In the Spotlight: Jragonfly Jon

As a part of the non-profit organization, Dream & Imagine, the artistic group; Commoners & Kings is a group comprised of three young men, all poetic and lyrical in their words. Categorized under the genre of hip-hop, spoken word, and soul, this band of brothers have been together since 2005.

After a lull of silence from Commoners & Kings, Jragonfly Jon, the poet, emcee, and actor based in Long Beach had some time to answer some questions about the upcoming releases and projects.

T: How would you define your artistic medium?
J: Hiphop/Spoken Word

T: When and how did you get your start?
J: Me: 1992, C&K :2005, Jason O'Neil: 2002, Anthony: 2004

T: What is the message behind your works?
J: God is Love, and everything that is encompassed in that.

T: Who are the other members in your group?
J: Jason O'Neil and Anthony Sims

T: What's the chemistry like between you guys?
J: Creatively it's genuine and trying. Personally, Jason is best of friends with both us. Jason gets along with both of us well. Anthony and I bicker and argue because we are both strong willed and have a lot of creative input. Jason is the glue.

T: What is the future for your group?
J: Infinity and Beyond...We are working getting music videos done for the material that we have out now. We have a mixtape that we are putting out next. Jason and I are both going to start working on our solo projects; poetry books that include social commentary, chapbooks, Jason's next poetry cd and my own hiphop cd.

T: Any future or present releases?
J: Currently: "Until Tomorrow" is our 2nd release and it's out now. Next: "Because kung Fu Needs A Soundtrack" is our mixtape that will be coming out very soon.

T: What are you working on now?
J: My mixtape, "The International Ninja/Male Model Convention," my chapbook, "Of Loving Hearts and Rhapsody,"and my poetry book, "The Blue Period." And I am working with Marcus Robinson of Dream and Imagine as a writer/performer on the Poetry/Spoken Word/R&B album that is soon to be recorded. Jason is working on his poetry book, it's untitled at the moment.

T: Shout outs? Personal Messages?
J: Friends and family that are holding us down. Long Beach, Ghost Town and Indiana and All of Southern Cali!

Follow the group on Facebook and Myspace. Check their website for updates and upcoming shows! They are active and performing new stuff. Their most recent release available online as well.