Urban Vault caught up with 2/3rds of Western Australian Hip Hop trio of Figuero Jones, Black Napoleon aka K9INES, to ask them some questions about their recent GULLY SZN mixtape, the SHAKEY visual & more…

Following the success of ‘Century’ and ‘Juggathon’ hitting screens Australia wide after being added on MTV Australia’s Call and Response HipHop Show, the trailblazing West Australian Hip Hop trio of Figuero Jones, Black Napoleon and ErikiBeatz (K9INES) have announced their third music video offering in ‘Shakey’.

After the K9INES success of accumulating over 500 thousand Spotify streams from their newly released ‘Gully SZN’ project alone, the bouncy banger that is ‘Shakey’ is truly brought to life with the assistance of Perth based videographers Sondar Films. The video further displays the trio’s versatility but also exhibits a more playful, wavy vibe that will keep heads nodding and bouncing the whole way through.

What are your names?

FIGUERO: Figuero Jones
NAPOLEON: Black Napoleon

Where are you from?

FIGUERO: I was born in Sri Lanka but I’ve lived in Singapore, Kuwait, Jordan and now Perth, Australia
NAPOLEON: I was born in Homerton, London to Zambian parents and lived in Perth, Australia the last 8 years

How old are you?

FIGUERO: 23
NAPOLEON: 21

How long have you been making music?

FIGUERO: since a little one
NAPOLEON: since about 18

How many songs/albums have you released to date?

FIGUERO: scattered throughout the web I’ve probably got like 5 mixtapes and a bit more out there aha
NAPOLEON: In total, I’ve worked on 2 group project including ‘GS1’ and one solo mixtape.

Can you tell us about your new mixtape & video, the background, and inspirations behind it?

FIGUERO: ‘Gully SZN’ is all about the team I got called – K9INES. It’s our identity, our aesthetics, what we love and cherish about life. Our lifestyle and the trials and tribulations we face as a crew in the city.
NAPOLEON: ‘Gully SZN’ is a way of lifestyle for our squad, coming up in a small city and just things on a day to day that many other people could relate to.

FIGUERO: In this video, we wanted to capture a bit of history in Perth, capture the brotherhood we have and the vibes to the life we live and operate in. The music video was shot completely in WA and spread throughout the north, south and mid-city areas to highlight the different terrains and vibes of the state. The establishment that this music video was filmed is actually a long-standing historic and iconic nightlife venue, that has had its own trials and tribulations surviving in the city. It’s been burnt down and rebuilt a few times to only stand taller and stronger and bring in the most gorgeous women in on the weekends.

NAPOLEON: I wanted to show us having fun, having a good time and present our cockiness to the world, the hell, we work so hard for it, it’s only right when we get the chance to. most of all I want ‘Shakey’ to bring the city together, to help the city believe that this city really is lit and yes we really can turn this place upside down!

How have you ended up in the music industry?

FIGUERO: my passion, I come from a long line of performers and entertainers. It’s in my DNA
NAPOLEON: Just my love for the game, meaning the way I was raised, Music was what came naturally to me.

What do you think of the music industry in 2019?

FIGUERO: extremely fast growth and pace of progression. Vast variety of options and niches.
NAPOLEON: there’s a very large market for hip and more and more lil sub-genre getting accepted in the game and it’s as global as ever.

What have you got planned for the rest of 2019?

FIGUERO: I plan on bringing y’all another mixtape before the year is done
NAPOLEON: more tunes

What inspires you when you make your music?

FIGUERO: my life haha, like anything
NAPOLEON: everything that surrounds me both the good and bad

Who would you like to collaborate with in the future?

FIGUERO: Future, Young Thug, Young Adz, Lil Keed, Roddy Rich, Gunna, Stunna 4 Vegas, Nafe Smallz and Unknown T
NAPOLEON: Drake, Skepta, Headie One, Yxng Bane, Unknown T, Digga D, D Block Europe, Octavian.

What’s your favorite track at the moment?

FIGUERO: Snake – Lil Keed
NAPOLEON: 2packk- Kilo Jugg

What do you do when your not making music?

FIGUERO: I love working with my team on whatever they’re doing, like help em out with their shits. You know like help develop the mandem and dat aha.
NAPOLEON: On the grind, just kicking it with fam planning the next move.

Which do you prefer, Facebook or Twitter or Instagram?

FIGUERO: right now its a close one between twitter and IG but IG for me.
NAPOLEON: Definitely IG for me but Twitter comes close second but no as much people in Australia use it.

In a few words sum up your thoughts about Urban Vault and what we’re trying to do?

FIGUERO: Ya’ll are willing to offer a platform and showcase up and coming artists in an industry that’s super competitive, shoutout to you guys!
NAPOLEON: making a platform and scene and seeing the talent for talent and not just stats or gimmicks.

Thank you for your time and may you carry on making dope, fresh music…

K9INES – Gully SZN via iTunes/Spotify

https://twitter.com/FigueroJones
https://instagram.com/figuerojones
www.facebook.com/Blacknapoleon6k
https://twitter.com/BlackNapoleon6k
https://instagram.com/napoleonk9
www.facebook.com/ErikiBeatz
https://twitter.com/K9INE6K
https://instagram.com/k9ine.6k