Stylz It one-on-one discussion with Patrick "Curly-Lox" Gaynor, one half of the Twin of Twins duo, was very enlightening, as it relates to his views and concerns about the state of the music industry, and other issues. Stylz It now brings you the other half of one of the most controversial team in dancehall, Paul "Tu-Lox" Gaynor; often described by fans as the "Quiet one in the Twins". He had a lot to say to Stylz It! 

Stylz It: Paul, welcome to STYLZ IT. We did an interview with Patrick recently and we asked him about the Stir It up Vol.11 Mixtape. My question to you is what do you think about the progression of the mix tapes from Vol.1 to now? Have the twins experienced growth and maturity over the years?

Tu Lox: Well personally, I think the progression of our mixtapes have been tremendous as the volumes 1 through 11 speak for themselves and as it relates to growth and maturity I have been able to learn so much about this game called music/comedy; and as we always say we do this from real life experiences and with life comes maturity should you choose to accept. So I would say I definitely have applied myself to growth and maturity, likewise my brother.

Stylz It: A lot of times people work together due to a common factor or goal, and a chemistry develops. On the other hand we've seen persons split up due to not having the same vision, artistes and artistes, manager and artiste, artiste and label not getting along. What do you think causes this musical segregation?

Tu Lox: In this earth there are people and persons will always have conflict which in most cases lead to segregation, it’s really sad but true, that there are those among us who impose their beliefs and ideals on others and if the person facing such imposition does not accept the imposed beliefs or opinions of such person will automatically lead to segregation. Conflicts have been around from the beginning of time. In most cases, conflicts derive from differences in opinions, jealousy etc. It's how we deal with these conflicts which often times result in separation or segregation (residential or otherwise). In order for any business or relationship to be successful, there has to be an initiation of a goal and all parties involved must aim toward achieving the main goal. And, as it relates to musical separation / segregation it's partially the same but most musical conflicts often derive from lack of proper business knowledge, professionalism, and inflamed egos.

Stylz It: You always had a passion for fashion, and over the years artistes would represent their character with a brand. (Example; Bounty Killer in full black attire. Ninja Man in ninja outfit). How important is fashion in the dancehall/reggae arena? Have we lost our creativity or is it a case where we adopt this “wear wah mi have” culture?

Tu Lox: I would say dancehall has a lot of factors that contribute to its rise to the top as a musical genre between the late 80's to the 90's. But, I would credit the fashion that dancehall artistes used to wear for a lot of the interest garnered toward the genre. In those times dancehall was never dependent only on sound or mere talent of an artiste. It was the full package; the minute you see a dancehall artiste it was evidently clear just by the fashion. I like to call it the "team jersey effect". I personally don't think we (dancehall) have lost our creativity. It's just that with time generations change and for example if the generation before finds it unimportant to educate the younger generation of dancehall they can't even be blamed for the present state of dancehall as it relates to fashion or otherwise.

Stylz It: What are your thoughts on image (style, character) with the Twin of Twins brand? How important is to maintain that certain code?

Tu Lox: As with any business whatsoever; whether it's music or otherwise image is always important. For example, if you walk into a store and you see rows of fruits, subliminally you will choose the one in the better package without even an inkling of notice towards the fact that you chose the fruit-based solely on packaging . Proper packaging or image is important for entertainers to maintain in order to be more desired by their fans. As it relates to Twin of Twins, we always reinvent image at every interval where we see fit. So the image is very important to the upward mobility of any business / artiste.

Stylz It: Explain, “Twin of Twins in a conscious state of mind” versus “the expectation of Dancehall Fans”. When fans expect to hear songs calling out other artiste names, we get a song like “Shoes like Mine”. How do you maintain that balance?

Tu Lox: For anyone who is a fan of Twin of Twins work will know that there is a consciousness to us that we integrate into our work at all times. At the first implementation of our “Stir It Up” series I think people used to mostly listen for laughs but as time progressed the legion of fans that we garnered over time started to accept the message as well as the laughter. And, as it relates to maintaining a balance between our fans who expect us to stick to name calling or any one thing in particular are far and few in between. Our true fans know that whatever we feel is what we put out.

Stylz It: How important is recognition and credits to Paul 'Tu-Lox' Gaynor?

Tu Lox: Appreciation is a fundamental human need; everyone especially employees respond gleefully to the showing of appreciation expressed through recognition of his or her good work, because it confirms that their work is good and is valued. When employees, for example, are valued for their good work, their satisfaction and productivity rise and they are motivated to maintain and improve their good work. So being the egalitarian I am "yes, whatever I do I like to be properly credited" be it major or minor as long as I make any effort whatsoever toward any project I should be respected and credited for my (our) work.

Stylz It: Patrick was asked these questions and Stylz It is putting them to you also. With the recent upsurge in crime and violence, do you think there is a positive role that Reggae/Dancehall artistes can play in allowing this to end? Is there something that the government is not looking into? What should be the direct approach taken in crime fighting?

Tu Lox: Yes, I believe that reggae/dancehall artiste has a major role to play as it relates to stemming crime and violence. Let me be quick to point out that I'm in no way saying that reggae/dancehall is the main cause of crime and violence, but due to the fact that the music is a huge part of our popular culture it has made its I'm sure "unintended" contribution toward crime and violence so with this undeniable fact, I can clearly state that if mainly "dancehall" artiste can make lyrical contributions toward crime I definitely believe the artiste can and should take more responsible steps toward its reconstruction. Our leaders, in my opinion, have taken blind steps toward fixing crime. First of all, if they (the leaders) even try to make a genuine effort toward eradicating poverty e.g. more government funded feeding programs etc. Bob Marley said it best "a hungry man is an angry man", I'm in no way making excuses for people who commit crimes but if you can't find even your basic necessities then you will apply yourself to the first law of life which is self-preservation. Also, the police can't and will never be able to properly  fight  without  proper recourses, something also needs  to be done in relation to the fact that a lot of cops will never be able to resist  the temptation to accept corruption bribery etc. if they were properly compensated for their ever-present dangerous job and that's just two factors among the copious amounts of ways to stem crime.

STYLZ IT: Do you think that social media is helping the music industry of hurting it? 

Tu Lox: Social media is helping and hurting the music industry. It gives your product instant access to the entire world hence its great in the aspect of promotion. But, there's also a downside to the Internet and social media on a whole, it's called “over-promotion” it can be just as devastating as "no promotion". For example, if you are a performing artiste and you go live on Instagram / Facebook or whatever social platform on too much of a regular basis with little or no content, no one in their right mind will pay to see you perform anywhere, so automatically you end up hurting the brand you worked so hard to achieve. So basically in all things, a balance is needed.

STYLZ IT: Final question to you, if you could distinguish yourself and Patrick as it relates to a Malcolm X and a Martin Luther King Jr or even a Marcus Garvey and Paul Bogle. Who Would Paul and Patrick be?

Tu Lox: Well, first of all, it's an honor to even think of being compared to any of these great men but without any comparison relating to them, I can safely say that no two people are alike so with that said even though we contain identical DNA we differ in many ways. My brother and I have many similar interests but differ in others like with most siblings it's a total norm. My personality is more on the serious side but very comical in the sense that when I speak at times without any intention at all to make anyone laugh; as soon as I speak everyone is rolling on the ground with laughter thus giving my brother the idea to coin the term dark comedy, because of how nonchalant I am when I add any kind of comical value to our projects. My brother is more on the comical side but he also has other sides, which has nothing to do with comedy. He can write a song today about something that will make u laugh to death and in ten minutes after he can take you through another revolutionary song, which has absolutely nothing to do with comedy. So to compare my (ourselves) to any one of these great men would mean I would have to simultaneously be compared to all the above depends on the side of us your desire to know about.