A
good portion of record store in the city tend to sell everything they
can, leaving little room for single genre selling. But one downtown
shop is doing all it can for a specific scene.
--- Uprok
Records has been supporting the local hip-hop and rap scene in Utah
for well over a decade, providing it with all the best local and
national acts that can be found. On top of which giving DJ's,
breakdancers and Graff artists a place to find their gear and
showcase their talent. And in turn being a focal point for not just
the fans but the artists themselves in the state. I got a chance to
take some pictures of the place and chat to owner Chase Jensen about the shop, its
events, thoughts on the scene, and some other questions that came to
mind.
Chase Jensen
http://www.myspace.com/uprokrecords
Gavin: Hey Chase, first off, tell us a little bit
about yourself.
Chase: I'm just another kid that is
tryin to do what he loves as a living. Screw gettin a real
job..
Gavin: For those who don't know, what is Uprok
Records?
Chase: It's Utahs only hip-hop shop. Meaning
we are the only folks in the state promoting actual hip-hop, not just
the hip-hop image. It has gone thru a few hands and names, but it
essentially is the same place it was fifteen years ago. I bought it off
the old owners (big up Kool Kel & Dustin) two years ago.
Gavin:
Not a lot of places in Utah cater to the hip-hop scene. Did you know
you'd have a niche in that community, or was it more of a risk to
focus on just that genre?
Chase: I have been pushing
hip-hop in the community for a while before the shop came my way. I
think thats why I was offered the opportunity. It is a risk focusing
on just that genre in Salt Lake, but that's what it needs. I would
think about changing it for the world.
Gavin: How did
the opportunity come up for you to take over?
Chase:
The old owners just were ready to pass the torch. That's kinda how
its always been with the shop, they approached me about it and I went
with it.
Gavin: What was the transition like to take
ownership, and what was it like first running the store?
Chase:
It was quick. One day they were here, the next I was. It was
different actually being in charge over here but I got into the
groove quick. Its just a good time. Not many folks get to work in an
environment that they like to be in anyway. I'm one of the lucky
few.
Gavin: The store carries a nice collection of
vinyl. Was that done mainly for DJ's or more for nostalgia?
Chase:
Originally it was done for DJ's, but now they are all playing Serato
or CDJ's. So I think I'm keeping it around because im a pureist.
Serato is good for some things but vinyl will always be essential for
the real heads.
Gavin: Speaking of DJ's, do you have
anything equipment wise for people looking to spin?
Chase:
We carry needles, record bags, slipmats, and of course records. We
will sell used turntables when they are brought in, but that doesn't
happen all the time.
Gavin: What made you decide to
devote part of the store to clothing?
Chase: Everyone
needs clothes, we have access to certain clothes that you cant find
anywhere else in Utah. Also Ghettoslider Clothing has just moved into
the shop so we can now do custom gear.
Gavin: How did
the did the idea come about to hold monthly battle events? And how
have the worked out so far?
Chase: I think the B-Boys
around here just wanted something regular to meet up and get down. It
wasn't my idea, and they have been going on since long before I owned
the shop. They always do really well, we do them generally the last
Saturday of the month.
Gavin: Because of those events
you've taken a bit of a place in the dance community. What are your
thoughts on dancers in Utah?
Chase: I don't know any
dancers besides the B-Boys and a couple others. Sancing in general
doesn't interest me that much, but when they can do crazy stuff,
thats when it catches my attention.
Gavin: You also
play a big part in the Graff scene. Did it seem like natural match,
or was it something that eventually started taking part in?
Chase:
Graff is what got me into hip-hop, and really, any hip-hop head that
says they don't like Graff, needs to think of a different hobby.
Hip-hop started with Graff, do the homework. I don't think I'll ever
call anything "hip-hop" with some Graff element.
Gavin:
Does it feel like it's becoming more embraced as an artform in Utah?
Chase: Kind of. I feel like its more exploited than
embraced. Everyone just thinks "it looks cool" but don't
really care what it says, or what kind of time and effort people put
into it.
Gavin: Going state-wide, what's your opinion
on the local hip-hop scene, both good and bad?
Chase:
The good is there's a ton of kids makin' the music, lots of groups are
comin' up and making themselves known. The bad is most those kids
don't know anything else about hip-hop except U92. You try to talk
about Breakin', they say dancing sucks. Try to talk about Graff and
they bust some little gang BS. They don't know the essence, just what
they see on TV and hear on the radio.
Gavin: Same
question, but instead on the entire music scene in Utah.
Chase:
Its separated. If you aren't in it, you wont get treated the same.
Seldom do people step out of their boundaries. Rock kids don't show
to hip-hop shows unless their friends are bartending or the ones
throwin' the show. You know who you are!
Gavin: Who
would you say are the best local acts going right now?
Chase:
I'm down to give shouts, but usually the people I shout end up using
it to push themselves into the spotlight without any return respect
for the shop. So I choose not to answer these questions
anymore.
Gavin: Is there anything you think could be
done to make it bigger or better?
Chase: Everyone needs
to get off their high horse and work together as a community. They
say they are, but its not happening.
Gavin: What are
your thoughts on local labels, and do you think they help or hinder
the artists on them?
Chase: Depends on the attitude of
the label people and the artists themselves. Unfortunately, nobody is
gonna go nationwide on a Salt Lake label. You might get distribution,
but nobody will hear about you unless you try to expand beyond Salt
Lake.
Gavin: Do you wish there were more shows, or even
stations, like the Friday Night Fallout, or do think things are fine
the way they are at the moment?
Chase: Of course I wish
there was more. It would help biz a lot, but besides that, it would
educate people on what this is really about. But much respect to KRCL
for havin' that show, it helps the cause.
Gavin: What
can we expect from Uprok the coming year?
Chase: Expect
the unexpected! We are gonna try to bring back "Doin' It At The
Park", its a monthly jam in Liberty Park that the city shut down
due to "loud music", but I think it was the graff. Also
have a couple other things in the works.
Gavin:
Finally, is there anything you'd like to plug or promote?
Chase:
Every Monday at The W Lounge, every Thursday at The Hotel, Uprok on
Nov 1st - Ninth Cloud, and Uprok on Nov 7th - 1865. Both $5. Check
our MySpace
for updates, shows, store specials, general info.