Exclusive | Artist JusFee is Using Rap and Acting to Inspire the Youth
Philadelphia artist, JusFee, is using rap and acting to inspire the youth to stay out of the streets! We spoke with this dual threat artist in an exclusive interview!
“I define success by happiness of self and those in close proximity to me. I want everyone around me happy and living life to their best abilities.”
By: Omar Cook
Philadelphia artist, JusFee, is a multi talented artist with the goal to inspire! JusFee is a poet, altruist, actress, writer, director, and rapper. She does it all!
JusFee was born in Philly and raised in Frankford but brought her talents to Los Angeles in 2021 to pursue her career endeavors. At 22, Fee was involved in the streets selling drugs but the opportunity to act was presented to her. “I've always had a thing for music and poetry but never pursued it due to my street mentality and lifestyle.”
Fee made her acting debut on the hit web series Da GAP and also starred in the web series’ Lesbireal and Connect4. She has several feature film credits under her name including The Bid and upcoming movies Phels High alongside Omari Hardwick and LA Undercover, directed by rising filmmakers Omar Cook and Adonis Armstrong.
Aside from being a dope actress, JusFee is a top tier lyricist. She brings an authentic fire in her delivery, comparative to the likes of Young Ma. This is an artist that is on her way up and it’s just a matter of time before the world knows her name.
Though I've always had a heart for music I didn't fully focus until Early 2021 when I dropped my First hit single “Caught Up” on all digital platforms then “Vividly” a few months after depicting what happens when you choose yourself over the streets. With my new release “Young God'' I am promoting the same message of getting out of the streets and investing into you.
JusFee - Young God [Official Video]
We talked with JUsfee in an exclusive interview, check it out below!
Musically, who has been your biggest influence in helping you along your journey and who are your favorite musicians?
JusFee: Kendrick Lamar, Nas, J Cole, Drake, Londrelle, Lil Wayne, Kevin Gates and Lil Baby. My all time favorites are Tems, Lil Baby, Mary J Blige, and so many more.
What artists would you like to collaborate with and why?
JusFee: Lil Baby because he got the music in a chokehold, Kendrick for his ability to challenge the mind, and J Cole for his messaging. Together We can make some very powerful music.
What do you feel is your best song/project ever released and why?
JusFee: “Young God”, because it expresses the nature in which I was raised and made it out of because I believed I could and invested into myself.
What projects can we look forward to in the near future?
JusFee: I am currently working on a E.P. to be released 10/?/23
How do you generate new ideas for your music?
JusFee: I have a few producers that I work with who so I’ll go off of how the beat makes me feel at the time I review them.
What motivates you and how do you define success?
JusFee: Family motivates me! I define success by happiness of self and those in close proximity to me. I want everyone around me happy and living life to their best abilities.
JusFee - “Caught Up” (Music Video)
How do you describe your music to people and what separates you from other artists in your genre?
JusFee: It's elevating and educational and I differ from others from the way I deliver my message to how passionate I am about changing the ways of and for generations to come.
Do you believe there is a formula to being a successful artist?
JusFee: Yes lol I am currently working on figuring out the formula.
What sacrifices have you had to make, to make your dream a reality?
JusFee: Man it's been way too many up to date to name but some are giving up the street life, Losing family and friends, missing out on opportunities. Relocating from Philadelphia to Los Angeles was my biggest one to date.
What aspect of the music making process excites you most, and what aspect discourages you the most?
Jusfee - “Vividly” (Music Video)
JusFee: Recording my music is the most exciting part and releasing it is my least favorite part of the process.
Where do you see yourself and your music in 10 years?
JusFee: In 10 years I'll be retired from music and living happily with my family. Most of my hits will be at the Top of all music billboards.
What advice would you give to other up and coming artists or people looking to break into the music industry?
JusFee: Stay consistent cause there are going to be times when there will be no motion or little cause everyone doesn't like everything.
Is there anything else you would like people to know about you or your music?
JusFee: Keep your ears as well as your eyes open because soon enough everyone will know who and what I am and everything I stand for on my journey.
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Exclusive | Rapper Dre of the East Talks His Latest Project 'Desert'
North Carolina rapper, Dre of the East, talks his latest project, Deserts tapping into different genres, and chasing his passion in an exclusive interview! Check it out here!
“I’m a very unique person that you really can’t box in. The only way to describe me is as myself.”
By: Adonis Armstrong
North Carolina rapper, Dre of the East, is a rapper and producer who wants to expand his art through music. Dre has been making music since he was fourteen and took it more serious once his football dreams didn’t fall through. Music gave him new life and a spark within himself that he pours into his music. He also brings his community together to network at his artist/producer mixer and seminar called Media Majorz. He dropped two projects in 2022 and both projects are dope listens called Desert and Free World.
Dre of the East - “DNA”
Desert is a vibe as it touches every genre but has a serious rap element. Versatility is the wave in today’s game to stay ahead of the curve and gain new fans. Dre taps into each of his personalities and gifts us with Deserts which can be a good ride to work or away from work.
Dre's Streets (feat. Mike Jones)
We talked with Dre of the East in an exclusive interview, check it out below!
How long have you been making music and how did you get started?
DRE: I've been engineering music since I was 14. I didn't start making music seriously until I was completely done with football (2017) so roughly about 5 or 6 years. When I was done with football, I felt purposeless and felt there was no reason to be alive. I felt I was just taking up space and air. I’m not a pitty person. I didn't look to others to understand or help. I didn't like that feeling so I set out to change it because I was the only person who could. I looked at a few different things.
I had my degree in Criminal Justice but my job didn't make me happy. I had been with my girl at the time for 5 years and even though I loved her and she loved me, the relationship didn't make me happy (I would never place that responsibility on a sole person other than myself). I even looked into religion and it wasn't fulfilling to me. I still had my engineering equipment from highschool so I began to write and record song about the struggles I was having at the time and it sparked something inside of me. Music gave me a reason to keep going and to be somebody again and unlike football, I controlled my destiny.
Musically, who has been your biggest influence in helping you along your journey and who are your favorite musicians?
DRE: I have been influenced by many. Greatness has no form or structure so you can find greatness anywhere and be inspired by it. I have been influenced by artists from the bottom no names to the top well knowns and everything that I took became a vital part of who I am today. If I had to choose a favorite musician, it'd be Drake because of his longevity and versatility.
What artists would you like to collaborate with and why?
DRE: Drake, Tim McGraw, Kanye West, Lil Wayne, Paramore, Lil Baby, Bad Bunny, Morgan Wallen, Lil Durk, Doja Cat, Andre 3000, Sugarland, Post Malone etc. I want to work with every artist that has every influenced me. I’m a versatile artist because of these people and wish to become the best artist there has ever been. Touching every genre and actually good at them will require guidance from the greats.
What inspired you to create your EP “Desert”?
DRE: Most of my fans support me as a rapper. Right before I dropped Desert, I dropped a project called Free World. I was a country/rap fusion project. I knew it would throw off alot of my current fans. I didn't want to lose them or make them feel like I don’t want them as fans anymore so I figured I'd drop something for them right behind it I knew they'd like. So it was like Free World was dinner and Desert was what came after.
What is your favorite track on desert and why?
DRE: If I had to choose, I would say "Underdogs" because of the production and the overall message.
Dre of the East - Underdogs (feat. Kydd & Bobby Snow)
What motivates you and how do you define success?
DRE: Success motivates me. I define success as simply making a living (funding your life) doing what you love. The opposite of success is failure and I believe that people only fail if they quit.
How do you describe your music to people and what separates you from other artists in your genre?
DRE: My music is me. If you listen to my music you'll learn who I am and if you already know me, then you'll understand and appreciate my music even more. I'm a very unique person that you really can't box in. The only way to describe me is as myself. Same is to be said about my music.
Do you believe there is a formula to being a successful artist?
DRE: I want to say no because we see people that are successful that all have diferent stories. BUT there has been something in common about all of them. They all had the "IT" factor and thats hard to describe. I'm not sure if theres a bluprint for "IT".
Dre of the East - LDT (feat. KWorld)
Who is your greatest inspiration?
DRE: I would say "Kanye West". I dont really agree with a lot of his antics but over the years I have realized we have alot in common. I’m a producer, engineer, singer and song writer just as he is. I also love his confidence and his refusal to give into what society wants you to be.
In your opinion who is the most influential and successful artist in your genre today and why?
DRE: The most influential is Lil wayne. He has inspired an entire generation of artist. Face tats, dreads, bar heavy even the "lil" before their names. All thats wayne. But most successfull is Drake. He has dominated the charts in multiple genres and its indeniable.
Which emotion more than any other, currently dominates your music? Joy, sadness, anger or passion etc. , and why?
DRE: I would say passion, sadness and joy. It depends on the mood I’m in and what im trying to invoke in the music. I try to create feels.
What sacrifices have you had to make, to make your dream a reality?
DRE: I quit my job in 2018 to fully chase my passion. I went broke and went back to work. I quit my job again in 2021 and haven't had a "real" job since. There has been highs and lows and so many sacrifices to count. I've spent well over 100k over the past few years on bad investments and taking chances on myself. I dont regret anything. It’s a part of the process.
What aspect of the music making process excites you most, and what aspect discourages you the most?
DRE: When I'm writing and recording a lot of times I surprise myself. I get really exited. Hell sometimes i've cried cause in my head im like "How the hell do you do this." I have no background in music. Everything was self taught so seeing how good at this I have become is shocking at times even to me.
Dre of the East - Swervin (feat. Tae Brisko)
Where do you see yourself and your music in 10 years?
DRE: I just see myself successful. I mean Multi-millionare successful.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO OTHER UP AND COMING ARTISTS OR PEOPLE LOOKING TO BREAK INTO THE MUSIC INDUSTRY?
DRE: I would tell them to make sure it’s something they truly love. Alot of people think its the same as having a hobby. Its not. Once you KNOW its what you truly want to do, JUST GO. figure it out along the way. There isnt a blueprint for it nor will it ever be the perfect time. JUST GO.
Dre of the East - BlackHeart Freestyle (feat. XBrodie)
Is there anything else you would like people to know about you or your music?
DRE: Follow me on all platforms and socials @DreOfTheEast and follow me along the journey. Everything is documented and you will learn everything you need to know.
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Exclusive | J Hawk Talks the Release of His Latest Project 'Mixed Emotions'
North Carolina rapper, J Hawk talks family, having music as his therapy, and his recent project Mixed Emotions in an exclusive interview! Check it out here!
“My family motivates me and success to me is when they are all good and not just me.”
By: Adonis Armstrong
North Carolina rapper, J Hawk brings that late night, riding in the car vibe and it’s hard to find a bad track from this rising artist. His most recent project, Mixed Emotions, features 10 must listen to tracks; all fire, no skips! He also recently collaborated with fellow NC artist, Worve, on a hot new single “Out the Window”. J Hawk is one to keep an eye on and is set to drop more new music in 2023.
J Hawk ft. Worve - Out The Window (Official Video)
We talked with J Hawk in an exclusive interview, check it out below!
How long have you been making music and how did you get started?
J Hawk: I’ve been making music for about 10 years now and I got started back in high school rapping with friends.
Musically, who has been your biggest influence in helping you along your journey and who are your favorite musicians?
J Hawk: One of my favorite artist is Drake. I like his delivery, flow and what he talks about in his music.
What artists would you like to collaborate with and why?
J Hawk: Drake, J. Cole, Tory Lanez, Bryson Tiller, The Weeknd, H.E.R., Big Sean, PartyNextDoor, Giveon, Beyoncé, Jhene Aiko, Bad Bunny, Lil Baby. The list goes on!
What inspired you to create your EP “Mixed Emotions”?
J Hawk: Just life. To help me vent. It’s my therapy.
What is your favorite track on the project and why?
J Hawk: Reasons, I like the way it all came together.
How do you generate new ideas for your music?
J Hawk: Sometimes conversations with friends, family, and certain vibes help me make new music.
What motivates you and how do you define success?
J Hawk: My family motivates me and success to me is when they are all good and not just me.
How do you describe your music to people and what separates you from other artists in your genre?
J Hawk: It’s more riding music, that certain people can relate to. I like to make my music meaningful.
Do you believe there is a formula to being a successful artist?
J Hawk: I couldn’t tell you the formula. I’m not sure there is one.
J Hawk - Reasons
Who is your greatest inspiration?
J Hawk: Mom and pops.
In your opinion who is the most influential and successful artist in your genre today and why?
J Hawk: Drake for sure. He has timeless music and the numbers speak for themselves.
Which emotion more than any other, currently dominates your music? Joy, sadness, anger or passion etc. , and why?
J Hawk: I would say “personally” I like to make every line I write down to be felt. Whoever has came in my life and has had a moment with me, I want them to be able to hear it and remember that moment we had.
What aspect of the music making process excites you most, and what aspect discourages you the most?
J Hawk: Going into the studio and laying it down and playing it back. Just hearing it all come together feels amazing.
J Hawk - Moving Forward
Where do you see yourself and your music in 10 years?
J Hawk: On top like I’ve seen for years.
Is there anything else you would like people to know about you or your music?
J Hawk: I’ve played in the NFL, I’ve acted on Hulu, in movie theaters and commercials. I’ve modeled for companies and been on billboards. I’ve made great music and now that I turn 30 this year I see that this will be my best year yet!