Bay Area emcee Deuce Eclipse has made a name for himself with fellow Bay Area hip-hop group Zion I, but he's recently veered off into his own lane with Bang Data. Along with partner-in-crime Juan Manuel Caipo, Deuce Eclipse executes a melting pot of musical genres, including Samba, Ska, Cumbia, Afro, Electro, Bossonova and, of course, hip-hop. Infused with Deuce's Spanish and English lyrics, Bang Data is like a giant cauldron of flavorful soup. Their aptly titled debut album, La Sopa (meaning "soup"), dropped in 2013 and the AMC Emmy Award winning show, Breaking Bad, chose one of the songs for an episode. Clearly on the up and up, Bang Data’s latest album, 2014's Mucho Poco, is garnering plenty of accolades. With summer shows lined up in the Bay Area and beyond, Bang Data is a group to watch. In this exclusive interview, Deuce Eclipse talks about Amp Live leaving Zion I, what the group means to him and working with Bang Data.
Check out: reverbnation.com/deuceeclipse, bangdata.com, facebook.com/bangdata, twitter.com/bangdata, instagram.com/deuceeclipse, instagram.com/bangdata, and youtube.com/eldos youtube.com/bangdata for more information.
RAPstation (Kyle Eustice): Tell me a little bit about where you grew up. How did that shape your musical style?
Deuce Eclipse: I was a first generation born Nicaraguan San Francisco native son of immigrants who was raised in the Mission. It helped create my vision for the message and point of view in my music. I was a brown man in an American world and I have always known that I had to break through a lot of mental and physical borders to survive and to be heard.
What do you like about living in the Bay Area?
I love the Bay for its diversity and culture. It was a hub and point of change for Central Americans and Latinos in general. My parents single handedly helped many members of the family and friends get a start here in America. They became citizens and helped as many people they knew do the same. I love that I am an original Bay Area native. I love the place I was born. It showed me everything I know. It showed me that as immigrants we are not alone. It showed me the struggle and what we face in this country. It enabled me to have a voice and to never forget my people. It gave me the freedom to love the way I want to, create from my heart and realize I have a voice that matters and cares. The Bay is different from anywhere else. It was Aztlan native land Mexico. The roots reach out and grab you without even knowing. I adore this place. Cesar Chavez lives. The struggle lives. Unity lives. Love is here and will always be here.
How did you first meet Zumbi? How did that lead to a collaboration?
The culture here raises you to be aware and all that creates the art in the music. The collaboration with Zumbi came from friendship. He's the first friend I made in high school. From the first second we knew we were a spiritual family. He's a brother to me. He's someone I will always have in my life and trust with my life. I remember the first line of the first rap he ever wrote. I've been rapping since I was 9. Big up to my homie Ace Moon. Moon was writing rhymes even before me. I solidified my extended family in high school. We went through everything together; beef, racism, self-awareness, all of it. I am blessed to have the family and friends that I have. It's a brotherhood that trickles down to our families. I would do anything for my family. Zumbi knows just call a brother and I'm there and likewise. That's how we lead to collaborating in life and in our art form. We live and breathe the hip-hop culture. Our collaborations have taken us around the world. I got to see this planet with my homie. Who could ask for more?
What did you think of Amp Live leaving?
As far as Amp Live leaving, I don't look at it as he left. I look at it as life, change and growth for both of them. The path we choose sometimes chooses us. I'm down and happy for both them guys. People act like it's the end of the world or take sides. I look at it like a new beginning for the both of them. I've known Zoom forever and always look out, but I support both of them and wish both of them the best on this next adventure.
How did Bang Data come together?
Bang data was formed while I was working on a solo project with Amp Live. That's where I was introduced to my main man Juan Caipo and the rest is history. I'm always 'hip-hop, don't stop.' Thats what I bring to the table; the ability to change and grow and take the culture to another level. Bang Data allows me to extend my art and bring music to another place: Spanish, English, rapping, singing, whatever.
Bang Data combines lots of genres, including hip-hop. How does your love of hip-hop influence the Bang Data sound?
I do what the music asks of me. I love working with Caipo. He helps bring out the best in me. I feel comfortable and grateful to make this happen with him. I tell people that our style, sound, genre - whatever you want to call it - is just like the name of our first full length album, La Sopa.
How would you describe it to someone who has never heard your group before?
Our style is a soup. It's like sopa. You can make soup out of anything. You add spices, flavors and smells all into one thing and the outcome is a soup. Every culture has its own style of soup. The music is universal just like sopa.
What is the difference between performing with Bang Data vs. Zion I?
Bang Data is all on my shoulders. It's my thing. My baby. My life. My freedom. My growth. When I'm with Zion I, it reminds me to always be a humble person and allow others to be in the light and to support them. Zumbi is the only cat I would ever back up on stage the way that I do. And it's because I love him. Know him. Believe in him. Trust him. He in turn allows me to shine as part of the Zion I show. It's fun. It's what we always dreamed of. A lot of people used to think, 'Oh you're in Zion I.' But I always say that I'm a crew member, but Zion I was Amp and Zoom. Bang Data is where I am going in the future. It shows me to be a leader and to take care of others and let them shine, as well.
Were you happy with how Bang Data's last album was received?
I am super happy with how our latest album is being received. Mucho Poco helped our fan base grow, not to mention all the attention our EP Maldito Carnaval and La Sopagot. When we got Bang Data on the TV show Breaking Bad, it elevated the group because of the shows fan base. Also, getting it in the new George Lopez movie Spare Parts didn’t hurt either [laughs].
What's on the docket for this year?
Work baby! [Laughs] We are always in the studio always practicing, doing shows and touring. Music is a lifestyle and it don’t stop. One Love!
Deuce Eclipse: The RAPstation Interview
Bay Area emcee Deuce Eclipse has made a name for himself with fellow Bay Area hip-hop group Zion I, but he's recently veered off into his own lane with Bang Data. Along with partner-in-crime Juan Manuel Caipo, Deuce Eclipse executes a melting pot of musical genres, including Samba, Ska, Cumbia, Afro, Electro, Bossonova and, of course, hip-hop. Infused with Deuce's Spanish and English lyrics, Bang Data is like a giant cauldron of flavorful soup. Their aptly titled debut album, La Sopa (meaning "soup"), dropped in 2013 and the AMC Emmy Award winning show, Breaking Bad, chose one of the songs for an episode. Clearly on the up and up, Bang Data’s latest album, 2014's Mucho Poco, is garnering plenty of accolades. With summer shows lined up in the Bay Area and beyond, Bang Data is a group to watch. In this exclusive interview, Deuce Eclipse talks about Amp Live leaving Zion I, what the group means to him and working with Bang Data.
Check out: reverbnation.com/deuceeclipse, bangdata.com, facebook.com/bangdata, twitter.com/bangdata, instagram.com/deuceeclipse, instagram.com/bangdata, and youtube.com/eldos youtube.com/bangdata for more information.
RAPstation (Kyle Eustice): Tell me a little bit about where you grew up. How did that shape your musical style?
Deuce Eclipse: I was a first generation born Nicaraguan San Francisco native son of immigrants who was raised in the Mission. It helped create my vision for the message and point of view in my music. I was a brown man in an American world and I have always known that I had to break through a lot of mental and physical borders to survive and to be heard.
What do you like about living in the Bay Area?
I love the Bay for its diversity and culture. It was a hub and point of change for Central Americans and Latinos in general. My parents single handedly helped many members of the family and friends get a start here in America. They became citizens and helped as many people they knew do the same. I love that I am an original Bay Area native. I love the place I was born. It showed me everything I know. It showed me that as immigrants we are not alone. It showed me the struggle and what we face in this country. It enabled me to have a voice and to never forget my people. It gave me the freedom to love the way I want to, create from my heart and realize I have a voice that matters and cares. The Bay is different from anywhere else. It was Aztlan native land Mexico. The roots reach out and grab you without even knowing. I adore this place. Cesar Chavez lives. The struggle lives. Unity lives. Love is here and will always be here.
How did you first meet Zumbi? How did that lead to a collaboration?
The culture here raises you to be aware and all that creates the art in the music. The collaboration with Zumbi came from friendship. He's the first friend I made in high school. From the first second we knew we were a spiritual family. He's a brother to me. He's someone I will always have in my life and trust with my life. I remember the first line of the first rap he ever wrote. I've been rapping since I was 9. Big up to my homie Ace Moon. Moon was writing rhymes even before me. I solidified my extended family in high school. We went through everything together; beef, racism, self-awareness, all of it. I am blessed to have the family and friends that I have. It's a brotherhood that trickles down to our families. I would do anything for my family. Zumbi knows just call a brother and I'm there and likewise. That's how we lead to collaborating in life and in our art form. We live and breathe the hip-hop culture. Our collaborations have taken us around the world. I got to see this planet with my homie. Who could ask for more?
What did you think of Amp Live leaving?
As far as Amp Live leaving, I don't look at it as he left. I look at it as life, change and growth for both of them. The path we choose sometimes chooses us. I'm down and happy for both them guys. People act like it's the end of the world or take sides. I look at it like a new beginning for the both of them. I've known Zoom forever and always look out, but I support both of them and wish both of them the best on this next adventure.
How did Bang Data come together?
Bang data was formed while I was working on a solo project with Amp Live. That's where I was introduced to my main man Juan Caipo and the rest is history. I'm always 'hip-hop, don't stop.' Thats what I bring to the table; the ability to change and grow and take the culture to another level. Bang Data allows me to extend my art and bring music to another place: Spanish, English, rapping, singing, whatever.
Bang Data combines lots of genres, including hip-hop. How does your love of hip-hop influence the Bang Data sound?
I do what the music asks of me. I love working with Caipo. He helps bring out the best in me. I feel comfortable and grateful to make this happen with him. I tell people that our style, sound, genre - whatever you want to call it - is just like the name of our first full length album, La Sopa.
How would you describe it to someone who has never heard your group before?
Our style is a soup. It's like sopa. You can make soup out of anything. You add spices, flavors and smells all into one thing and the outcome is a soup. Every culture has its own style of soup. The music is universal just like sopa.
What is the difference between performing with Bang Data vs. Zion I?
Bang Data is all on my shoulders. It's my thing. My baby. My life. My freedom. My growth. When I'm with Zion I, it reminds me to always be a humble person and allow others to be in the light and to support them. Zumbi is the only cat I would ever back up on stage the way that I do. And it's because I love him. Know him. Believe in him. Trust him. He in turn allows me to shine as part of the Zion I show. It's fun. It's what we always dreamed of. A lot of people used to think, 'Oh you're in Zion I.' But I always say that I'm a crew member, but Zion I was Amp and Zoom. Bang Data is where I am going in the future. It shows me to be a leader and to take care of others and let them shine, as well.
Were you happy with how Bang Data's last album was received?
I am super happy with how our latest album is being received. Mucho Poco helped our fan base grow, not to mention all the attention our EP Maldito Carnaval and La Sopagot. When we got Bang Data on the TV show Breaking Bad, it elevated the group because of the shows fan base. Also, getting it in the new George Lopez movie Spare Parts didn’t hurt either [laughs].
What's on the docket for this year?
Work baby! [Laughs] We are always in the studio always practicing, doing shows and touring. Music is a lifestyle and it don’t stop. One Love!
