Jer1

01. alias:
My alias is jer one. It's what I used to tag
before I got nabbed in Milwaukee and quit (I wasn't
very good). It's also short for Jeremiah chapter
one--Jer. 1 is how theologians refer to it--and I find
my mission statement and purpose in that Hebrew text.

02. legal name:
Jeremy John Bryan

03. affiliation:
Figureheads entertainment (look out yall) and
Elements of Change crew with Roberto Rivera.

04. category:
emcee and teacher

05. hometown:
Syracuse, NY and Milwaukee, WI are where I've spent
most of my life.

06. why do you live in madison:
I live in Madison because of the many deep
relationships my wife and I have here.

07. goals:
-to perform experimental hiphop full-time for a 3-5
year season
-to pioneer an explosive educational institute for
inner-city youth to gain high quality literacy and
relationship training
-to be fruitful and multiply with whatever I put my
hands to

08. hip hop influences:
Treach of Naughty by Nature was one of my big early
influences. Black Moon and Smif n Wessun's early
stuff. Jurny Big of LPG (the earthworm recording), Slug's
headshots cassette, El-p, Mars Ill.

09. most memorable hip hop moment:
It was probably when I worked as a "runner" for the
April, 2003 Common show and he and I ended up
connecting throughout the day--freestyling, him asking
to hear my written verses, and then...calling me up on
stage mid-set to spit for two minutes in front of mad
people, my friends and wife included, plus this cat
that had dissed me two weeks earlier at a Living
Legends show (he called me something and then said
"YOU AIN'T Hip-Hop!") was in the FRONT ROW looking
salty once he recognized me.

10. what do you love about madisons hip hop scene:
The scene here is so dynamic and sporadic--lots of
community events through churches, clubs, and heads
are down to connect whenever, wherever.

11. what would you change about madisons hip hop scene:
It would be hot to get some consistent venue for
true building--with all the elements--where we could
be competitive but not immature and isolationist.

12. describe the first time you “felt” hip hop:
I "felt" hip-hop for the first time when I was at
a roller-skating rink in upstate New York at age 11
and I heard Beastie Boys (Mary, Mary, why you buggin).
I felt like the rhythm was in my heart all along and
I just hadn't realized there was an outlet for it.

13. other interests beyond hip hop:
I love to teach literature, talk about the Kingdom
of God, love my wife well, build intimate and solid
relationships, kickbox muay-thai style and play
tennis.

14. additonal comments:
2004 and beyond...Figureheads entertainment, watch for it

15. contact information:
jjb_emcee@yahoo.com