ROX-TV takes an in depth look at Skitzo Michigan’s new book “Water from Cactus” which is slotted to drop at the end of this month. We talk about the man, the music, the scene, and so much more.

Welcome back to the ROX-TV website. We have a real special treat for the readers and fans of the underground sound. Tonight, we will be talking to Monstar Entertainment’s own Skitzo Michigan and he will be joining us in the lab for a walk through of his groundbreaking piece “Water from Cactus“. That’s right, the man has crafted a book about his life and his music….and we have the exclusive sneak peek. You know what I’m talking about…that fresh look past the velvet rope, to see a little farther down the road. It’s my favorite place to be…that elusive zone where most eyes are not allowed to glimpse.

On a side note, it’s nice to be back in the wheel house again at the ROX-TV website. I’ve been gone for the better part of eight months or so. Mostly to work on a few books (including the one we will be talking about tonight) but also to recharge the batteries. I can be found, broke on, for most of the year…but even that manic energy fails from time to time, and I ground out…like a cigarette in an ash tray. I need to get reborn…that requires lots of down time and sometimes a few other things. I’ve been gone…but now I’m back and in the best possible way. I have a dope project to talk about, another book on the way called “The King of Clubs” which some of you might remember as the Harpos book (original references in articles talked about the Harpos Book, which is what I was using as a general reference, but the actual book will be called “The King of Clubs”).

I know, it’s a lot to consume in one bite, but the good news is that you can go at your own pace. In the coming weeks and months, the volume will start to get turned up and those transmissions will grow louder. You won’t be able to ignore it, I promise. So back to the main course tonight…ladies and gentlemen…I give to you Water from Cactus! The life and times of Skitzo Michigan aka Trevon Hobson available later this month on Amazon.

The Kick Off

I can’t help but think of Frank Nitty when I use a sports reference. Anyone who is familiar with Project Born’s orbit will know that Nitty is a sports metaphor assassin. So, here’s to well-timed sports references with relevance. I know that this article is about Water from Cactus, but to tell the story proper, we have to go back to the Gathering of the Juggalos in 2021. Back to the enchanted home of Legend Valley. If you’ve been there, then you know it’s the field of dreams situated in O-H-I-O. I was there with Project Born, promoting “Forever in the Jects” (also available on Amazon).

It was a hot one, and I was dying on the vine. The merch row was completely booked out and we were looking for a place to set up shop and flip a few books. Anyway, I met Skitzo for the first time during that roaster and we became friends. During the course of the day, in between performances at the Clown Drip Stage, we talked about history, politics, Forever in the Jects, and a few other things. He expressed his desire to write a book, but didn’t feel like he was ready to jump in the ring.

I had been listening to his story for a few minutes, when I leaned in and said “bro, you’re ready”. And so it began. We didn’t see much of each other after that due to prior commitments, but the seed was planted. Sometimes when something is good, you just have to create the space to grow. I think that is good advice for artists, writers, or anyone really. If the tune doesn’t sound good, try a different angle or a new instrument, but whatever you do…don’t keep doing whatever it is that is not delivering results in a reasonable amount of time. That would be insanity. I may be crazy in certain circles but I do know when it’s time to change the station. Time doesn’t stand still, stop, or even sight see. If you stop moving, time will leave you behind.

The Turn

So, we had this idea, two collective visions aimed at one target. Our weapon of choice would be the printed word and the delivery would come as it was born out. We would meet on many occasions, often sacrificing our personal time and driving great distances to get the sessions in. The process did slow down at times, but since we both came into the project with that type of understanding, nothing ever felt rushed. We were being given time from the universe to pick up everything we needed and nothing we didn’t. That’s the master class overview anyway.

As time started to add up the months, we kept getting closer to the end goal of the release. Which is now on the launch pad and ready to blast off into reality, whenever Skitzo pushes that button. Of course I will be there with plenty of rocket fuel because you can’t get off the planet without a little Nitrous Oxide. I’m sure the cats at NASA would appreciate that on many levels. Anyway…the pieces have been sliding into their homes…and all is well.

What can a reader expect once they have the book in hand? Well…there is a little something for everyone, whether you’re a devotee of the underground sound (past or present), perhaps have an interest in first hand accounts of the “Crack Wars” which swept across America in the 1980’s, maybe you are a culture fan with a specific interest in PSY and RLP lore, or better yet…you enjoy hearing from the artists and legends themselves. It’s all coming for you and the countdown has already started.

Special Appearances

Let me start this section with a few words from the fanside of things. I grew up with horrorcore/Midwest Indie Underground in the 1990’s before they could properly classify it. I’m not really sure that there has ever been a title that I really could get behind. The Underground is sweeping and expansive…and I feel like the term “horrorcore” just doesn’t do the scene justice but it’s what we have to work with so fuck it. Not everyone in the underground can be neatly classified into a label or a term that really reflects the work they are doing. I hate that part…almost as much as I hate labels for things. To me, a term or label is nothing more than a mental fence or wall that doesn’t need to be there. Fuck limitations and jurisdictions. Do what you works for you, not the direct competition.

So, I grew up with the music and artists that many today refer to as the Legends of the scene. You know the history and you know who did what. ICP, Esham, Natas, Project Born, The Dayton Family, MC Breed, House of Krazees, Top Authority, Awesome Dre, and on it goes forever. This was my world for many years especially in the mid nineties when I was a teenager. I valued the music and the scene, never letting my love for the sounds fade away. Life sometimes cranks up the volume in some areas of my life, but I never forgot. My relationship with the Detroit artists that make up what today we call the Underground/Horrorcore, was always close to my heart. We carry the things that we love and we discard the rest. If anyone wants proof of my devotion to this music scene, all I would say is check out my library in the dining room.

Obviously I didn’t plan on being a writer when I was fifteen. Hell, I hadn’t really planned on it when I was 29 either. I guess what I’m trying to say is that I had no way of knowing this is where my journey would take me, but I’m happy just the same. Writing has allowed me to come into contact with the people that I regarded as super heroes in my teens. All these years later, I’m still pinch myself from time to time.

Mastamind

Underground Legend

Natas/Orthus/Solo Artist

Early on in the book process, Skitzo talked to me about his relationship with Mastamind and what the impact of his mentoring had on him. Mastamind kicked down some knowledge to Skitzo and took him under his wing. The friendship bloomed into a wonderful Orchid of musical creation. As we talked, I told him that having a Legend like Mastamind in the book would be a real treat for the underground fans. I mean come on…you have a member of the notorious Natas outfit in the book talking about things that fans care about. I don’t know if there is anyone more excited than me though. To have Mastamind kick in on a project was absolutely sensational, at least for me. I was a fan first remember. I’ve been on Cloud Nine since we added his contribution to Water from Cactus. I’m always pumped for source artists (Author’s Note: I define source artists as exactly that, an original source, which in my use of the word, refers to OG artists that influenced the current state of affairs in 2023)

Project Born

Underground Legends

Monstar Entertainment

Anyone who is familiar with my writings could have seen this coming a mile away. Project Born, the first group signed to PSY back in the 1990’s, the pioneers of the “Born Dead” series, and the originators of the infamous “Losin It” single that featured Esham back in 1993. Juggalos and UG fans alike will know who these guys are. Fucking legends from the Projects in Flint, the hardest turf in the city. I’ve been there and the reputation is well earned. If you have no business in the projects, stay out. Frank Nitty and Polk D have seen it all over the years and did everything in between. They performed at the first Gathering in Novi, dropped trunk loads of grade-A songs and albums all over the place, and are still on the march after all these years. There was no way I could help tell Skitzo’s story without having these guys in the book. The relevance is there, the quality is there, and Water from Cactus wouldn’t have materialized without them and the GOTJ21. Sometimes the location and the content line up perfectly with the map.

SCUM

LSP Family

I was excited when SCUM kicked in on the project. I first met SCUM out in Denver, at the dopest venue in the 5 Points Neighborhood. I was there covering the Death by Denver (sold out) show which featured Ouija Macc and also performances by SCUM, Cody Manson, and several others affiliated with LSP. This was my first introduction to the Roxy, and it was a great night. After the show I got a chance to chop it up with SCUM. Later in the night…much much later, I woke up to broken balloons, weed smashed into the carpet, Mosh Pit Mike sleeping sideways, half inside a small closet, ten thousand Modello beer cans littered about, the Rude Boy and DJ Carlito chilling in the next room…. basically the stuff of underground legends. (For the record, I woke up close to check out time…at least I think. The party had raged in the alley for hours and somehow I came to a rest on the only couch in the living room. Sorry if that was alot of information in a tiny paragraph, I’ve seen alot and done alot, so when the memories bubble up to the surface, I just let it go. But SCUM is featured in the book and I was honored to have the LSP Family on board.

Lyte

Monstar Entertainment

Obviously the underground needs no introduction to Lyte. The founder of Monstar Entertainment has been assembling a group of artists to take their message to the people, and that’s exactly what is happening. With the recent signings of Project Born and Skitzo to Monstar Entertainment, the future is heating up. I first met Lyte at the Wiked Wood video set for “New Sh!t” featuring Lyte and Project Born. In between taping the video, I got a chance to talk with Lyte and I enjoyed the process. He was even dope enough to sign an autograph for my daughter, which is a class move no matter how you cut it. We had to have Lyte in the book and he agreed for a sit down before the Monstar Christmas show. Just like with the other cats I’ve mentioned, it was an honor to have him participate in the book.

Coming Full Circle

So the grind never stopped and I think that is important. No matter how shitty things are today, just hold on, because the TURN can come at any time. The only thing I’d recommend is to be ready when that TURN comes. Opportunities will not wait for the un-prepared participant. Stationary objects are the worst because by the time they build up enough speed for the opportunity…most of the time that window has closed, the distance separating the previously stationary person and the next door becomes too great.

This is really how it is. I know because I’ve experienced it many times over the decades (in all walks of life). Action is rewarded with change and freeze frame people are rewarded with nothing but a false sense of security I guess. But even that falls away with enough time. When the dust settles, don’t be the guy or girl standing around…wondering how it happened to you. Don’t wait for that shit. Go out and make it happen. Woulda, shoulda, coulda…..garbage party my friends. I did, I did, I did…should be the only mantra. Even if you’re a totally fucking crazy idiot, be the best fucking crazy idiot that you can be. Own it. I shouldn’t have waited so long to get writing these articles again. I feel like a decent amount of pressure has been tanked up so get ready for another geyser of content in the coming months. If it matters or is important to the culture and I can be there, I will.

So, the name of the book is “Water from Cactus” and features the life and times of Skitzo Michigan. I must warn you ahead of time that there are some hard moments in the book, where Skitzo has to come to terms with sexual abuse suffered as a young child, the harrowing times during the 1980’s when his mother was lost to the streets, the death of his best friend by gun violence, selling dope and the price paid, and of course the music side of things. Skitzo is going into bold ground with his music and the content. It might not be popular to say some of the things that he does, but in twenty years’ time, he will be proven right. I can already see some of it.

Signing Off,