Jacyn Joseph
North Babylon, New York, United States | INDIE
Music
Press
Thanks for taking the time out to do this interview for Rago Magazine. Where are you from and what’s the Hip-Hop scene/industry like there?
Thank you for taking the time to interview me, it’s definitely cool to have my first overseas interview. Well I’m from Long Island New York, born and raised, and the Hip-Hop scene is still going hard from where I’m from, a lot of new hungry underground talent. The industry though, do to the current recession we’re in is really taking a beating in sales. But still if the fans want the music, they will find it by any means necessary, got to love New York for it’s passion of music.
How long have you been rapping and what or who influenced you to pick up the microphone and start writing?
I’ve been involved with music now for almost eleven years, I started around the age of thirteen. A big influence was my partner Steven “Figga” Figueroa and all of my High School buddies, they always pushed me to go forward with my music. The reason I started was because I needed an outlet to channel all of my feelings and emotions, I don’t like holding shit back ya know?
When did you get your first break and was there anyone person who helped along with your music career?
Currently I’m still working on getting that break, but finally the pieces are starting to fall into place. We’re doing this independently so I’m really going after distributors. Every supporter I have has helped me push my career; it’s great to know that I’m surrounded by good people.
What have you released so far and what has the response been like?
Recently I released a promotional LP titled, “Pieces Left Behind”, and have gotten a far better response than I thought I would. Sometimes you don’t know how good the quality of your music is until the public hears and critiques it. I’m very pleased with the response. I’ve never heard anyone say it was, “garbage or shit they wouldn’t buy”, the worst I’ve heard is that it is “different.” But to me being “different” sticks with someone.
What would you say is the most popular track that you have released to date?
Really I can’t even answer that yet, everyone I speak to have a different favorable track from the album. My favorite track though is most likely “Pieces Left Behind”. I got really deep on that one.
What producers do you work with?
I have two main producers that I work with on my label, Nicky Wattz and Supreem. I as well produce along with Figga. Also I have gotten production from Sean Strange of No Good People and Cousin Pat Productions. I love working with everybody, they really know their craft.
What studio do you record in?
Funny enough, I actually have made all my recordings in an apartment that I rent. We’ll record it; premix it in Sound Forge and Protools, than bring it to different studios in NYC to get it mixed down. Mastering we normally get done at Disc Makers in NYC.
What artists have you collaborated with and what’s the most memorable collaboration that you have recorded?
When I was in my teens I collaborated with a bunch of artists such as, sleep, paradyme, silence, authentic, Johnny Quest, Prophet, and of course Figga. I’d say they were all memorable because it’s a great experience to see how other minds work.
What’s your label situation? Who you signed to and do they have distribution?
I’ll put it like this…independent is better! Figga and I started One Nation One Soul Entertainment back in 1999 and are now trying to find distribution. I would like to pitch some material at Koch, they seem to always give out good distribution deals. But hea if a label wants to give us a good deal for our company, we’ll take it, depends who wants to work hardest for us.
What are your views on the mixtape game? Is it saturating the marketplace with bootlegs or are they creative masterpieces to help rappers blow?
Mixtapes can be good, and mixtapes can be bad. I personally believe that too much of an artist on freestyles can harm an artist. How many times have you bought mixtapes of your favorite artist, than bought the album to only get a disappointment? Sometimes artists work harder to blow than to stay consistently paced. But a freestyle here and there won’t harm and artist, give the fans just a bit so they want more by the time the album drops.
With so many rappers in the game how are you planning to make noise and get noticed?
My plans…make great sounding music that I put thought into, be versatile, and stand out! If you’re not yourself, it’s hard to get noticed.
Have you featured or hosted any mixtapes?
Currently I have not, but I got an offer from Sean Strange last week to hop on his next mixtape
Are you working on new material?
Always, it’s the only way to be.
Have you done many live shows or tours? Tell us more about your live show.
I’ve done many shows and showcases and I’m now looking into getting on the road with some major acts, I got to keep bugging the offices you know? Shit ain’t easy. Can’t tell you much about the shows, it’s better to see it for yourself.
What’s been the most memorable gig and why?
My most memorable show was the day after my 21st Birthday, April 24th 2005; I got to perform in front of 22,000 people at Nassau Coliseum. Words can’t even describe how I felt that day, pure craziness. Every artist in my belief remembers his or her first major show.
Any tips for someone just coming into the game?
Only tip I can give is to do something different, but not too crazy. And in order to succeed, just keep working.
Any major plans for 2008? Anything big in the pipeline?
Oh hell yes, I’m working on an EP at the moment and looking into a tour throughout New York and surrounding states.
What radio stations in your area are supporting your music?
I’m working on getting blasts through college radio stations. Major stations are too much of a headache at the moment to mess with. I like to start off slow and build.
‘Big name’ collaborations seem to be the way for ‘underground artists’ to get more exposure. Do you plan to do this?
Certainly, but on my first project I’d like to keep it more of myself, I don’t want to be over shadowed by big names. I’d rather gain a little bit more of a buzz on my own, I like working hard for what I want.
Have you done any music videos to promote your latest release? If so what TV Stations have played it and who made the video?
Actually some of my coworkers and I are writing some ideas for certain songs on my promotional LP. We’ll most likely begin shooting this summer.
How are you finding the My Space.Com revolution? Love it or hate it? What are your views?
Myspace is fucking great! Great marking and promotional tool, Toms the man!
Do you have a My Space page or a website?
Yes www.myspace.com/jacynjoseph and www.sonicbids.com/jacynjoseph for an EPK
What other rappers are you feeling at the moment?
At the moment I’ve been listening a lot to Lupe Fiascos new album “The Cool”, the kids a genius.
What other producers are you feeling at the moment?
Every station I turn on I hear a new track from Timbaland. I’ve been listening to him since he put out his first album with Magoo. His tracks are incredible, very knowledgeable about what the fans want.
Describe your style in 5 words.
Versatile originality resilient against time
Do you a direct link for people wanting to buy your music on-line?
If you check my myspace page, you can buy the LP through paypal.
Would you ever sign to a major label?
If the deal is great and my lawyer and partners agree on it, why not? It really depends on that point in time, anything can happen.
Do you have a manager or booking agent?
I had a manager for many years, but after the relationship turned sour, Figga and myself sort of became my own management team. Until things start to get hectic, we’re doing just fine with the two of us handling the business end of things.
Do you know anything about the UK Rap scene? Heard any UK Hip-Hop?
Actually I haven’t heard any recent material from the UK but I know you fuckers are crazy about Hip Hop, more than the US I hear.
Why should people buy your music?
I’m not even saying buy my music, I think they should listen to it, than if they like it buy it. I think I can really touch every individual on any level.
Any shout-outs or anything you wanna add?
I just want to say thank you to every fan and artist keeping this music alive and definitely to you for giving me my first UK interview, hope to have another one in the future. Take care.
- RAGO MAGAZINE
Discography
Title: Pieces Left Behind
Artist: Jacyn Joseph
Release Date: October 31, 2007
Label: One Nation One Soul Entertainment
Jacyn Joseph�s thirteen tracked promotional LP, Pieces Left Behind, is truly unique. He aimed more towards a different flavor for this one and exhibited an artist�s true understanding of versatility. From the moment the first strings caress your eardrums until the very last word said on the final track, the album is amazing. You could definitely tell that work was put into this material.
An impression has definitely been made since his last release, the lyrics and soothing strings of, �With My Head Phones On�, to the angry tone of, �Sick of This�, is remarkable. Nicky Wattz blows the listener away with such tracks as, �Eye on the Prize�, and �Do Like I Do�, while still slowing it down to a soft toned piano on �What Could Be Worse?�. Producer Supreem of FSP brings it home with a great single, �Think About it,� which Joseph explains the choices in life, while Sean Strange pounces on the audience with such tracks as, �Life�s Apprentice� and �Everything��, the album closer. Strong emotions perspire from each song as the album progresses. �I�m the Voice of�, definitely shows the industry where his head is at and what he stands for. The melodic sounds of Joseph�s production on �Break Free�, sets a new tone for the ears, while a sample from the movie Piano on track number twelve, �Pieces Left Behind�, could bring tears to your eyes. It�s a shame that Joseph did this for promotional purposes instead of sales, this is a �must have� for sure. Joseph has shown us an incredible improvement with his lyrical ability all while keeping to his style of deep writing techniques. He went from the street of Hip Hop to rerouting onto a corner of a great mixture of genres. He did say though that he would have loved to have done more live instrumentation himself, but couldn�t do so because of the size of the recording space available. The lack of featured artists isn�t in anyway a negative aspect; it�s in deed a positive move. This let�s the listener get to know Joseph more on each track, so by the end of the album they feel they know him personally. He doesn�t hold back from anything on this one. From disparity to confidence, anger to sadness, this is one piece of the puzzle that shouldn�t be left behind.
Recording
To record the album, Joseph set out to buy all of his own equipment and set up in a room he has been renting in a Long Island home. He wanted to do something different this time, as opposed to utilizing a recording studio. He felt that this was a great method for bringing out his creativity. Joseph quoted in an interview:
�I feel that when you�re in your own comfort zone your creativity level is much higher rather than when you�re in a studio pressured with paying by the hour, plus I feel you could be more of �yourself� in a sense. This album took a little more than a year to complete, but it was definitely a good time. You wake up and work on music, work on music than go to bed, that�s the best feeling in the world.�
For the most part Joseph did most of the recording and mixing by himself. Wattz came at a later date for more support to strengthen the mixes in their final stages. Every weekend or so he would travel out of state to get away and think, he wanted to expand his horizons and open up his mind to more ideas. Some of his songs were actually written at rest stops and during heavy times of traffic, he wanted to create an album that he described as being �focused on an average person�s everyday life, how they feel, think, and act. And for the most part, I�m that person.� In the final month of the project Joseph had at least thirty songs recorded and decided to pick his favorite thirteen to put out to the public.
Track Information
� �With My Head Phones On� contains a sample from the early 90�s Nintendo game �Castlevania�.
� �I�m The Voice Of� contains a sample from the introduction of the 70�s song, �Smiling Faces� and was made five years ago on accident while trying to sample a different section. He liked it so much that he added it at the last moment, making this the final song recorded for the album.
� Number eight, �Ear to Ear�, is actually a sped up sample of a song by Queen. Joseph heard this playing before he walked into a session with Supreem of FSP and wanted the track, the idea behind the song was actually written in 2001 while Joseph was still a junior in high school.
� �Pieces Left Behind�, is an instrumental from the movie Piano and was written and recorded four years ago, the night before Joseph had surgery to correct a deviated septum.
Lyrics
Throughout the album each track builds on to Joseph�s character and displays him as a versatile person, not afraid to touch on any topi
Photos
Bio
For over a decade, Jacyn Joseph has been delivering his unique sounds to the ears of audiences that have been looking for a new “feel” of music. What started as hobby at the age of twelve has evolved into a solid career. Influenced by the diverse sounds of music, he has been an underlining figure in the entertainment industry since 2002. His own mixture of Modern Rock with Hip Hop and Electronica has put him in the ears of many and in the eyes of many more.
1995 was when it began for Jacyn Joseph, he relocated his residence from Glendale Queens to Levittown Long Island where he found himself making friends with many music listeners and fell in love with early 90’s Rock and Hip Hop. This would lead to his further interest in music in 1998 at the age of fourteen when he decided to pursue his dream of becoming a musical artist. Starting off with the school choir and music theory class, he found himself writing his own music at the age of sixteen. Even though he couldn’t read or write music notes, he continued to compose his own instrumentals by ear through synthesizers and computer based programs. He also met with Steven Figueroa, now one of his partners and still close friend, who shared the same interest in music as he did. Figueroa really pushed Joseph to get his material out and into the public. He also introduced Joseph to the many different forms of Hip Hop and House music, so with this, Joseph took his first steps. He enrolled himself into school talent shows winning him awards for “Most Original Performance, and Best in Show.”
Not having a demo or money to pay for one, Joseph decided to record a little snippet over an industry track on his home computer and submit it to a neighborhood producer. Jacyn would later receive a call from Nicky Wattz, one of his present producers and partner. Joseph immediately hopped on the opportunity and met up with Wattz. Wattz's tracks fit the vocals and lyrics to perfection of Joseph's. Andreaus 13, an individual affiliated with Public Enemy, was the owner of a studio in Roosevelt Long Island and was embarking on an underground film project at the time landing Joseph a leading role in the movie and number one spot as a soundtrack feature. He began performing at numerous gatherings and small shows in Long Island to promote the newly released album. Even though copies were not sold in stores, almost one thousand copies were sold by hand. Shortly after he decided to construct a promotional LP and put it out immediately. Upon the release of the LP, Joseph and Wattz were given the opportunity to perform live at Nassau Coliseum March 2nd 2005 for twenty-two thousand spectators.
In early 2007 Joseph finally released another LP. He produced many tracks as well as hired a team of producers for the project such as, Nicky Wattz, Sean Strange of No Good People, and Paul “Supreem” Gartner, to create a more Hip Hop oriented album. In mid 2008, he started making more live appearances and began working on his new LP “She’s More Than A Pretty Face”, which would later be released in 2010. Recording, and mixing the project himself, he developed a continuous flow of productivity which proceeded to grow. Releasing three new singles, “See Me See You”, “Yes”, and “Feel My Trance”, he quickly gained the attention of a vast audience utilizing the many networking sites of the internet.
Recently in April of 2010 Joseph decided to go the digital route and have his own personal website built where all of his material could be accessed at the click of a button. Albums as well as singles are now downloadable and hardcopies are available upon request. Fans now have access to his music, videos, photos, blogs, event schedules, and other merchandise endlessly. As well as this, the site will also provide special promotions and incentives and links to other current web pages of Jacyn Joseph. He had felt for a long time that an artist should always keep close to his fans, and decided to move ahead with the idea of providing this type of service.
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