Rapping to a different beat

Local hip-hop artist J-Sauce releases first CD

Kelly Junker

Contributing writer

Perhaps there was no artist in Fargo-Moorhead more deserving to open up for Snoop Dogg in December than J-Sauce. The 29-year-old hip-hop artist once hiked five miles with guitar in hand to perform at the Empire. He has performed at virtually every music venue in the F-M area, including the Bowler, Moose Lodge, The Trentino, Ralph’s, Kirby’s, Old Broadway, First Avenue, Tropics and “every karaoke bar in town.”  J-Sauce is also the founder and host of Spring Jam — an all ages showcase of hip-hop bands, digital beats, and freestyle rappers — which  will celebrate its fifth anniversary this year.

The most recent project of this Dallas, Texas, native is the unveiling of Balls of Steel, his first offering on his own Cold Cat Records label. J-Sauce will release the CD, which contains live tracks from his performance on Snoop Dogg’s Puff Puff Pass tour, during a show at 8 p.m. tomorrow at the Bowler. Admission is $5.

J-Sauce grew up in the south as the son of a preacher. He became interested in music through performing in the choir in elementary school. “I was 10 years old when I competed in singing contests. I also played baritone in the band,” J-Sauce said.

Rap started to influence his musical taste when he began listening to songs such as Whoodini’s “Freak’s Come Out at Night.” 

“They said exactly what they felt,” he recalled. “Bars, girls, freaks, people dressed in leather.”  J-Sauce drew upon these early influences, using them to create beats and lyrics of his own, which he proudly describes as “pre-rap.”

J-Sauce attended school at Consumnes River College in Sacramento, Calif., before transferring to SU’s Mass Communication program. He quickly introduced his music to Fargo, using outlets such as karaoke and freestyle competitions, which he has won cash prizes for on many occasions. One such victory earned him the chance to open for Tone Loc in Grand Forks.

Although it would be easy to emulate the beats heard in many popular rap songs today, especially in an arguably hip-hop-starved Midwest market, J-Sauce relies on what he coins “old school madtronics.” 

“I’m a beatboxer. I like the drums bumpin’ and the bass giving it the life,” he said. “My music is edgy, raw, boisterous, and funky. It’s also got a homemade feel.”

J-Sauce also uses music as an emotional outlet. “I talk about things I’ve been going through and confusion I’ve felt,” he said. He raps about relaxing, partying and having a good time, but doing so in a sensible manner. “I talk about what other people often act out.”  His lyrics also reflect his experiences with past relationships in California.     

While J-Sauce feels there is an abundance of talented music artists in the Fargo-Moorhead area, he also feels that those who put forth the most effort will find success. “There are a lot of people that want to sing, but you not only need to have the talent, but also the drive to stay motivated and focused.” 

Devotion and persistence paid off for J-Sauce when he was asked to open for Snoop Dogg in concert this past December, both in Sioux City, Iowa and Fargo. D.J. David Sol and Potent Productions were instrumental in making that dream a reality. Sol and fellow rapper Lo-Key Fever delivered the good news to J-Sauce over dinner at the Bison Turf, three days prior to the first show. “I definitely had to move in faster gear,” J-Sauce said.

While filled with anticipation and excitement, J-Sauce was still skeptical that his opportunity would happen since major concerts tend to get canceled in the Fargo-Moorhead area.

“I was very doubtful that it would happen at first. I didn’t believe I would actually be opening for Snoop until we arrived at the arena in Sioux City and they recognized us.”  J-Sauce got to meet Snoop at Sioux City but said that Snoop was primarily isolated from the crew and performers backstage at both concerts.

J-Sauce’s current projects include expanding his Cold Cat Records to include other artists. “What we need in Fargo is a label to support this type of music,” he said. He also occupies his time with Silver Streak Limousine, as well as DJ’s Entertainment, a production, security and DJ service. Ultimately, he wants to entertain an audience on a higher level. “My goal is to be the next Dick Clark.”

For more information on J-Sauce, visit http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/92/j-sauce.html