You'd never guess that Chuck Cerankosky and Ben Gonyo have alter egos. Better known as the hip-hop production duo Discolobos, Cerankosky, aka "Wagun," and Gonyo, aka "Brasby," are aiming for greatness.

Drawing from new influences such as underground producers Madlib and Jaydee, and older ones such as saxophonist Stan Getz and James Brown, Discolobos believe they are "far more than a couple of party deejays," Cerankosky says. "It's a lot more than looking cool and matching some records. We have aspirations beyond the deejay realm."

They aim to be full-time producers and artists, but not necessarily super famous. "We want to be recognized," says Cerankosky. "There's artists that get tons of exposure, who are really good, but then there's those that don't get exposure who are also as good."

Their fans would argue that they've already achieved the latter. Cerankosky and Gonyo are now pushing for the former, "through self-promotion and continuing to put stuff out." says Cerankosky.

"It's like doing push-ups," says Gonyo. "The more you do, the better you get." Stones Throw, Def Jux, Warp, Ninja Tune and Quannum are labels that have their material on file. "Smaller labels usually give you a pat on the back. They aren't really in a position to rapidly put you on the team. "We're not in a hurry to get a break," he says, because "we don't want to fizzle out early."

While waiting for a break, they're busy making break beats. The 23-year-olds' collaboration involves scrutiny and constructive criticism.

"When we make music, the other person functions as a fresh pair of ears," says Cerankosky. "Ben and I balance each other out, giving input to try to make it appeal to a larger audience. When we put together ideas for our live shows, we connect them as a big train."

The result includes four CDs and six vinyl records of original music, with three more on the way. "Our highest-selling [release] was the Profiles 12-inch. It takes four of the best tracks [from the full-length]. Deejays buy stuff on records, and we like making stuff for deejays."

Cerankosky says there is a "common love of hip-hop" that keeps local fans showing up at events all over Rochester. One such regular event features Discolobos. It's Full Circle Sundays at Java's, 16 Gibbs St., on the first and third Sundays of each month.

While Discolobos mix instrumental beats on a pair of turntables and a sampler, rappers pass a microphone around in a freestyle circle, getting things off their backs with words off the top of their heads. Through Full Circle Sundays, Discolobos found other collaborators, such as emcees Ellis Jenkins and Hassaan Mackey, who appear on Cerankosky's 2003 solo release, Sokol. Jenkins also appeared on Gonyo's Glitch Beats album last year. Mackey, 25, the host of the event, credits Discolobos with remaining a constant in the local hip-hop scene., but not necessarily super famous. "We want to be recognized," says Cerankosky. "There's artists that get tons of exposure, who are really good, but then there's those that don't get exposure who are also as good."

"These cats are really trying to do their thing," Mackey says. "They really havesomething positive because we've been able to keep the open mike for at least four years.

Cerankosky and Gonyo became friends through their common interest in hip-hop while at Rochester Institute of Technology. Before graduation, Discolobos was born. "We started out horrible," Gonyo recalls. "We're still getting better."

Cerankosky believes the duo's people skills, persistence and sound are all elements of their success. "I don't want to sound arrogant and say that we're the best and not gonna get better. We have a lot to improve upon; nobody can stop improving as a musician. People skills are as fundamental as not being afraid to make a phone call. I think we are good at that. If it weren't for that, we wouldn't have any fans and we wouldn't sell records."

"I don't like to make predictions," says Gonyo. "I don't look to be part of the pop scene. Whatever happens, I just want to do it." Cerankosky has his own take: "I hope my talent takes me to a point where I can feel successful and happy. I'm not sure where it is, but far enough where I can make a living off of the talent."

2004-02-27