 
Published: March 22, 2008 11:40 PM EST
By: Isaac Joseph Davis Junior
(Juniorscave.com)
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JASON
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If you are wondering what Hip-Hop will evolve into, then check out this next artist who give us some insights on this question. JASON, a native of Virginia, is putting a new spin on Hip-Hop with his fresh approach to making music. What makes JASON stands out is his willingness to make music that speaks about life; both the good and bad. His style reminisces that of the earlier Hip-Hop era when Hip-Hop artists spitted their stories of joy, pain, and life’s struggles through their rhymes. Check out this recent interview that JASON took the time to complete with Junior’s Cave.
Isaac-Joseph: Briefly describe how you entered into the music industry.
JASON: Well, before I became "JASON, One word, All Caps, CAP CITY!!" I started at age 11 as just a MC writing rhymes and reciting them only to my friend T. Jones at the bus stop. He and I would write rhymes at home and then spit them to each other in the morning. We found out during a baseball game at the historic Klehr Field in Richmond, VA. that one of our close friends from the neighborhood had some light DJ and recording equipment. The DJ- turned full time Producer known as "Ark" invited I, T Jones, and our friend "Verm" to his parents house to go through some old records and search for samples. That night, at age 14 we recorded our first song entitled "Magic", and our group "Tha County" was born. We'd go on to record over 400 songs as a group, performed in showcases and local public access TV shows. One of our songs finally landed us a deal with Footlocker/Adidas for an international commercial. (Light chuckle)...The story could go on but that's pretty much the beginning in a nutshell, that's how I got into the music industry.
Isaac-Joseph: What is the most rewarding aspect to making music currently for you?
JASON: Man that's a good question, it's a blessing just to be able to do it but…right now the most rewarding I'd have to say is touching people with my songs, with my thoughts and point of view. To hear somebody say that the song touched them or that they can relate to the song is major. I think that's the best music and you built the best fans when you open yourself up in your songs.
Isaac-Joseph: What has discouraged you the most about making music?
JASON: that's easy…THAT GOOD, QUALITY MUSIC, AND LINE-FOR-LINE LYRICS AIN'T ENOUGH ANYMORE! The business is so microwave, or instant macaroni. Everybody is looking for that one hit single, seemingly over night success and after that you can be done for all the people care…"bring on the next musical zombie!"
Isaac-Joseph: Do you have a personal philosophy about music? If so, what is it?
JASON: My personal philosophy is do not be afraid to be vulnerable, be as true to self as possible and let the emotion spill onto the track. Don't let anybody or even any other artist change you and make you create something you can't be proud of. I truly think the people will love you for that. I make a lot of references to my upbringing and ones that cared for me and that I care about. That's just being real, I was blessed my dude. I also like to record in a fairly empty studio, me and the engineer and possibly the producer of the track is plenty to me. I don't like having all those extra minds and opinions in the room. I want just the core skill and creative sources of that project there, let us make this magic!
Isaac-Joseph: One of my favorite tracks from you is entitled "Earls Gone Fishin". Just having lost a close friend just last week this track spoke to me immensely. How important was it for you to get this track completed?
JASON: man brother, I'm truly sorry to hear about your lost. I wish you all the strength and the knowledge to deal with your lost. That song is one of the most important songs, probably second to a song I wrote called "Just to be Close to You" that deals with the lost of my Mother and the gain of my Mom. I lost her to cancer as well when I was 5. My father re-married and myself, my older brother, and my then baby sister was raised by one of the greatest, most incredible and inspiring woman I know. She is my mom…NO STEP!
To answer your question though, since Earl Tre Dantzler passed I hadn't really laid a complete song that dealt with the lost and my overall issues with death. I saw a lot of death at a young age, from health issues to street issues in one of the realest cities in America, Richmond, VA. So recording "Earl's Gone Fishing" a concept that had been in my head for a couple years just waiting on the right track, was very important. This song helped me find a way to cope with his lost and possibly help others like you to cope with their own personal losses. This song could become one of the most important songs in hip hop. I'm that confident…I mean from a personal point of view showing an artists' vulnerability. Right up there with Pete Rock and C.L. Smooth's "Reminisce", Ghostface's "All That I Got is You" Tupac's "I ain't mad at ya" and Kanye's "Hey Mama" to name some of the elite.
Isaac-Joseph: When you are performing live in front of an audience, what are the thoughts that are running through you head?
JASON: The thoughts that go through my head are "how does this sound to the audience" like is the sound right. "How does this show look from out there?" "Is it missing something visually?" "Why is this dude in the front ice grilling yet bobbing his head…stop being extra cool you are a hip hop fan, its ok to enjoy the music!!!!"... (Big grin, followed by laughter and JASON's signature bright smile")
Isaac-Joseph: Why is being an independent musician important to you?
JASON: As an independent artist, I am able to have those philosophies I spoke of earlier. I mean being an independent artist isn't easy but it can be more rewarding creatively.
Isaac-Joseph: Do you think the Internet has altered the path of music as an industry? If so, how?
JASON: Hell Yeah!! But, the Internet has altered the path of business and I think that's what we miss when we complain or get in Aw of the way Internet has impacted music. Corporate businesses have seriously invested in ad space on these social networks, creating exclusive "YouTube" commercials. There are companies that use to be "brick and mortar" companies that now exist solely online. We now have online banks, clothing stores, electronic stores, ebay businesses, Travel Agencies (which I own one www.greatgreatratetravel.com, amongst my many other ventures), probably more home businesses exist now than ever before in history due to the internet, etc. So the Internet has altered the path of the music industry because now it's In the process of reinventing itself. Some companies will fall, others will adjust, and new ones will rise. The power is more in the artist hand right now to be independently successful and widely heard. I'm an artist from Richmond, VA who has never performed in Germany or Spain but has appeared in a German publication and gotten spins in the club in both countries…That's crazy!! The Internet has been great…my album is Available online now!!! www.jason804.com (devilish chuckle for the plug)
Isaac-Joseph: Any advice for other musicians out there when it comes to using the Internet as a medium for getting their music heard to the masses?
JASON: My advice to other musicians is copyright your music, try to avoid samples and recording other's songs, read and research which method or distribution company is best for you, your music will NOT sell itself so you still have to promote your music and let people know where they can purchase your music.
Isaac-Joseph: What kind of recording software do you use?
JASON: Majority of the studios I work in use Pro Tools
Isaac-Joseph: I know that everybody has his or her idea of a dream artist, someone who for whatever reasons that person would just love to listen to and admire. As an entertainer yourself, if you could play with one of your "dream" musicians, anyone at all, who would it be and why?
JASON: Redman for solo artist or OutKast as a group…I grew up loving Redman music and he always gave one hell of a show and I think I'll feed off his energy; it could be a wild show. OutKast because they are one of my favorite groups of all time and it would just be a huge accomplishment to me to be able to say that they invited me to rock with them on stage
Isaac-Joseph: What are you hoping to gain from your experience of being a musician and making music?
JASON: I Hope to gain satisfaction creatively, I hope to release and deal with my personal issues. I don’t talk about what bothers me or what I struggle with until that pen hits the pad. I hope to shed some light on my neighborhood, city, and my state. Shawty, real talk VA has a lot of talent and a lot of creativity in the arts across the board that has a hard time getting out. I want people to know what we have going on out here…so you'll see me in VA clothing, pictures in VA restaurants and establishments. I'm out here seeing the states and soon the world but VA raised me so I have to show the masses who we are and why I am…
Isaac-Joseph: What are you hopes for your music in the year 2008?
JASON: In 2008 I want to continue to push this record "Born to Motivate…Raised to Succeed" available now on line so check me out www.jason804.com. I want to tour and perform these songs. I'm hoping to license some music as well for commercial use…so movie sound tracks, TV shows, commercials…I want it all. I'm featured on a few mix tapes hitting the streets and working on a new album. I plan to put out the new project by the end of the year. So it's just the grind homie.
Isaac-Joseph: This is our Shout Out time. Please give props to anyone and everyone that matters the most to you.
JASON: I'd like to shout my sisters Morgan Jevon and Ashlie A.KA. "Ashlie Boo", My moms (Cakes By Pat, Richmond, VA) and pops, My brother the owner and photographer of "The Digital Scene" (www.thedigitalscene.com), Aunt Justine, Chamberlayne Boys, My travel agency (www.greatgreatratetravel.com) All current and alumni Aggies of NC A&T SU, all my fans and Cap City, VA….if I forgot you charge it to my head and not my heart. I love my loved ones!!
Isaac-Joseph: This is Shameless Plug time: Give us some updates on new releases and other projects in the works.
JASON: Be on the look out for my dude ConFlict's Album coming this summer… I'm on that project as well; Conflict is a monster and has something to say so definitely get you some of that conflict music.
Isaac-Joseph: Final Thoughts:
JASON: Keep your faith and don't give up on your goals…
JASON
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