Bizarre 'Blue Cheese & Coney Island' album

Kafani, one half of the Oakland based rap group Babyface Assassins, has been a getting in some serious work in the bay area hip-hop scene. Now he stands poised to blow up with his debut solo album, Money’s My Motivation. Powered by the smash hit single “Fast (Like A Nascar)” featuring legendary west coast powerhouse Keak Da Sneak, and the remix featuring UNK, Kafani keeps the streets and clubs rocking to more of that hyphy flavor. Guest Appearances by UNK, Keak Da Sneak, San Quinn, and many more. Production by Amp Live of Zion-I and DJ Montay of the Big Oomp Camp.

biography
Without question he’s one of Detroit’s most indelible underground rap entities – intriguing to the ear, shocking to the eye and ground breaking to the core. His lyrics are known to evoke outrage from others and invoke indecency from within. As such, he’s emerged from the shadows of normality, making way for his own demented existence. By consistently abstaining from social mores, he indeed walks to the beat of his own drum, never once committed to blending – even within the constraints of his own unconventional click. He is the offbeat prince of prime time and rap’s original ‘rock star,’ Rufus “Bizarre” Johnson.

A deeper look inside Bizarre’s world though, escapes his seemingly tormented spirit. Sure, he’s been known to breathe life into stories that follow drug inspired escapades with transvestites and SMS midget free-for-all orgies. But in the same vein, Biz is the rotund rapper who cleared the way for a legion of big-bellied emcees. Following his lead, they’ve all fearlessly dropped their respective tops in front of thousands. True, he is indeed the certified oddball of D12 AKA Dirty Dozen, but Bizarre remains the only member brave enough to challenge the group’s undisputed megastar to fisticuffs – repeatedly. And finally, there’s the trademark shower cap that has come to define him.

In retrospect, as fast as the words “weird,” “strange” and “off” come to mind to describe Bizarre, so should “trendsetting,” “innovative” and “brave.”

Since serving up his deranged but virtuoso version of life on D12s platinum certified Devil’s Night and D12 World, Biz moved to develop his own label – Redhead Records. His debut solo album, Hannni Cap Circus (2005) followed shortly thereafter. Among other witty and predictably unpredictable tracks on the well-received effort, was the lead single “Rock Star.”

Nothing new for Bizarre, who’d been relegated to opening for acts such as Limp Bizkit and Papa Roach since his early days with D12, the album and chart topping single was but an extension of his person. Now a topical subject that is all but sweeping the country, ‘rappers that rock’ come a dime a dozen – particularly in Atlanta, where Bizarre relocated four years ago.

“I think my single was a little bit ahead of its time,” Bizarre allows, “but I think [the rock star phenomenon] is pretty cool. To me, being a rock star doesn’t mean you listen to rock music. It means you live the lifestyle. If you go out at night, party, hit five clubs, take some pills, fuck five hoes; to me you on some rock star shit. Rock star is a way of life. It’s just the way you get down.”

Torn between wearing his CEO hat and/or his shower cap prior to the making of Blue Cheese and Coney Island, this is undoubtedly Bizarre’s most trying work as an artist. During the infant stages of the project, he likens his mental state to that of the Rocky III version of Apollo Creed – still capable of delivering a knockout, but not psychologically prepared to train. However, since rounding his mind and mouthpiece into top shape, Detroit’s 7-mile native is ready to put on the performance of his life.

“I don’t make music just to make it anymore,” Bizarre says. “I gotta have the right environment. I gotta have the right music, smoke or drink, something. I gotta feel the vibe. If I ain’t feelin’ the vibe or I ain’t in the mood, I just won’t do it. You’re just wasting time trying to just kick some shit. That’s wack to me.”

Since coming to terms with the untimely death of former band mate, friend and big brother Proof, Bizarre found the inspiration needed to complete his sophomore project, and then some. As a means of promoting his burgeoning label and simultaneously representing his stomping grounds (new and old), Blue Cheese and Coney Island is the witty, comedic ensemble Biz enthusiasts love and more.

“I named it Blue Cheese and Coney Island basically because in Detroit we’re known for our Coney Islands (hot dogs),” Bizarre explains. “A lot of people that visit there may think it’s nasty, but only a true Detroiter can appreciate that. I still live in Atlanta, but if you’re from Detroit, you just can’t get it out of your system. So I have to go back every two weeks or so to stay in tune. I’m just a Detroit guy.”

In keeping with the theme of his dual-city choice of living, the Blue Cheese element speaks to Bizarre’s adopted Southern quarters of the ATL. “I got a lot of homies out here and I kind of adapted to what they do,” he says. “They got Zone 1, 2, 3…you got the Westside, Eastside, Bankhead, etc. So whether you like it or not, wherever you live at the time, is going to influence your music. I came down here and on every corner they got wing huts. You order some wings and if they don’t give you no blue cheese, a muthafucka be ready to fight.”

True to his own code of acceptable behavior and status, Bizarre’s lead single “Fat Boy” is a fast and furious testament to his ever-rebellious approach. Since his celebrated appearance on VH1s “Celebrity Fit Club,” where he was perhaps the most amiable and productive participant, Biz wasted no time regaining his preferred portly figure. “It was a nice experience, but I’m still pro fat boy,” he reasons before clarifying. “I ain’t on no not eatin’ healthy shit. I do think people should eat healthy, but it’s just really about self-esteem. We’re all human beings. We all come in different shapes and sizes. Some girls might like 50 Cent and some girls might like me. It all depends on what you like.”

From the tube to the silver screen, Bizarre keeps the conceptual outpour flowing on the Dub Music assisted “Animal.” Says Biz, “I like that ‘cause my mind’s just evil (laughs). I like grimy shit and I like that movie Animal that Ving Rhames starred in. That movie was slept on. He really did some crazy shit in that movie.”

When he isn’t emulating Golden Globe Award winners, Biz takes time to impart wisdom on his ill informed followers. “Get This Money,” produced by Silent Riot finds a focused Bizarre shelling out instructions on the all-inclusive paper chase. “Niggas always askin’ me how to get their record on the radio,” he lends. “This breaks it down step by step. Nigga, don’t wait for no label. Don’t wait for nobody. Get out there and do the shit.”

The rowdy “Knock ‘Em Out,” featuring Tech N9ne, was tailored specifically for the stage. “Most people ain’t got no hype songs,” he says. “Your stage show is boring. The thing is, when you have a hype show and niggas know you get down, they’ll always come to your show – no matter what record you’re working.” Similarly, the riotous “Mosh Pit” climbs with animated promise as Biz spits: “Fuck it! We gettin’ wild in here/ Fuck Grey Goose we drinkin’ Ever Clear!!/ D12 in the house, that’s how we do it/ I ain’t from Oakland, but I can still get stupid… I’m crazy, I’m wild/ Don’t believe me? Watch me jump into the crowd!!”

While there are no songs clearly dedicated to Proof’s memory, “Keep Movin’,” featuring R&B songstress Monica Blair works to illustrate Bizarre’s legendary lyrical prowess, an undying quality that initially drew the two rappers together. “I just want people to hear that song and know that I can rap,” he says. “I may be this character and this wild boy that they see, but after hearing this song they’ll know that I can touch on some subjects and rap with the best.”

And Biz actively continues to seek out the best.

“Who Wanna Battle?” a rap series conceptualized by Bizarre and Proof, is perhaps the most popular and longstanding of its kind – nationwide. Complete with a DVD that’s already in its third installment, the monthly event attracts up and coming rappers from all parts of the country, some of which Biz is now obligated to turn away due to its huge success. “Once he (Proof) passed I just kept it going,” Bizarre says. “I knew it’s what he would want me to continue to do.”

Unsurprisingly, Proof’s lessons about respecting the grind and the struggle remain embedded in Bizarre’s psyche. He’s partnering with D&M Films to document raw footage for impending DVDs and/or documovies associated with the battle series. The Blue Cheese and Coney Island (scheduled for an October 3rd release) packaging comes with a complimentary DVD/reality show fittingly entitled “Bizarre’s World.” And Biz, “the CEO,” is actively pushing a solid roster of acts that includes former Face Mob rhyme sayer KB, among others.

Considering the depth of Blue Cheese… the idea that it almost didn’t happen is surreal, but absolutely true. Over a string of conversations with Redhead co-CEO Doe and some much needed soul searching, Bizarre finally gave in. “We kept talkin’ and after a couple of weeks, he finally convinced me,” Bizarre remembers. “He kept telling me that if I do it I’ll open the door for everybody else. My biggest concern is helpin’ my people’s out.”
If giving them an opportunity at success through his talented and capable example was the plan, it’s safe to say this mission is complete.

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Bizarre - Blue Cheese & Coney Island