Jeb Bush’s career accomplishments include opening up for major artist such as Chip Tha Ripper, Tom G, Iceberg, Trick Daddy, Royce da 5’9, and Frank Lini; Featuring as opening act on the “Almost Famous Comedy Tour” in 2011; Having surpassed over 10,000 ringtone downloads; Gaining radio play in over 10 states and in the U.K for his single I’m A Trappa; Nominated for Slip n slides “Artist On The Grind” in 2010; Featured as Southwest Florida’s Artist To Watch in 2010; Featured in 3 national tours (2007, 2010, 2011) performing in over 50 venues across America, and obviously his latest highly anticipated EP titled “Protege of Plies.” Jeb Bush recently opened his heart to Rick Jamm in an exclusive interview published here in the Jamsphere Indie Music Magazine.
1. How long have you been doing what you’re doing and how did you get started in the first place?
Jeb Bush: Well I have been doing music seriously for about 8 years, it started in middle school when a childhood friend taught me how to freestyle then I studied song writing and grew from there!
2. Who were the first influences on your music and style?
Jeb Bush: The first rap cd I actually got was Ja Rule Love Is Pain lol, he mixed rap with R&B so I think my style comes from that. And then Eminem The Slim Shady LP. I thought he was the best rapper ever but he is still in my top 3 today, but back then I liked LL Cool J, Tupac, Mase, etc
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?
Jeb Bush: I would say Lil Wayne only because when you go back to albums like 500 degress to Tha Carter 3 you see growth but not just musically but being able to cross over and make hip hop more commercial opens the door for new artist to sell records.
4. After your move back to Florida, what made you quit the game for two years? And what kept you going during that period?
Jeb Bush: Well after my deal was over I wanted to resign but the label wasn’t making it worth it, so I just decided to chill for a minute but I knew I wanted to get back into it ya know but I did a lot of writing and research so I’m more business minded with my music now!
5. Do you think that Rap music today, is enjoyed more for the beats or for the flow and lyrical content?
Jeb Bush: I think it’s a mix of both because producers are big as the rappers today so I think people/fans want an artist who is lyrical with good beats but can be original with their music.
6. What are you expecting to achieve with your latest mixtape, “Protege of Plies” and the single, “Dats My Bae” ?
Jeb Bush: Success. I’m actually listening to my EP as I’m doing the interview lol but I think I have a smash record on my hands so I’m hoping that my team can take the single and project to the next level! Shoutout to JR on the hook!
7. Do you still have a working relationship with your brother and how involved is he with your music projects?
Jeb Bush: Yes, he is mostly like a pre A&R for me he lets me know what’s hot, what’s trash etc., so he is more of a critic then anything but he always gives me good advice
8. Which of your original compositions is your personal favorite, and why?
Jeb Bush: I have recorded a lot of songs in my career but I would have to say “Dats My Bae” because that’s MY sound that song is for my fans it’s not a song I made for me ya know and that’s how I wanna start all my projects making more music for my fans. Shoutout to JR for the feature!
9. Which ingredient do you think is the most essential in making Jeb Bush music the way it is?
Jeb Bush: Being REAL, a lot of artist make songs with bullshit lyrics about selling drugs, having all this money, getting all these women etc., but it’s not believable so a lot of people point out my realness on my songs.
10. Which emotion currently dominates your music more than any other? Joy, sadness, anger or passion etc.. and why?
Jeb Bush: I would say passion and joy because people hear the realness in my voice when I rap. I don’t just write whatever sounds good. I want people to relate to and understand me as an artist. And joy because people laugh when they hear my lyrics, because I say some crazy stuff at times lol but I have fun with it!
11. What aspect of the music making process excites you most, and what aspect discourages you the most?
Jeb Bush: I would say writing is the most fun like getting a beat from scratch and making a song from it is an art form in my opinion everybody can’t do it or they can just not good, and I think recording can suck because you want to get that emotion out on the song so if you go to the studio at 8 pm, you have to pull out that emotion to create the song so that can be hard.
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?
Jeb Bush: Well first off I work with a DOPE producer named FLK and a few others, but mostly him so I pick out all my beats, book studio time, write, everything! Once I’m done, me and my manager usually review the material and come up with a marketing plan for the product whether it’s a single, mixtape, freestyle, etc., and I also have a professional A&R who reviews my music as well so artist cannot do what they do without a team behind them!
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?
Jeb Bush: Good question, it’s a mix of both. The internet has made a few artist famous but by the same token, it takes away from the actual grind of music artist would rather spam you on twitter then perform their song ya know it’s tricky.
14. 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?
Jeb Bush: The best advice I got was “Invest In Yourself” you have to spend money to make it a lot of artist don’t understand that, my dad told me to copyright my music I didn’t listen for a few years but artist do steal music/beats/songs and blow up so now I’m more business minded that’s why my newer music is copyrighted!!!
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…)?
Jeb Bush: I would say distribution because you want people to hear your music, the stuff you put money into. Ya know I know people are tired of hearing lil wayne, rick ross, jay-z, etc., because I am lol, no disrespect but it’s time for new blood, more indie artist on the radio!
16. How do you distribute and promote your music (Amazon, iTunes, CD Baby, Your own Website, Youtube, etc…) and why?
Jeb Bush: Mostly on my website www.JebBushMusic.com which gets a good amount of hits when I release new music, I’m about to link up with a promotions company so I can focus more on music.
17. How do you handle criticism and who has been your worst critic, if any?
Jeb Bush: I take it well I have had people tell me I’m wack, I can’t rap, etc. but that only makes me want to get better and we are as people always our worst critic in life.
18. Is going platinum or winning a Grammy important you? Where would you like to see your career within 5 years?
Jeb Bush: Of course I would want a Grammy because your rates go up after an award like that lol. Many artist go platinum and go broke but Grammy winners like John Legend are making more money off that then going platinum.
19. What in your opinion is the biggest barrier an artist like yourself, has to face and overcome,to gain any commercial success?
Jeb Bush: Being heard and making commercial music honestly.Ppeople act like major artist never been indie lol. I think indie artist are making better music because major artist are falling off, so if given the chance to be heard, I will have the type of music for that situation, that’s not selling out, that’s just being business minded!
20. If you were not a music artist, what would you be doing today?
Jeb Bush: Artist management or A&R I love music and helping others so I would think I would do something in that genre!
Rapper JEB BUSH
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