DJ Rude One Talks "Poppy Seed Buns" and Boombastic 2022

I met DJ Rude One outside The Double Door in 2008. I was outside waiting to interview Dilated Peoples, he was there meeting The Alchemist to discuss that evening’s Goodness after party for said Dilated Peoples concert. Since then, Rude has become a close friend, frequent collaborator, and sometimes spiritual advisor for me.

In 2016 we released his solo debut, ONEdreful, an LP that featured Roc Marciano, West$ide Gunn, Conway, SHIRT, Your Old Droog, and others. The LP was ahead of it’s time. I’m sure if it was released today, would be a smash.

Since 2016, Rude and I have talked a lot about a new LP, there are beat folders with artist names, long conversation about dream features, and as of now, a new single that puts the plan into motion - “Poppy Seed Buns” with Wiki.

In this short interview, I talked to Rude about working with Wiki, the direction of his new LP, and the upcoming Boombastic taking place Sunday at The California Clipper featuring a headline set from The Large Professor.

RTC: You moved away from Chicago like 6 or 7 years ago now, but come back routinely to visit/DJ and keep up Boombastic – how important is that for you to keep doing? Why do you keep returning to Chicago?

DJ Rude One: This will be my first time back in Chicago for Boombastic since 2019.  We kept it online the last 2 years due to the pandemic. That said, we return to Chicago because Chicago is the home of Boombastic. Reggie Destin and Seven started this in Wicker Park in 2000. 

RTC: Boombastic started as pirate radio in Wicker Park – what’s the spirit of this annual event? How did that represent the mission, and the person that inspired it?

DJ Rude One: I’d say it’s all the people and our community that have been rocking together so tough all these years. I’m pretty sure that’s what Reg and Seven set out to do from the jump, and it’s crazy how they’re still able to bring all of us together year after year.

RTC: This year you are moving in-doors, and bringing on some heavy-hitters and headliner Large Professor, for people that came every year and drank in the park or listen on the their radio, how will this compare? Can you talk about this next step?

DJ Rude One: Man, as much as we wanted to bring everyone together in the park again like we used to, pre-pandemic, this year is different. This month marks the 10 year anniversary of Reggie’s passing and we really wanted to take it up a notch and focus on remembering, and celebrating, him properly. Plus, Halloween was his favorite holiday and planning an outdoor event on Halloween in Chicago wouldn’t be easy weather-wise 

RTC: In 2016, we released ONEderful, (purchase on vinyl here) it featured songs with some artists that are really shining and having moments – Conway, W$G, Roc Marciano, Droog, SHIRT... Why do you think the broader audience has come around to these artists? Do you ever think ONEderful was ahead of its time?

DJ Rude One: I just think they’re all super dope, so it was inevitable their fanbases would swell as more and more people discovered them. And I’m not sure it was ahead of its time, but I will say I think it’s going to hold up well. I’m dumb proud of it.

RTC: I have always encouraged you to make music, and we’ve talked for hours about putting together songs, artists to work with etc... What made you start to get active on the new music now?

DJ Rude One: I really don’t know the answer to that. Everything just feels in its right place at the moment 

RTC: We are released “Poppy Seed Buns” with Wiki this week. What do you think of this record? Why Wiki?

DJ Rude One: I’m really glad I got to do something with Wiki. I wasn’t really up on him until “No Mountains in Manhattan”, and his song “Jalo” still resides on every playlist or in just about every dj set I’ve done since I heard it.

RTC: That session was a lot of fun. Wiki is the type of New Yorker that I love, and it was one of those sessions that made me appreciate and understand his music – that I’d been listening to for years – even more. Like, OK... I get it now. What was your impression of working with him? Did you gain any insights into who he is as an artist?

DJ Rude One: Man, I just really like that he takes his craft serious enough to meet me in the studio and get it crackin’ from there. He wrote his rhyme to the the beat and we recorded it together. Much more of a collaborative process than a transactional one.

RTC: Without giving too much away, how do you feel this new music is coming along so far? What’s the approach this time around, especially when some people maybe expecting ONEderful 2.

DJ Rude One: I’m geeked about it, and it’s pretty much the same approach as always - make shit that bangs with like minded artists that I’m also a fan of. So…while that’s basically all I did on ONEderful, I will say this new album does utilize auto-tune at one point so beware

 RTC: You’ve been stuck in a city without a decent hotdog for almost a decade now – how do you even manage?

DJ Rude One: I can’t remember the last time I even wanted a hot dog. S/O to Wieners Circle though.

RTC: Last question – and I think we are all dying to know this answer... What’s the guestlist looking like for Boombastic? You know I’d love to support.

DJ Rude One: Bro…