Jay$ee

Jay$ee out of Texas drops his new single “14 Grams”. - HaZe

Central Texas rhymer Jay$ee turns into Brad Pitt on his newest release entitled “Troy.” With no hesitation, Jay$ee unloads a hollow, rapid-fire flow that pairs well with the trill sounding production. Under two minutes long, you’ll find Jay wasting no time, so check it out below! - Joe

Hailing from Austin, Texas up and coming talent Jay$ee is looking to do something not many from his city have done. He’s attempting to make himself a force in the rap game, and so far he’s off to a good start. Earlier this year he released his single “Hit Me A Lick.” His most notable track so far, the record has received love from Sonny Digital proving all of his hard work isn’t going to waste. Music On The Dot’s MetroNotBoomin recently caught up with Jay$ee to discuss his hit single, his reaction to Sonny Digital, moving to Texas, and more.

How’d you get your start and who were some of your influences as an artist when you first started making music?

My first introduction to music was probably when I was 6 years old. That was cause of my dad. He would freestyle battle me when I was little and I would write verses. My first time recording was probably my 8th grade year in middle school. I got a little computer mic and I started off singing and doing R&B music. When I really started to get into it in like 9th grade one of my main influences was Tory Lanez. I was listening to Tory Lanez before he was even Tory Lanez.

You’re originally from Maryland. What sparked your move to Texas?

My parents were separated. My mom had a boyfriend at the time and he got a job in Austin, Texas. So we decided to make that move. They aren’t together no more, but we decided to make a new life out here.

How old were you?

I was in the 7th grade.

Were you able to notice the different cultures?

Most definitely because when I lived in Maryland it was more like people were to themselves. In Texas that Southern Hospitality is real. It was a big culture change because I wasn’t used to being real friendly.

Has that Southern Hospitality affected your music making you more open to working with people?

Definitely. It made me more open to having different type of friends. Especially in music. I had different friends who made different type of music and talked about different things.

Talk about “Hit Me A Lick.” How did that record come about?

I had hit a lick and I felt bad about it. Whenever I feel bad, I channel that bad energy into the music. So my producer Juke Jones had sent me a beat. When I heard the hook part I kept playing it and saying “Hit Me A Lick.” I kept playing it and knew it was going to be a masterpiece. I had a friend and he suggested to add a background into it. That was a vital part and made it pop.

What was your reaction when Sonny Digital showed love?

I almost didn’t believe it. I thought it was a parody account. When I first got the notification to my phone I saw Sonny Digital and I was like “This could not be true.” This was the morning after I dropped the song. It was a big step from where I was to getting co-signed by Sonny Digital. I didn’t know how to take it really.


Have you reached out on working on anything?

I reached out a little bit. But I did some research on Sonny Digital. I seen that with 21 Savage early in his career Sonny Digital didn’t co-sign him on the internet but he co-signed him in person. He told him “I want you to do your thing before you come mess with me.” When I reached out I didn’t get no definite response. But I feel like there’s no handouts in the rap game. I feel like he wants me to do my thing first and go shine by myself. And when I shine he’ll be like “You’re at the spot I want you to. Let’s work.”

It was also cool to get something from him because I’m not from Atlanta or any places like that. I’m from Austin, Texas. You don’t hear any rappers from Austin. That’s why my whole city is behind me now, cause nobody’s really doing it like I am.

Talk about that. You didn’t really have no one to look up to?

When I first moved to Austin I didn’t really have nobody to look up to. I had a dude I looked up to like a big brother. He’s kind of like the one to put me into my lane to make music.

What’s been your Dad’s reaction to everything?

When I first started making music, he wanted me to go on a positive route because I was younger. As I got older I became my own person. My parents, a lot of their say, really didn’t matter anymore. I started making music based off what I was experiencing. But now he loves the music. He just wants me to make sure I’m putting the effort within my music.

What do you have anything in the works?

I’m working on a project, but I’m waiting on a release for it. Basically right now I’m releasing singles. I have about 200 songs in my vault right now that nobody has heard. Right now I’m working on getting the right singles together and when I get my buzz to the point I want to be I’ll release a full body of work.

Any last words?

I just want to tell people to be ready for what I got next. I just want to shoutout all my producers: Juke Jones, Jae The Giant, my producers in Cali, R.I.P. productions. Also my video dude. Golden Age media they’re a big part of what I’m doing. Also y’all, shoutout to Music On The Dot for showing love. - MetroNotBoomin