Despotin Fam ft. Jazzu - Noriu Rėkt! (Maxi J Remix)

„If Tom Edison had made Hip-Hop music, it would have been called Maxi J”, this phrase, perhaps, is the best to describe this tireless explorer of the music world. Maxi J (born 5 February 1985) is 27 years of age Hip Hop producer from Kaunas. The infinite bunch of unique musical ideas, constantly swarming around his head and influencing him, makes it hard to ascribe his music to any particular genre.

Arminas (real name of the artist), was born in the city known as a heart of Lithuanian
basketball. Just like his contemporaries, he didn’t have much of a choice but to play basketball as well. Apart from polishing his skills in a basketball court, Arminas was also interested in the culture of the game: various articles and films about the street basketball from overseas had major impression on the future music artist. Having in mind the fact that street basketball and Hip-Hop are closely connected to each other in the USA, it is easy to predict Maxi J’s interest in Hip-Hop culture. Hip-Hop tapes were rare at the time so he replayed the same tapes over and over again. When they no longer were in the condition suitable for listening, Maxi J faced
a problem. However, he found the solution to the problem by creating his own tracks. That’s how, a decade ago, creative wanderings, experiments and discoveries began.

Apart from active interest in the instrumental element of Hip-Hop culture, Maxi J felt that the environment where he lived was really important to him. As a result, in 2005 he and few others founded Street Up, the team which organized Hip-Hop parties. During a decade, over 50 Hip- Hop injections were made into Kaunas’ night life. More than a hundred djs and artists appeared in these events. Some of the artists were from foreign countries: the list starts with Skazo from neighbouring Estonia and concludes with Hip-Hop classics, CunninLynguists. Lately, Street Up focuses on annual massive events called Live From Kaunas Streets. These events unite all of the Hip-Hop elements representing community.

Well-equipped night life laboratory results in new experiments. In 2006 a dozen of Hip- Hop enthusiasts meet to form a super-element in the periodic table of Lithuanian rap. The molecular formula consists of Arta, Papierka, Rollizzz, Koshmarasz, Maxi J, Maikiz, Ramuz, MC Tomutis, Yowke, Mantulis, Mantulia and Dekanas. Their enthusiasm is like burning ammonium dichromate. After some of the elements leave the formula, the nucleus is named Kaunas United Rap Various Artists. All chemical processes are captured and designated in Lithuanian Hip-Hop Awards under the nomination of Novices. During its short period of existence the band is very active, which is noticeable in many shows and various musical tops. The band becomes known not only among the fans of Hip-Hop music and is predicted to become even more successful but time and emigration breaks apart the nucleus and it’s time to say goodbye. For the last shows, the nucleus attaches a live band and says its last words to the fans.

After the band brakes up Maxi J’s music acquires new sound. It appears in various compilations dedicated to Beats. Wide musical view and unstoppable desire to become skilled in every possible subgenre provokes new investigations and experiments. The acquaintanceship with Škėma, the alchemist of an electronic saxophone, grows into a successful co-operation. This time, presenting exclusively his own works, Maxi J appears in various events and festivals. Today it would be hard to find a Hip-Hop artist in Lithuania who’s not appeared on Maxi J’s instrumentals. 

The artist’s efforts to grasp the laws of music and nature clearly reflect in his works. Deep interest in music history can be traced by motives of jazz, avantgarde and folk music. Open

attitude towards today’s music issues is also noticeable in his works: they contain elements from triphop, 8-bit and dubstep. Despite all theories, Maxi J does not sound mechanical, the artist manages to remain human: his works can be distinguished by harmonious chord progressions and unexpectedly stopping nostalgic motives. By trying to solve musical riddles, he himself becomes a riddle for others. Lately, he surprises listeners by unexpected sounds and makes experts cast around answering the question “what genre does it belong to?@ Now he’s gonna make dubstep sounding like it’s been made in 70s, or his new instrumental will consist only of acapellas?” And you’ll have nothing else to say but “I’ve never heard anything like this!

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