The JBizz x IAHHM Interview
Making his first appearance on the IAHHM platform from the 508 is an upcoming artist by the name is J-Bizz to discuss his rise and future plans in the music industry, future projects, recording equipment, struggles of an independent artist, dream collaborations and more! Read the full interview below! #FreeGame
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WHERE DOES DRAKE RANK IN YOUR BEST OVERALL RAPPER LIST? WHAT DO YOU THINK THE PUSHA T BEEF DID FOR BOTH PARTIES?
A. I really don’t consider him that at all. Maybe one of the most successful rappers overall. Not top 10 material in my book. I think often times people confuse success with talent. As far as the beef situation, I felt like it was & always will be a good thing for the culture. Everyone doesn’t need to be friends and work together it’s a sport…competitiveness should be expected. Although both diss songs weren’t that enjoyable or quoteable from my point of view.
FAVORITE HIP HOP GROUP OF ALL TIME?
A. The LOX.
WHAT HAS THE HARDEST OBSTACLE AS AN INDEPENDENT RECORDING ARTIST BEEN?
A. Finding a consistent PR. Also building a solid team has been difficult.
A lot easier said than done.
WHAT PLATFORM ARE YOU USING TO DISTRIBUTE YOUR MUSIC AND WHY?
A. I chose Tunecore back in 2013. I like how they let you keep 100% of your royalties & all you have to do is pay yearly to renew. That’s more than fair.
WHAT IS YOUR STANCE ON KANYE WEST?
A. I feel as if we are both very much alike. Both introverts. People often mistake it for anger or aggression but that’s not always the case. I’ve always been a fan & even bought “College Dropout” when it first came out. It was my first album that I bought with my own money.
HOW MANY ARTISTS HAVE YOU COLLABORATED WITH LOCALLY?
A. More than a dozen I would say. Still waiting for some of these records to see the light of day…
HOW SERIOUS ARE YOU ABOUT MAKING A LIVING FROM MUSIC? ARE YOU A STUDENT OF THE GAME?
A. Of course!
I plan on making this full time by 2019. My goal is 5k a month off shows, merch, streams, film/tv placements & graphic design.
60K a year off music is very optimistic to me.
WHAT IS LACKING IN HIP HOP MUSIC THAT YOU THINK YOU CAN CHANGE?
A. Diversity.
Radios need to spin more than the same 5 songs & Artists need to stop settling for what works or what works “right now.” I created my own lane, genre (Hip-Hope) & flow called “ABC321.” It’s used in one of my most popular songs “The Jungle.”
IN ORDER, RANK YOUR TOP 5 PRODUCERS IN THE GAME RIGHT NOW?
A. 9th Wonder, Statik Selektah, DJ Premiere, Scott Storch, No ID
FAVORITE ALBUM SO FAR THIS YEAR?
A. Jay Rock’s Redemption is a masterpiece. Love that album from start to finish.
IN ORDER, RANK YOUR TOP 5 RAPPERS IN THE GAME
A. Nas, Jadakiss, King Los, Rakim, Cyhi Da Prince.
IF YOU COULD COLLABORATE WITH ANY SINGER MALE OR FEMALE FOR A JOINT ALBUM WHO WOULD IT BE?
A. Lyfe Jennings!
DO YOU THINK THE STREAMING ERA IS HURTING OR BENEFITING ARTISTS THESE DAYS?
A. Helping!
Music has been on the decline for years. We are actually in a place where we get paid just off streams & labels are signing more than ever!
It’s basically free money if you have or build a fan base. Even landing on a popular playlist will help you grow an audience & help get you paid.
I do feel as if the payouts & rates are quite on the lower end of the spectrum. It should be even rated among the different providers.
WHAT WOULD YOUR ADVICE BE TO ASPIRING ARTISTS FROM YOUR AREA?
A. Build a team from the get go. Maybe I should have established that first.
Also push singles not albums…build a fan base of that single then hit them with the album. Also invest more than half of your money on marketing. It will work out for the best.
Where are you from ?
A. I was born & raised in Framingham Massachusetts! (508)
-How did the crew get started?
A. I joined a rap group in 2008 with a fellow classmate called B&B. We completed an EP but went our separate ways after middle school. That was the first time we both ever recorded in a real studio before.
Ever since 2011, I have been a D.I.Y. artist.
-When and how did you get into music?
A. I wrote my first song called “Pockets full of rhymes” back in 2004. I use to write poems here and there but never really wanted to become a rapper. I still wanted to be a basketball star.
I heard Nas “I Can” song which led me to want to rap.
-How did you choose your rap name ?
A. I used to go by J-Bizzle back when Snoop made the “izzle” thing popular.
I dropped my debut solo project “The Come Up” in 2011, I believe the change had been made right around then.
Also I use to be quite nosey as a child. A friend of my moms use to call me “JaBizz” because I was in everything that didn’t have anything to do with me. I always wanted to know what the adults were up to.
How will you change the industry?
A. By being one of the last, most talented & successful independent artists in recent years!
-Who is in your mainstream top 5?
A. J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar, Joyner Lucas,
Wale & Big Krit.
-What motivated or inspired you to record your last project?
A. Consistency!
All 2017, I was dropping freestyles & loose singles. The Summer of 2017 I dropped my single “Peace” to promote anti gun violence & self love.
I knew that this record was going to be big upon completion.
It’s later success inspired me to put out an EP at the end of that year entitled “Personal Bizzness.” Which led me to getting national attention on The Source & XXL.
-Has there been any time in your journey where you felt like pursuing something else instead of music?
A. Graphic design. I wanted to design every artists mixtape cover at one point in time. Way before I put out my first project. I use to design for a few big names before I became J-Bizz.
Sometimes I’d rather do it full time but some clients are too picky & just don’t let you be creative. I don’t have that problem with music and don’t plan on having it.
Whose side were you on.. Biggie Or Pac?
A. I was about 3 years old when they passed away.
Growing up I always related to Pac more than I did with Biggie.
Maybe that’s because i listened to the radio more often back then than I do now & heard more Pac.
His music was more timeless in my opinion and that’s sort of the path I’m looking to take.
If you had one song of yours to perform on national tv which would it be?
A. 90’s Baby. I auditioned it for the “4” on Fox & made the Top 20!
They still didn’t choose me…I still leaked the audition video though lol.
If you were offered a perfect distribution/sponsorship from every major company in america which company would suit you and your brand the most?
A. Duckdown, Empire or Rhymesayers.
-What is your favorite movie? Favorite actor?
A. I would say Friday. I know that movie word for word it’s really crazy.
Favorite actor would probably be Will Smith.
I literally grew up watching “Fresh Prince.”
-Tell me some of your biggest and/or most enjoyable moments so far?
A. I won the “People’s Choice” award at the very first New England Hip-Hop awards in 2017. One of the first times I felt like my grind was paying off.
I went on Tour with Hi-Rez & Emilio Rojas was dope too! We hit about 8 cities. Got to really experience the road life for the first time.
Also my latest single “Lucy” has surpassed the 500k mark. By far my biggest single to date. Getting ready to release the video any day now!
-What equipment and software do you use to record/produce?
-Name 3 things that make you unique as an artist?
A. I use Cubase or Protools most of the time to record. Mac computer of course.
One aspect that really makes me unique is my cadence. I rarely get comparisons & most times people don’t know who to compare me to.
Another one would be my energy. It’s relentless. Part of the reason why I am nicknamed “Jaguar.”
If you ever got to experience any one of my shows then you would totally understand.
Last but not least would be my diversity. I refuse to be put into a box. My aim is to simply create timeless music.
-Where do you see yourself going with this? What are your big plans?
A. I want to be a full time artist by the end of the year. I have to get a team in order from every aspect & every angle so I can finally just focus on the music.
I signed myself, have been a D.I.Y. artist since 2011!
It’s about time I open up more and expand.
As far as bigger plans, I’m looking to sign 1 or 2 artist and help get them started or offer support in any way. Maybe even cross brand. Bizzness Class Association WILL be a force to reckon with.
-Any projects in the works?
A. Bizzness V.S Pleasure is on the way! For now we are pushing the single “Lucy” which is out right now on ALL streaming platforms.
-What are your rates for features?
A. I’m currently working with ALL budgets. If you have a dope song and the beat is hot, we may be able to work something out.
-Whats the best way to get in
contact with you if we need work done?
