Juggaknots Momentum Can’t Be Slowed
Breaking Down Hip Hop Barriers

By Larry Smirks

Hailing from the Bronx, the Juggaknots (brothers Buddy Slim and Breeze Brewin) introduced the world to their complex flows and innovative soundscapes in 1995 with the classic Clear Blue Skies EP. After being unable to agree on what direction the group would take, the parties parted ways and the album was temporarily shelved until 1996, when Bobbitto Garcia stepped into the picture and distributed a vinyl only release of the EP on his now defunct Fondle Em Records imprint. The hip-hop world embraced the release, but it was too late for the group to capitalize.
Now signed to the rising Amalgam Entertainment label, the Juggaknots renaissance has begun anew with, Use Your Confusion. The album promises a fresh approach to the current dismal and mediocre market for hip-hop music.
The Juggaknots at the peak of their careers, put their music careers on hold (a move that left many fans confused) as B-Slim, Breeze Brewin, and sister Queen Herawin embarked on a new path taking up new careers as inner city schoolteachers in the Bronx.
The decision was made easier when Breeze walked by a nearby school during an evacuation for an anthrax scare, according to the group. Breeze took notice at lack of teachers there to supervise and lead the neighborhood children in the panicked state and at that very moment he felt compelled and called upon to put a little less emphasis on music and more focus on helping the local school as a full time teacher.
But the brothers got the itch again and enlisted younger sister, Queen Herawin and DJ Boo as the squad’s official DJ for another attempt at the hip-hop game.
With the talent and support behind the Juggs, it still remains a mystery to most fans where they have been in recent years and why the hip-hop group hasn’t experienced a higher level of expeosure, despite scattered success as solo artists.
To clear up some of that mystery, Rib chats with Breeze Brewin about the Juggaknots place in the world today.

Rib-Are y’all pumped about the new release?
Breeze Brewin- We’re very excited about it. I can’t even front. I wish it was coming out tomorrow.

Rib-Is there anything you would have done differently?
BB-We’re perfectionists so we probably could have tweaked it here and there, but we’d rather have it come out for the fans than put out nothing.

Rib-You guys were originally signed to East West Records (now Elektra), but have now signed to the rising Amalgam Entertainment label. How much help was this move with the comeback?
BB-We needed help with distribution and were looking for cats that have a little bit of hunger. The fact that Amalgam Ent. are also just getting established and haved the same kind of hunger as us. They are big, but not too big. With a big record label, you have to take a number and wait and maybe someone high up enough will give you the explanations you desire. Amalgam is very accessible, but are also on the rise and making moves.

Rib-The Juggs sophomore effort entitled, Use Your Confusion released on October 31, which follows the 1995 classic Clear Blue Skies EP. Why only two albums and why did y’all wait so long?
BB-It’s a terrible thing. We did our spot thing and with only half an album still feel like we are main characters in the hip hop world, but life happens and we all have got kids and families. We all love hip-hop till the break of dawn, but it ain’t easy to support a family with hip-hop. But when we heard that some other cats had come back, we decided to give it another try, because we still have some more shit in us.

Rib-Why teach? Isn’t it also hard to raise a family as an educator?
BB- What else would I rather be doing? We’ve got our own kids and saw the touch and go thing with kids on the come up. Cats gotta hold down these kids, because we’ll be passing the torch to them one day. They’ve got a challenge ahead of them and we wanted to help. This is my fourth year teaching.

Rib-Are your students fans?
BB-A lot of my kids don’t even know that I rhyme, but some of their parents do. I don’t know many kids in this area that haven’t been touched by hip-hop. It’s not the worst thing for a kid to be influenced by.

Rib-The Juggs are now The Jackson Five of hip-hop. Does sibling rivalry ever come into play?
BB-It’s actually a resource. The family joint helps. Slimm is the oldest and was out ther performing in the early days. I remember seeing him perform in the BX times. It definielty sparked me.We’ve always been real supportive of each other, but have also always challenged each other. But on the other hand, we don’t bite our tongues much. We’ll tell each other, “If you don’t look good, I don’t look good.” We need to be out here repping for the family. Mom and dad are always like, “What’s that all about?”

Rib-Do y’all kick back when not behind the mic?
BB- We put so much time in the music and all have our own families. I wish we chilled more but there ain’t too many bowling nights these days.

Rib-What’re y’all doin’ now? What’s next?
BB-We’re doing some shows here and there. So far its beeeen easy to recharge. As far as this album goes, we want to get ahead of the game. We’ve got a couple of joints that don’t sound like anything that’s out there period.

For more information on The Juggaknots & Amalgam Digital visit: http://www.AmalgamDigital.com.

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