Tonight in Philly, AnimalXHouse will be kicking off their 4-city Holiday Tour featuring Key! and friends. In honor of the tour we linked up with AnimalXHouse’s DJ, Chris Mars B, for the premiere of his mixtape, ‘Just Listen,’ and an exclusive interview.
Take a look at the trailer for AnimalXHouse’s tour above. Peep our interview with Chris and his ‘Just Listen‘ mix below.
Chris Mars B is a young DJ from Ohio that has a reputation for breaking new music and turning up with his friends.
I started really DJing around like 2 years ago.
My big homie King Vada (formally known as L.E for the Uncool) – He did the ‘Just Listen‘ artwork. – When he would do shows I would travel with him, I was only 18. I seen a lot and he taught me so much. But when he would do shows, they weren’t planned out as much as they should’ve been. He didn’t have an official DJ. So I was just like, “Yo, why don’t I just be your DJ.” That’s how I started.
We also use to throw a party called “ForAllMankind” every Tuesday. Legendary night/party. We were all young, had school/work in the morning but it didn’t matter. It was Turn Up Tuesday’s lol. I created a name/buzz there.
Back in the day I was a big Mixtape fan. LiveMixtapes was from Cleveland, and so were Mick Boogie/Terry Urban and DJ EV. I remember them doing mad mixtapes with upcoming artist. That’s also when DJ Drama was the man. But Mick, Terry, EV had that new sound. That’s what made me admire them. Also the ‘Bitch I’m From Cleveland‘ series were tight. It showed unity and teamwork, and that was amazing to me.
I just wanted to create mixtapes like that and help break new artist. Put on for my home like they were doing on a major level.
With AnimalxHouse I’ve helped break Two-9, Key!, Chance the Rapper/Save Money back home. We’re looking to keep pushing and breaking dope young artist from Ohio like LAMB$ and the Insomniac homies, YOP and this dope kid $teven Cannon.
It’s kinda interesting. I feel like a lot of shit going on in Ohio right now is new. Not only musicians are coming together We throw parties and not only do Columbus come out, but young people from Cleveland to Cincinnati come out. It’s pretty cool.
There’s a brand called “OATW” it means Ohio Against The World. That’s the mind state, and type of energy that’s going on.
With ‘Just Listen’ I wanted people to hear my ear for Hip-Hop music – we play more than just hip-hop music – but I just wanted people to see where I was listening to. I also wanted to create a dope series.
My main goal for this tape was to break artist and help make people pay attention to who’s involved with this tour.
The 4-city tour came about just from traveling, and building/connecting with others in different cities and states. Jordi has been building for years, and he’s making it happen. It’s hard work, dedication, and patience!
Far as the artist go, we picked artist that we really believe in like Key! We’ve been really big fans of Key!. The first time I really heard key, was his first mixtape ‘Mothers Are the Blame.’ DJ Osh Kosh that’s like my big sister, she put me on to Key! and Two-9 a few years ago, like listen to this.
From then on I really believed in what he was doing. I’ve been a big fan since.
LAMB$ that’s the homie, – He’s from Cincinnati I’m from Columbus – he’s a talented artist that’s doing his thing right now. when we first connected, we just connected. we’re both young and trying to make it happen, and help leading and putting on for young Ohio!
$teven Cannon. When I first heard his music I was crate digging on the Internet. I was like, “Yo who is this kid?!?” I found him through social media and I hit him up. He told me he was from Cincinnati. I was like, “WTF?!” He has this one song called “School Days” and he just has a certain sound and style of music that I think people should hear.
He’s definitely up next to me!
