

After recent billboard success with the latest installment of the Stir It up Vol.11 Mixtape. Stylz It recently had a discussion with Patrick (Curly Lox ) Gaynor, one half of the musical duo Twin of Twins where we discussed the music industry, the art of songwriting, the state of Jamaica as it relates to crime and much more. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Stylz It!
Stylz It: Patrick, welcome to Stylz It, first of all; tell us about the latest Mixtape "Stir It Up Volume 11" and give us a brief synopsis of what this mixtape entails?
Curly Lox: Stir It Up Volume Eleven is written based on my own personal experiences both good and bad. it is the embodiment of my spiritual growth and personal maturity. Above all, it is my personal testimony to the power within me that one can truly make a hell of heaven or heaven of hell.
Stylz It: A lot of groups often have breakups due to conflict of interest, what keeps you and Paul as a collective force?
Curly Lox: What keeps us together is an uncommon bond forged through struggle and mainly my ability to choose to see the blessings in all situations good and bad and to be fueled or motivated by them and that I've been blessed with a wide capacity to forgive because I understand things differently than most people, particularly that everyone spiritually knows right from wrong so I don't have to argue with any of my fellow humans and as such conflict for me remains avoidable.
Stylz It: Being a past songwriter for Bounty Killer, what is the thought process that takes place when you put pen to paper? How difficult is it to make that transition?
Curly Lox: My personal take as a writer is that there is something higher than Patrick ( Curly Lox) Gaynor that is at work. When I write I'm taken to a zone where I'm being instructed by a higher force. My ability to put the puzzle of what I'm being shown together in a sensible articulate way is my only talent . I give all the glory to that great spirit or force that uses me. As for the transition into stardom, it came about quite naturally; it wasn't my timing but the work of that super natural force that leads me. Regardless of what I or others thought my destiny was going to be, I now know it was already written.
Stylz It: We find a lot of persons coming out of the dark about not getting credits for their work. How important is to you and what are the necessary steps that talented artiste such as yourself need to take in order to not be a victim?
Curly Lox: It is very important for me to be individually recognized and credited for my work as it is representative of my life and purpose. Because I chose to heed the instructions of the higher force which is a great sacrifice in a world where ninety-five percent of people are afraid to find and live out their purpose. This is mainly because of what others think, yet I chose to do the right thing despite the hatred and contempt I face when I committed to my choice. Because of all I faced, I will not allow anyone to take anything from me. This is me "doing "what I was born to "do" and for anyone to take that from me is the spiritual assassin by suffocation. I would advise all people, not just artistes to stand up to the tyranny of those pimps who want to come to work late and put their name on their work and get employee of the month, also copyright and register your works.
Stylz It: Explain the concept behind “Everybody’s Fool”? Is it someone in particular you were making these references to in the song?
Curly Lox: The concept comes from my own personal experiences where people who you try your best to please are eternally ungrateful and will always forget your prior kindness when you're unable to help at a particular time. Everything I write about is based on references to someone or something as it is everything that surrounds me that inspire what I write.
Stylz It: Flashback a bit to your book “Road To Zion”. You gave us deep details about the musical challenges you and Paul had to face while trying to establish yourself in the music industry. Do you find it's much easier now for an artiste to get that “Buss”?
Curly Lox: once upon a time in order for an artist to "buss" they had to be good at the music and had to have a style that made them excel because it was only about the music. Now, however, it's more about marketing. While I believe everything has its place or value we've lost our balance. It is now very easy for people with the advent or advancement of the Internet to be recognized. "Buss," on the other hand is a totally different thing that most people think is the same as it once was. The difference is , everyone can now be popular with relative ease, however, this blurs the line between fan and artiste as most fans now consider themselves stars and are in a subliminal competition with the artiste. Therefore it creates a need for artistes in order to truly excel, to work even ten times as harder. The irony is , the artistes that are working ten times as hard is being recognized ten times less because of the new mindset that creates the new mold of artistes who think that because they now have the Internet that they shouldn't put in all that work into honing their craft and that all they need is controversy to draw attention but fail to recognize that if they don't have what keeps the attention they will fail and as such results in a decline of great music because of lacking the main ingredient that one made it truly great.
Stylz It: 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?
Curly Lox: Yes, I believe there is a positive role that reggae and dancehall artiste can play that can lead to a significant dent in crime. However, the truth is most humans will follow the money. Doing good in hell like we do takes tremendous sacrifice and strength. The root of all evil is popular culture. The sad truth is the need for people to fit in and belong far eclipses the need to do the right thing which they all know but will choose wrong, not because they think it is right but simply because everyone else is doing it. Because of fantasies of power and grandeur these artiste who grew up seeing Bounty "killing for fun" and threatening to show his "nine" if he ever goes hungry while making millions will proceed in the same direction without consideration of what Bounty the man stood up for when he sang those lyrics. Now they've become just like the same politicians they used to complain about to the extent of issuing guns to illiterate youth. I understand that all things have their place but where is the positive revolution that would make this violence they popularize necessary? The government whether they like it or not need to adopt and reemployment democratic socialism. They need to minimize or regulate the use of the Internet for it is this demonic evil in the palm of our hands who's popular culture have destroyed our country.
Stylz It: When we look back at your career, you’ve never let yourself be constrained by any format. You have done music, mixtapes with humor and social commentary, author, etc. What allows Patrick Gaynor to think outside the box?
Curly Lox: Because it is the man that makes the box through fear in an attempt to contain because he only uses his sight but it is God or the universal architect within me who created man and all his fears. It is this architect that allows me to see beyond the box with my vision.
Stylz It: This may be a tricky question and I want you to break down your choice for me? Which of the “Wailers” do you consider yourself and Paul when it comes to attitude and why?
Curly Lox: I liken myself more like Bob Marley and my brother like Peter Tosh because I'm a more balanced individual who've always assessed and applied a specific attitude to a situation I deem to require it when needed. My brother at one point more than now was more one way than the other in his views.
Stylz It: Thank you very much, Patrick, for another in-depth interview and I must ask a closing question. If you could go way back to the past and you met a young Bob Marley, Alton Ellis, Jimmy Cliff, Dennis Brown, what would you tell them about the state of the music and what advice would you give them?
Curly Lox: I would tell them that the legacy they left for us is being destroyed by the corporate greed they devoted their lives to fight against but that it isn't totally a lost because there are a few of us who dare to hold on to the hope that the spirit that guided them in their times to fight for change, reformation and love will one day manifest through our courage. My advice would be as it relates to the state of the music is" FORGIVE THEM FOR THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO"
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