by Phil Chard

I recently interviewed Da L.E.S for 2 Broke Twimbos in an incredibly informative and engaging interview. During the interview we discussed the North God’s ascension from his birth in Washington DC to moving to Houston and finally back to Johannesburg. We spoke about how he and Bongz first bonded over skating and music in Primary School and how that common interest would help reconnect them later tin life to form Jozi.

Da L.E.S also spoke very candidly about what led to the breakup of the group.

“I guess some individuals kinda felt like they weren’t eating enough… some individuals felt like 360 was a bit like weird, some individuals felt like we were being played”

In between the recording of Jozi’s first and second album Da L.E.S also went on to record his debut effort Fresh2Def , which, according to Les helped contribute to the demise of the group as jealousies began to form within the group. Coupled with all this Da L.E.S also shares some incredible stories about how he linked with one of my childhood friends TeqNiq, formerly known as TekNeek . Les also shares that Riky Rick was a prolific battle rapper back in the day who would go out and win R3,000 battling on a few occasions.

“I knew [Ricky Rick] & TekNeek was out there battling for cash… They were getting guap. Like putting up stacks… putting up 3K[R3,000] and come out with 6K [R6,000].

According to Les the Last Summer Tour (The joint mixtape he did with Riky Rick) was borne out of necessity when the two rappers found d themselves stranded in Cape Town after turning up a little too hard and Les being The North God that he is, refused to take the train home.

We also the construction of Les home studio, his subsequent albums, how he has manged to secure so many iconic collaborations and his extremely popular All White Party.

Without tooting my own horn this is one if the best interviews that I have ever conducted.

Watch the full interview to above and check out more 2 Broke Twimbos content here.

@2FreshLes