Jabee Releases Must Be Nice: The Mixtape

Oklahoma City rapper Jabee has released his 25-track mixtape, Must Be Nice, for FREE.

The mixtape features guest appearances by Johnny Polygon, Mac Lethal, Blu, Oddisee, El Prez, as well as production by DJ Green Lantern, 9th Wonder and others.

DOWNLOAD it here.

This mixtape is presented by Mick Boogie, who’s worked with Jay-Z, Eminem, Mobb Deep, Talib Kweli and more. How did you get hooked up with him?

Mick Boogie did a mixtape with some friends of mine U-N-I from L.A. I had them here in OK for a show in March, Mick checked out my music and liked it and said let’s do it.

You’ve really embraced giving away your mixtapes online. Why do you prefer doing that versus selling it online or in CD form?

I plan to sell some music eventually, but right now I want to give away as much free music as I can to where people like me so much they will be willing to pay for my music. Free downloads go so far these days.

SHOW INFO:
• When: Saturday, August 15
• Where: The Arbor, 8405 N. Rockwell Ave., in OKC
• Opener: Mac Lethal, Black Spade, EL Prez, Rob Viktum & The Puzzle People
• Time / Cost: 8pm / $10

Your lyrics are some of the most honest and positive out there. How important is it to you to rap about things that are real to you, as opposed to some things we hear about in mainstream hip-hop?

It’s very important to me, I think honesty and truth are very important, also because I’m a regular guy. I’m trying to make it and survive like everyone else. I hear rappers all the time saying what they have and what they drive and how rich they are and so on, then I see the same rappers working at the mall or working at fast food. So I tell the truth in my music so when you see me in my Jeep Cherokee or my lil 93 Honda you’re not surprised, or if I’m somewhere and I say I can’t afford to eat out, you’re not surprised.

I recently heard a couple guys from a local psychedelic rock band sing your praises. I’ve seen you play with a bunch of rock and punk acts, all the way back to the days of your old band Invisible Struggle. What is it about you or your music that allows you to float between scenes and have universal appeal?

I really don’t know for sure. If I had to say, I’d say it’s the tradional hip hop sound that I have, as well as my live show. Anybody can get up and rap, but it takes alot more to be able to perform and keep someones attention. I think the main thing is probably the type of music and show I bring and the elements I have in my shows.

You display a lot of Oklahoma pride in your songs. Do you do that to shock listeners who think we’re all cowboys and indians here or is it more about just repping your home state? Or is it a little of both?

It’s a little of both, I do alot of shows out of state, and people are always surprised of where I’m from, It has also helped in a way because people like the fact that I’m from Oklahoma. I also want to rep where I’m from.

Tell us the story behind Puzzle People and what you hope to accomplish with it.

The Puzzle people are a crew and an idea that Ob-one and I had years ago, I finally decide to put it together. Although I started it, I’m not the leader. We are all equal - we all do different things. We are just a group of friends that do music, promote, art and other things, we just plan to make the hip hop scene in Oklahoma respected by outsiders and a place touring acts know there is something going on. We have a monthly we do at Sauced, and we just try to support each other in everything we do. We are a big family outside of music as well.

Must Be Nice tracklisting:
01. A Blessing (prod. by Joe Sway)
02. LITTLEearth ft. L.E.G.A.C.Y and OBone (prod. by Kadence)
03. Go Tell Em (prod. by Hannibal King)
04. Dumb Musica ft. Black Spade (prod. by Black Spade)
05. Money ft. El Prez (prod. by Saevio is Dead)
06. That’s Good ft. Oddisee & Jumakae (prod. by Rob Viktum)
07. Don’t Forget About Me (prod. by D/Will)
08. Car Pool ft. Jumakae (prod. by Ronnie Harris)
09. I Am (prod. by Darkness)
10. Funky She (prod. by Moral One)
11. Sunny Day ft. Picnic Tyme (prod. by Picnic Tyme)
12. 1983 ft. Chris McCain (prod. by scootbeatz)
13. Virtues ft. Theory Hazit & aDDLib (prod. by Theory Hazit)
14. Big Bad Wolf ft. Johnny Polygon (prod. by DJ Green Lantern)
15. Anywhere ft. LMNO & Dawg Wonder (prod. by Darkness)
16. Triumph Hanni fresh remix ft. Blu (prod. by Hannibal King)
17. Taxi Ride ft. Chris McCain (prod. by Scootbeatz)
18. Laced to the Heart (prod. by Sabastian OH!)
19. Boombox (prod. by DJ Alibi)
20. Live Like A Dream ft. Mac Lethal (prod. by Rob Viktum)
21. Hip Hop Prayer ft. Chuy (prod. by Darkness)
22. VIP in Heaven ft. XV (prod. by 9th Wonder)
23. One
24. Evaporation (prod. Mes the Jive Turkey)
25. Story II Tell (prod. by DJ SemaJ) **Bonus**