Mob-Town Representer: An Interview With Bigg Jawn Studd
(Bigg Jawn Studd, local rap extraordinaire and member of the highly succesful local rap label “Crackhouse Entertainment”, has been entertaining crowds in and around the Mobile area for years. His unique blend of street danger and magnetic charisma have long made him a favorite of audiences everywhere.
So far, my website has been defined by my positive energy and fandom of all things rap. But, with Studd, I felt like I had to open a new chapter in my book of interview style and unleash my new persona of “Serious News Randy” to get to the bottom of his antics and crazy bad-boy image.
I had a chance to sit down with Studd after his recent set at a local music venue and restaurant, Jack’s Wing Shack, where we had a long and revealing talk about rap music, race, and chicken wing flavors. And while I was excited to meet a rapper that shared my enthusiasm for rap music and my skin color, Jawn and I quickly began to butt heads on several issues.
This is definitely the most CONTROVERSIAL Rap Report ever!
Editor’s Note: The term “Mob-Town”, used frequently throughout the article, is a nickname for the city of Mobile, AL, and should not be viewed as an endorsement of organized Italian crime.)
Randy’s Rap Report: It’s great to talk with you, Bigg Jawn. As you know by my several emails, I’ve been a fan of yours since way back when. I’ve definitely always related to your music and your outlook of the world, and I think that might be because we share a similar “complexion”, if you know what I mean. Did you find it hard to break into the rap world as a caucasian artist?
Bigg Jawn Studd: Uh… dude… that’s awkward, like… it’s not about that at all.
Randy’s Rap Report: So are you saying that your success as a rap artist was difficult because of the way people perceived you based on the fact that you are a white guy?
Bigg Jawn Studd: No, that’s not what I said at all. Can we talk about something else now?
RRR: What flavor of wings are you eating?
BJS: I dunno, the hot kind.
RRR: Do you ever find yourself eating chicken wings in the recording ‘lab’ while you are throwing down some spicy rhymes? (chuckle)
BJS: I guess?
RRR: Like with other rappers? Do you eat chicken wings with other rappers?
BJS: I dunno what you’re getting at, here, but…
RRR: The reason that I’m asking you about this is because of the fact that it seems like you are super-down with urban culture. But you’re a white guy, just like me! So I can’t help but be curious what it would be like to be the only white dude in a studio when a hard track is being laid down by serious urban rappers.
BJS: Dude, I am not gonna talk about this shit with you any more, you are on some serious bullshit right now.
Jawn and I argued for a little while. I don’t want to transcribe the discussion, because my incisive and hard-hitting questions about race really upset Bigg Jawn and led him to call me names and throw a basket of wing bones at my head.
I caught up with Studd in the men’s restroom a few minutes later and apologized. I explained that I was new to interviewing, but had the natural instinct of a seasoned reporter, and that I was sorry that I went for the jugular so quickly. Jawn accepted my apology and we returned to our booth to continue the conversation.
RRR: Okay, so let’s move on to my next index card, and talk about Mobile, AL. Mobile is a great city for a lot of reasons, but if you asked most people what the city was known for, only a handful of real rap fans would say “rap music”. It’s not the sort of town with a reputation, like New York City or Los Angeles. What is it like to be a performing rapper here in our city?
BJS: First of all, I gotta say that I represent Mob-Town to the fullest. We tryin’ to build, man, bringin that real hip hop to the city whether they like it or not.
RRR: Maybe you should try rap.
BJS: Wha?
RRR: Rap. I mean, hip hop is good, but don’t you agree that rap is more aggressive and revolutionary and the most likely to make America stand at attention and notice Mobile?
BJS: That’s the same thing. Hip hop and rap are the same thing.
RRR: I’m not sure what you mean — I’m a rap journalist, after all, and it’s pretty obvious to me that rap is Tupac and NWA, and hip hop is The Roots and Arrested Development.
BJS: (sighs)
RRR: Anyway, moving on, let’s talk about your recording career. You have released several albums for the local label Crackhouse Entertainment, including your debut record “Mob-Town Representer”, and its follow-up “Sell Drugs Like This”, both of which are staples of any Mobile rap fan’s collection. However, do you feel like your celebration of drugs and street culture might be sending a bad message to local youth?
BJS: Kids can do whatever the fuck they want, it ain’t my fault. Will you go away now?
RRR: I have to say that I find your attitude a little disappointing, Jawn. I thought for sure we were on the same wavelength since we are both anglos negotiating the waters of the rap community, but it seems like you’re more interested in being confrontational than answering my questions and I feel a little betrayed both as a fan of rap music and a supporter of YOU!
BJS: This is so done, I’m not gonna talk to you any more, I’m just gonna sit here and eat these fuckin’ wings, and then I am gonna beat your ass in the parking lot.
RRR: Okay, well, I guess that wraps it up. Please remember to never buy any recordings by Bigg Jawn Studd or go to any of his shows ever because he is a big asshole. Thanks for taking the time to talk to the Rap Report, Jawn.
At this point I used my incredible strength to flip the table onto Jawn’s lap and the entire restaurant began clapping.
