LA’s Furis has an interview out with the blog Dimes & Dreams. Not familiar with the veteran artist? Can’t blame you since he’s managed to stay under the radar for a number of years but this interview is a great way to get acquainted with the MC. You can learn a little bit about how he got his name, his music, and whats next on the horizon. Check the interview out in full over at D&D or after the jump.
… representing Koreatown, Los Angeles, FURIS is an artist that I discovered a couple of months ago … he has a flow that is always on point and his lyrics are both engaging and eloquent… Furis offers listeners well-crafted tracks on his mixtape, “Float On”… it’s great to listen to from beginning to end and I’m really fond of this mixtape because he’s doing him, there’s no faking or frontin’ in his presentation… check out the Q&A to find out more about who Furis is…
Introduce yourself to the peeps that might not be familiar with you:
My name is Jonathan Chung but everyone calls me Furis. I’m a hip-hop artist from Koreatown, Los Angeles. I rap, produce beats, photos, & film.
What does ‘Furis’ stand for? Is there a particular significance behind the name?
Haha I get this a lot. Funny thing is that it really doesn’t have any meaning to it. Back in late middle school years, me and my buddies all used to write graffiti and we all had names that didn’t have meaning or words you could find in the dictionary. I remember it was me and this DJ homie, I threw him some words and one of them was “furious”, he took out a couple of letters and bam, I started writing “furis” all over the school and everywhere I went and carried that name to when I started rapping. I just ran with it.
When did you start rhyming? And when did you start pursuing music seriously?
I started rhyming when I was 13 years old, a freshman in high school. Pursuing music seriously? Of course I had my ups and downs but I think it happened in the 10th or 11th grade when I released my first EP called “Furistrated” haha. I actually sold over 300 copies just in school $5 a pop. I made more money on my first EP than my latest “Float On” release. haha
How has living in Koreatown influenced your music?
That’s a hard one. I guess everything about it had some kind of influence on me. I haven’t done much traveling so L.A. life is all I know.
There are a lot of artists from Koreatown that have been representing and putting in work, how would you differentiate yourself or your music?
Well, I always try to have a message when I’m writing my lyrics. I probably study life more than I study music these days. I try to make a difference, I try to understand, and I try to be as open minded as I can, I mean my main goal before I die is to have some sort of positive effect on the world or even it it’s just Koreatown.
What’s your favorite track off of your “Float On” mixtape? Why?
If I had to choose one track off my mixtape, then it’ll have to be track number 4. “Batter Up”. Because it kind of summarizes the whole “Float On” project in a way. It’s a very feel good vibe track. Something people can vibe off of and motivate them to go out and do something.
Are you working on any new projects?
Yeah, I’m currently working on my album right now and a couple side projects.
I heard that J. Dilla is your favorite producer of all time. (RIP J. Dilla) Besides him, who’s someone that you’d like to collaborate with?
Yes, J. Dilla is my all time favorite. I would love to work with Blu, Curren$y, Lauryn Hill, Nas, Dwele, Kanye West & more.
Are there other aspects of music besides writing that you do?
Yup, I produce beats and make music videos.
Freestyle or written?
I feel like written is more important but freestyling is fun.
Michael Jordan or Kobe Bryant?
Michael Jordan.
What are your goals for 2011 and beyond?
Making a living off of my music.
If people wanted to work with you / contact you / listen to your music…where’s the best places to find you on the web?
You can find me at http://www.furismusic.com or http://johnnyart.tumblr.com
Thanks for the time Furis…any last minute shout outs?
Shoutouts to my homies Classic, Sean Rhee, Daresay, Chosen, Kayiel, Nice, Phillip, Mike B, Dumb, Nemesyzz, Alex E, K-Town & Dimes and Dreams! Goodlooking out!
a-Tunes 
i really like furis and his music as i been listening to his tracks for awhile ,his music is really good and he needs to get out more.he is way better then the typical youtube artist or everyday mainstrean junk