As he stands tall and focused on stage, it would be understandable if you were to mistake New York-based rapper J. Arch for someone’s bodyguard. However, as he grabs the mic and starts to spit his rhymes, it’s obvious that he’s only at the show for one thing – to show the world that he’s ready to make an impact on the rap game. DXnext caught up with J. Arch during Rock The Bells to get his thoughts on everything from the tour to…cupcakes?!

Rock the Bells: "It’s a giant step from doing local small clubs and venues to stepping up to this scale. When you get to this level, you realize that you’re going to make it, or you’re not. And right now I feel like I’m about to make it, for real. I’m running with the right people – Rebel Arms, Immortal Technique [click to read]…it’s real cool. I feel blessed to be here."

Rebel Arms: "[It] consists of Immortal Technique, myself, Da Circle, Poison Pen, Swave Sevah, Demics, Diabolic, Akir…it’s a collective of underground artists that have banded together to support one another’s endeavors and make things happen on an international scale. I’m really proud to be a part of that."

Support From Artists Like Immortal Technique: "It means everything because a lot of underground artists don’t have the backing that they need to move units. You can do a show and you can perform for people, but if you can’t move units on an international scale, what are you doing? So to have the support of my brothers like that, it helps me to appreciate doing what I’ve been doing for so long, and it shows me that if I continue I’ll be on the scale that they are and moving the masses the way that they do."

Motivation: "My landlord. Nah, I’m playing [laughs]. My daughter. My drive. I don’t want to be a failure – I really don’t."

The Music: "I make music that a lot of people can relate to. Anybody can get in a studio and talk about busting guns and all of that negativity, but when you really talk about doing right and being a family man, people admire that. Thugs only live for so long, but when you’re an honest and sincere person it gets you a lot farther in life. That’s really who J. Arch is – an honest and sincere person. And my personal experiences are what I share with the world, because I know I’m not the only person going through it. I make that feel good, relate-to-me music."

Best Part of A Music Career: "Touching people’s lives. I don’t want no enemies. I don’t care for the negativity. It’s an honor that people wake up to come to our shows, get there, and get touched by the music in various ways. We got kids coming from all over the world just to see us and be a part of what we do. It feels so good that people really care about good, wholesome Hip Hop. You don’t have to bust your gun to sell a million records. A lot of times with the commercialism of music, it’s, 'Well, who you killin’? What gang you representin’?' I represent the world, bottom line."

His Upbringing: "I was raised by my moms; I ain’t have my pops. Right now my daughter is being raised by her moms because I’m not there. That’s the reason why I make songs like 'Baby On the Way' and 'Turn My Back.' So people can understand that as much joy as I get out of doing this, there’s a lot of pain. It has to be compensated for one way or another. The way I do that is by making wholesome music. So that when I can’t see my daughter smile, I can see somebody else’s kids smile and enjoy it. I’m doing this from the heart, for real, man."

Cupcakes?: "My movement is B.N.D.P. – Big Niggas Don’t Play. Every big nigga gotta have a cupcake, know what I’m sayin’? “Cupcakes” is for the thick, beautiful women all around the world. A lot of people be like, 'Damn, you fat,' or 'Yo, you too big.' Let me tell you something, man – when God made humans, he ain’t make just one size or style of them. He made variations. This industry has become so overwhelmed with becoming so model-esque, and that’s bullshit. If you don’t love yourself, ain’t nobody going to love you, and I love all the bigger people on this earth. That’s what the fuck my cupcake movement is about. All my thick mamis from all around the world - I don’t care if you a muffin top…I don’t give a fuck. I love you all. Without y’all, there wouldn’t be no big niggas that didn’t play. But I also got Arch Angels – that’s for my slimmer mamis. 'Cause you know I gotta love y’all too. All women get love from Arch. Big niggas don’t play, and that’s what it’s about."

New Mixtape: “Rebel Arms Presents J. Arch B.N.D.P., Archer: the Unknown Supastar. A lot of my joints I did off the top, I didn’t even have to write. But the songs that I wrote? You know they’re written when you hear them. But it’s really just letting people know it’s my time to shine. Hear me and feel me, that’s it. I’m moving with the Rebel Arms, I’m with Immortal Technique. That’s my brother, he got The 3rd World [click to read] out, I’m on that. It’s just a blessing right now. Anything I’m doing in music is basically revolving around myself, Rebel Arms, and the things we’re trying to accomplish." Continued on page 2 »