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Rago Magazine catch up with J.Keys!

J Keys welcome to Rago Magazine please introduce your self!

What's up world it's the one and only J. Keys - emcee, visionary, and student of the world. I came to liven up the party and still get up for work the next morning. Scream at me!  

Originally you’re from Detroit, home of Motown Records, J Dilla, Eminem and D12 amongst others; what was the hip hop scene like when you were growing up in Detroit?

It was a good look. We were definitely very well-rounded, looking back.  We listened to a nice mix of what was big all over the country- East, West, and South.

You had a lot of hot clubs and some dope open mic spots.  WJLB had it locked for years but then along came WHTD, who used to give a lot of local artists shine on their station.  This forced WJLB to do the same and it became good for the city musically.  Around this time, a lot of the artists you mentioned earlier finally started to get national attention: D-12, Slum Village, and Eminem. 

You now reside in the Big Apple.  Why did you decide to move to New York?

I was mesmerized by the lights, cameras, action, record labels, TV Networks, and most of all, the seemingly endless opportunities.  I wanted to be closer to all of this.  It used to seem like it was out of my reach.

But I will keep it 100.  I lost my job, which made me decide to take a leap of faith.  I found myself back at square one with no safety net, so I decided it was time to get out of my comfort zone.  I packed my bags and have been on this mission ever since.

Musically how do these 2 cities compare?

I think each city has certain things in common and certain differences.  Everything you see on Viacom (BET, MTV, etc.) and hear on Clear Channel and Radio One is pretty much universal.  All of the most popular music is poppin in both cities.

New York is the birthplace of Hip-Hop, and was the epicenter of Disco during that era.  So, it’s very club-heavy and everything has an upbeat feel to it.  You can still feel traces of the B-Boy and Disco influence in the dance, culture, and clubs.  Musically NY has something for everybody no matter what genre you're into.

Detroit is a very soulful city.  You have that heavy R&B and Gospel influence.  A lot of people don't know that the D is actually heavy on Techno, House, and Booty Music.  They each have their own culture.  I used to be able to "Jit" to booty music.  Well alright, I had one hot move… my Jit was actually just mediocre.

But don't ask me to choose between Detroit and NY musically. I love them both!

How did you get in the game?

I guess you could say I put myself in the game.  I started off rhyming, then promoting college parties.  When I moved to New York, I worked for free.  I stalked this one exec at Universal Records until they allowed me to intern.  I soaked up everything I could working at a couple of different record labels, and I apply that to what I do now.

Your music has that organic feel to it that’s lyrical and brings back the real essence of Hip Hop.  What is your take on the way mainstream hip hop has evolved into a kind of pop/dance music?

It's a double edged sword.  I think it is hot that this music has grown and taken on so many shapes. I think it’s important that people dance, release stress, and have a good time.  Hell, even our grandparents used to get it in.

On the flipside, I think a lot of the meaningful messages in Hip-Hop have taken a back seat to the surface-level, materialistic, sing-songy, catchy music that gets mainstream coverage.  It gives the world a false impression that this is all we stand for.  When it is more realistic to say that this is what we are about for maybe 4 hours per week - on a Friday or Saturday night. 

The rest of the week, we are holding down jobs, chilling with our family, paying bills, going to school, raising kids, etc.  But it feels like no stations or networks are interested in supporting the songs that tell these kinds of stories. 

Don't get it twisted- J. Keys is an adult and loves to party.  But, I want to paint a more realistic picture.  I don't know anyone that really wears 4 iced out chains at once on a Friday night to the club.  Real people, we ain't on that.  A little message here and there will only inspire the younger generation.  I think we need that mix.

You recently dropped your a mixtape; tell us about the mix and why you called it ‘The Dead Horse’?

The title 'The Dead Horse' is a play on the phrase "beating a dead horse."  It feels like musically we have exhausted the same subject matter. On this project my aim was to take the same formula and use it to start retraining the audience's ears. I want to open folk’s minds up to something that sounds more human. 

Half the project I'm venting, the other half I'm showing you how it should be done.

What other releases have you had out? 

I have my official single "The One Two" now available on iTunes, and Amazon. Go get it ASAP!

Will you be working on an album any time soon?

Absolutely, I am always writing and recording.  Right now, I am concentrating on the Vodka and Vegetables mixtape, but I am holding other joints for the studio album. The single "The One Two" will also be on the studio album.

Where can people go and listen to your music and find out more about J Keys?

The best place to go is http://www.jkeys.com to find out more. Also follow me on twitter @jkeysmusic

Thanks for taking the time out to do this interview, is there anything else you would like to add?

You know it. To the world out there listening, we always say we want something new, we want something we can feel. When it comes along, embrace it, and pass it on to other people.  You don't have to accept what programmers tell you is hot.  You are the ones that dictate to radio and TV networks what is hot. 

Please continue to support me and I promise I won't let you down. I'm using my voice to speak on behalf of the real people.  Even if we never get everything we dream, it is still worth pursuing. You get my back and I got yours.

Interview by Jai Boo

www.myspace.com/jaiboowolftown