Ajax has been turning heads in hip hop for a long time from records of his immediate crew the Future Shock, the super crew Tunnel Rats, the combination of crews and artists to form the Inklings, and his own solo endeavors . A talented producer who producing credits have been linear since SFC's Illumination in 1993, combined with the mentioned producing and fresh ahead of times rhymes makes Ajax a strong artist in the hip-hop industry.

What is behind the name Ajax ?

A.lert J.abberwocky A.nnihilating X.ylophones...no, that's not it, its. A.nonymous J.ackrabbits A.rbitrarily X.erox. No, for real it means nothing. I liked the way it sounded and I said "Now my name is Ajax ." And I changed it on my birth certificate and everything. Is that a little weird....probably.

What inspired you to become a hip-hop artist?

Sting and Michael Bolton. No, actually Young MC played a huge role in my career. When I heard "The Fastest Rhyme..." I was stunned and in awe of such talent. I think to this day. If I can only effect the game like he did. I used to imagine myself as his "Best Friend Harry who had a brother named Larry" and we would kick it and swap gold chains and kangols. I also admire Young MC and how he got out of the game when he was on TOP! Y'know, hopefully I can go out like that.

How did you get started producing?

Well about 12 years ago my brother (Ahred) asked me to start a rap group with him and I basically just gravitated towards making music. Bought a 8 second Dj sampler, you know, with the big button and a tape deck. We would sample something, then play a breakbeat, and then punch the sampler to match the beat and then record it for like 2 measures on a tape deck press pause then sample something else for the chorus and do the same thing, and then loop it. We made some dope stuff. Since those days I have had many samplers and things, and you know what, it doesn't matter what you got, it just matters how you can freak it.

What artists have you produced for?

I havent produced for many people, just SFC (sup), some tunnelrat stuff, Solseekers, this guy named Dune who since changed his name, and Future Shock Stuff. That's about it.

How did Future Shock as a crew come about?

Phase 01-My brother (Ahred) asked to start a rap group and I said yes. We met Sojourn and our old Dj Trey at a show, and they were both in different groups. At the same show Cesar (Capture) was a youngin in the crowd.

Phase 02- Sojourns and Treys groups break up. We form Future Shock. Meanwhile Cesar is wiling out as teenager poppin his head at a show now and then.

Phase 03-Cesar comes to our Bible Study. Gets right with God. Justin (Justme) was friends with Sojourn in high school and then he started hanging around. Cesar and Justin (Justme) form Solseekers.

Phase 04-Solseekers and Future Shock tour in Sacramento . Meet up with A DOPE DJ called DNA. Solseekers acquire a DJ. Phase 05-Justin (Justme) moves to Kentucky . Cesar and DNA become Future Shock.

How did Future Shock meet up with Pigeon John formerly of L. A. Symphony?

Through a weird guy named "Q". Claimed to be Brainwash Projects former manager. We went to LA to meet them. Pigeons Mom gave us Kool Aid while Pigeon and Soda recorded lyrics on a Karaoke Machine over an instrumental. From then on we had a mutual respect for one another and we have experienced many shows and shenanigans together.

What can listeners expect from your new album?

"Middle Class Artisan" will have a lot of heart and soul from yours truly. Basically, it is an ode to you and everybody out there who has dreams and desires to do what they are suppose to, and yet, most of them can't because of life and all of its responsibilities. Music for creative 9 to 5 ers. It also is very introspective. I try to put myself open and bare out there....if you know what I mean.

How are you different as an artist since your debut, Audio Odyssey?

I am a totally different man. A better stronger more complete man with more things to say to the world. I went through a rough time in my life and God brought me through and redeemed me two-fold like Job.

How did Future Shock hook up with the Tunnel Rats?

Pigeon John threw a show with US, Lpg, and BP's at The Hip Hop Shop in L.A. and everybody was there. We all went back to DAXs that night and freestyled together. We instantly knew that there was something different there. From then on we were the TunnelRat Family.

What is the current status of Future Shock and the Tunnel Rats?

There was a time that we split up with the TunnelRats. Now we are back, reconciled.

Tell me about the newly formed The Inklings.

The Inklings is like a super group. It is Future Shock with Redcloud and B-twice. Basically we all love each other and wanted to be romantically involved.

What does "The Inklings" mean?

The Inklings was a group of writers, poets, and intellectualists that lived in England . They met on a regular basis at a nearby pub and discussed events stories and philosophies. They had a huge effect on their culture at the time. Some of the writers included in that group were J.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis. The same way they impacted their culture with fresh and different ways to express their beliefs is the same way we want to impact our culture.

What's in store in the near future from you, Future Shock, and The Inklings?

We got a lot of Junk happening and we are very excited about it. We all got solo records and we have three e.ps and an album coming. Our new e.p. entitled "Fisheye Paradigm" will be first of the niceness and that will be out in the very near future.

Any last words?

"Hope is a good thing, probably the best of things" Andy Defrane – the hardest screw that ever served time at Shawshank.

Interviewer- Caleb Kinney (Hip Hop For The Soul)