Bigg John Of East 35

Austin is the capitol of Texas, the center of the Lone Star State and ‘The Live Music Capital of the World. In springtime, thousands flock to the metropolitan for SXSW with aspirations of showcasing their music and expanding their fan base. Hundreds of bands, film makers and dozens of audiences, alike, clamor at venues to celebrate music, film and art. Well-known as a city where legends are born, Austin is the beacon of light that continues to shine brightly.

Shining amongst that light is EAST 35. A lyrically surprising duo of emcees, Bigg John and Young Gift emerge from the eastside of Austin, Texas dissected by the interstate of I-35. An area plagued by violence, drugs and crime for decades. A by-product of the eastside, John and Gift honed their skills as rappers and created a blend of soul, wordplay and rhyme rhythm. Austin’s underbelly, by no mistake, is represented heavily in the music of EAST 35; as well as, a comprehensive and insightful viewpoint of the 21st century’s youth.

It’s longstanding knowledge that Texas has bred great hip hop icons over the decades. Following in those footsteps is EAST 35. John and Gift, as young emcees, were raised on the music of their predecessors. Gift recalls, ‘ We all as kids listened to the Geto Boys, Scarface, Eightball & MJG, Z-RO… that music and its significance left a lasting impression on us as artists. I met John at Lyndon B. Johnson High School my junior year; actually from battling each other in the hallways. We talked further afterwards and found we had a lot in common: music naturally was the main component. He liked the same type of music as me and we formed a bond immediately.’ Bigg John added, ‘Ever since, we got together, it’s been great. We can listen to an instrumental separately, write our verses and meet later and still be on the same page. I never have to worry about being out of sync with him or vice versa.’

Gift explains, ‘Our goal, at the end of the day, is to be respected as one of the greatest groups, ever. We have the talent to achieve that goal. We also have to set the bar as high; not just for our fans but for ourselves. Coming out of Texas, there’s an expectation of what music is supposed be. And representing Austin, that expectation is multiplied times 10.’ John continues, ‘We have a responsibility to leave an undeniable legacy. We’ve been making music for a few years, now and each song we continue to get better and better… with each album, we continue to get better and better. The best part about our craft is the different styles we use from song to song. It’s rare if we walk into a studio with a narrow mind or a closed conscience.’

Nowadays, the career of EAST 35 is firmly set in stone. The new album, ‘SOUL, SIN and SWISHERS, is a testament to the lives led by Gift and John. The lead singles, JUST LIKE CANDY and BLOCKSTAR, are the examples of the maturation process of two gifted emcees.
- GOINGSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM

ATX might have a new ace on the decks. East 35's Young Gift and Bigg John rock sophomore LP Soul, Sin and Swishers with UGK precision and Pimped production to match. "Worldwide" and "What We Pushin'" lead the charge, with the latter doubling as the pair's chance to destroy Big KRIT's "Just Touched Down" with the pace of a Twista track. - CHASE HOFFBERGER OF THE AUSTIN CHRONICLE

VIDEO: BIGG JOHN OF EAST 35 – LIKE A G - Traps And Trunks

Bigg-John-of-East-35-Like-A-G-Video - Hip Hopzilka

BIGG JOHN IS JUST AS HIS NAME SAYS, BIG. NOT THE FAT LOVABLE TYPE OF BIG BUT MORE THE MENACING “ILL WHOOP YO MONKEY ASS” BIG. MOST TIMES YOU SEE HIM IN PUBLIC HE HAS A LOOK ON HIS FACE LIKE “ILL GRAB THIS MIC AND TEAR EVERYBODY’S HEAD OFF UP IN HERE” AND IF THEY WANT TO GET PHYSICAL ……………….WELL THEY WILL GET DONE WORSE. BUT AS MENACING AS HE APPEARS IN PERSON HE IS JUST AS LETHAL WITH HIS BARS, DUDE IS A KILLER EMCEE. JOHN FIRST GAINED LOCAL NOTORIETY AS ONE HALF OF THE AUSTIN HIP HOP COLLECTIVE KNOWN AS EAST35. TO UNDERSTAND EXACTLY WHAT THAT NAME MEANS IN AUSTIN YOU HAVE TO SPEAK TO AN AUSTINITE. THEY WILL TELL YOU THAT THE I-35 HIGHWAY IS AN UNOFFICIAL SPLITTING LINE FOR AUSTIN BETWEEN THE HAVES AND HAVE NOT’S, BLACK AND WHITE AND BETWEEN THE AUSTIN YOU SEE ON POST CARDS AND THE AUSTIN THAT SOME ARE SURPRISED TO SEE. ON THE EAST SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY YOU HAVE THE INNER-CITY, THE HOOD (SLOWLY BEING GENTRIFIED) ON THE WEST SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY YOU HAVE DOWNTOWN AND ALL THAT COMES WITH THAT. WELL BIGG JOHN REPRESENTS THE EAST SIDE OF 35 AND HIS NEW PROJECT “JUNGLE MUSIC” IS A GREAT REPRESENTATION OF WHERE HE IS FROM AND HOW HE FEELS. SO WATCH HIM DO IT “Like A G" - Quite Trilk Radio

Bigg John of East 35 – Like A G (Video)
Posted on December 26th, 2015 by B. Hobbs
Bigg John of one of our favorite Austin groups, East 35, is dropping a solo album called “Jungle Musicc” and today we get treated to the first visual for the single “Like A G”. If you havent been exposed to any of East 35’s music before, their shit is hard and it always gets the co-sign from ThaFixx so check this one out and be on the lookout for “Jungle Musicc” - Tha Fixx