The LA Hip Hop scene in the late 90s and early 2000s was filled with epic shows. I remember that these shows always had someone with a camera either taking photos or shooting video. DJ Bonds not only produced these shows, but documented many of the performances at Club Elements. He shares a little about himself in this Oblivious Interview.
Name(s) Affiliations (arts org, fun things you do, etc) : DJ BONDS – Elements / The Specialists What's the one word you are guilty of using too much? Not one word but a phrase I use a little too much is “you know” At the end of a sentence I will just tag that phrase along…you know? How did you end up doing what you are doing now? A few years ago I reached out to my friend DJ MARK LUV regarding concert footage I had of J5, Dilated Peoples and other shows Elements produced back in the late 90’s and early 2000’s. I didn’t know what to do with the footage and Mark suggested we go to the Artform Studio and meet up with Adrian Younge. Adrian was the man behind the score for Black Dynamite and Mark thought a quick meeting would give me the answer I was looking for. As I describe the footage I have, Adrian kept asking questions and I would tell story after story of the LA Underground Hip-Hop scene back in the day. After a few stories he stopped and said “right now we need a camera on you, Elements, you have to tell the story, what you have is a documentary”. Now here I am a few years later producing a documentary on Elements and getting the word out on our kick-starter campaign to raise funds to produce the film.
Which member of the Wu-Tang Clan best describes your personality?
RZA, I like to make things happen behind the scenes and take on the leadership role for projects I have a passion for. Dogs or Cats, who wins? Why? Dogs, I’m not a fan of cats. When I was 7yrs old some cat went wild on me trying to attack me for my chain around my neck and ever since then I can’t stand cats! What is the best part of any given day for you? The best part of the day for me has two parts, that moment in the day where I’m being productive and knocking out task after task. And at the end of a long day being with my wife and kids and the reason why I hustle so hard in the first place. In a zombie apocalypse who would you want on your survival team? My team would be a mix of folks I grew up watching on TV shows. First person on the team would have to be MacGyver, he could get us out of any situation. Mr. T would be head of security and overall bad ass to protect us from the zombies. And the cast of Soul Train so we could party hard each night after wins against the enemy zombies!
What is the last thing you searched for on google?
The last thing I searched on google was actually our website www.elementsdoc.com . I had to double check our website, we’re about to go hard on our promotions since we only have til May 27th to reach our $10,000 goal. The kick-starter campaign goal we have will allow us to finish up the necessary interviews and clearances we need for a major release. If you could talk to your high school self, what would say? I would tell my high school self to use the opportunities presented and make the most of them. Make the most out of college, producing shows, DJing in clubs, tours and radio. I would tell myself to use the passions I have for music and education to create opportunities for other people. Create opportunities for those that influenced me, my network and create opportunities for the next generation who will carry on the values I believe in.
What is the best thing or meal you ever ate?
Apple pie and ice cream dessert I had in New York, ESPN Zone on tour back in June 2001. The pie had different layers of apples and crust with caramel and ice cream that I still dream about 14 years later. What is a memorable project that you are working on or have worked on? I’m currently working on a project that will not only be memorable for myself but for Hip-hop as a whole. Back in the late 90’s and early 2000’s I produced a weekly club called Elements. The vibe was pure hip-hop that included all the elements of hip-hop with MC Battles, dope DJ’s, amazing breakers and dancers in the heart of Los Angeles. The story I’m attempting to tell is about the LA Underground Hip-hop scene back in then day and the connection between The Good Life, Project Blowed, Unity and Club Elements. These LA Underground spots helped mold incredible talents like Jurassic 5, Dilated Peoples, Planet Asia, The Beat Junkies and more. My plan is to sit down with everyone on camera and tell a different side of Los Angeles, a different story than what the West Coast is generally known for. We currently have a fundraising campaign thru kick-starter to help us finish making the film. On our website www.elementsdoc.com people can support this project by making a donation to our kick-starter campaign. The campaign ends on May 27th at 8pm and we need everyone’s support to make this project a reality. The $10,000 we’re attempting to raise will go directly to costs associated with making the film. I’ve sat down with a number artists and dj’s including Dilated Peoples, Jurassic 5, Beat Junkies, Planet Asia, Jeru the Damaja, Pharoahe Monch and more. Over the next few weeks I have scheduled interviews Talib Kweli, Chino Xl and others I’ve worked with and thru these interviews we will paint a picture of this vibrant time in the LA Hip-hop scene. I hope if you’re reading this and want to get more information on the Elements Documentary or you want to make a donation that you’ll visit www.elementsdoc.com join the movement and help us tell the story!
These stories, those memories, they need to be shared. Not just for hip hop historians, but for folks who love music! Many thanks to DJ Bonds for this Oblivious Interview. Please support the Elements Documentary.
Follow DJ Bonds & the Elements Documentary on Social Media! Kickstarter Soundcloud IG - https://instagram.com/elementsdoc/
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