How is life as an artist, touring around the country?
It’s pretty taxing at times and not all fun and games, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Would you recommend it?
Not if you aren’t built for it.
What do you hate more? Traveling or a desk job?
Desk job, but the money is definitely more consistent doing the office thing. I don’t hate traveling.
Are you somewhat your own boss now? Or did you/do you still have an “EL” or whoever break off feets in one’s ass?
(Just cause their hands off, they could still be foots in [that ass]).
Noone is the boss of me.
What is going to be after Scifentoloy II?
Another album hopefully.
Is that not being released on DefJux? Why not?
And explain Flospot Records.
No, it’s coming out on FloSpot Records. I couldn’t tell you. FloSpot Records is out of New Jersey and is artist run and operated. FloSpot currently has Slow Suicide Stimulus, myself, and Tame One on their roster. It’s much more homegrown and less limiting than a lot of labels.
Why the departure from DefJux?
I never was there to have departed.
Which WM are you closest…, do you go back the farthest with?
I go back the farthest with Cage and Camu.
What upcoming Defjux releases are you going to be featured on?
Probably the Weathermen record when everyone is good and ready.
I bet you are amped for the 31st NYC scifen2 show? I know of folks coming from a-far to be there.
I’m pretty excited about it. It’s very rare to get to play a show with such a diverse and talented lineup. The more the merrier.
What degree did you go to school for?
Business Management.
Where at? I read you graduated.
SUNY New Paltz
Is “sen” just a cute way to say “son”?
It’s much deeper than cute.
Do you live close to Cage?
Not too far. Closer than most of our friends.
Is it just my imagination or does Daryl [Palumbo] have some of your mannerisms on stage when he’s singing or rhyming? (or is it the other way around, and you have his?)
I consider Daryl Palumbo one of my older brothers. We are cut from the same cloth.
How’d you get the name Yak Ballz? What does it mean?
It was given to me by Angelo “Dage” Baque and Bobbito Garcia.
When’d ya start rhyming?
When I was 15.
So, when you were starting out and sending those Scifen mixtape cds out, who were you targeting in your mailings?
I started out years before Scifentology. Everyone who ordered one off of my myspace page. They are still available!
So are you ‘wifed/bunned up’?
I wouldn’t say I’m “bunned” up, but I got mine.
What are your favorite cities to play?
New York, Chicago, Austin, LA. Theres so many but those stand out.
Do you have a “type” of broad you’re into?
I like smart girls with bamboo earrings. At least two pair.
How do I get into the CCWM (Cardboard City WeatherMen) cliq? I think you all need an ‘official’ blogger.
We aren’t taking any more applications.
Do you think being around the diff guys, El, Cage, Aesop, etc has spurred each other on in terms of quality…it’s like if Cage is coming correct, even though u boys, it inspires you to step your game up and so on? Would you say that phenomenon has occurred?
I believe it has. We all would like to think we are pretty good at what we do and we help each other either directly or indirectly in many different ways.
As far as selling merch for you to ‘eat’ …how true is that? Is it literally w/o the t-shirts and ish you’re fucked?
Besides the shows themselves. I’ve found it to be that way so far.
Random ass q –do you “rent” or did you buy your home?
I ask because I wonder what the financial thing is inconsistent or you’re all good?
I wish owned where I live. Things could always be better.
Are you boys with Slug? I keep hearing his shows are filled with chicks!!
I’m not boys with him per say but I toured with him on Paid Dues last year and we got to know each other playing Texas Hold’em and shows naturally. I like Sean. He’s a good dude no doubt.
Do you have a yacking/hurling problem?
No. I have a sensitive stomach though.
What recreational activities -non music related do you partake in?
I used to play basketball. Now I play fantasy basketball and I’m pretty frequent at the gym.
Have you met Shia [LaBoeuf]?
Yes. He told me he woke up to Scifentology: The Mixtape when I first gave it to him. He’s Cardboard City.
Tell people how & where they can get the Scifentology II joint once it drops.
It should be available at all major chain stores as well as on iTunes. Ask for it and tell a friend.
Ever been to shabooty.com?
Just now.
What ya think?
Looks pretty clean.
Thanks! Ya know I interviewed EL-P in D.C. with ya in the room backstage?
Do you remember the words SWAMP ASS and BAT WINGS? ha ha…when I asked him about his jumpsuit.
I don’t remember much except getting a kick out of you asking him a gang of questions he wasn’t comfortable with answering.
Laugh. Anything else worth mentioning?
Scifentology II comes out January 29th on FloSpot Records. Get yours when the record drops and support independent music. It helps.
www.myspace.com/yakballz
www.youtube.com/yakballztv
Thanks!
Thank you, Yak Bizzle.
HOLLA,
SHA-
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