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There is No Such Thing as Accidents
Interview: Teflon Johnny
Introducing Teflon Johnny from Staten Island (USA) and his unique approach to music combining different genres and a voice that could be compared to Barry White- many would say he’s a walking miracle. Teflon Johnny has been through many trials and tribulations throughout his life that has made him strong and versatile in the music industry today. He plans to continue heading north with shows and get his name and style known to the masses. HOOKEDUPB MAG got him on the phone to talk about his: background, history, and future as an artist!
Can you tell us about your history and background to get a feel for who Teflon Johnny is?
As far as my background- more or less my interest in Hip Hop came about by me being into Metal, Electro, Rock, also dance…always experimental with sounds when I was young, with all those sounds fused together- this is where it has gotten me! That’s how I created my own sound I guess you can say.
I come from Staten Island originally and I lived all over different parts of New Jersey and New York. That’s why I think I get along with different types of people- I click with people. Coming from where I did and the way I was brought up made me very tough yet sociable.
When I was ten years old I had a bike accident that put me in the hospital in a coma for 10 days! Just before I came out of the comma the Doctors told my parents that they didn’t see me progressing from there and suggested that they take me off life support! About two hours later I started to open my eyes. I had a plastic tube put in my neck- to enable me to breath. 1992- 1995 I was rehabilitating- I had to learn how to do everything all over again from a wheelchair. In and out of rehab centers and many surgeries.. I am better off; the come back was Impressive you know! Came out ahead if anything to live a normal life. Now I want to excel at everything ‘cause of the inflictions and tragedy in the past. I will continue to rise above in everything I do, especially when the odds are stacked against me. To this day I still visit the hospitals and rehab centers to remember where I came from and how far I have come. As well as speak with children and parents who are still struggling. Sometimes people just need a little hope.
How did you get the name Teflon Johnny?
That’s funny actually, in school friends I had said I remind him of John Gotti, even various jobs of mine I kept getting called John Gotti. I though that was too cliché to call myself John Gotti …I wanted something original! Teflon itself though was discovered by accident, its strong protective and obviously nothing sticks to it.. The Johnny part is self-explanatory. It just kind of happened.
Your next show is a Hip Hop Showcase in Staten Island on April 29th 2010; is there any significance about this show in particular?
It’s a big deal to me because it’s in Staten Island- where I’m from! My popularity is in places like Canada, Africa, Germany…my listeners come from those countries. I’m heading north from where I am in Jersey and moving further and further north.
You have ten years experience in the underground industry, starting with experimental electronic to Hip Hop- how did that change come about?
Basically a big fan of Dance music, dance remixes ETC. I started to hear the remixes where guys rap on the beat! I realized that I kinda sounded like those guys…All Hip Hop is starting to sound like Dance music in 2010, that was popular back in the 90’s that almost 20 years ago!!
You have a deep voice that can be compared to Berry White, do you think it makes you stand out from the rest?
Well I think my voice works for me and against me! Some people think I’m putting on persuade- as you can tell I sound exactly the same as I do on my tracks. People do recognize my voice… I think I appeal to people my age and older. Young people tend to listen to a different kind of artist that sounds nothing like me.
What kind of music do you listen to personally- what’s in your iPod?
I’m a 90s guy for the most part. The dance music, techno and real hard metal that was infused with Hip-Hop. There are a few exceptions though.
Good example, in 2002 I found my favourite Mc/Rapper. I was in a car accident and as skid off the road into the spin, the song playing at the time was D12- “When The Music Stops”. When I hit the pole and blacked out- the song was still playing and I heard Proofs verse. I didn’t know it was Proof at the time. I thought that there might be some kind of reason for that so I searched for all his music I could find. I learned that I had a lot in common with him. Song structure all the way down to diction. I learned a lot from him. I still use him as a guideline today.
D12- “When The Music Stops” (video):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNHOivdY1SA
“No Skill Just Talent” (EP) is for digital sale ($4.99 US); how many copies did you sell thus far?
Oh that was back in 2007 and it’s more like a demo!
I’d say physically sold less than 100…distributed boot leg in the hundreds- not sure how many! More popular online circulated in other countries. Wasn’t that popular among my peers to be honest, but that made it even better when it did catch on. - http://www.soundclick.com/Store/byArtist.cfm?bandID=363024
Are you currently working on new projects regarding your music?
Right now I’m working on a mixtape. A lot of tracks down- a lot of collabs…guys are from South Africa, Italy, London- most of the features on the mixtape will be from other countries, because of my appeal in those areas. But you can definitely expect some local artists, gotta represent.
What has been the most exciting moment for you as a malti- talented artist?
Probably in 2008 when I opened for a real popular metal band named Twine. In front of all those metal fans and for me to do my own original music, it was crazy. Vibin with that energy, many elements of music were showin thru and the crowd understood it!
As an artist where are you aiming to go in the future?
I’m the executive producer of my own record label; later this year I will be signing other people to the label including singers and live bands, not just rappers. My main focus for the present is doing as many shows as possible.
Just a random question; There is a lot of controversy regarding the new health bill in the United States how do you feel about making health care available to everyone in the United States?
Health care is great. If I didn’t have the proper health care I wouldn’t be alive today. Just like anything else some people might need education on the entire system and use, although, free health care is in the best interests for everyone in the long run.
Shout Outs?
I wanna say wassup to The New Jersey Underground Hip Hop, my label - Scarpelli Records, my hype man who u’ll see with me at my shows; Dino Shnoz,
all the Djs in the clubs.. Every single one of my fans from South Africa and Italy to Staten Island New York and Northern New Jersey.. Give me 1 year and I’ll be doin shows in all your towns!! Last but not least I need to thank my family, for all the support and love through the hard times!!
CONTACT- TEFLON JOHNNY:
Facebook – http://facebook.com/teflonjohnny
MySpace - http://myspace.com/teflonjohnny
Official Site – http://teflonsales.com/id15.html
Reverbnation – http://www.reverbnation.com/teflonjohnny?add_email=true
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