Just Jai

J*9:When did you first get into hip-hop?

Jai: I first got into hip-hop at about 12, I used to have a tape with a track by Da Brat on it, I wrote all the lyrics down and learnt them. And used to spit alongside her that was around the time I got into Biggie

J*9: What was the first record you remember buying?

Jai: The first single I bought was ‘Snoops up side ya head’ but album was ‘Life after Death’ Notorious B.I.G.

J*9: When did you write your first lyrics?

Jai: Well I wrote poems as young as 10 or 11 but I first started to structure my rhymes into actual lyrics in 2006

J*9: How did you know you had this talent?

Jai: I kind of stumbled upon it if I’m honest, I’ve always been a musical person, from I could speak I sang and made noise but rhyming just happened naturally and when I got brave enough to spit in front of people, they got exited so I guess that was how I knew.

J*9: What inspires your lyricism?

Jai: I know this is probably what everyone says but life mainly, trials and tribulations, other good music I hear. You can take inspiration from pretty much anything.

J*9: Describe your style of writing and performing?

Jai: My style of writing and performing I would say up until now is ‘sporadic’ I go through phases of doing so much I can’t do anything else and then phases where I don’t write at all. The pressures on now, I’m trying fulfill my potential so I’m making everyday count out here.

J*9: What is the best piece you have written?

Jai: What’s your best piece? I should ask you, I put equal energy into everything but I’d say one of my favorites recently is my remix of Drakes track. ‘say what’s real’ , I love the creative freedom I had when I made that, I just vented out everything that was on my mind that day.

J*9: How does your gender affect or influence your work?

Jai: It’s a blessing and a curse; it’s hard as a female because unless you carry yourself like a dude (which I don’t) people underestimate you. I always get mistaken as a singer too, and although I do sing, I’m a rapper through and through! But its a blessing cause there are not many of us girls doing it and doing it well!

J*9: Are you involved in any collectives?

Jai: I’m involved with a lot of different artists and collectives, Peoples Army & fifth element mainly at the moment, although I’m solo I love the vibe u get working with collectives n groups of artists, its a support system

J*9: Who have you collaborate with?

Jai: I haven’t collaborated with many people recently, as u know my project is called ‘on my jai’s’ so I’ve been doing the solo thing for a minute but I’ve previously collaborated with Pariz 1, Malik from MD7, genesis Elijah, Logic, Magda, Sinit, Nutty P to name a few.

J*9: Who would be your ideal collaboration?

Jai: Wow! There’s so many people I’d love to work with but its got be Me, Styles P, Jadakiss on a just blaze production. That would be FIYAAAAH!

J*9: Do you have any future projects?

Jai: Yeah I’ve got a few projects in the pipeline right now, hoping to drop something fresh in spring (god willing). And another little something before Christmas, I’m looking to make it happen this year.

www.myspace.com/justjai
www.youtube.com/datchickjai
www.twitter.com/JAIMUSIC