In an age where people are rapping about some of the most outlandish and unrealistic things in life, it’s good to see (and discuss) some people integrating sports into their lyrics to try to get their message out. TJ Fredette (yes, the brother of Sacramento Kings rookie Jimmer) and Kyler James decided to team up and record a single about the return of the NBA after the lockout, appropriately called “Locked In” it was pretty refreshing. Recently, SprungOnSports was able to talk to TJ and Kyler about their music, their influences and the impact sports had on their divergent paths in life.

The Group Stage
SprungOnSports- What role does sports play in your life and what made you decide to integrate sports into your music with songs like Locked In?

TJ Fredette- Sports have always played a major role in my life as it has for all of my family. My grandparents on both sides were major sports fans, particularly basketball and football. My father taught my siblings and I how to play a soon as we were old enough to run and we just fell in love with competing. I can’t remember many nights going by when we were growing up when there wasn’t a game on the TV. It was our main source of entertainment as a family back then and still is today.

Since sports is such a major part of my life, I can’t imagine not incorporating something I’m so passionate about into my music. Sports and music are the best of both worlds to me and I truly believe they go hand and hand, so when I make a song like Lock In, it just feels right. I like to make sports specific songs that athletes can listen to before a game and get hyped to. There is a unique source of power that is on display when you write a song about something you know and love.

Kyler James- Sports plays a big role, my first love ever was baseball. Basketball was second and I really got into it. However, now that music is involved it was a smooth transition from putting the sports actions into words.

SOS- What made you guys decide to make Locked In and has their been buzz about the song in basketball circles?

TJF- I had the idea to make Lock In while the NBA lockout was going on. I knew that the NBA was probably going to take a negative hit with fans being so disgusted about the whole situation, so my idea was to put out some positive vibes to fans, players and even owners in hopes that people would start to concentrate on the greatness of the NBA and its history, as opposed to just focusing on the troubles the business side was going through.

Joe Budden is my favorite artist and I knew he had a great knowledge of the NBA just by listening to his lyrics for years. He often speaks about NBA players and situations in his rhymes and he’s always on point when doing so. I wanted so bad to have him feature on the song because I knew he would kill it and bring such a powerful element to not only the song itself but to the whole cause. My boy Kamar Malone made the Budden feature happen so I owe all the credit to him for getting us Joe to appear on the track.

As for the buzz in basketball circles, it has actually taken off more in the world of high school basketball than anywhere else. The NBA is a tough entertainment field to tap into but we are still trying to get the league to use the song in some capacity. However, I have received many messages on Facebook and Twitter from high school players who love the song! Even though its is a song about the NBA, many varsity high school basketball teams have told me they are using it as a warm up song for their games. It’s always great to hear things like that and I believe the song will continue to catch people’s ears and hopefully eventually be used by the NBA.

KJ- The idea was brought to my attention by my manager Kamar “Solo” Malone that TJ had a song he wanted to do with me. I thought the sports idea was brilliant, especially around the time the NBA lockout was in effect. Funkmaster Flex (world famous rap DJ) posted it up on his website and got some NBA folks talking about it.

SOS- What inspired you growing up to go into music and what people were the most influential so far in your career?

TJF- I was inspired to get into music by my passion for it. I have always been so moved by music of all kinds and I also have always been a talented writer. I guess it just made sense to combine my love for music with my talent for writing.

I had a friend in high school who came from Harlem, and he was heavily involved in writing rhymes, freestyling, and keeping up with anything pertaining to hip hop. He used to write rhymes in class and one day he challenged me to give it a try. By the end of that class i was hooked! I just loved the challenge of trying to come up with clever lines and using word play to form a rhythm with my words. From that day forward, hardly a day has gone by where I haven’t written a rhyme. I would say that friend who challenged me to write rhymes that day, along with some other mentors that have helped me to mold my craft have been my greatest influences. I actually have too many to name and I don’t want to leave anyone out, but they all know who they are.

KJ- It’s funny cause music always been apart of my life; whether listening to it in the house all day cause it was playing, to my mother singing in the room practicing ’till she gets it right. I’ve been doing music for only a year now, anybody that was a part of that whole 90′s movement as far as good music goes was a big influence to me.

SOS- What makes you the next breakout artist in the hip-hop game?

TJF- I think my originality is what makes me the next breakout artist. I believe that I can reach a broader audience than most artists out there because of my unique writing style. I feel I have the right recipe for making music positive enough for young kids as well as parents to listen to, while at the same time having enough of an edge to also peek the interest of more hardcore hip hop fans. I’ll never be a gangsta rapper and people who only want gangsta rap I might never appeal to, but i think a lot of hip hop fans just dont want to hear artists claim to be something they aren’t, and they will never get that from me.

I also feel I have the ability to make hit songs, which is one of the most crucial parts of finding success as an artist. There are a lot of very talented lyricists out there who dont have what it takes to make a hit record.  I’m confident in my ability to write great lyrics and great songs to go with those lyrics.

KJ- My story telling ability that has a modern, future sound which is rather unique in this time. Me being able to write any type of song or in any genre being a all around entertainer/songwriter/artist. But my personality plays a big role. However, they won’t expect it coming from a kid from the projects (laughs).

SOS- What’s your next upcoming project and why should people be excited and go buy what you’re selling?

TJF- My next project is my album I’m working on called FredetteAboutIt. People really need to be excited about this project for many reasons. One, you will get a little bit of everything on this album. You will get some catchy party songs, serious personal experience songs, emotional songs, inspirational stories, clever punch lines, radio friendly songs, creative use-your-imagination type songs, and basically any kind of hip hop song you can imagine.

Also, the beats for this project are the best beats I have ever worked with. No fillers on this album, I’m concentrating thoroughly on making every song a hit! I will also have some amazing features on this album and a couple surprise guests that you won’t wanna miss!  One last reason you have to buy FredetteAboutIt is because you will get to hear a lyrical style that is very unique in content as well as delivery. I can’t compare myself to any other artist because I really feel my originality can’t be put in a box, and that originality will be put on total display on this album.

KJ- I got the no back-up plan project coming up (NB-UP) sometime in 2012. It’s going to be a free mixtape with 14 tracks of original material. No features, just me. I really want the people to get to know me off the bat, and the best way to do that is break down these stories in track form. Let them know what I’m seeing through this poverty vision. Basically a bird’s eye view. I feel this mixtape is going to create a powerful message to the new generation.. All type of music on the no back-up plan mixtape. This should be fun.

One On One With Kyler James
SOS- What was it like growing up in the projects in the Bronx and how did you gravitate toward a career in music?

KJ- Growing up in the projects as a kid seemed so normal until you reached that age when you know it’s real. Its like a jungle, literally. I’m from the bottom and seen so many different things within one setting it’s scary. After playing around in the studio that was built in someone’s project apartment, I took a different outlook on the music tip, like this can be a serious career. Music was the getaway from all the negativity I was around. Youngest of four boys.

SOS- You wrote on your Facebook page that the “ordinary American dream of going to college and working a 9-5 job for a weekly check” was not for you. When did you realize that wasn’t going to be your path?

KJ- For the record, whoever is in school right now more power to you!! The More education the better and further you go. However, as we all know, school isn’t for everyone. I realized that even before the music took action in my life. I always knew I wanted to do something big, but wasn’t too sure on what it was. Balancing a 9 to 5 throughout the process became a bit stressful and I always told myself it’s something else I’m not supposed to be doing. That’s when I started getting good feedback, with people telling me “you have an extreme amount of talent, kid.”

SOS- What one word do you think best describes you and why?

KJ- Unexpected. Because you can’t put me in a specific box. It’s like you never know what you’re gonna get. Especially with my music, you never know what song concept you’re gonna hear from me, or what direction I’m gonna take, story wise or just period.

SOS- What do you think your biggest hit is to date and how are you using new and emerging technologies to market yourself to a global audience?

KJ- Well all the music is on the mixtape (NB-UP), which is set to release this year. As far as hits that’s up to the people when it’s released how they adapt to it, and I know they are gonna fall in love with it. Now if you want my personal opinion every song on the mixtape is a HIT (laughs). Social media is the way things work now, it’s either you join the wave or get lost in it. You can follow me on Twitter, (@TheRealKJames)  Facebook or YouTube. Follow follow.

SOS- Where do you see yourself in 5 years as an artist and as a person?

KJ- Five years from now I see myself in a good space of mind musically. Also having a certain amount of  accomplishments under my belt, five years is a lot of time (laughs). But depending on how hard you’re working, you won’t even notice the time fly. As a person I think I’ll be a little more mature than I already am now, just making myself a better person. Any errors, just correcting them along the way.

One On One With TJ Fredette
SOS- I have to ask: what was it like growing up with Jimmer?

TJF- Growing up with Jimmer was a blast! I loved  having a younger brother, so he came everywhere with my friends and I.  He was an incredible talent when it came to sports and I enjoyed every minute of watching him develop as an athlete. Most of all he was just such a fun loving, friendly kid that everyone wanted to be around…our bond began to develop on the day he was born and has only grown every day since.

SOS- Did you ever feel you had to do something to get out of Jimmer’s shadow and differentiate yourself and make yourself unique?

TJF- Nah, never. I do what I do and Jimmer does what he does. He has obviously seen an incredible amount of success in the world of basketball and he will only continue to see more. He’s reached heights that most people working on their crafts will never see.  I work hard on my music and I love doing it, so regardless if I ever reach the top of the charts or not I will never have any regrets with my decision to pursue success in something I’m passionate about.

I will continue to put out music for a long time and whatever happens happens, but for me to say I feel I need to get out of Jimmer’s shadow would basically be saying I’m threatened in some way by his success and that could never be the case. I’m very comfortable in myself and what I do and I have nothing but confidence in my abilities. However, I can’t control how many people become fans of my music unfortunately. It’s not like sports where you control your own destiny by how you perform. In music, you have to rely on other people for most of your success. I will do everything I can to make the best product I can and promote it the best way possible. After I’ve done everything i that i can, from there I just have to be positive and hope for the best.

SOS- Growing up in Glenn Falls, NY, I know you and Jimmer are big time Giants fans. Tell me why they’re going to beat the Patriots in Super Bowl 46.

TJF-  I believe the Giants will win because they have a way of playing their best in the biggest moments. They also have the confidence factor having already beaten the Pats this season and in the last Super meeting they had together. Also, I feel Eli is playing the best football of his career and I think he will only get better come Super Bowl Sunday!

SOS- What do you think your biggest hit is to date and how are you using new and emerging technologies to market yourself to a global audience?

TJF- My biggest hit to date has been Amazing, a song I wrote about everything Jimmer and I did to get him to reach his dream of playing in the NBA. I think it was able to do well because people love stories like the one involving Jimmer and his road to success as an underdog having to beat all odds to get where he wanted to get. The Internet and social networking is huge as far as being able to put your music out there to a mass audience. I try to use that tool to my advantage as much as possible as I think any artist should.

SOS- Where do you see yourself in 5 years as an artist and as a person?

TJF- I don’t like to put an exact prediction on where I will be as an artist, but I will say I do expect to see more and more success each year as an artist until the day I decide I’m getting too old and it’s time to move on. Progression is my main goal and I will continue to show progress each year.  As a person, I see myself married in five years living comfortably with my wife somewhere in New York. I believe I will be making a living off of music and entertainment in some capacity and I’ll still be traveling and cheering for my little bro in the NBA!