So back in June of 2022 I conducted an email interview with Joe Compayre. Cut to almost 4 years later, it slipped through the cracks and I didn't get it posted...now 2022 feels like a lifetime away....and for Bazooka Joe 204, 2 albums have come out since (off the top of my head, not sure if I'm missing anything); 2023's banger as part of the group Park Like Setting with This, That and the Third and May 1, 2026 (this past Friday as of this posting) Bazooka Joe 204 put out his most recent solo effort 333 McPhillips: Halfway to Hell (my first impression, no matter what moniker Joe Compayre is putting out music under it's always top notch and should be celebrated by all, Halfway to Hell is no exception. Every aspect from lyrics and wordplay, to flows to production [mixed bag of producers this time around] is spot on). Me not posting this interview had nothing to do with the quality, it just didn't happen. With that said I think there's some good stuff in here, and well, better late than never?.....
A man by many names..John Smith, Sloppy Joe, Ol' Man Winter, Bazooka Joe 204. No matter what you call him, you better respect his ability on the mic. I first heard (about) John Smith when he played at the Farm Fresh - Time is Running Out (tour? Bdn cd release show?) in Brandon (summer 2005). I had a few drinks and was just getting introduced to P&C and couldn't keep track of any of the rapper's names. This lead to me going up to the merch table and asking for a cd by "that guy" right after his set. I soon found Hip-Hop Wieners' All Beef, No Chicken in my hand. Cut to 19 years later, Bazooka Joe 204 is still putting out essential albums. He was nice enough to let me ask him some questions, here they are:
SB (Salty Bag 2022)
JC (Bazooka Joe 204)
SB24 (Salty Bag 2024 with updates)
[I couldn't get the text color to update when I transferred from word to blog. SB24 ended up being blue.]
Music
SB: I want to say it was on the Break Bread EP that you referred to Break Bread as the prairie Wu Tang ("PNC we're the Prairie Wu-Tang. And you're extinct, dog, that's off of the fucking food chain"). That line has always stuck with me because, well, it’s very apt. The Voltron that was the Break Bread EP was powerful. Have you ever went as far as drawing direct comparisons between members? (I know I have, haha). If yes, who pairs with who?
JC: Oh, shit. Good question.
Roddy would obviously be RZA. Gruf is Rae. Pip is Ghostface. Yy is GZA. I wish I was Meth or ODB, but I think I probably land somewhere closer to Shorty Shit Stain.
SB: You seem to have split your time between group releases and solo. Does your approach to song writing differ between the two scenarios, or is it variable depending on who you’re collaborating with?
JC: Solo projects are inherently more personal than group records, so they take on more gravity. Lyrically, I create and control the space, and that makes me more inclined to air out some shit and get into my feelings.
Group projects aren't necessarily devoid of the heavier, personal stuff, but the priorities differ, especially in the writing process. I wanna impress my crew. I assume they feel the same way. As older artists I think it's important to maintain some of the competitiveness that fuelled us when we were younger, but to now express it as mature, mutual admiration.
In a verse I want to find a few pockets where the flow is really locked in, say some fly shit, and crack a joke or two. And if, when I kick it for the crew the first time, I get a "oh, shit", or a "fuuuuck you", that's the reward. That's the whole reason for group projects now.
SB: Do you ever write over top of placeholder beats then find the right beat to fit the song?
JC: Back in the day? All the time. Growing Pains was mostly written over random instrumentals.
I write less raps now; gotta make them all count, so I almost exclusively write to the beat.
SB: Do you flesh out a concept to write a song around, or do you write a few bars that you like then build the concept off of them?
JC: Both. Sometimes I've got a concept or a hook and I go looking for a beat, and other times I just listen to beats and start in on the one that moves me.
If I hear a beat I find intriguing I'm immediately thinking up rhyming words, phrases, and flows. I might check my notes for titles or bars to set an idea off. Titles are a big part of my creative process. They're high concentrate concepts.
SB: You include a sense of humor in your songs regardless of how heavy the content may be but the songs aren’t jokey. Do you intentionally inject humor into your songs to offset the weight, or is it just your natural way of telling stories?
JC: All my favourite storytellers, whether they have a microphone, a guitar, or a smoke in their hands, are funny. I aspire to be like them.
SB: You’ve been putting out music for a minute. Have you found that when you revisit old songs you’ll update or change any of the lyrics when performing live because you no longer relate to them the same way?
JC: I don't know that I've had to, yet. I would. I'm not precious about my songs.
An unexpected benefit of rarely performing and only being able to remember my most recent material and a few older live staples is that I don't even consider playing anything I feel doesn't accurately reflect my contemporary values and aims. Flippant ignorance, toxic posturing, punching down, I've been guilty of all of it. All that shit is retired now. I'd rather put it away for good than tinker with it.
SB: What artist has had the most influence on you as a writer? Who’s had the most influence on you as a performer?
JC: Black Thought is the answer to both of those questions.
SB: Who are 4 of your top emcees 5 in Canada?
JC: (excluding my crew, because that would be the list) Right now? Maestro Fresh Wes, Buck 65, Cadence Weapon, P-Nutty, Timbuktu (honorable mentions: Lou from Dream Warriors, Ghetto Concept)
SB: Who are your top 5 emcees outside of Canada?
JC: Black Thought, Q-Tip, ODB, Godfather Don, Freddie Gibbs.
This is the list of an old person, and I feel like I need to put it out there that if you keep looking, there’s always new stuff to get into. Lately, I’ve really enjoyed They Hate Change, Natia, ILLFIGHTYOU, and Maxo Kream.
SB: What has been your experience in Winnipeg music outside of the rap scene? Do you actively participate in other scenes, punk, rock, indie?
JC: I am into everything. I will go to any show I can. I will play on any bill. Shit, I played between hardcore wrestling matches recently.
I don't know how active in any scenes I am, per se, but the novelty of making friends with the people whose music I admire, in any genre, never wears off.
SB: Do you enjoy performing and is there anything that you do to prepare for a live performance?
JC: Performing used to be my favourite thing in the world. There are moments when I still feel that way on stage, but decades of beating my body and brain up has made it hard to memorise things like I used to, which is the source of much anxiety. And the money is rarely good enough to justify the time it takes to prepare. Still, it's pretty fun, and a privilege, and I need to remind myself not to take it for granted.
SB: I noticed that most of my top rap albums of last year were closer to the 10 track length rather than the 15-20 song hour long albums that would have come out in the past. As one of those albums, was it intentional to release a shorter album or was that just what Prairie Nilsson ended up being?
JC: It just felt right. I craft the makeup of the album, but I also treat it like bookends on a period in time. Prairie Nilsson started with writing about depression (Iowanna), and ended a few years later with a song about addiction (The Stone). After Empress Lanes (the next solo album; a storytelling sequel to Pinky’s Laundromat), I’ll likely get back to more personal material, and I’ll pick up where Iowanna and The Stone left off. Or maybe I’ll say fuck it and write the Adventure Time album I’ve been thinking about for a few years. We’ll see.
SB: I’ve felt that you’ve typically put out very intentional FULL albums. How do you feel about the single culture that streaming seems to have created?
JC: As a listener and fan I prefer albums, and, specifically, I feel a deeper connection to well thought out, aesthetically consistent projects. I like it when a musician shows care for their craft.
As an artist who exists outside the expectations of mainstream music and isn’t concerned with the algorithm or even commercial viability, it doesn’t change anything for me.
SB: So, Lawrence Gowan’s music is tight, right? Or is it just so ingrained into me through the radio for..well, my entire lifetime that I just believe his music is great.
JC: He’s a strange animal. That’s all I know.
SB: At one time you had a record store correct? How do you feel about the resurgence of records/vinyl? Is there any music format more inconvenient than a 10” record?
JC: I did! It was a fun time in local music, and I made some great connections.
I like people discovering older music. And I like that there are some cool people who’ve dedicated their lives to music able to make a living off of vinyl.
The majors, who didn’t give a shit about vinyl for years, are now monopolising manufacturing. The indies and weirdos who kept vinyl alive now have to wait months or even years to get their projects pressed. That kinda sucks.
[SB24: It's been 2 years and this is more true now than even. Major labels are walking over independent's to get their latest big seller pressed. Prices have unnecessarily skyrocketed. RSD is a wolf in sheep's clothing.]
SB: What are 2 albums that are criminally underappreciated?
JC: Divine Styler ‘Word Power 2: Directrix’, a deeply serious album.
Busdriver & Radioinactive with Daedelus ‘The Weather’, a deeply unserious affair.
SB: On a scale of Yy to Gruf, how great was Mental Health Day?
JC: Get this, I got to see them play it live!
[SB24: still bummed that I missed out on the Mental Health Day release show.]
SB: Why doesn’t Schadenfreude show up on your discogs page, do you think it’s because it’s too difficult to spell?
JC: Told my pop about Schadenfreude and he asked me if I was deliberately sabotaging every opportunity to monetize my music. Not deliberate at all. It just comes naturally.
[SB24: hahahaha]
Not Chips or Music
SB: I recall seeing on social media just before the pandemic hit that you were heading back to school. How was the return to school in the time of pandemic? Do you have a specific career that you’re getting into?
JC: School is great! I wish I would have made it there sooner, but recognise I wouldn’t have had the necessary concentration or discipline to see it through.
No profession picked yet. Ambling my way over to the degree first.
Covid crept into Canada the end of my second term. We almost made it, but ended up taking our final exam at home. That was a frenetic, anxious time. Not the best climate for a high-pressure test.
The move online ruined me. I loved the asynchronous classes. Choosing when to best pay attention to a lecture was a great relief from my hypnophobia. I am dreading commuting to school in the dead of winter. I understand the kids who want to have the university experience, but as a mature student I could get by without it. Plus, you know, the raging pandemic.
[SB24: I believe I saw on IG recently that degree is now complete.]
SB: What’s your favourite coming of age/teen perspective tv show or movie? Have you re-watched it recently and did your perspective change? I just finished re-watching The Wonder Years and was really surprised by how much of a jerk Kevin Arnold was, the show’s still really great, but Kevin often rubbed me the wrong way with this rewatch.
JC: Degrassi Junior High/High, Fresh Prince, and Beverly HIlls 90210 were the big ones for me.
I still watch Degrassi whenever I can. Those awkward, pimply broomheads and narbos will always have my loyalty. Except Claude. And Kathleen. And sometimes Snake.
Before Covid, I went to a showing of School’s Out, the Degrassi movie. Joey and Caitlin hosted. That was dope. Caitlin and Spike had a DJ residency playing 80s new wave and dance shit in a Toronto club for a while. Devastating to miss out on that.
[SB24: if you've read interviews I've conducted in the past you gotta know how stoked I was when he brought up Degrassi without a real prompt. Can-con for the win baby!]
Chips
SB: Are you aware of Rap Snacks? Have you tried any? If there was to be a Bazooka Joe 204 Rap Snacks bag, what would be in it?
JC: I am aware. Have not tried any, yet. I would gladly spend the remainder of my days with Rap Snacks’ top engineers, obsessing over the flavour profile of the world’s first Winnipeg Fat Boy chips.
[SB24: that would be a tricky one. Simulated flavours that are based in meat are very hit and miss.]
SB: What bag of chips pairs best with the following albums; All Beef, No Chicken, Ol’ Man Winter, Pinky’s Laundromat.
JC: AB,NC: Yogurt & Green Onion
Ol Man Winter: Mexican Chili
Pinky’s: Himalayan Salt
SB: Have you ever had a hangover from chips? I’ve found that I can be dead sober and somehow wake up feeling slightly hungover the next day from eating too many chips in the evening.
JC: Yes, but, because I most often hammer down an entire family bag of chips after a night of drinking, their effects overlap. Wake up feeling like I ate a handful of silica gel packets.
[SB24: I have a feeling if I asked this question now in 2024 the answer may be slightly different.]
SB: What is your favourite base chip? (potato [‘standard’ fried, baked, kettle cooked], corn, multi-grain, sweet potato, beet, parsnip, carrot, etc.)
JC: I have Cadillac tastes and a Supercycle budget. Kettle cooked potato chips and all of their fanciful flavour variations, all day.
[SB24: word to the wise, co-op gold chips are Old Dutch but for a price point that won't break the bank. Mesquite BBQ, S&V and Jalap Cheddar are Dutch Crunch. I'm hesitant to recommend Gold Pure at this time though as they've switched from Covered Bridge (not sure if it's because of the fire) to Hard Bite producing the Pure line. If you've ever had Covered Bridge you know that's a major step down.]
SB: What is your favourite chip seasoning? Not a specific brand but a general flavour. (current or discontinued [or if you’re feeling wild your favourite current, and your favourite discontinued flavours])
JC: The Old Dutch Bar-B-Q chip seasoning of my childhood. My first addiction. On Friday nights my ma would set me up in front of the TV with a single plastic tumbler of Coca-Cola and Old Dutch Bar-B-Q chips. Sensory overload had me bugging out until the anthem played after the last rerun of The Monkees.
I don’t know when they changed the formula, but it’s different now. Sweeter, with less heat. Maybe they wimped out on MSG in the 90s.
SB: What is more important, the base chip or the seasoning?
JC: That’s like asking Pete Rock or CL Smooth. There’s been admirable efforts separately, but we all know they need to be working together.
SB: What is your favourite bag of chips? (brand, flavour, style) Can you please explain why they’re your favourite?
JC: Growing up in a remote place like Churchill we had limited food options. My pop used cash bribes to prod my brothers and me into trying ‘unusual’ foods (pickled herring, liverwurst, sushi [this was in the 80s, remember]). So I was always looking for something new.
Chips were limited to basic flavours: regular, barbecue, ketchup, salt & vinegar. That was it. Then Old Dutch rolls out kettle cooked chips. Fancy shit, comparatively. When I figured out I was into spicy foods, it was over. Dutch Crunch Jalapeno & Cheddar. I gotta take Pepcid before ‘em now, but, still the best.
SB: What is the oddest, enjoyable, chip that you have come across? What’s the oddest chip that you’ve seen but passed on trying?
JC: Those Co-op honey dill chips are dope. They’re kinda odd.
I’ll skip anything that seems too complicated to replicate. Butter Chicken. Maple anything. New York Reuben.
But, I’m open. I even tried the cucumber Lay’s. Terrible, in case you’re wondering.
[SB24: I'll finish most bags of chips, but those cucumber Lay's I did not. Co-op released Honey Dill again this year, but since the seasoning is on an oily Hard Bite compared to a near perfect Covered Bridge chips it ain't the same..which is a major bummer]
SB: Do you consider Pringle's to be chips and/or an acceptable ‘chip’ option?
JC: Pringles are chips in the same way that a Subway lobster roll is a seafood dinner. Technically a chip, but lesser.
SB: How do you feel about dipping seasoned chips? In my experience some people find it odd to dip flavoured chips..(ketchup chips into dill pickle dip, barbeque chips into chili, any Doritos or Arriba chips into queso).
JC: I don’t even mess with the lime flavored tortilla chips. Weird green crystals dusted all over the chip. Fuck that.
Dipping chips should be generously salted and that’s about it.
[SB24: hahaha]
SB: What chip flavour do you think should exist but doesn’t?
JC: I’m going back on my “complicated” chip flavor rule: Croque Monsieur. I’d settle for that Winnipeg Fat Boy, though.
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