Everything you've heard about him is true. He has over 44 hours of tattoos, energy that is multiplied by a teaspoon of sugar, doesn't tolerate ignorance, bleeds green for the Eagles (even with McNabb down), and has a love for the Hip Hop culture. Still haven't figured it out? This week, I have the pleasure of interviewing Jeff Davis. Most of you know him as Stress.

Fantastic Voyage
Stress comes from a large family, which includes excellent disco dancing parents. His family is responsible for buying Stress his early recordings of Hip Hop as Christmas presents. From that holiday season on, Stress became submersed in punk and Hip Hop music. During this time Stress met his best friend and musical partner Havok. After graduating high school in 1990, Stress and Havok decided to put their investment into what they loved. "We were always listening to and discussing music. Why not become a part of it?" With an income tax check, Stress bought equipment and began to school himself on the creation of beats. Stress and Havok hooked up with a friend Lou, and became known as The Subhoodz. He also gives respect to Chuck, a friend who helped the band out wherever it was needed. The Subhoodz concentrated on making good music, as well as sharing it with anyone that would listen. They were versatile in their style, which resulted in diverse audiences from Hip Hop crowds to rock crowds. In addition to touring up and down the East Coast, The Subhoodz shared the stage with Digable Planets, The Pharcyde, and Freddy Fox. The Subhoodz had a large supportive fan base that allowed them to profit financially from their efforts. After no promising record deals, Stress and Havok decided to start their own record label entitled Krush Unit. Aside from the fame with The Subhoodz, Stress got hired to spin on the 1998 Van Warped Tour with Cypress Hill and Everlast, along with a stint on the Vanilla Ice Tour. Laugh all you want, but it provided Stress with some funds, an environment for networking, and a chance to promote the artist associated with Krush Unit. Though it has been some time since The Subhoodz released an album, they still do live shows. Stress has been keeping busy doing production for Splitt, Side Effect, and The Havenots (Stress and Ron G.). Stress has provided beats for Grand Agent, Lil Dap from Group Home, as well as Jaeon from The Black Lung Brothers. It doesn't stop there! He is amped for the release of Blue Collar, the new album from The Havenots. In addition, the 1st Annual Krush Unit Christmas party will be held on December 19, 2002 at The Trocadero. The party benefits The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Through music, Stress forms and preserves friendships. "I would give Havok anything. I was the best man at his wedding, and the Godfather of his oldest daughter." He also gives love to Culture Freedom (Poor Righteous Teachers) as someone who's stayed true to him. "After 10 years of finding myself, I'm good at what I do. I love it."

In Remembrance
"Everything I am is because of him." In July 2001, Stress had to deal with a tragedy that not only could have been prevented, but one that is far from closure. While welding pieces of a catwalk in a Delaware oil refinery, Stress's father fell into a tank of spent sulfuric acid and died after the tank exploded. Stress emotionally describes the mishap, "We were told that my dad pushed other workers out of the way to save them." The only thing that Stress and his brother had for identification were shoes his father had on at the time of the accident, which they bought for him on his birthday. The body was never found. "My dad died as a result of irresponsible, greedy people." There are faults all over this incident. The tank Mr. Davis fell into was supposed to be holding pure sulfuric acid. Instead, they were filled with spent sulfuric acid, which is reused acid in order to save money. To top it all off, using spent sulfuric acid is illegal. Secondly, weeks before the accident occurred, there was an investigation of the refinery demanding the tanks be taken out of rotation. The company didn't correct these infractions. To prevent such neglect from being repeated, Delaware has established the Jeffrey Davis Senate Bill 73, which passed in June 2002. As a result of this tragedy, a $70 million lawsuit was launched by the government, as well as a lawsuit by the Davis family. In addition, a federal investigation is underway. The passing of Stress's father came 3 days after Stress buried his grandfather, and 2 months before a car crash killed his cousin. Stress recalls the responsibilities of being the oldest of 5, "I had to really grow up and become more of a man. I dealt with lawyers, plant managers, and the media. You'd be surprised at the vultures wanting to use this for personal gain." Mr. Davis did not only pass down his name to Stress, but also his looks, work ethic, heart and even temper. His father supported and respected Stress's musical talent. "He played my music for his co-workers." Stress remembers his father as tough, warm-hearted and respectable. One of his last memories is staying up until 4:45am with his dad complaining about the state of the Phillies. Stress will forever have his father's spirit in his heart, and a nice tattoo tribute to him on his back. I've never met Mr. Davis, but I know he was a wonderful man. It shows through Stress. Everything happens for a reason. Sometimes we never figure out what that reason is. Stress's family has a long fight ahead of them, but with love, determination, and a prayer from above, they'll make it through and win. I guarantee that.
Rest in Peace Jeffrey Davis 1951-2001.

The Truth
Stress was raised to give the shirt off his back to people before being judgmental. "I support everyone and give them the benefit of the doubt. Just don't piss me off." This includes those that have taken his help and in return shown him disrespect. He tells me in particular about a well-known artist that he helped out and in return ended up being stabbed in the back. "The music business is more ruthless that drug dealing." Regardless, his passion keeps him pushing on. Although Stress is fond of his musical memories thus far, there are plenty more to be made. He feels one of his biggest accomplishments is being independent. "Everything I have I've paid for myself, including college (he's one class away from a communications degree), my equipment and clothes." In discussing personal music taste, Stress makes a few things clear, "I hate classifications. Whether it's called jiggy or backpacking music, I'll buy it if the beat is bangin." Locally, he digs Reef, Side Effect and 40th Dimension. Nationally he gives props to GangStarr for always doing what they want to do. As for relocation to another city, Stress vows that he'll never leave Philadelphia. "This is my home, and my favorite place in the world." As a matter of fact, he's convinced his girlfriend Kelly to move up here from Atlanta. Besides tattoos, they have this irreplaceable glow in common. She describes him as the most generous, amazing gentleman. I agree! In between taking care of his family and doing music, he still finds time to do things for the less fortunate. Anyone that interacts with Stress knows he's crazy, fun and excited about music. He's one person that I know will always have Hip Hop in his life. Yes yes y'all, always.

subhoodz.com

Contact Stress at jeps522@aol.com or www.the215.com

Article by Deesha
November, 2002