Ink, Sweat and Tears

Rising hip-hop producer Stress plays through the pain.

by Deesha Dyer

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Published: Sep 10, 2008

Michael T. Regan (CLICK IMAGE FOR LARGER VERSION)

Jeff "Stress" Davis can remember in great detail the day his life changed forever. It was July 17, 2001. He was wasting a little time watching sports on TV in between delivering pizzas. During the newsbreak, a report came on about I-95 being backed up for miles. "I remember saying to my boss — holy shit, look how bad traffic is," says Stress. "The newscaster was saying that there was an industrial accident with gallons of sulfuric acid."

Not thinking much of it, he went on a delivery. That's when the phone rang, and he heard the words that still play over in his head.

As Stress starts to tell the story, his eyes well up and the usually talkative DJ/producer can't quite find the words to continue.

After a half-minute of silence, through tears, Stress continues: The sulfuric acid explosion took place at the Delaware Motiva Refinery, where his dad was working that day. The explosion killed one worker — his father. Apologizing for being so choked up, he says, "I was 29 and thought I was grown up, but I didn't really grow up until an hour later." The oldest of five, he had to deal with the cops, lawyers, reporters, OSHA and also be there for his family, especially his mother and little brother, Jack, who was 9 at the time.

From that day on, Stress' perspective on music and life changed. He found in himself renewed motive and inspiration. "My dad always encouraged the creative side of me, and let me quit jobs to go on tour," says Stress.

His father would be proud: Eighteen years after entering the music world, Stress is on top of his game.

Subhoodz, the rap group Stress started more than 10 years ago with best friend Havok, is what led him to pursue DJ and production work. Being a student of reggae and punk rock (like The Clash and Bad Brains), Stress cultivated his hip-hop sound to represent the music's rebellious origins. Punk, like hip-hop, began out of a need to express oneself outside the norm.

This year alone, Stress has appeared on the Ghostface record, crafted several tracks on the upcoming Tyga album (one that features Lil' Wayne) and is doing a Gym Class Heroes remix album, which will feature locals Reef the Lost Cauze, Peedi Crakk and Side Effect. He also DJ'd on the Conan O'Brien show and his mug is plastered all over the new GCH video, "Cookie Jar," currently in rotation on MTV. Also on deck is a mix tape with GCH frontman Travis McCoy. "I've been fortunate enough to meet a lot of good people through music. It's to the point where it really isn't about music anymore, these people are my friends," Stress says.

"Stress is old-school in every sense of the word," says Philly rap veteran Reef. "From how he is with his wife and his family, to how he will break his fucking neck or someone else's to keep his word. Lotta people forgot what it means to keep their word, and he will die before he breaks his. "

In 2003, Stress and Havok started the independent label Krush Unit. With the help of a distribution deal, they are set to release several more projects. "Everything that I do, I think how I could bring it home and help the artists that I have worked with for years." This includes releasing the Stress Files album with Reef. The two just got home from a European tour, and are hitting the road this fall with Jedi Mind Tricks.

"I've been in music since I was 17, and I'm 36 now. If I stopped right now, I could say I've done so much. But I don't know how to stop, this is what I'm here for," he says. "I know how to be an Eagles fan, be a good person and do music."

He also gives a lot of credit to his ChopShop Studio, which sits adjacent to the Langhorne home he shares with his wife, Kelly, and their eight little dogs. "I had a contractor come out and build it specifically to how I wanted it. It's a Pro Tools-based project studio. It's a creative environment," he says. Inside you'll find all sorts of original albums, vintage toys and memorabilia from his Irish heritage.

He doesn't open up the studio for hourly rates and works only with friends. "I don't like working with people I don't know. They can be ungrateful and disrespectful."

It happens often in and outside of music. He's covered from head to toe in tattoos ranging from Philadelphia symbols to religious bearings and pieces to honor his dad, including a "700 level for life" scrolled on his head to represent where he and his father used to sit at Veterans Stadium. Wherever he goes, he gets stares and comments from ignorant passers-by and harassment from authorities because of the tattoos. Truth is, he's a calm guy, unless you piss him off. And he's one of the most straight-edge dudes you could ever meet. Stress has never had an alcoholic drink, cigarette or drug of any kind in his life.

He's doing his best to set an example for his little brother, Jack — aka Sev One — as the 16-year-old blazes his own musical path. "His art and graffiti game is crazy, but his producing is amazing. He's a monster," Stress says. Going into his junior year in high school, Sev can say that he's had Joe Budden rock on his beat. Obviously, he was taught well. "I tell him all the time that he is the son of a steelworker, to be himself and work hard," says Stress.

His actions speak as loud as his words. "Talent, perseverance and the law of averages are bound to work out," he says. "I'm thankful for everything. I live my life like I rent it off my dad."

(d_dyer@citypaper.net)

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