The Source: J Rocka + Sarai Knowledge, for those who aren’t yet glued in to your sound as artist, can you introduce yourselfs to our readers.
J-Rocka: Well J-Rocka stands for Justice; justice for people, justice for everyone. Just Be Records was formulated back in 2008, and it stands for Justice-Unity-Strength-Truth to be Blessed Eternally.

Sarai K: And I’ll be Saria Knowledge; Saria is actually the mother of all nations, she’s the wife of Abraham in the bible. I was born in the Phillipines, I grew up in New Orleans and then move to the eastcoast to Boston. Now I’m here in California, So I feel as if my message on music is worldwide. In uniting and bringing a common formula which is music to the people.

The Source: You guys have a unique, spiritual hip hop tone, what inspired to go that direction?
J-Rocka: An artist is dwelling into the unknown when you go for creation, so for us we feel greatful and thankful for the messages that we receive. We don’t formulate personal opinions towards the message or gear towards the message. We are just hontly greatful for the message that is given.

Saria K: I grew up in a spiritual upbringing in a baptist household, so I grew up singing in choir and church and I also studied a vast array of other religions. So for me the creative process is from the devine, from the source, the creator. And it flows through us and we don’t really have a choice at what the gift is that’s offered. The message that we bring is devine, it’s positive and it’s inspiring. It’s for the generation, it’s for the people now, it’s for the next generation, it’s for all of us.

The Source: J Rocka, as a youth, who did you look up to as an emcee and why?
J-Rocka: Amongst my favorite, I’ll have to say it started off with “A Tribe Called Quest”, De La Soul, The Roots, Common, Black Thought, and Wu Tang. I’d say were my major influences throughout the 90’s and that of all I’ll groups like Zion-I, Slum Village, and J-Live.

Saria K: Since I lived in New Orleans, I grew up listening to Jazz music and when I moved to the coast, I started listening to funk music. George Clinton had so much influence in hip-hop music, I listened to “A Tribe Called Quest” and “De La Soul”. After that I found so much intelligence in hip hop that I became a deciple. I was drawn into mixtapes and listened to underground music. I found so much teachings in it and culture.

The Source: When did your love for hip-hop evolved to the point where you wanted to become an emcee?
J-Rocka: I’ve been writing and emceeing since 96’ I’ve been freestyling, but the song writing process started to build around 99’- 2000. I started taking the songwriting creative process a lot more serious around 2005 and 2006.

Saria K: I’ve been singing and writing, poems and songs playing the guitar and piano. But I never realize my coutrue was actually rhymes until I moved to the bay. There are so many street musicians here that I was just kickin’ it on the streets and flow. And not realizing that what flow was were just rhymes and I can create songs with it. And as a female, I can be a “femcee”, you know. So that’s what started it for me.

The Source: I understand you come from a long bloodline of singers/song writers and musicians; would like to share ?

Sara K: Absolutely, I grew up listening to Whitney Houston, Sade, Diana Ross and my aunts and uncles and cousins they all play instruments. In my bloodline there’s a ritual where the first nail you cut off. You take that first nail and place it inside of your guitar. And so trying to extend the bloodline of musicians and singers in my family so not only is it in my culture, but it’s a tradition with in my family to hold that root. So I feel that I’m carrying that with me in all my music with everything I do.

The Source: How did you guys find each other as artist?
J-Rocka: We originally connected back in Massachusetts, we stayed in touch
and reconnected out in California. We were both doing I own separate things, Syria finished school and I was out here working random jobs.

The Source: Since working together, have you witness a change in how your styles as artist?

Sarai K: Absolutely, J-Rocka has been an inspiration to me, since he’s been writing rhymes for a long time that he’s diffidently inspired me and helped me to stay positive. I’ve been writing songs for a long time so in that structure also I believe that I’ve also inspired him.

The Source: Are there any artists you would like to work with in the future?
J-Rocka: We hope to work with any and all artist that believe in hope and change. Striving to bring a message of a better day to their fans and to the people around the world. Its just about uniting, the music is about unity, peace, and love. So any artist that wants to unite people together

Sarai K: We look up to so many producers and artist that have possibly made us who we are. So if we were to give names, it would take forever.

The Source: Five years from now, what can we expect from J Rocka + Sir-rye Knowledge
J-Rocka: J- Rock and Sarai will be all over the world bringing the message of Hope, Peace, Love, and Unity.

Sarai K: We’re definitely looking forward to wash out a lot of evil things in the music industry. This is really a great time for any artist to rise, because what’s going on with the economy and world issues. Giving the chance for the people to actually choose what they want to hear with online availabilities. People are in need of hope and change… I diffidently see J-Rocka and Sarai having a longevity in the game.

The Source: Where can we check you for new music and show dates?
J-Rocka: We’ll be performing at The Source sponsored and Ed Hardy sponsored fashion show this November 6th.

Sarai K: It’s going to be an incredible event, neo soul, real hip-hop fashion show. Beautiful people, good music and good vibe so you show check it out!