We’ve always done our best to support those who support us at Homebase.  That’s not isolated to just the skate scene.  Skateboarding is tied to some many other subcultures in a local scene whether is community activism, the arts or the independent music.

Local aspiring emcee, Joe Stylez has been a long time supporter of Homebase.  I met him while he was still going to college at ESU, working and trying to push his music.  What impressed me most about Joe was his approach to his craft- he had a goal and he treated it like a business.  He worked hard to better himself, always focused on how he could appeal to his audience and the people he worked him.  It was a breathe of fresh air.  Plus, he has a dope flow.

Without asking for anything in return he’s always wearing Homebase gear in videos, giving us shout outs and doing whatever he can to support what we do at Homebase.  To thank him, we’re helping him promote the release of his new mixtape- Free Flying III .  It’s dropping on www.DatPiff.com today and it’s also available for a free download here on our site.

If you’re an Instagram/Facebook junkie like myself, we will be running a contest to win a $75 Homebase Gift Card or Homebase Prize Pack.  It’s free to enter, just repost this image with the #FREEFLYING3 and tag @JoeStylezMusic.

Before all the excitement of the mixtape release, we had Joe answer some questions about his music.

Homebase: Did you listen to Tupac last week in his honor?

Joe Stylez: Actually I did!! I listened to California Love a few times reminiscing on the 90s.

HB: Is Tupac still alive?

JS: Absolutely!

HB:  Has he influenced your music at all?

 JS: Tupac doesn’t necessarily influence my music. However he influences me as a person. A quote I live life based on is actually from Tupac’s poem book titled the Rose That Grew From the Concrete.  “Turn Adversity into Ambition, now Blossom into Wealth.”

HB: What artists would you say influenced your path in hip-hop?  Not necessarily your music specifically but who got you into hip-hop and who do you listen to?

JS: Jay Z has had a huge influence on me as a Hip Hop Fan , and as an Artist. Whether it’s old Hov or new his music will forever be in rotation. I listen to a ton of Kanye , and Ryan Leslie as well.  However, I don’t only listen to Hip Hop, I like to listen to a lot of Pink Floyd, Michael Jackson, Sam Cooke, The Beatles, John Mayer, Sublime, Adele and more. It helps broaden my horizon and keep my ears open to new sounds and ideas. 

HB: Not being a skater, what brought you to Homebase?  How did we start working together?

JS: The fashion and the movement. In high school , Homebase always had such a tight movement/team and I always admired the way people represent Homebase, whether it was rocking gear, or sticker bombing the shit out of the area!! Homebase created a lifestyle almost. As far as fashion it was and still has freshest street gear out. We started working together with my very first mix tape which most people don’t know unless they are die hard fans. “Never Saw it Coming” , I was just a youngn’ in the game, I came in and spoke to Po about sponsoring the project and donating funds toward the design of my cover. With that being said I pitched my ideas and showed my drive and where I planned on going with my brand and essentially he knew I needed work but knew I had the passion to get somewhere. 

HB: What are we giving away to celebrate the release of your new mixtape, Free Flying III?

JS: We are giving away a $75 Homebase Skateshop Gift Card and a Homebase Prize Pack.  Also some of the Homebase x Abe T-Shirts.

HB: How would you describe Free Flying III?  Who have you worked with for the project? 

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