Mind of Fonlon: Essence of an Extraordinary MC
James K. Fonlon, fondly known as Fonlon throughout the contemporary Baltimore/DMV music scene, is the essence of both a Master of Ceremonies and Main Character. Whichever title that fits better in your mind, just know that he IS THEE MC. One of my biggest music journalist goals when first starting in 2017 was covering all of 3SIDE’s phenomenal artists. I would interview VLAD, Max Goof, keep up with all the members via social media and at public shows, as well as include them in my own show at Bowie State University at one point.
The New Skool DMV Hip Hop and Creative collective 3SIDE is reminiscent of a new age WuTang, Pro Era, or Odd Future. However, in the same token, funk that actually, because 3SIDE is one-of-one, and not a new ‘anything’ given their immense talent, innovation and delightfully eccentric/versatile clan members. Even amongst the average creative excellence of the group, Fonlon’s coruscating aura habitually stands out and captures the hearts of those blessed to know him.
Fonlon is everywhere, anywhere, and anything he desires: He’s an MC but an anomaly that cannot be fit into a box. Fonlon makes the box, decks the box with the freshest ice, gives it rims, and produces the hardest sound system + accompanying soundtrack to go with it. I remember one day when heavy-hitter 3SIDE member’s Tromac Pineapple tweeted about having his car broken into and his laptop stolen alongside the sound system and more. Never starting a GoFundMe before, Fonlon would immediately start a GoFundMe for his brother and pull together the funds in seemingly no time to replace the lost materials with many in the Baltimore/DMV region donating, including Baltimore Hip Hop superstar JPEGMAFIA. A jump in the future, I would see multiple and iconically hype videos of Fonlon on stage with JPEGMAFIA at his Boiler Room Performance, a legendary night to truly remember.
Between super comical clips, social media mentions and trill-ass bars sprinkled across every media platform I engaged in for these past couple of years, I would find myself saying immediately, “Oh shit, that’s Fonlon.” At the biggest Baltimore live shows of the year that I attended, I would hear rap artists citing their songs’ production done by Fonlon, with the all-around man occasionally poppin’ on stage to stunt the illest rap structures that validated his 3SIDE affiliation amongst lyrical titans such as Vlad and Max Goof.
In the midst of a tumultuous 2020 year, joyeth truly does come in the morning with a new full-blown solo Fonlon project. A community man, Fonlon has always centered others in addition to collaborating with others on their own projects, with anyone who knows him able to attest to his candid philanthropy. Thus, to see something brand new of his self-centered volition is a treat — and best believe that Fonlon delivers like a 5-course meal with DONT.TRUST.ANYBODY, now available for purchase and direct support of artist on Bandcamp.
One fundamental fact about Fonlon, he is a whole ass comedian whether intentionally or unintentionally. Absolutely fucking hysterial. The project is called DONT.TRUST.ANYBODY despite Fonlon’s loving network I just mentioned, and even his newest music video (directed by the media versatile Vlad) which ironically features all of his close associates behind him in the music video clip promotion on his social media.
Fonlon is effortlessly able to blend every streak of his persona into this project in cogent ways that others aren’t able to pull off, especially as it concerns anime bars, nostalgic cartoon bars, wrestling bars and the trill shit he does on the day-to day without the lyrical acuity being compromised. When it comes to the beat on “Chalkzone”, Fonlon perfects gritty, unabridged rap that is the clever fusion of metaphors and flows whilst exemplifying a high level of professional rap technicality.
Vlad’s directing, Fonlon’s writing and producing, and Baltimore’s new age Colin Tilley Fatbellynile’s sniper shots came together to beautifully highlight Fonlon’s aesthetic with captivating placements of lighting, enigma, props and hype. This isn’t Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure, but the “Chalkzone” music video it felt like a Golden Experience. The humorous outtakes at the end, including the Freak’N You interpolation, makes the music video a defining moment in time as well.
The promotion, the cinematography with his community behind him, and the caricatures of 3SIDE favorites/affiliates made the music video a true testimony to Fonlon’s brand.
“Zelda nigga, I don’t cuban the Link, confirmation yea, she gave me a wink/Threw an 82, she left in a blink…Got a couple snacks shaggy, not too shabby.” — Fonlon, “Chalkzone”
Every feature with the project was in their respective element, showcasing Fonlon’s noteworthy talent curation skills at its finest. Hearing Vlad spazz is exactly what his fanbase and I desired, with defining bars on the feature verse such as:
“They wanna take away the power so I black out! They try and separate our power, bureaucrat style/America’s divided, I’m a class clown. I can make them cry later if I make them laugh now.” — Vlad, “Breaking Sad s03e33”
YTK is your superaverage-average seasoned Baltimore rapper once more as he appears on Sarah IOS with bars of his own that justify his DJ Booth placement, millions of plays on Spotify, and well-known artist persona across the entire Baltimore region.
“She the opposite of food, it look bad? imma eat it, then leave it/Let it rot, I got too much on my mind to be worried ‘bout a thot.” — YTK, “Sarah IOS Update”
The entire project is fresh, fun, well-structured and a potpourri of the culture that sparks the creativity of this obviously gifted being known as James K. Fonlon. The “ROOOOOOM 72!!!!” tag throughout the project, the usage of meme culture such as the iconic “Daddy, chill!” on “DTA!”, and sagaciously implemented features in their respective elements gives this project high replay value. It feels good to be a dope ass musician. It feels good using all of your God-granted talents in tandem to elevate your community. It feels good ascending in your purpose in contrast to the direction of an apocalyptic world. Offering a temporary escape, reflection on his own psyche, and what it means to be trill above all else requires a different mind. Thankfully, the Mind of Fonlon has blessed us with the galvanizing energy necessary to keep our own gears turning into our own excellence in whatever way we can express.
Valentino’s Personal Picks:
Breaking Sad s25e08
Breaking Sad s03e33 (feat. Vlad & Martin J. Bailou)
Shudda Know Beta
50/50 Booking
Sarah IOS Update (feat YTK)
DTA! (Blk Lexx & Randi Withani)
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I got time to sit down with the titan to attack the mythos behind his anime of a life and the making of this slapping project.
We began our interview with loads of pleasantries, compliments and fact-checking the bars/stories mentioned throughout the article.
Fonlon is a first-generation Cameroonian-American. He was born in Atlanta, GA, and moved to Maryland after 4 years old. He’s moved from Greenbelt to Silver Spring to Laurel to Anne Arundel and is now located in Laurel as his sound spreads across the globe. Fonlon spoke about how he started making music in Junior year of high school, the support of his parents, and how the turning point of opening for JPEGMAFIA came about. Fonlon has always believed in being genuine, treating people how you want to be treated, and the power of friendship — no this isn’t a Fairy Tail character description.
Fonlon was visiting his peoples in New York, as well as supporting his friends at the Boiler Room performance in New York with JPEGMAFIA, when JPEGMAFIA personally requested for Fonlon to open for him in the future. When Fonlon simply went to support at the show in Baltimore, Baltimore artist Ghostie prompted the official question, and by being at the right place at the right time with his innately auspicious aura, Fonlon rocked his full set. Afterwards, when the media came out about the special event, even Fonlon’s parents saw that it wasn’t a regular hobby even as the DMV Clark Kent would continue his Healthcare Agency job throughout the week.
MV: What made you put out this full-blown project? I noticed this is a compilation of your ill ass mind, what was your creative process for putting everything in sequence?
Fonlon: The time was right. So many people were hip to me, and I always wondered why. What really led me to make this project…was society, anxiety and people who spill information to you. At this point I didn’t know what to release, but it was these emotions that had me at a boiling point like, ‘It’s time.’
Fonlon mentions the long practice of practicing everyday and putting everything together in the midst of the chaos of the world. As said in the description of the project on Bandcamp, DONT.TRUST.ANYBODY. is “5 Years of life experiences summed up In a television Narrative In about 30 mins.”
Fonlon: I wanted to tell a story. I was sampling a lot of things that were me…Breaking Bad, Anime (Fooly Cooly), Wrestling.
MV: What are the lessons you want the listeners to leave with for this project?
Fonlon: You gotta make sure every decision you make is worth it and make sure you’re aware of the consequences.
Fonlon talked about how in his life and how when you get older, others will steal your magic by not being genuine, using you, taking and not giving, and other similar-themed conversations more millennialsare having as they hit their early 30s, cementing their finite mindsets about how people are. Fonlon elaborated about how even with his genuineness and extending his hand, people would still spit in his face.
DONT.TRUST.ANYBODY is a warning to be yourself, but not to put yourself in the position for people to hurt you, as symbolized by the cover. He said the track “Bloodsweatandtears” was the pinnacle of describing these feelings.
MV: Who were your favorite features? Favorite tracks?
Fonlon described YTK, Blk Lexx, and Randy as his favorite features on the project, describing the stories of hard work they put in, including working remotely in real time to finish the tracks.
He retold the process of how it worked as he felt the energy when creating it, and piecing the final pieces together.
Fonlon: We’re finding that chemistry…I’m already envisioning who I can see on these tracks.
Fonlon has more in the tank even though he’s just given us a lot to cruise with spiritually for some time. You can listen to and purchase the project on Bandcamp to support the official release, and follow him on his Instagram @jfonlon.
— M.Valentino
