Interview w/Mr. Eon (of High & Mighty)
by: Justin Rizzio

During the mid to late 90’s, when independent hip hop started to ‘blow up” in NYC, The High and Mighty were on the forefront of the “underground” movement. They stood for true hip hop culture and, most importantly, they represented the city of Philadelphia. The High and Mighty, a duo made up of Mr. Eon and DJ Mighty Mi, have released numerous albums and 12″s along with multiple releases put out by their own label, Eastern Conference Records. Recently, a chance encounter gave me the opportunity to talk with Mr. Eon and to find out more about hip hop’s 12th man.

215hiphop: It’s been a minute since allot of us have heard anything from The High and Mighty. What’s been going on with you and Milo?

Eon: I moved back to Philly in May of 06. I had a baby boy, Lukas, in Sept. So I’ve really been in baby world. Been writing. Mi is still in NYC makin hot jawns! He’s been DJ’ing a lot in clubs.

215: What was the Philly hip hop scene like when you came up?

Eon: It was ill because Philly and NYC were it. Philly was a close second in culture, hip hop artists, and the whole scene. I was 16 in 1988. Me and Mi tried to get into clubs! We were stupid. We kinda spread hip hop to a lot of younger heads. People don’t know that we were kinda the introducers to two real successful cats. First, Cosmo Baker lived off 22nd street. I lived in Park Towne Place on 22nd and the Parkway. We used to chill, but I was like 16 and he was like 12 or some shit. Then there was Adam Goldstein who is now DJ AM. He lived in Park Towne too for a while. He was about 2 year’s younger maybe, and the first time I smoked was at his crib with Mi and our boy Lex Luther. Just some little tid bits, cause while there was the whole culture of blacks in hip hop there were also these middle class Jews into that shit!

215: How has it changed over the years?

Eon: I went to college in Boston, and then moved to NYC. So I was outta Philly in 1991. I remember when the great depression hit Philly, as Power 99 basically stopped playing hip hop. Lady B was gone, but I was in Boston and actually down with djs there. Instead of being 16 and an observer, I was 19 and in that shit. So I came back a lot to Philly cause my parents were here and the EAGLES, of course. Went out to Fluid a lot when Cos and Meez started spinning, and also Palmer. I wasn’t living day to day in Philly, but now it seems mad ill.

215: In the late 90’s to early 2000’s, Eastern Conference Records released several 12″s regarded by many as classics. What is the current status of the label?

Eon: We are still putting out stuff. There are some things in the works…. Basically, it doesn’t make sense to pay to make albums any more. The Good Hands jawns we did were possible cause they had the product ready for us.

215: During that era, The High and Mighty did records with allot of artists that have gone on to have very lucrative careers. (Mos Def, Eminem, Alchemist, Pharaoh Monch, El-P, etc.) Have you ever felt like you and Mi don’t get proper recognition?

Eon: We got a lot of recognition. It’s ill, cause if half of all the “incredible underground” heads walked into a room, and Primo was in there, he would be like “whats up E, you seen that new porno with Amy Reid?” That’s what matters to me.

215: How about the recognition for being one of the first hip hop groups to rock Mitchell and Ness throwbacks?

Eon: We pretty much stated our case. No one really cares. Have you seen the world? People are obsessed with Britney shaving her head. You think they give a fuck about who wore jerseys first?

215: A few artists formerly signed to EC Records made various negative remarks about you and the label. Do have any comments regarding the remarks made?

Eon: When you make music and do business with people, and are also friends, it will never really end well. That’s one part. The other part is that you always hate the people who pay you because every artist thinks they should be bigger than they really are and will ever be. There’s a limit to every artist and only a select few make it on some millionaire shit. Everyone else is in the same boat. When people think they didn’t get paid, I laugh. Because I know all the artists I’ve worked with are mad intelligent. They understand in their hearts what’s up.
As far as Cage, I always thought we were cool. There was a time I thought we were friends, and then it was like we weren’t cool. I really haven’t spoken to him since the day I was moving to BK in January 2005. I think it’s a shame that he is denouncing his old shit. As anyone who goes through a life change, it is part of the bettering of yourself to distance yourself from the things you want to avoid to have a better life. The misogynistic shit is dope. Just a part of who you are. Later in his career and life, maybe he will be able to look back and see what he did in terms of music. I thought it was pretty dope.

215: On the track “Outta Here”, off of the 12th Man album, you give a brief history of the late 90’s “underground” hip hop scene. What do you see as the major changes in indie hip hop since 10 years ago?

Eon: The scene is very different to me. I am not out and about like I was in NYC but I still investigate shit in terms of what underground heads are feeling. The underground went completely in a non-threatening direction. I like the edgier shit. Not too into the feelings shit.

215: You called your last record “12th Man”. This refers to a sports team’s fans being the extra player. Do you feel more like a fan than a player?

Eon: It’s actually the other 12th man, meaning the last man on a bench on an NBA team. They would be stars everywhere except where they are now. Like me and Mi in this game!

215: Have you been staying current on Philly’s local hip hop scene, and if so, are there any artists right now you’re feeling or would want to work with?

Eon: I’m feelin Reef the Lost Cauze and Jedi’s new shit. I haven’t been out at all in Philly, so I’m just checkin music from heads I know and feel.

215: The Eagles lost a few good players after last season. How do you think they will do next season?

Eon: NFC East winners in 2007, at least. Tikeo is gonna give us a huge craziness, in terms of being hyped on D. We got the honky Curtis, and he’ll be dope. It’s all about will they run 50% of the time. If they do, they will be fine.

215: Any last words to say to Philly?

Eon: Please elect a Mayor who will shovel the streets when it snows!

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