UF: For the people who don't know who you are, tell the people your name and where you from?
My name is Jay West and I’m from Massachusetts, originally from Boston.
UF: How did you get started in music?
I just played around with it & people thought I was good, so I started pursuing it more actively.
UF: For everybody that hasn't heard your music before, explain your sound and style to them.
I think the best way to explain it is just that its good music. I try and give you a musically experience that will have a lasting effect, but with my own personal style.
UF: Who are some of your musical influences in the industry and why?
I like most of the artists that most people would say, but I really am influenced by artists like The Clipse & Killer Mike. They've shown that you don’t always need a major label or major budget to make good music or stay relevant.
UF: As a new artist, what was the best piece of advice that has been given to you so far?
A guy by the name of Shawn at Masterlink Studios told me just to hear someone out as far as them giving you advice because even though you may never use it initially, there could always be something of use to you in every conversation & they will keep giving you advice that could be crucial to your career. But if you dismiss their intentions to help you, they could shut that door of advice possibly forever.
UF: I see that you will be releasing your EP, Talk of Massachusetts very soon, what can your fans expect from that project?
Well they can expect a solid EP that includes good beats, good lyrics & ideas. Obviously you are limited in what you can do with an EP but I think overall people will be satisfied with the project.
UF: Putting together a musical piece of work can sometimes be a very difficult task, what if any challenges did you face when completing your EP?
Knowing when to take breaks (laughs)! Even though this is something I love, sometimes you feel a little stale or stagnant but you want to finish it because its "what you do" as they say but sometimes taking a step back & recharging yourself mentally can be the best thing to do.
UF: I know that you have started at the young age of 13, since then how do you feel you have grown as a rapper and an entertainer?
I think I've grown a lot because before I wouldn't really go beyond one or two topics to rap about, but now I touch all topics whenever I can. I also noticed that even though my core audience is my priority, I have to give a little time to people who may not be familiar with Jay West's music and see if I can bring them into the fold.
UF: So what made you start Jay West Entertainment? And what do you guys actually do at Jay West Entertainment?
I just wanted to have my own business & be my own boss, but as time went on I've tried to handle things from the standpoint of a businessman. At Jay West Entertainment, we're more in the initial phases of things, it's not a full fledged business but it's more of a brand that I want to build slowly but steadily. Right now its just music, but I plan to expand on it.
UF: I ask this question to every artist, but since it seems like everybody wants to be an artist these days what would be some key advice that you would you give to someone that is looking to start their own career in the music industry?
I would tell them to PUT THEIR MONEY WHERE THEIR MOUTH IS! If someone's serious about being in this industry, money must be spent. Even if you want your own company you got to pay to get it registered. In my opinion, that’s how you find out if someone's serious is if they're willing to spend some money & spend it wisely.
UF: Since I know there are a lot of artists that are making moves in Massachusetts, what are you planning to do to separate yourself from all of the other talented artists?
I just plan to network, treat things from a business perspective & I should be fine. Anyway you look at it, I feel I have good music that some people will appreciate, but I have to do the things I just mentioned to make myself stand out & be a noticeable force.
UF: What are some projects on the horizon for Jay West?
I've got an untitled street album I’m working on that I want to drop early next year; a single or two should be on the way so stay tuned for that. I also want to release a mixtape full of music I've been holding onto for awhile, but I’m not sure yet, we'll see how that turns out.
UF: With everything in music always changing where do you see yourself in the next five years?
Hopefully still doing music but in a better position career-wise & skill-wise.
UF: This might be a crazy for a new artist, but when your career is over what do you want to be known for?
Just being myself & being true to the music I made.
UF: Where can people find you at?
On myspace at: jaywestmusic, on twitter at: @jaywest_ & on reverb nation at: jaewess. They can also find my music on itunes, rhapsody & amazon.com.
UF: Any last shouts outs.....
I would like to thank Ancor Company for helping me with my marketing, DJ BChenk for helping me reach a wider audience with my music, Walrond Bros for holding me down, ANY blogger, dj, supporter, etc for buying, playing or supporting my music & you guys for taking time out your day to give me this interview.
My name is Jay West and I’m from Massachusetts, originally from Boston.
UF: How did you get started in music?
I just played around with it & people thought I was good, so I started pursuing it more actively.
UF: For everybody that hasn't heard your music before, explain your sound and style to them.
I think the best way to explain it is just that its good music. I try and give you a musically experience that will have a lasting effect, but with my own personal style.
UF: Who are some of your musical influences in the industry and why?
I like most of the artists that most people would say, but I really am influenced by artists like The Clipse & Killer Mike. They've shown that you don’t always need a major label or major budget to make good music or stay relevant.
UF: As a new artist, what was the best piece of advice that has been given to you so far?
A guy by the name of Shawn at Masterlink Studios told me just to hear someone out as far as them giving you advice because even though you may never use it initially, there could always be something of use to you in every conversation & they will keep giving you advice that could be crucial to your career. But if you dismiss their intentions to help you, they could shut that door of advice possibly forever.
UF: I see that you will be releasing your EP, Talk of Massachusetts very soon, what can your fans expect from that project?
Well they can expect a solid EP that includes good beats, good lyrics & ideas. Obviously you are limited in what you can do with an EP but I think overall people will be satisfied with the project.
UF: Putting together a musical piece of work can sometimes be a very difficult task, what if any challenges did you face when completing your EP?
Knowing when to take breaks (laughs)! Even though this is something I love, sometimes you feel a little stale or stagnant but you want to finish it because its "what you do" as they say but sometimes taking a step back & recharging yourself mentally can be the best thing to do.
UF: I know that you have started at the young age of 13, since then how do you feel you have grown as a rapper and an entertainer?
I think I've grown a lot because before I wouldn't really go beyond one or two topics to rap about, but now I touch all topics whenever I can. I also noticed that even though my core audience is my priority, I have to give a little time to people who may not be familiar with Jay West's music and see if I can bring them into the fold.
UF: So what made you start Jay West Entertainment? And what do you guys actually do at Jay West Entertainment?
I just wanted to have my own business & be my own boss, but as time went on I've tried to handle things from the standpoint of a businessman. At Jay West Entertainment, we're more in the initial phases of things, it's not a full fledged business but it's more of a brand that I want to build slowly but steadily. Right now its just music, but I plan to expand on it.
UF: I ask this question to every artist, but since it seems like everybody wants to be an artist these days what would be some key advice that you would you give to someone that is looking to start their own career in the music industry?
I would tell them to PUT THEIR MONEY WHERE THEIR MOUTH IS! If someone's serious about being in this industry, money must be spent. Even if you want your own company you got to pay to get it registered. In my opinion, that’s how you find out if someone's serious is if they're willing to spend some money & spend it wisely.
UF: Since I know there are a lot of artists that are making moves in Massachusetts, what are you planning to do to separate yourself from all of the other talented artists?
I just plan to network, treat things from a business perspective & I should be fine. Anyway you look at it, I feel I have good music that some people will appreciate, but I have to do the things I just mentioned to make myself stand out & be a noticeable force.
UF: What are some projects on the horizon for Jay West?
I've got an untitled street album I’m working on that I want to drop early next year; a single or two should be on the way so stay tuned for that. I also want to release a mixtape full of music I've been holding onto for awhile, but I’m not sure yet, we'll see how that turns out.
UF: With everything in music always changing where do you see yourself in the next five years?
Hopefully still doing music but in a better position career-wise & skill-wise.
UF: This might be a crazy for a new artist, but when your career is over what do you want to be known for?
Just being myself & being true to the music I made.
UF: Where can people find you at?
On myspace at: jaywestmusic, on twitter at: @jaywest_ & on reverb nation at: jaewess. They can also find my music on itunes, rhapsody & amazon.com.
UF: Any last shouts outs.....
I would like to thank Ancor Company for helping me with my marketing, DJ BChenk for helping me reach a wider audience with my music, Walrond Bros for holding me down, ANY blogger, dj, supporter, etc for buying, playing or supporting my music & you guys for taking time out your day to give me this interview.
0 comments:
Post a Comment