Recently, I had a chance to talk to the up-and-coming Hip-Hop duo RIBKAT AND JOSY B. They’ve already had a placement in the Oscar-nominated film the The Wrestler, a 2008 Hollywood Music Award nomination and an Effigy Award for best Hip Hop song in 2009 under their belts. They recently released their latest album Theory of Addicts and it looks like 2010 is going to be a good year for Tak and Josy B.

The chemistry between the two of you is undeniable, how did you meet and what made you start performing together?

I wrote a song called “Redrum” and I really wanted a female to sing the chorus I had written, and then, what do you know? With the snap of a finger, I was introduced to a cute, vivacious Puerto Rican girl with amazing vocals that went by the name of Josy B. Shortly  after the recording, I realized our chemistry was so magnetic and decided to release the song as our first single, which did great overseas, and we continued to work together from that point on

What is the first song you ever wrote together?

It was a song called ‘Reveriez” which happened to be our first single from our new album Theory of Addicts. You can get a free download of our album at www.RIBKATANDJOSYB.COM. I strongly encourage all you folks out there to come join us and get yourself a free copy!

Tak, you’ve been in the game a long time with groups like Styles of Beyond and Fort Minor, how is RIBKAT AND JOSY B. different?

For starters, I’ve never done an entire project with a female. Another is I got a chance to reinvent myself and showcase my music production and songwriting ability in a way the fans have never heard or would ever expect. Our sound is more electro-pop tip with a fusion of 80′s music and early 90′s Hip Hop in it’s prime. I never considered myself to be a rapper for the most part, but more of a songwriter who was always intrigued by the art of storytelling, with the soul of a musician.

Josy B., you’ve had the opportunity to work with the legendary Dr. Dre, tell us about the experience.

It was an awesome opportunity and a great learning experience. At the time, Dre was doing the soundtrack for a movie called El Diablo and we worked together to write some lyrics in Spanish for a track that was used for one of the scenes. The song turned out great! He was a really fun and down-to-earth guy and it was an honor to have worked with the Dr.

Josy B., you seem to love fashion, does your style influence your music and stage persona?

Fashion is my love!!! I’m addicted to accessories and colorful bags. What I wear is who I am which has a lot of influence not only with the music that I do but on stage as well. I don’t try to think too hard about what I’m going to wear when I perform. I’m very versatile with my visions and mood and sometimes I throw something together spontaneously, so you never know what I may be wearing when I come out!

Your new album Theory of Addicts was just released, what tracks are you most excited to perform live?

To be honest, we get excited to perform all of our songs because we love our album! We don’t use profanity in any way and we strongly believe in unifying a nation of people young and elderly through a positive medium of enjoyable music with an innovative energy behind it.

If you could collaborate with any other artist/s who would it be?

A man-made android combining the DNA of Culture Club, Talking Heads, Human League, Huey and the News, Tears for Fears, Public Enemy, Tribe Called Quest, LL Cool J., Leaders of the New School, with a splash of Michael Jackson.

What’s the game plan for 2010?

To infect the world with a plague called “Good Honest Music”

–Sheena Felix

From time to time I am going to offer up some music that makes me, for one reason or another, all bubbly inside. I will call these periodical offerings the True Goat Music series.

Basically, I just wanted to do my part to help you feed your music player with a steady toe-tapping, groove healthy diet. Also, staying true to the Musicgoat mantra, I will be recommending old and new music from genres and styles all over the map.

Here you go…over the last month or so these are a few artists that have made my spring in Minnesota the beez kneez. Read below and see if you anything fits.

Donovan Frankenreiter – Move By Yourself – I saw a write up on him on iTunes last spring and I remembered his name from when I saw him open for Jack Johnson on the “On and On” tour. I picked this album up and it didn’t leave my cd player for at least a month.

Outside of his original acoustic sound he has a serious 70′s style groove going on all over this this album. When listening to this album you get the feeling that Donovan is a pretty laid back guy, someone who is taking life in stride by stride. He will translates that feeling to you flawlessly since many of the songs are perfect 10′s on the infectious scale. With the grooves and attitude gushing out of Donavan you can’t help but get the feeling that he doesn’t have any problem getting laid.

Favorite song is Fool. Straight blues baby. This album is best served with a lot of sunshine and a hacky sac (cocktails optional).

Matisyahu – Live At Stubbs – If you like your music with a bit of reggae, a dash of hip hop, and spiritual overtones for some unlikely inspiration, than you will dig this.

Check out “Chop ‘em Down” and be careful, this song is sticky. My 4 year old song was walking around the house for days humming this. Note to beatbox fans everywhere, you have to check out his song entitled “Beatbox.” The things the guy can do with a mouth and mic.

Coolest part about this album you get it as a free music download, right now, at a site called eMusic
. Serve with good friends and a nice relaxed outdoor setting.

Van Halen – Fair Warning – I don’t mention them because they are back in the news but because they are just damn good. The album you never hear about flat out rocks from start to finish.

You might have to be a guitar player to truly appreciate some of what I think is Eddies best work, if not take my word for it. Meanstreet and Hear About it Later both rule. Unchained and So This is Love will put you in the mood to party. If your not cruising around in your car on a sunny day serve with cold beer, some buddies and and some good looking women.

That does it for this addition of True Goat Music. Grab some new music from the artist above and put them into heavy summer rotation. You won’t regret it.