After slowly building a name for themselves in their native Philly, supremely fresh hip-hop duo
Chiddy Bang recently exploded onto the national stage with their hit single "
Opposite of Adults". Now preparing for the release of their debut album (and dropping
the occasional mixtape while they're at it), Chiddy Bang member
Chiddy and
Xaphoon join our
My City series to talk about how their Nigerian influence, Philly's stellar music scene and explain that if you're looking for them, just find some cute college co-eds and they'll be nearby.
RefinedHype: Chiddy, you were raised in Nigeria. How do your African roots affect your music today?
Chiddy: I wasn't actually raised in Nigeria, but my parents were Nigerian immigrants and we have strong roots in Africa. We go back to Nigeria every year for a few weeks around Christmas time. A lot of my family still live in the villages out there. It affects my music by giving me a certain perspective on life. Nigerians also have a strong sense of pride so I'm always repping Naijia
RefinedHype: Xaphoon, you're from Philly, a city that's widely known for its aggressive hip-hop. Were there Philly artists that influence your own unique musical style?
XJ: HELL Yeah. The Roots crew, Beanie Sigel, all my uptown kids: Spaz Prop, Yung Triz. and Theodore Grams. Also, lots of jazz musicians had an influence on me here in Philadelphia: Odean Pope, Lee Smith, Sunny Murray, etc.
RefinedHype: Where do you draw your inspiration from?
XJ: J Dilla, Joe Strummer, Old school Sesame St.
Chiddy: Life in general. Most of my lyrics are about what is happening at that particular time in my life. They are like little diary entries. But musically I look up to guys like Biggie, older Jay-z, The Fugees and of course kanye
RefinedHype: If I'm rolling through Philly where can I find you?
XJ: You can catch me at my house, making beats. I live kinda in the Italian market area in South Philly. You can also catch me on Germantown & Hortter, hanging out with Grams. You can probably catch me at the weavers way co-op in Mt. Airy, you can probably catch me at my boy Zach's house on 19th st, or on Baltimore avenue, or you know, just chilling at Boogie Down Chinatown studios.
Chiddy: If I'm in Philly you'd prob catch me at the studio. I moved out when I left school so I'm not there as much as i used to be. But you can catch me at Drexel saying hi to the girls now that I have a video on MTV haha
RefinedHype: Last words? Shout outs? Confessions?
Chiddy: Big shouts to all the Chiddy Bang fans out there. We'll be at a city near you all summer and make sure you go cop that album when it comes out. We appreciate all the love. Hit us on twitter
@realchiddy and
@xaphoonjones and thanks for taking the time to interview us.
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