I stumbled upon Christopher Johnson’s, better known as Cj Topoff, music roughly four years ago via SoundCloud. I remember listening to his album “Mr Johnson’s Acid House. The first song on that album is “18” and before I pressed play, I immediately assumed that the song title was referring to his age. My assumption was correct. His monotonous voice fill the entire room I was in. His lyrics on the album, as well as other projects, are introspective and filled with spiritual and psychedelic references. I never heard of a hip hop artist that uses the terminology and references presented in CJ’s music. Listening to his simple flow, it’s almost hypnotic once you really tune in to what your ears are absorbing. The few times I have attended his performances, I was able to vibe with his mystical energy. It all made sense, considering what he portrays in his music. It’s necessary, even to this day, to smoke a joint while listening to his music, it fits the occasion. Over the years, I’ve gotten a little closer to Cj. Wise beyond his age and extremely mellow, CJ knows who he is and is very humble about it. After the Bored Magazine site dropped, I told myself that interviewing Topoff was one of my goals. This article is not a only contribution to the DFW culture, its a goal I can now say, has been checked off my list.

A drive to Ft Worth is similar to a drive anywhere in Texas. With this brutal heat, you’re forced to crank up the a/c to its maximum. You better be on a full tank as well, cranking your a/c that high burns your gas faster. It took a good strong hour to reach Cj’s surburban home. Quiet, early afternoons fit well with potent smoke sessions, like the session Cj and I participated in before the photoshoot. During the session, we shared the long conversation about numerous topics. It’s always a pleasure sharing space with Topoff, it’s pretty relaxing if you ask me. Afterwards, accompanied by his girlfriend, we headed out to a local park and sparked another session.

Originally from Palestine, Tx, Topoff moved to Ft Worth as an infant. He was raised in a traditional African American home with his parents, one brother and one sister. From a young age, he possessed the attributes of an introvert and had a niche for writing. Growing up into his teens, Topoff and his mother would bump heads from time to time. She was a devout Christian and “stuck in her ways”, they shared opposing views against each other. There were many attempts she made to mold Christopher into her religious standards. Along with their opposing views, this caused Cj to fall into depression and compelled him to question his religion and personal relationships. It was a struggle as Cj was having difficulties trying to cope with everything at that time.

At 14, he started rapping on a mic that was given to him by a former girlfriend as a gift. He spent his days in the closet experimenting and perfecting his art. His major influences were Lil B and Lil Wayne; like many Lil Wayne fans, he was fascinated with the metaphors and punchlines. Cj began making personal songs about the issues stemming from his mom criticizing him. He felt as if he was trapped in an environment that didn’t accept who he was. He often found himself in conflicts with her, it created a lot of tension.

“We (people) get hung up on too many things, we have a bunch of emotions but we have control over it.”

One of the more intriguing things about Topoff is his interest in psychedelics. After he started smoking weed, he grew an interesting being in altered states of reality. Prior to this, he was a sober kid who made fun of people that smoked weed or did drugs. His first leap into psychedelics was shrooms then shortly after he took on LSD. That lead him to the idea that all living things are connected as one and shares a one conscious. He also explains that taking psychedelics helped gained more knowledge which caused him to gradually lose his ego.

Psychedelics brought upon a certain level of curiosity to CJ. He began searching through YouTube trying to find answers to the questions regarding psychedelics and stumbled upon Timothy Leary and Terrance McKenna. This ultimately lead to his introduction into the 60’s. What caught his attention about that particular decade was the hippy movement. He was intrigued by their lifestyle, philosophy and morality. Cj felt that the hippy movement wasn’t only significant to the 60’s, it’s also very significant to the current state of affairs. Well aware of the social climate we currently live in, Topoff understands the high racial and civil tension and constant display of police brutality but feels as it the way to combat it is to maintain peace and spread love.

“There’s a lot of love in this world, and yes there’s a lot of hate as well, but there’s still a lot of love “

Earlier this summer he released his album “Helter Skelter pt 1”. For those who don’t know : Helter Skelter, in this case, is the theory put together by lead prosecutor of the Tate- LaBianca case Vincent Bugliosi. The theory consist of an explanation to the series of murders committed by the Manson Family, prior to the Tate–LaBianca Murders. We both agreed that Cj’s decision on naming his album was going to confuse some fans, or even lose fans. The album cover is the cherry on top; long sleeve plaid button up with “ blood “ splattered all over it, “Helter Skelter “ written on the back of it, switchblade accompanied by a book of some sort in his left hand and a Charles Manson patch on his left breast pocket. Knowing Cj, it was all intentional. When he was younger and discovering the wonders of YouTube, he became interested in watching Charles Manson interviews and it eventually stuck with him. Over time, he started to formulate his own theories as he opened his mind and becoming aware that there maybe more to the story.

Although Cj doesn’t agree nor condone the crimes committed in the case, he suggest looking at this case in particular in a different way. He also expresses that are two sides to Charles Manson; one way you can look at Charles as a mass murdering hippie who was at the forefront of evil communion in midst of starting a race riot OR a complex, prison born/prison raised individual who always looked out of his friends , cared for them like family and got his hands dirty when necessary to protect his friends.

“Helter Skelter pt 1” is filled with clips of interviews, many but not all in relation to the case, The Manson Family and of Charles Manson himself. Part 1 is to open up the mind of Cj’s fans to the 60’s and the way of life. He plans on Part 2 to bring more depth, more depth and more clips of interviews. Check out his album via SoundCloud but clicking the image below.

Moving forward, Cj is constantly conditioning his spirituality. Prior to his level of maturity, he was what he called a “spiteful atheist”; drawing upside crosses and pentagrams everywhere to express his angst against religion. Realizing that he took on a negative approach to religion, he chose to look at Christianity in a different light.

“Instead of going against something, accept it, dig deep into what it is and understand it for yourself”

After studying Christianity for what it is, he gained knowledge and wisdom and he concluded that Jesus was the ultimate hippie, the true open-minded teacher. At this point, he wants to bridge the gap between Atheism and Christianity. Outside of the spiritual realm, he plans on coming back out with more merch, more shows and has plans on writing a book.