Reported by Imani Wj Wright
Know yourself to improve yourself. – Auguste Comte
I’m not exaggerating or speaking in hyperboles when I say I've written about over 3,000 artists in my time as a journalist. I’ve come across an assortment of talents, personas, and skill levels. You’d be amazed by the variations in people, but on the opposite end of the spectrum, it’s eye opening to see how similar artists can be. There’s a typical end-goal that couples the ambitions of many aspiring and even established commercial artists: make something that the masses want to indulge in. Though, one obstacle that some artists encounter while aspiring to reach the aforementioned is maintaining their self identity and true artistic integrity. In the midst of it all, it’s easy to “lose” yourself. But, Memphis musician and model Jai Musiq has no problem with that- at all. SwanoDown had a chance to speak with Jai and discuss how he weaves his way through the industry, and what tips he has for aspiring artists on the climb to the ever so coveted top of the creative food chain.
When you listen to Jai’s projects, J.U.U.G. VOL. II (JV2) and H.I.M., it doesn’t take long to become instantly hooked on his sound. The first track of JV2, “GET IT ONNNNNN” is a catchy melodic tune that shows Jai’s musicality, and dedication to the quality of his work. The piece is engineered with pure professionalism as Jai delivers fun wordplay and a melodic overtone that glides with nothing short of ease over the track. “I usually have an idea of what vibe I'm trying to go for, depending on the song and how I’m feeling or what I’m going through. Usually, I try to find [production] that matches the vibe I’m trying to go with. Then I’ll write a hook to it or match it with the melody that I had in my head,” Jai explained while describing his song-writing process.
Jai possesses an uncanny level of authenticity within his records. Even with a heavy display of grandstanding on some pieces, it never feels like he is acting or in the moment to put on a show, no that’s not the case. And that may be due to Jai having a conscious outlook on understanding himself as a Jai the person before Jai the artist. “My biggest advice is find out who you are. Really more so as a person before you get into the artistry. And once you figure that out, you start to get into what stories you’re going to tell. Everyone has shit they go through, everybody’s human, everybody feels emotions,” Jai stated.
Stay up to date with Jai Musiq Here
Jai Musiq: A Keen Understanding of Art & Self [SwanoDown Report]
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