Artist Just Jah was born January 4th 1985 in Brooklyn, New York. Soon after his mother sent him to live with his grandparents in Palmer Springs Va from fear of having him succumb to the pressures of growing up in the city. Every summer Jah would visit NY and in doing so fell in love with Hip-Hop. Noticing his interest in the art, his cousin bought him his first rap cassette which was “Juicy” by Notorious BIG. Intrigued by how the wordsmith rhymed Jah listened to the song front to back in hopes of teaching himself how to rap. He then began making verses of his own and showcasing them to his friends on the school bus and playground. Jah has become one of the most talented unsigned artist in Virginia. With his team at DRREAM ENT backing him, coupled with a relentless drive to succeed Jah is ready to take the rap world by storm. He has just released his latest mixtape, called “I Have A Drream.” Here he gives us some insight into himself, his thoughts and views.
1. How long have you been doing what you’re doing and how did you get started in the first place?
Just Jah: I’ve played with it off and on since like 5th grade but I’ve been serious about it for almost 2 1/2 years now.
2. Who were the first influences on your music and style?
Just Jah: I’d have to say Biggie was the biggest influence overall. The old Busta was too for his originality and style. He and Missy both pushed the envelope and weren’t scared to step out of their box creatively.
3. In your opinion who is the most influential artist in your genre today and what do you think they’ve given to the game more than anyone else?
Just Jah: Jay-z. He’s taking the rapper profession to a whole new level. Now we can be seen as more than entertainers. We can be successful businessmen, owners, CEO’s and things of that nature without compromising ourselves.
4. As this seems an important turning point in your life and career, could you tell us more about the series of unfortunate events that forced you to drop out of college while focusing on furthering your education?
Just Jah: I started doing things that took my mind off what needed to be focused on. Before I knew it my grades were terrible. I went to drop some classes so as not to hurt my GPA any further and they told me I might as well drop out. And I did.
5. Do you think that Rap music today, is enjoyed more for the beats or for the flow and lyrical content?
Just Jah: Honestly I think the beat. A lot of rappers are using it as an escape route. A good beat can overcompensate for lack luster lyrics or flow, unfortunately.
6. Your first mixtape, “The Feature Presentation,” as well as your second mixtape “Cruel Summer” was received with acclaim and high praises. What are you expecting to achieve with your latest mixtape, “I Have A Drream” ?
Just Jah: The I Have A Drream mixtape started out as me just putting songs out to try keep my name afloat, to show people we were working. Then my manager put me up on game and I started to approach the whole situation differently. From then on I wanted to make something that I could listen to and be proud of. What I would like the mixtape to achieve is to expand my fan base and show people I can carry my weight with those artists they listen to on the radio. Also I want it to set the tone in building myself and music as a brand.
7. If you had the chance to work with some established artists or producers, with whom would you like to collaborate in future?
Just Jah: I’m a fan of music period so it’s a number of artists I’d like to work with. Off top tho I think Diddy, Kanye and Wayne. Diddy’s work ethic is incomparable and he pushes artists to be the best. Kanye for his outside the box thinking and tenacity then Wayne because he’s my favorite.
8. Which of your original compositions is your personal favorite, and why?
Just Jah: I’d have to say, “That’s My Word”. I’m not too open in many of my songs but I was on this one. I had a few people reach out to me about it and to have such a positive reaction from it was good.
9. Which ingredient do you think is the most essential in making Just Jah music the way it is?
Just Jah: The flow. I think I’m somewhat carving out a niche for myself with it so I have to keep some jaw dropping bars in it. Not crazy enough that they’ll go over people’s heads but nice enough to give them one of those “did he just say…” moments.
10. Which emotion currently dominates your music more than any other? Joy, sadness, anger or passion etc.. and why?
Just Jah: Passion. I respect this. I respect the creative process. What goes into it. I wanna do the beat justice. So I have to give my all. I want to evoke an emotion so I have to give emotion.
11. What aspect of the music making process excites you most, and what aspect discourages you the most?
Just Jah: Starting the song. It never happens the same way for me so it’s discouraging. So when it happens I’m hyped. That’s why, for me, it’s both exciting and discouraging.
12. How involved are you in the recording, producing, mastering and other processes needed to produce and market your music, and do you outsource any part of this process?
Just Jah: Right now I have a few people I go to for beats such as Kash Phlow and Precise Thoughts to name a few. As far as recording and other studio processes; my homie Leck from Persistence Pays takes care of that. My manager, Nick New, handles most of the marketing plans and visuals. But for each aspect of it I stay involved so that I know what’s going on and can give my creative input. When I get beats I go over them with my producers. When it’s time to get the mastering done I go over all the tracks with Leck. Me and Nick New go over marketing and promo strategies, weekly, so that we position the brand in the best possible way.
13. Do you think the advent of internet and all the new technology, has helped your music and independent musicians in general, or do you think it just creates a mass of mediocre “bedroom artists” from where it becomes difficult to distinguish yourself and get heard?
Just Jah: I think a little of both. It makes it easy for my music to be heard and for me to reach markets that otherwise would be difficult to reach, like markets not in my immediate region or even overseas markets, but as you said it also makes for more mass mediocre music. It’s cool though because hard work trumps all that other stuff. People are willing to record in their homes and such but they’re not as willing to put in the hard work needed to push their songs or get to know the business.
14. What’s the best piece of advice in this business you actually followed so far. And one you didn’t follow, but now know you should have?
Just Jah: Be persistent. I didn’t follow it before and found myself quitting then having to start over. If I’d kept at it there’s no telling where I’d be now. We might be having this conversation on a yacht or something.
15. As an independent artist, which is the one factor you currently desire most (increased music distribution, better quality production, more media exposure, club performances etc…)?
Just Jah: More media exposure. Like you said, with the flood of new indie artists it’s kind of hard for the powers that be to give just due to those who need it.
16. How do you distribute and promote your music (Amazon, iTunes, CD Baby, Your own Website, Youtube, etc…) and why?
Just Jah: Everything is funneled through my website www.JustJahMusic.com so anyone can go there to find my latest YouTube videos, FaceBook and Twitter updates, exclusive music, announcements and even my Instagram pics. It’s the online headquarters for everything Just Jah. I also use sites such as DatPiff.com and Soundcloud.com to post my music.
17. How do you handle criticism and who has been your worst critic, if any?
Just Jah: I don’t pay too much attention to it. At the end of the day if I and my team are happy I’m happy. I’m my worst critic so if I can please myself then I’m straight. My aunt once told me “If no one’s talking about you then you’re obviously not doing enough”. So let em talk.
18. Is going platinum or winning a Grammy important you? Where would you like to see your career within 5 years?
Just Jah: Maybe going platinum more so than winning a Grammy. I really don’t know the basis on which Grammys are awarded, to be honest. If its when the industry people give you recognition to show appreciation then I’m not too fond of it. I’m a regular dude. I care about the regular people. People like me. I care about what they think. I want to hear their voice, touch those people. They’ll be who I’m grateful to. The fans. Five years from now I want to be able to reap the fruits of my labor. To be a household name. The topic of every barber shop and nail salon.
19. What in your opinion is the biggest barrier an artist like yourself, has to face and overcome, to gain any commercial success?
Just Jah: Themselves. When you put so much of yourself into something and the benefits don’t come as fast as you’d like them to you get discouraged and want to give in. Don’t.
20. If you were not a music artist, what would you be doing today?
Just Jah: I’d still love to be involved in music somehow and in some way even if I wasn’t an artist. That or politics.
Just Jah – Photo (c) Ruffin Vision Photography 2012
OFFICIAL WEBSITES:
http://www.facebook.com/JustJahMusic
[wp_bannerize group=”inside468x60″ random=”1″]
One Comment
Kevin White
This dude can carry his weight with any artist out there, Industry or Indie!!! He has a flow that keeps you rewinding and saying “Did you hear that”? He is definitely next. Check out the I have a DRREAM mixtape and I promise you will not be disappointed!!