If you don't know him, you've been hiding somewhere. He's everywhere with everyone and into everything with everybody. Can you imagine my nerves when deciding to do this interview? I thought I was going to have a whole page of Nameens, but there's much more to EZ Jase than that. Nameen? If not, you will.

It's a family affair...
"The music business has been in my blood since day one." EZ Jase's appetite for entertainment was passed down from his father, Lightning. His father was involved in miscellaneous aspects of the music business, mainly promotions. EZ makes it clear that his mommy, Sylvia is and always has been his best friend. Jase recalls eating dinner with R & B greats The O'Jays and disco queen Evelyn Champagne King. Jase actually starting out singing. I've never heard his lala's but rumor has it, he's good. That's what he was first focused on until the day his brother wrote a rhyme in 1979. Jase took the rhyme and changed some of the words to make it his own. People loved it and were interested in what he was bringing to the table.

Jase's record history spans from Blockhead on Roebuck Records, and his releases as a member of the group Double Image with partners Densily Crack and DJ Harry-O, The Storm on Nia Records (which was debuted on Power 99 by Funk Wizard Snow in 1986), to Outrageous on Stompppdown Records. Currently he is part of L-Nation, which is set to drop some ill music on the world real soon.

1993 proved to be Jase's most accomplished year to date. His first show premiered. It was called REAL RAPS. "It was my first time out and people kept telling me to go to college." REAL RAPS concentrated on the entire Hip Hop culture, not just the music. Due to political business, the show went off the air in 1993. The second show was Back2Basics, where Jase was partnered with Funk Wizard Snow, in 1993. This year Jase and his big Brother "Big-AD", and associate Al Capone Trotter are bringing Back 2 Basics: Real RapsTV to the internet, VHS and DVD. On the internet, every week you will get to see new stuff and previous clips. Real Raps TV will feature current news , Back 2 Basics will be on the Hip Hop culture. Negotiations are still in the works for cable and TV deals. They've got hours and hours of footage, waiting to break out. Don't sleep on this. Jase is also a board member of the Greater Philadelphia Hip Hop Alliance. He's hosted and judged various shows and battles. These are just brief highlights of EZ Jase and his career thus far. It's far from over, and it's been anything but easy.

Everything's gonna be alright...
There was a point in time where Jase decided to stop rapping. It wasn't the lack of love he had for the music or the culture, it was having to say goodbye to friend and mentor and Philly Hip Hop Hall of Fame member Shawn G. Shawn G was killed a day before he was to sign his deal with RCA in August of 1987.. When he passed, Jase couldn't bring himself to keep making music. That was one of the downfalls that Jase has had in his life, along with the passing of his family members. Jase had to find the strength and the passion that Shawn G had, apply it to himself, and keep going, and eventually he did. Shawn G is a big influence in Jase's life and his constant mention of him clearly shows that. "Shawn G the mentor forever lies within!" This is the point when Jase realized the only way out is up.

Of course, I can't forget about daddy's little girl, Chaisa. Chaisa is Jase's 6 year old daughter who means the world to him. When he talks of her, his voice and his face have a certain emotion, a level of happiness. Currently Chaisa does not live with Jase, but he vows to change that. He won't let anything or anyone keep them apart. Much of Jase's determination in obtaining Chaisa comes from the fact that his biological father was not around. He considers the man that raised him (Lightning) his father. Jase is very close with both his parents. They are partial reasons why he's decided to stay in Philly. He has lived in Virginia and New York, but Philly is his home. He is not going anywhere, anytime soon. If you've ever tried getting in touch with Jase, you know how busy he is. The man has so much on his plate; it's like a buffet. I used this time to ask him what keeps him grounded and helps him balance what he wants to do, and what he has to do. "People I come in contact with understand me and the things I need to get done. They help me as well. My big brother and I have had dreams that we will carry out at this time, now having our own production facility. Snow is also a very big help, he got me back into things on a whole new level. Al Capone makes me do things on the spot, and my fiancé Oly is behind me 100%." I bet I surprised some of you with that last sentence. Did you know our EZ is engaged? Well..he is, sorry ladies! There is no set date for their union. Jase and Oly are concentrating on getting their house together and adding to their family. Just what we need, more EZ Jase's running around! Isn't that scary? I'm just kidding, it'd be nice to see a lil Jase. "I need someone to pass the torch to." We all know that Jase loves the act that it takes to make children. If you don't know, check out his section on PhillyHipHop.com appropriately titled Nameen With Easy. It's very funny stuff on there. What else would you expect from the man that always has something silly to say?

Feels good to be real..
Jase's mission currently is a big one. He hopes to bridge the gap between neo-soul, old school, new school, thug rap, R & B, etc. "If we were all together, and nobody is preaching, and they're just teaching just think how far we would be. Back in the day we were all on the same level. We were all just starting out." His influences are KRS-ONE, LL Cool J, Cold Crush Brothers, Chuck D, and Afrika Bambaataa. He's also done work with most of these artists. I told you the man has done it all! He mentions Baby Blak, Last Emperor and all the artists on Jazzy Jeff's label as underrated Philly talent. He spoke so well of them all, it made me want to hear some tracks.

When I joined the Greater Philadelphia Hip Hop Alliance, Jase was the first one to welcome me with open arms and always offering hugs (although I don't know what the intention of the hug was! cough*cough). He is the most charismatic, personable, fun, outrageous, crazy person you'll ever know. Those qualities make him an asset to the world and to Philly Hip Hop. He has experience in just about every aspect of the business, and if he doesn't know it, he'll seek out someone who does. Have you ever had a conversation with Jase where he is intrigued, and just asks you a million questions? It's because his passion to learn is so great. When speaking of Jase, someone called him "the voice of the people." I can see why that phrase is appropriate for him. He will fight until the end for any one of his people. Jase speaks his mind and doesn't hold back. In his actions and his words, he keeps it real 24/7. I can vouch for that.

"When I pass on, all I want is a thousand cars in the procession. I want to go out big. I want them to cremate me and everyone to have a vial of me around their neck." Okay, that sounds like some voodoo stuff to me, but it's not. I didn't mean to depress you at the end of this interview. The love that Jase receives from people is his lifeline for the constant motivation and ambition to keep on keeping on. EZ Jase has the desire to inspire. He doesn't ask much, just that you keep it real. Nameen?

Article by Deesha
April, 2002