Rain Set x CarsxHype
Cars x Hype is proud to present to you today an exclusive interview two of the founders of Rain Set. What is Rain Set? Well just continue reading to find out
CXH: What is Rain Set?
C’JAY: Rain Set is a Life Style Brand that embodies everything that we do and love in this world. This ranges anywhere from our Rain Rhyme Rap Battle League Project we started a little over a year ago all the way to our Rain Set Apparel line we’re currently focusing on. What we do, not only represents us, but the people who share the lifestyle we live on a day-to-day basis.
CXH: How did Rain Set start?
C’JAY: Rain Set began during the summer of 2007. With the culmination of our core members and various experiences of the moment, this time period served as a bonding experience for the entire group. In a basic sense, we started as a brotherhood and it continues to be our foundation to this day.
CXH: What inspired the creation of Rain Set?
C’JAY: The environment we’ve created amongst each other. Each and every member contains various personalities, interests, and talents. We wanted to showcase all of this, in addition to showing the world our everyday experiences. It’s what brings us together as a collective.
C’Jay Villanueva
Deniko Santos
CXH: Alright here comes the most important question 
C’JAY, what kind of vehicle do you drive?
C’JAY: A Wicked White 2006 Mitsubishi Evolution IX GSR
CXH: How about you Deniko, what do you drive?
Deniko: Pearl Black 2006 Mitsubishi Evolution IX SE
CXH: What modifications have you guys done to your Evos?
C’JAY: JDM rear bumper, SE front lip, Rexspeed carbon fiber sideskirts, Rexspeed Carbon fiber rear bumper extensions, Rexspeed cabron fiber trunk lip, Yakima bike rack, & most importantly a Rain Set decal. As far as what’s under the hood, that’s top secret.
Deniko: No mods, just bone stock with a nice gas efficient tune for daily commutes that still hauls during certain rpms. I still have my lifetime warrantee and free oil changes for life *laughs*. I think it’s because I got modding out of my system with my previous car, an RSX. So when I got the EVO, I just wanted to keep it immaculately clean. As you can see, I’m going with the no wing look.
CXH: Why did you choose the car you have now?
C’JAY: The EVO has always been my favorite car. I remember when the Evolution VIII first came to the U.S. around 2003, I literally drooled at every single one I saw on the road back when I was in middle school. I definitely have to say that I’m extremely fortunate to be driving the EVO IX 4 years later.
Deniko: I chose this particular car because I have always loved Lan-EVOS since the VI. Of course watching shows like Initial D, Top Gear, and movies like Fast & The Furious just made me want it even more growing up. So when I had the opportunity to trade in my RSX for a great deal on one of the last batches of EVO IX models, I had to do it.
CXH: What is your all time favorite car?
C’JAY: The car I’m currently driving. No matter what, the EVO will always be my holy grail when it comes to vehicles.
Deniko: My favorite car of all time, hmmm.. Like if I could just have it pop in the driveway to whip around with no worries of practicality, price, insurance rates, etc? My choice would definitely have to be a Porsche GT3 and an R32 GT-R in Black. As you’ve noticed, my patterns for cars have all been in black. And that choice right there definitely hits the spot.
CXH: What kind of music do you listen to?
C’JAY: I listen to everything believe it or not. My personal music taste ranges anywhere from Hip Hop, to Rock, to R&B, to Pop, & even Dubstep.
CXH: *laughs* “even dubstep”, what about you Deniko?
Deniko: I listen to all kinds of music, but my favorite would have to be what my makes my head bop, Hip Hop till the casket drop. I just love listening to cats with mad flow.
CXH: Who are some of your favorite artists?
C’JAY: My top favorite artists are: Juelz Santana, J.Cole, The Ramons, Drake, Phantogram, The Fray, Binary Star, The Cure, & Dashboard Confessionals, Death Cab for Cutie, Ratatat, The Killers, The Strokes, Passion Pit, Blink 182, Jay-Z, Wu-Tang Clan, Crystal Castles, Big Sean, Trey Songz, 311, Corrine Bailey Rae, Linkin Park, The Eagles just to name a few. (Yes I know, my music selection is very diverse haha)
Deniko: The untouchable lyricists of my choice would probably be Jay-Z, my all time fave, then there’s Kanye, J. Cole killin right now, Lil Wayne, The Game for the West, classics like Biggie and Pac, Nas, Wu-Tang, Tribe, staying current with the Wiz’s Big Sean’s Cudi’s and Tyga’s. Steady cats like Fabolous, TI, Lupe, MosDef, Common,The Roots, etc. Then as far as bands go: Incubus, Linkin Park’s early shit, Coldplay, the Killers, N.E.R.D.,etc. On the vocal side of things I like 112, Trey Songz, Frank Ocean and The Weekend are killing the vocal game currently, Ne-Yo and Bobby V are classic, Maxwell, The Fray, Aaliyah of course, Robin Thicke, J Timberlake, etc. Those are still minimal artists to the many I listen to, but that gives a more specific idea of the different genres that I listen to. *laughs*
CXH: You said that Rain Set is involved in Battle Rapping, can you elaborate on that?
C’JAY: Seeing as we are fans first and foremost, we decided to delve into the activity. What started off as a friendly competition that quickly grew as video episodes gained attention. Eventually, we began reaching out to local artists and scoping their interest in participating. What we take pride in the most out of this endeavor was the simple fact that this Rain Rhyme Rap Battle league project has not only brought entertainment to those who experienced it, but has also brought together those who have participated in it. We’re very lucky to say that a lot of our participants from Rain Rhymes have become some of our closest friends. The rest is history. For the record, to those who have been constantly emailing us about the next event, YES THERE WILL BE A RAIN RHYME V. Just sit tight and let us do our thing, it will be one of the biggest events yet to come.
A popular Rain Set rap battle:
CXH: Back to Rain Set’s new clothing line, what is the influence behind it?
C’JAY: Basic, genuine, and classy mixed into one. Each personality has been incorporated into our designs, down to the smallest details. Specific color patterns, shapes, fonts, and everyday visuals become our center of inspiration.
CXH: What’s Rain Set got in store next?
C’JAY: We have a few surprises up our sleeves. As far as what we have coming up next, I can’t let the cat out of the bag just yet. I will say it’s something you guys should definitely keep an eye out for.
Yes that is Manny Pacquiao with a Rain Set shirt!
It’s been under lock and key so far, but be sure to stay tuned for Rain Set’s full release of their clothing line soon, we’ll let you know as soon as we know. But for now….
You can win some of their swag early! Just share this post on facebook and tag Rain Set and carsxhype.com and you’ll be entered in a raffle to win a Rain Set x Carsxhype prize pack!
Stay connected with Rain Set:
Rain Set on Facebook: facebook.com/THERAINSET
Rain Set on Twitter: twitter.com/THERAINSET
Rain Set on tumblr: therainset.tumblr.com
Rain Set on YouTube: youtube.com/theRAINSET
And of course THE RAIN SET.com
Also be sure to stay connected with Cars x Hype!
Cars x Hype on Facebook: facebook.com/carsxhype
Cars x Hype on Twitter: twitter.com/Cars_X_Hype
Cars x Hype on tumblr: carsxhype.tumblr.com
Cars x Hype on YouTube: www.youtube.com/carsxhype
Rain Set would like to thank: Ian Alcalde for setting the Rain Set x Carsxhype collaboration, Mark Anthony for the great photo shoot and Anthony Guerra for this opportunity and everyone who’s been supporting Rain Set from the jump.
Carsxhype.com would like to thank Ian Alcalde for setting up the Rain Set x Carsxhype collaboration as well as C’Jay and Deniko for the Interview, all of CxH’s loyal supporters and the CxH Crew especially Mark Anthony, Otis Blank, and Ger Lewis.
Mitsubishi Evo pictures courtesy of Carsxhype.com photographer, Mark Anthony .
Interview questions by Anthony Guerra
Also, today is 11/11/11 which happens to be Deniko’s Birtday!
