Portrait of a Young Artist: Ajahne Santa Anna of C.R.U.M.B.S.

This week's student artist is senior Ajahne Santa Anna. He, along with senior Connell Cloyd, make up the group C.R.U.M.B.S. The name of their record label, which Ajahne started with senior Alex Ramirez, is Ironmic. Ajahne (a.k.a. Broken Science, his stagename) and Connell (a.k.a. Tenth Noble) started a tradition of rapping in Hotung caf?© and have paved the way for other artists to start their own labels. Luckily, I was able to talk with Ajahne.



Daily: What first got you into rap/rapping?

Ajahne: It was fun. A lot of my friends used to freestyle when we were younger. It was just something to do. Back in those days we really didn't take it seriously. I didn't really start writing until I was 18. Once I started writing, I began to take it more seriously. Then we (me and Connell) started doing shows and things started to progress to where it was more of a business. More of a job.



Daily: Where do you want to go in the future?

Ajahne: I wanted to take it to the next level, make albums, videos, do it all, so that's when the idea of starting a record label came up. Alex [Ramirez] and I decided to go the independent route, because I -- as an artist -- wanted to have free reign over the music I create and give the same freedom to other artists. I wanted to make music that was real, real rap music, not that garbage on radio and TV. A lot of the music that is out now really doesn't move me, so I've taken it upon myself to make music that I know that I want to hear, music that the people want to hear.



Daily: What artists/producers have had the biggest influence on you?

Ajahne: Probably Wu-tang Clan. They were my favorite rap group coming up and I really respect the way they rhymed, the beats that they had, and their love for hip-hop as a culture. Nowadays, I listen to almost any artist I can get my hands on in order to perfect my style. I'll listen to a song or an emcee and be like "yeah that was hot, but I going to make something hotter." When I write I try to write like I have to beat all the best emcees in the game.



Daily: If there were to be a "thugz mansion" at Tufts, where would it be and why?

Ajahne: On this campus? Ha, nowhere. If anyplace it would have to be my room. My room is set up pretty tight, so I can go there and chill out and get away from the stress of being an engineer.



Daily: What was your favorite experience performing live?

Ajahne: It would probably have to be the first show that we did as a group in Hotung. It was actually the first rap show done in Hotung by Tufts students. That show was the best because it was the first one. The atmosphere was amazing. I mean, Hotung was PACKED and it was crazy, because all these people had come to see us. Us!! Most people didn't even know us. At that point they hadn't heard any of our songs, they really hadn't even heard us rap, but sure enough, they came out to support us.

There was so much energy and so much love from the audience that I don't know if any show is going to top that until we rock the Fleet Center or something. Plus, after all the work we had put into the show, it was good to see people enjoy themselves.



Daily: In your first music video, what car are you going to be driving and who's going to be in the car?

Ajahne: In my first video, I'm not even going to be driving a car. That's not me. I'm going to keep it real. When the first video comes out, I'm going to be broke... how am I going to have a car? My first video won't even be about that. It'll be about showing my 'hood, showing where I grew up at and the life we led. It'll be about the essence of my culture, not focused on the material things.

But... once I get put on and records are moving out the store, then I'm going to have a car. What kind? Ask me in a couple years.



Daily: When you leave Tufts, are you gonna miss partying "in da club"... Hotung?

Ajahne: Yeah, no doubt. Hotung used to be the jump off. I have a lot of good memories there. From partying, to the shows, to freestyling outside... I mean, Hotung is where it began, so when I'm gone, I'm going to miss it.