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 | Cookbook Talks His Latest Album 'PortLAngeles'
Los Angeles rapper, Cookbook, talks his latest album, 'PortLAngeles', chasing his dreams, and leaving a legacy behind in family and hip hop in an exclusive interview! Check it out here!
“Legacy is a big one for me at this point in my life. First a legacy for my kids to see, then the legacy I left behind in the culture. To be one stitch in this great hip hop tapestry means a lot to me.”
By: Adonis Armstrong
Los Angeles rapper, CookBook, is a rapper and producer who has been in the game for over a decade that goes back to his time with LA Symphony. From playing instruments at family functions to touring for years, Cookbook has but in major work in the underground hip hop scene. Today we will talk about the album PortLAngeles, which is a dope listen for fans of underground hip hip. Cookbook delivers tight rhymes and smooth flows over beats that seamlessly blend boom bap with a blend of modern production. The album’s title pays homage to the Portland and Los Angeles that blends very well throughout the album.
Cookbook - If Ya Say (remix)
We talked with Cookbook in an exclusive interview, check it out below!
How long have you been making music and how did you get started?
Cookbook: I been doing music my whole life literally. My family played instruments and sang at every single party, bar-b-que and get together. We never had a DJ, or any music playing… it was always my family making the music for the party! So I grew up singing Motown, oldies, and blues. At the same time, I growing up, hip hop was my music. I played the piano, sang & listened to rap simultaneously. When it came time for me to make my own music, rap was the natural avenue since it was the music of my youth.
Musically, who has been your biggest influence in helping you along your journey and who are your favorite musicians?
Cookbook: Well, going along with question 1, I’ll say my dad was my first and #1 influence musically. My whole foundation was learned from and inspired by him. Then, I’ll say my hip hop influences from very young were all of native tongues; De La Soul and Tribe Called Quest especially. Pete Rock & CL Smooth, and Gang Staar. Later on it’s Nas, Dilla and many more…
What artists would you like to collaborate with and why?
Cookbook: Living: Nas, Black Thought, CyHi the Prince.
Deceased: DILLA!
What inspired you to create your LP PortLAngeles?
Cookbook: Surebert, a producer from Portland sent me a batch of beats and said let’s make a song. I heard how dope the beats were and said let’s do a whole project! I wrote and recorded 2 songs immediately and sent them back to him and we were off and running! Since he’s from Portland and I’m from Los Angeles, we just blended the two names and PortLAngeles was born!
What is your favorite track on desert and why?
Cookbook: I love them all, but if I had to pick one, it’s “Blood Type”. It has my favorite flow/pattern on there at the beginning of verse 2, but more importantly the concept was dope and I got to really say some deep shit on it.
Cookbook - Blood Type
What motivates you and how do you define success?
Cookbook: I’m motivated by a lot of things. Personal achievements is high on the list. When a song/beat that I make sounds exactly like what it sounded like in my head, I get great satisfaction. I also thrive off the crowd… I love for people to react to my music positively. When they fuck wit me, it motivates me! Success has many definitions. Mine have changed over the years. Legacy is a big one for me at this point in my life. First a legacy for my kids to see, then the legacy I left behind in the culture. To be one stitch in this great hip hop tapestry means a lot to me.
Oh, and I like making money too!
How do you describe your music to people and what separates you from other artists in your genre?
Cookbook: To people that aren’t big on rap I used to say I rap but sing a lot, so I’m kinda like Nas meets the Black Eye Peas. It’s not true, but it was an easy way to answer them when they asked. To those who know, I think it’s like how my man King describes it… True School progressive. I love lyrics and getting my bars off, but I also come from singing and playing music, so there’s always a melodic aspect to what I do too. There’s the old school esthetic to what I do, but it’s always modern sounding, attempting to push the genre forward as much as I can.
Do you believe there is a formula to being a successful artist?
Cookbook: Yes and no. You can read a how to make it in the game book & do everything exactly right and still not make it. You can have all the natural talent in the world & not work hard enough and not make it. I’ve seen people who bump into success seemingly effortlessly and seen others work harder than anyone else and make it that way too. I think it’s a combination of doing all the steps to success, having talent and working hard that gets most of us there. If there is a formula that I believe in, it’s perseverance. One thing I know, you WILL win on some level if you don’t give up!
CookBook & Surebert- Magic (We Can Do)- Official Video
Who is your greatest inspiration?
Cookbook: My father for sure. Felipe Santiago Soto RIP
In your opinion who is the most influential and successful artist in your genre today and why?
Cookbook: NAS. For one, he made my all-time favorite rap album: Illmatic. He’s still around after a 30+ year career and he’s releasing some of his best work in his late 40’s! Not only that, he’s a great investor too and is soooo paid he can do whatever he wants in music with zero pressure. He chillin! THAT’S success!
Which emotion more than any other, currently dominates your music? Joy, sadness, anger or passion etc. , and why?
Cookbook: I’ve always been a very positive, upbeat person and that emotion lives in my music. Even when goin in on tougher subjects, I’m programmed to bring it back around to positivity! It’s hard for me to stay mad… virtually impossible! I probably can’t stay mad long enough to write an angry song!!!
What sacrifices have you had to make, to make your dream a reality?
Cookbook: I sacrificed college, a “regular” career, relationships, gave up another dream in the art world. Lost a few girlfriends, lived broke AF, and put off doing a lot of things normal people do that aren’t pursuing music. I stayed on tour for YEARS missing family events galore… that’s just naming a few things!
What aspect of the music making process excites you most, and what aspect discourages you the most?
Cookbook: I love making the music. Every aspect of it. I love making beats, writing raps, writing songs, recording. I’m discouraged by the marketing/business side of the music. It’s the part that creatives have the most trouble with.
Lounge Music By CookBook & Surebert - OFFICIAL VIDEO
Where do you see yourself and your music in 10 years?
Cookbook: I’ll probably be somewhere in some small town on tour singing the blues and playin the piano feeling old AF but loving it!
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO OTHER UP AND COMING ARTISTS OR PEOPLE LOOKING TO BREAK INTO THE MUSIC INDUSTRY?
Cookbook: Put a lot into your craft. Know as much if every aspect of music making as possible. Learn how to write great hooks. They sell your song way more than your bars do. Find like-minded people who feel it’s their vision to help you make your vision happen. You need them! Someone who can help you in the studio, but more importantly in the business! A manager type who’ll rude wit you. Jay-Z needed his Dame Dash… and so do you.
Is there anything else you would like people to know about you or your music?
Cookbook: I just want them to FWM! Take a listen to Jason Soto Was Here. I released that in 2019. It says everything about me and I out every aspect of what I do into those songs. It’s the best representation of me and what I do. After you listen to that, listen to ALL my other music on repeat!!!
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Exclusive | Mike Crump Talks the Release of His Latest Project 'Love Jones'
Philadelphia rapper, Mike Crump, talks the release of his latest project Love Jones and staying true to his roots in an exclusive interview! Check it out here!
“My music comes from the soul, I love making music and would do it for free. This is history in the making, don’t miss it.”
By: Omar Cook
This week's "Who's Hot?" Artist of the week is Philly rapper, Mike Crump! Mike Crump has such a unique flow, that you know exactly who it is when he steps on the mic. He brings a CyHi The Prince feel to his tracks but still has his own flow. His latest project “Love Jones” is full of some dope R&B samples and is definitely a project that should be in your playlist. Mike Crump has been making music for a minute, but still remains under the radar and is continuously evolving from project to project. Check out this artist and be on the lookout for this up and coming artist!
Mike Crump - DON'T SAY MY NAME/YOU NEED ME
We talked with Mike Crump in an exclusive interview, check it out below!
QUESTION: HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN MAKING MUSIC AND HOW DID YOU GET STARTED?
Mike Crump: I been making music for about 6 years and it was something I always wanted to do but just wasn't confident enough. Until one day I just went for it and I never looked back.
QUESTION: MUSICALLY, WHO HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST INFLUENCE IN HELPING YOU ALONG YOUR JOURNEY AND WHO ARE YOUR FAVORITE MUSICIANS?
Mike Crump: I'm never really influenced by just a single artist. I appreciate the art form so whenever I hear something great, I'm inspired no matter who the artist is. Now my favorites are Nas, J Cole, Kendrick, Drake, and Loaded Lux.
QUESTION: WHAT ARTISTS WOULD YOU LIKE TO COLLABORATE WITH AND WHY?
Mike Crump: Well of course my favorites but outside of that I would love to work with whoever I feel sounds great with me or on the project I'm working on. The feeling of my music always changes so God only knows who I would call on.
QUESTION: WHAT DO YOU FEEL IS YOUR BEST SONG EVER RELEASED AND WHY?
Mike Crump: My best project is Love Jones because it’s my latest project lol. But seriously it has an authentic feeling and doesn't sound like anything you have heard. Hip Hop always has a wave and no matter what, I stay true to myself. I think people find it refreshing.
MIKE CRUMP - WHO ARE YOU
QUESTION: WHAT PROJECTS CAN WE LOOK FORWARD TO IN THE FUTURE?
Mike Crump: I'm working on a project that will be coming out really soon. I don't have a title just yet but it’s on the horizon. I'm taking my time so it will be well crafted. Follow my Instagram to check out some snippets @mikecrump4k.
QUESTION: HOW DO YOU GENERATE NEW IDEAS FOR YOUR MUSIC?
Mike Crump: It just flows naturally, I'm always thinking and working on being the best artist I can be. Practice allows me to keep my skills sharp so coming up with new material is easy.
QUESTION: WHAT MOTIVATES YOU AND HOW DO YOU DEFINE SUCCESS?
Mike Crump: I want to be the best its that simple but also the best version of my self, If that doesn't motivate you nothing will. I define success by the work someone puts it, money awards and record sales just feed your ego, I need none of that because I know who I am.
QUESTION: HOW DO YOU DESCRIBE YOUR MUSIC TO PEOPLE?
Mike Crump: Someone once told me I had to pick a lane and you know what, I don't. My music sounds like me and that's unique and driven by the heart. To know what I sound like is to know me and I'm a complicated person. That's my way of saying I'm not sure yet because just like myself I'm not done discovering who I am. That easily separates me because there is no other person like me.
QUESTION: DO YOU BELIEVE THERE IS A FORMULA TO BEING A SUCCESSFUL ARTIST?
Mike Crump: I don't, I think everybody has their own unique path. What works for you might work for me or it might not.
QUESTION: WHO IS YOUR GREATEST INSPIRATION?
Mike Crump: I love seeing people come from where I come from and make it out. It gives me hope that one day I will do the same. Success is viewed different by so many people but in my eyes it’s Nas. To stay true to your roots while also growing and changing in a world where cash and accolades rules all is special to me.
QUESTION: WHICH EMOTION MORE THAN ANY OTHER, CURRENTLY DOMINATES YOUR MUSIC? JOY, SADNESS, ANGER OR PASSION ETC. , AND WHY?
Mike Crump: Passion simply because that's what drives me. I love hip hop and passion is what keeps me going, you can hear it in my music.
QUESTION: WHAT SACRIFICES HAVE YOU HAD TO MAKE, TO MAKE YOUR DREAM A REALITY?
Mike Crump: Man I lost friends, relationships, family you name it. All to keep the dream alive. I have to live my life and that's what I want to do.
QUESTION: WHAT ASPECT OF THE MUSIC MAKING PROCESS EXCITES YOU MOST, AND WHAT ASPECT DISCOURAGES YOU THE MOST?
Mike Crump: I love recording a track, and being so surprised how it came out. When you make something extraordinary, that's the best feeling in the world. I hate the business side of music, completely necessary and I get it. That's just not why I got into this.
QUESTION: WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF AND YOUR MUSIC IN 10 YEARS?
Mike Crump: I could say on top but that doesn't mean as much to me as it did in the past. In 10 years I hope to still be doing what I love and I want to look back and be proud of what I have done.
QUESTION: WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO OTHER UP AND COMING ARTISTS OR PEOPLE LOOKING TO BREAK INTO THE MUSIC INDUSTRY?
Mike Crump: Follow your heart, don't worry about doing everything right. If your heart is in the right place everything will work itself out.
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Exclusive | Maui Max Talks His Motivation To Change Lives Through Music
East Coast rapper, Maui Max talks using his music to change lives and setting a blueprint for his kids in exclusive interview! Check it out here!
“Everything I say in my music are real emotions and things that I go through whether it’s a hype song or something you can just ride to. You never have to worry about me fabricating anything or being something i’m not; I give you the good and the bad.”
By: Omar Cook
This week's "Who's Hot?" Artist of the week is East Coast rapper, Maui Max! This 25 year old artist was born in Newark, New Jersey but now resides in Atlanta, Georgia. We’ve interviewed a lot of talented artists on this platform, and this is easily one of the most under the radar rappers out right now. Maui Max brings a dope flow with raw lyrics and just about every song is a banger in it’s own right. He does a good job of making music you can vibe to, and music you can turn up to while still holding true to his own originality. Slept on is an understatement, and if you’re looking for new music for your playlist, this artist has to be added.
Maui Max - Want It All (Prod. by LaCoMusic)
We talked with Maui Max in an exclusive interview, check it out below!
QUESTION: How long have you been making music and how did you get started?
Maui Max: Been making music seriously for about 6 years. I moved from Jersey to Georgia in 2011, got a job at a clothing store and one of the managers told me I looked like somebody who would hang out with his little brother lol. So one day he introduced me then me and bro been rocking ever since, come to find out he does music not only rap, but produces and engineers as well. I always wanted to rap but at the time I didn’t think it was realistic and in Jersey there weren’t many platforms or studios that I knew of. Being a fly on the wall and watching the homies work, doing features here and there and being pushed to take it seriously, I said why not? I’m going to make my own mixtape and it was on from there.
QUESTION: Musically, who has been your biggest influence in helping you along your journey and who are your favorite musicians?
Maui Max: My biggest influence can’t just be one person, it’s a whole plethora of artists I look up to but if I had to name any off top it would be Pac, Jay Z, Nas, Curren$y, Dom Kennedy, Schoolboy Q, Cole, Wiz, Cudi, and the late great Nipsey Hussle not just because he’s gone now. People that know me knows what he meant to me alive. It’s hard because i’m a rap music guy and so many artist have a big influence on who I am as a person and style as an artist. 9/10 if they from LA they probably had an impact on me at some point, I love the culture and authenticity of the westcoast.
QUESTION: What artists would you like to collaborate with and why?
Maui Max: Most people I would like to collab with are people I would like to just sit down and chop it up with, get game, ask questions, build far beyond music, people who I identified with and said “We be thinking the same shit.” So I guess it would be my idols and influencers I named previously. I don’t really have anybody in particular i’m just dying to work with, I let stuff like that happen naturally. Matter fact, Pharrell, when he collabs with artists he brings this classic feeling.
QUESTION: What do you feel is your best song/project ever released and why?
Maui Max: TO ME my favorite song that I released will probably be “Work” produced by the homie Waitmattno. The bars and flow are effortless and when people want to hear me for the first time that is my go to track. It gets people moving. Song is so old but timeless, I had a lot to get off my chest and I was angry because somebody told me that my music was alright so I said i’ll show them how alright I am and boom, everyone’s favorite song by me was made lol. It’s been so hard to recreate something like that.
QUESTION: What projects can we look forward to in the near future?
Maui Max: I have my first full length project dropping summer time 2019 executively produced by the dude I said I met and got me into music LaCo. It’s so dope so far I can’t wait for people to hear it and also see the visuals, it’s a reintroduced me. Don’t have a name for it yet as I like things to come naturally, we just building the product til it’s ready 100%.
QUESTION: How do you generate new ideas for your music?
Maui Max: Live. I just speak about what i’m feeling. I feel like you can never run out of ideas if you just being you.
QUESTION: What motivates you and how do you define success?
Maui Max: My kids motivate me, I got 2 boys, the world motivates me, cause I love it so much but hate it at times. I always wanted to go out in a blaze of glory fighting for what I believe in and that’s the betterment of my people. When it’s my time to go I want my boys to be able to say I was a real G. I want the world to remember and carry my name, I want to set a blueprint for them. That’s success to me, forget about the money give me a platform to say what I feel needs to be said and done to change lives. I’m also motivated by working for other people because I hate it.
QUESTION: How do you describe your music to people and what separates you from other artists in your genre?
Maui Max: I just say I don’t rap like anybody you’ve heard and that’s because I really believe that. Nobody sounds like me and I don’t sound like anybody. Especially people my age and coming up like I am. I rap how I think a dope rapper should approach a beat not what I think everybody wants to hear.
QUESTION: Do you believe there is a formula to being a successful artist?
Maui Max: Music is powerful. There’s definitely blueprints to follow but I think you can pick and choose what you think would work for you, there’s no right or wrong way to do this and that’s the beauty of it, I think people who want to make money come up with all these analytics and cheat codes but if you genuinely want to reach people you just got to be you, be relatable. Say something, help raise these kids through your music.
QUESTION: In your opinion who is the most influential and successful artist in your genre today and why?
Maui Max: Hands down Hov, could have been Nipsey if given more time (RIP) but look at where Hov came from and where he’s at. The fact that he’s basically 50 and selling out american tours and can drop a album and it’s a big event alone proves that. When that man talks, we listen.
QUESTION: Which emotion more than any other, currently dominates your music? Joy, sadness, anger or passion etc. , and why?
Maui Max: It’s a mix of everything because I’ve been through so much these past couple of years, it really just depends on how i’m feeling in that moment. I’m human and I display that in the music.
Maui Max - #Work (Prod. by WMN)
QUESTION: What sacrifices have you had to make, to make your dream a reality?
Maui Max: Giving up drugs, I have my fun, but I started realizing that partying hard and doing things to tear up my body was taking a toll on what I was making when I really thought it was helping. Having to record in a hot ass garage sweating non stop just to get things done that I might not even like. Taking time away from my kids wishing I can be with them more. Spending my last to make sure I get good quality product so y’all can take me seriously. A whole lot more.
QUESTION: What aspect of the music making process excites you most, and what aspect discourages you the most?
Maui Max: I don’t get excited until the song is done. Most times I already have a pre thought on how I think it will sound and if it doesn’t come out how I thought or want, i’m hurt. So once the main parts of a song is done that’s when I REALLY start to get creative that’s the part that excites me. The writing process can be discouraging sometimes because I can’t always think of something dope to say and I start to overthink. I put a lot of thought into what I put out. Im starting to break out of that though and just free myself and have fun again while still keeping the integrity of the music alive.
QUESTION: Where do you see yourself and your music in 10 years?
Maui Max: Lord willing doing big things, things I always knew I would do, things I never thought I could do. Owning businesses, opening schools, being a real boss.
QUESTION: What advice would you give to other up and coming artists or people looking to break into the music industry?
Maui Max: If you need to, it’s okay to take a break, don’t kill yourself. I went crazy about this thing a million times, it really messes with your head and that’s why you always see these depressed artists. You got hella time, take it to make the best product possible and not the quickest. Also, know what you doing it for if you want to last long, have a purpose, a goal that music can open the doors for. You think big you’ll be big, we different, don’t let small minded people talk you into thinking you tripping I promise you’re not.
QUESTION: Is there anything else you would like people to know about you or your music?
Maui Max: Everything I say in my music are real emotions and things that I go through whether it’s a hype song or something you can just ride to. You never have to worry about me fabricating anything or being something i’m not; I give you the good and the bad. Some songs may be a cry for help, some may be me just saying i’m good now and I was bugging but you’ll always know its coming from me.
IG: @Mauimax
Twitter: @Mauimaxx
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Exclusive | Malcolm Taylor Talks Regaining His Faith and Inspiring People Through Music
Philadelphia rapper, Malcolm Taylor, talks regaining his faith after the birth of his son and using his voice to inspire the world. We talked with Malcolm Taylor in an exclusive interview! Check it out here!
By: Omar Cook
This week's "Who's Hot?" Artist of the week is Philly rapper, Malcolm Taylor! This rapper uses his talents to paint a vivid picture with his lyrics based on his life experiences and uses his voice to spread a conscious, positive message. Malcolm has a versatility in his flow that makes each song feel different and keeps you entranced with the story telling. He remains authentic to his own delivery and separates himself from mainstream artists with his own style. This is an artist you need in your playlist.
Malcolm Taylor - PRAY PRAY PRAY (Music Video)
We talked with Malcolm Taylor in an exclusive interview, check it out below!
Question: How long have you been making music and how did you get started?
Malcolm Taylor: I been making music for over six years now. I can’t really tell you when I started, it’s just always been around me.
Question: Musically, who has been your biggest influence in helping you along your journey and who are your favorite musicians?
Malcolm Taylor: No one actually, I get inspiration from life, experiences, and what ever moves me. Some of my favorites are Biggie, 2pac, Jay-Z, Nas, DMX, OutKast, Kanye West, and Lauryn Hill just to name a few. I could really go on for days with naming my favorites.
Malcolm Taylor - Heart in it (Music Video)
Question: What artists would you like to collaborate with and why?
Malcolm Taylor: At the moment I would say J. Cole and Ty Dolla. I pick Cole because we would compliment each other by giving our point of views on what ever we choose to rhyme about. Ty Dolla brings a different element and vibe. Simply picked him because I enjoy his music.
Question: What do you feel is your best song/project ever released and why?
Malcolm Taylor: I really couldn’t tell you that, I put my all into everything. The one I have more of a personal connection with is a song titled “Faith” on my 1st project titled Commemorate. When I talk about losing my faith when my mother was murdered to gaining it back when my son was born.
Malcolm Taylor - PITY (Music Video)
Question: What projects can we look forward to in the near future?
Malcolm Taylor: I’m working on so much music that my fans just might get more than two projects from me in 2019.
Question: How do you generate new ideas for your music?
Malcolm Taylor: A lot of times I let the the production talk to me. If it doesn’t touch my soul I don’t write or even want to put my energy towards it. The best is like a canvas and what ever it tells me to paint I just go for it.
Question: What motivates you and how do you define success?
Malcolm Taylor: What motivates me is my purpose. My purpose is to be that voice that inspires others, and motivate them in an artistic way.
Question: How do you describe your music to people?
Malcolm Taylor: It’s a heartfelt experience!
Question: Do you believe there is a formula to being a successful artist?
Malcolm Taylor: Not at all. I feel like everybody has their own path to success.
Question: Who is your greatest inspiration?
Malcolm Taylor: So many things but life, my son, my parents, my fans, music and God.
Question: In your opinion who is the most influential and successful artist in your genre today and why?
Malcolm Taylor: I would have to say Jay-Z. We have to sit back and see everything this guy has really accomplished with his team. It’s amazing to me on so many levels. He just continues to break barriers and open doors for artists to really be moguls and business owners.
Question: Which emotion more than any other, currently dominates your music? Joy, sadness, anger or passion etc. , and why?
Malcolm Taylor: Passion because without it how can you make people feel where you’re coming from
Question: What sacrifices have you had to make, to make your dream a reality?
Malcolm Taylor: Go on a budget and really trim the fat on things I don’t really need.
Malcolm Taylor - Can I Live (Music Video)
Question: What aspect of the music making process excites you most, and what aspect discourages you the most?
Malcolm Taylor: Creating the music and performing the music gets me excited the most. At the moment nothing discourages me, I’m in love with process.
Question: Where do you see yourself and your music in 10 years?
Malcolm Taylor: I see my music springing the next generation to do great things.
Question: What advice would you give to other up and coming artists or people looking to break into the music industry?
Malcolm Taylor: Stay true to yourself because it’s only one of you!
Question: Is there anything else you would like people to know about you or your music?
Malcolm Taylor: The New Ep is out now, “Protect your Energy” enjoy it until the next release!
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Exclusive | Jeh $inatra Discusses His Latest Album 'B.LA.C.K.'
New York rapper, Jeh $inatra, is the head of independent record label, Broken Hearts Music Group! We talked with Jeh $inatra in an exclusive interview about his latest album, B.LA.C.K., and more!
By: Omar Cook
This week's "Who's Hot?" Artist of the week is Jeh $inatra, an up and coming lyricist from the East Coast! $inatra hails from Syracuse, New York and graduated college in 2010 with a degree in Business Administration. At 32 years old, this artist is married with a 10 year old daughter and owns an independent record label by the name Broken Hearts Music Group. His label curently features 4 rappers including himself and their in-house producer. $inatra is passionate about all the arts, and as a creative he likes to show off his creativity in many different forms. His most recent album B.LA.C.K. can be found on all major streaming platforms (apple music, spotify, tidal) with a new album that is planned to be dropped in March.
We talked with Jeh $inatra in an exclusive interview, check it out below!
Question: How long have you been making music and how did you get started?
Jeh $inatra: 10 years. I got started through my brother who had been rapping since he was 15 himself back in New York. One day he wanted me to rap on a track with him, took me to the studio, I laid down my verse and the rest is history from that point. Haven’t stopped writing/rapping since.
Question: Musically, who has been your biggest influence in helping you along your journey and who are your favorite musicians?
Jeh $inatra: My biggest influence has been my best friend Tavares. A lot of times when people didn’t quite get the vision or the direction we were going with the music, he never lost sight of it all. He stayed true to what we were doing and what we stood for out of everyone else. Also my wife Candace as well. Huge influence and motivator. Favorite musicians would have to be Frank Sinatra, Bob Marley, Miles Davis, Jay-Z, Nas, Rakim, 2Pac, Notorious B.I.G., Kendrick Lamar, J.Cole...the list goes on and on for me.
Question: What artists would you like to collaborate with and why?
Jeh $inatra: Nas, Pharrell Williams, Adele, a dope R&B singer by the name of Ari Lennox (she has a really dope vibe and sound), H.E.R., Frank Ocean. Why I would like to collaborate with these artists is mostly to pick their brain and the inner workings of their minds. Being around creative minds like these you almost in sense can’t help but want to soak up as much knowledge as possible while given the opportunity. Nas has always been one of my favorite emcees of all time, Pharrell Williams has always been one of my musical idols, and as far as rest of the artists I just love their music.
Question: What do you feel is your best song/project ever released and why?
Jeh $inatra: So far my pick for best song would have to be off of my current album “B.LA.C.K” entitled “ACT III. GLORY”. To me that’s my best song because I was able to channel a more emotional, vulnerable side of myself I never really tap into musically, not to mention recording that record was the only time I spoke on my daughter as much as I did. For an entire song it was me rapping to her my love for her and why I do the things I do for her.
Question: What projects can we look forward to in the near future?
Jeh $inatra: Projects to look forward to in the near future from myself, I’am currently releasing a few singles with other artists leading up to my next major project which is slated to release next year March. I currently have a record set to release 11.14.18 with another artist from the Florida area we’ve been promoting. This is part of the series of singles I’ll be releasing over the next few months. My label also has in the works a compilation album featuring my artists TZO, Liron Dayo, $wayze, Eric King with production by our in-house producer D.A.GonBang.
Question: How do you generate new ideas for your music?
Jeh $inatra: From life experiences mostly. I always find ways to tie in my life into my music as much as possible. I find it to be more organic and truthful, versus just writing from an angle I haven’t really explored. I try to keep as much truth in my music as I can.
Question: What motivates you and how do you define success?
Jeh $inatra: What motivates me would be my Family first and foremost. My daughter, my wife, my mother/father and so forth. My true friends, the artists on my label, other indie artists and just creatives in general, and the sheer love and passion I have for music as a whole. I define success by personal growth and personal goals achieved all the while being able to help others achieve their goals. Success isn’t limited to personal accomplishments, the most successful people in life are those who extend a helping hand to others.
Question: How do you describe your music to people?
Jeh $inatra: “Grown-man rap” lol. Mature rap. In the truest form hip-hop. Not necessarily “backpack rap” or “conscious rap”, but just real rap with real lyrics, real stories, and real life relatable content. Nothing fabricated.
Question: Do you believe there is a formula to being a successful artist?
Jeh $inatra: Yes and No. We’ve all witnessed up and coming artist come from nothing with no formula and blow up to be huge stars, however there are artists like myself who stick to the traditional path and follow that “formula” of hard work, grinding for a long time, not necessarily looking to make the next viral hit. Nothing wrong with that at all, but not every artist is inclined to doing that. Me personal I believe in quality over quantity when it comes to my music and the music our label releases. So to answer I believe there is a formula, I just don’t think it works for every artist.
Question: Who is your greatest inspiration?
Jeh $inatra: My daughter. I’m always striving to create a better life for her.
Jeh $inatra featuring TZO - “ACT X/ FOE”
Question: In your opinion who is the most influential and successful artist in your genre today and why?
Jeh $inatra: Jay-Z, Diddy, Dr. Dre, and there’s a few others. Why because they are the epitome of coming from nothing, working extremely hard, staying dedicated to their craft/vision, and accomplishing honors in the hip-hop industry that rappers only dream about accomplishing.
Question: Which emotion more than any other, currently dominates your music? Joy, sadness, anger or passion etc. , and why?
Jeh $inatra: Passion. I have an undying passion to succeed and help the ones around me succeed.
Question: What sacrifices have you had to make, to make your dream a reality?
Jeh $inatra: Time. Time has been the biggest sacrifice I’ve had to make while chasing this dream. Time spent with family members and loved ones alike. That’s something you never get used to, you can only make the adjustments needed to make it work but you never fully get used to losing out on that time. Sleep lol. Lots of that.
Question: What aspect of the music making process excites you most, and what aspect discourages you the most?
Jeh $inatra: What excites me the most is working with other creative minds, being able to make something from nothing and give birth to an idea in the physical form. I love writing music a lot. When people say it’s therapeutic it truly is. What discourages me about the music making process is the greed associated with working with those same artists. A lot of artists won’t have your best interest at heart even though you’re working closely with these individuals. There’s not too much I don’t like about the process or being involved with creating period.
Question: Where do you see yourself and your music in 10 years?
Jeh $inatra: Where do I see myself in 10 years, successfully running this label with more acts/talent, joint ventures with sports agencies, owning multiple lucrative businesses outside the world of hip-hop, in addition to partnering up with some non-profit organizations and really helping the community. I see myself helping to give back to those who need assistance in any way, shape, or form. To be the most well rounded CEO, that’s my end goal.
Question: What advice would you give to other up and coming artists or people looking to break into the music industry?
Jeh $inatra: Stay true to your art, your craft, stay true to yourself, and your team and the ones around you. The ones who really support your dreams. Never switch up on them. Don’t be afraid to work with other artists. This business is all about relationships and building those, the more you’re receptive to with working with others the more opportunities come your way. Always Be Open Minded to Creating.