I am a big fan of the underground music scene, and I wanted to find some emerging talent in the 757 and get some of their views on hip hop.

Justin Battle and Gabe Niles

In particular, I wanted to interview a collective that calls themselves Rebel E.

Rebel E consists of a group of individuals who came together to create something they like and want to share it with the world. Not only are they buzzing locally, they have also gone on tour and taken their sound to places such as Athens, Georgia and Tennessee. With the work they have done so far, they could easily become the next generation of hip hop stars to come out of Hampton Roads.

Initially I wanted to get a group of about six of the members to have the discussion, but ended up with two. Gabe Niles and Justin Battle. But it was just as well because even with these two alone, it turned out to be an intriguing interview from the start. Rather than at a bar or maybe a coffee shop, Gabe called my cell that morning and suggested we do the interview at the Chrysler Museum of Art. Apparently, he and Battle had driven past and saw a sign announcing that the museum is now offering free general admission. We agreed that it was the more fiscally responsible thing to do, and met there.

Before we get started, who or what is Rebel E actually?

Battle: What I’ve always liked to say is there is no actual meaning. I just like to say Rebel E is everything and everyone.

Gabe: [laughs] It’s just a name, we didn’t have a name, somebody just came up with it to have a name.

Nice, well I mean sometimes being random is key, you just have to take it and roll with it. Anyway so who all is in Rebel E? I remember when I first moved to the area and I heard about all of you, I thought it was like four or five members. Come to find out it’s like nine or ten people, correct?

Battle: Well actually Rebel E started out with Ced Hughes, Shawn Jones, Michelle Young from North Carolina; she sings and plays guitar. Then I met Ced, and I was added to the equation. Max Mega, of course. Gabe Niles. And shortly after that, you have Viktron, Jane who goes to Howard (she’s from D.C.). Hmm who else… Arty Ziff; Chromatic Crescendo–Vince Jones, TuanAnh Vu, Kyle Knox, Javon Copeland & Raphael Lambriola; EJ; oh, and Dante Lewis.

Is it hard managing all those sounds and talents?

Members of the Rebel E family: Max Mega, The Viktron, Gabe Niles, Myron (background, in white tshirt), Justin Battle (foreground, in baseball cap), Dante Lewis (far right, in glasses). Photo | Howard Tarpey

Battle: Mmm, we come together to make a sound, but then with that being said there is different inspiration; like funk, blues, a little rock, early 80s pop. I also like the cultured type stuff, the more psychedelic regions of music where it’s strictly crazy sounds, and it’s more of an ambiance.

How do you guys feel about hip hop music right now versus in the past? I’m not sure when you guys were born, but I’m really a fan of the music from the late 80s to the 90s.

Battle: Mhmm.

Cause right now I feel like a lot of music that you hear on the radio is garbage. What is your take on that?

Gabe: Basically, I’m young. Growing up I was never really into hip hop or rap, to be honest with you. When I started listening to it, I missed out on the whole phase when Wu-Tang, Biggie, Tribe, and all that were hot. At that time I was listening to other things but I had gone back later and I ended up being a fan of Tribe, but I still never really got into Biggie or Tupac or any of that for real. [laughs] I cant really try and drag out this long history of hip hop. You don’t even need to focus on that one genre, it’s whatever…

Battle: Its artistry now; the game has turned into artistry.

The big idea like the last two years was “hip hop is dead.” Do you agree?

Battle: I’d say then it depends on if you were someone listening to hip hop or R&B or even rock. It’s whatever. What I like to think happens now is the older generation and the younger generation mix together. Older people are listening to music that is more focused to a younger group and vice versa. You can see it in songs all the time. People will sample from older songs, or on a more extreme level do remakes of songs.

Two things that go hand in hand with one another, like it does with you guys–fashion and music…

[The two of them had just come from thrifting, and Battle was wearing one of the things he picked up. It was like a robe/poncho/hoodie hybrid. He was also rocking a pair of tortoise pattern frames.]

Battle: The big topic of our generation… Honestly, my fashion is a representation of my music, you know what I’m saying?

Gabe: Yeah, it’s like instinctive. Music and fashion shouldn’t be a topic; it should be whatever you feel. The beauty of it all is people have such open minds, and I love it. You can get away with just about anything and do whatever you want. Like with my music, I am working on some new shit where I am singing on it; I can’t really sing but I can get away with it. Just like how Battle is wearing his Moses hoodie! [laughs]

[laughing] It’s all good man, its dope to me. So with the idea of fashion in the air, what trends do yall think should die?

Gabe: Mmm good question. Um girls in jean skirts, denim mini skirts…

Battle: I think those damn skirts with the shorts underneath…

Yeah, skorts is what they are called.

Battle: Yeah, all that mess. Um what else, those denim jackets that are like cut off near the ribs.

Gabe: Let’s just roast the females right now! [laughs]

What do you think about people buying stuff just because the price tags are expensive?

Battle: Yeah man, people need to leave that alone. People don’t buy enough cultural wear or vintage type gear… Everyone now is a follower. They need to do their own thing. If I were to meet five people in VA, most likely three of them will be dressed the same. It’s whack.

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