1. Artist name and where did it originated from?
My name is Jam Young. Jam came from the acronym of my initials. Growing up I love that Eminem, used his intials to come up with his name, and I wanted something personal. I feel like it was god given that I could these initials because I know how hard my parents fought choosing my name. Plus Jam is so musical. Jam could mean so many things and most of them are positive. I came up with the name around the age of 14. I used to be “da miracle” before that and I still laugh at that.
2. Where are you from?
I’m from Queens, NY. I represent College Point because I lived there the longest out of all the places I have lived in Queens; from age 7-15. Those are like super influential years. I also lived in Astoria, Jackson Heights, Elmhurst, LIC, Fresh Meadows... so i’m as queens as it gets.
3. Influences/inspirations?
I mentioned it before but Eminem was a huge influence on me. The rhyme schemes, his vocal inflections, the song ideas, and just his emotion. I could relate to that even when i didn’t understand everything he was talking about. Being in constant drama is how my childhood felt so when I heard Eminem it was like a new language... and I wanted to learn it and conquer it in my own way. I would also say, Lupe Fiasco, Ludacris, Jay-Z, Nas, Kanye West, Lil Wayne, Rakim definitely help build my foundation when I was younger and now i’m a huge fan of Kendrick, J. Cole, old Charles Hamilton, and a few others. I also really listen to Pop, old house music, soul, and like radio rock as music genres I like to captivate and learn from.
4. What makes your music different than other artists ?
You know this question is always the most tricky and the most common question i’m asked. What makes my music different really is me. I don’t think I sound like anybody, even if i get compared to artists people are familiar with. I think my positivity, lack of cursing, experimentation, and sheer drive on records makes me stand out. Plus i can give you all flavors and styles of music. Even if it’s 10 different hip-hop songs, there’s gonna be a different swag, concept, and energy with it, which i don’t think you get from a lot of artists. Plus i keep it Queens, always!
5. Dream collab?
There’s quite a few to be honest. I really want to do a track with my ideals: Jay-Z, Nas, Eminem and Kanye Wet but, would also love to do a record with J-Cole, Ab-Soul, Kendrick, XV, Apathy, Dr. Dre, Charles Hamilton, Benny The Butcher, Westside Gunn, DJ Premier, Bas, Logic, LL Cool J, Lloyd Banks, and definitely Pharrell. I guess dream would insuinuate it may not happen but i think on this journey you never know. I think half of those will happen. I believe it will. I’ve met half of them when i wasn’t as prepared as I am now.
6. Favorite rapper and why?
Favorite rapper is tied between Jay-z and Eminem. It depends on the day, really. I tell you who my favorite two singers are, right now, Jessie Reyez and Amber Mark. I would love to do a record with them as well.
7. Where do you see yourself In 10 years?
In ten years... I see myself on a beach in Greece with all of my best friends celebrating the journey we went on and continue to go on. I hope I have a kid or two. Have a wife, Killing the real estate game with houses all over the country. Definitely a summer house and a regular house too, somewhere in Queens. I see myself still doing music too. I definitely see myself as a published writer with one or two books.
8. Favorite album?
Favorite album... I would say growing up, “Marshall Mathers EP” but i think “The Black Album” for my teens, “Forest Hills Drive,” “Section 80” and “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy” are tied for my older age.
9. Upcoming projects?
I don’t think i’ve ever been this successful in terms or having records and projects ready. Me and my music partner, DJ Ray BLK basically have two EP’s on deck, a second mixtape, “Trust The Process Vol. 2.” We did an album with Denver producer Pike and have a group called “PB&J” and a full length album, which is insane. I still want to do a solo album but this album is incredible and better than anything I could’ve dreamed of. It was written basically within 7 days minus a track or two. BLK and I went to denver twice to do shows and finish records and by the end of the second trip, we realized we had a super unique 11 track album. Real diverse. Just the way I said my music is.
Then I got a 6 track EP with queens artist Lex Rush, all produced by P. Cruz and DJ Ray BLK. I got another EP with my brother Jak Skelly, Tommy Gunz, and a few others called “For The Culture.” And i’m working on an EP with one of the dopest mc’s i’ve ever met, H3RO, out of South Carolina. He and I are twins in this shit but musically he’s like the south Kendrick and i’m like the north J. Cole. It’s pretty tight. That project is probably farthest away from dropping. Lastly, BLK and I got an EP with NJ’s The Natural Law, who is in two dope rock bands and helped us produce some super fiery hip-hop music. BLK and I are also dropping a song EVERY WEEK! until my 30th birthday. March 23rd will be the last installment. That is how much music i’ve written over the years and been holding on to. No more holding, only release dates. As i write this we are up to #blkjamfridays number 6. “One Time” featuring Queens artist, Johnny Petrop. There’s also a video dropping for that too. Hopefully when this comes out, People will find the others.
10. Fun fact about you?
a) People think i’m Samoan or something, but I a Ecuadorian and Dominican.
b) I went on tour with Ras Kass, One of the illest mc’s to touch the mic, and El Gant last year.
c) I love a bacon egg and cheese with an Arizona also, with a bag of chips.
d) I won two championships in college playing D3 basketball
e) Jake Palumbo is my engineer and he’s the illest.
f) I did my first show out of town when I was 18.
g) Blk and I met at an open mic in 2016 and have become best friends and collaborators.
h) I used to want be a Pop star before I heard Rap .
i) My favorite alcohol is Saison beers and Tequila.
j) I carry napkins everywhere I go.
Comments