Get To Know: Jaye Prime
SHEmovement got a chance to catchup with Rapper, Singer, Songwriter Jaye Prime to talk about what inspired her new album, Collaboration with Detroit Che and the creative mark she plans to add to Hip Hop
SMt: Thank you for speaking with us Jaye, Let's get right to it!....You first jumped on my radar while rapping on that new vid ‘DVA’ with Che, so it was a surprise to listen to your album and discover that you're also a singer…in a way that puts you in a class with the Missy Elliot & Lauryn Hill, doesn’t it?
Jaye Prime: I’m not sure. I consider myself a singer before a rapper & even then, I don’t feel completely comfortable placing myself in either category. I just use rap as my way to get my point across. I just like saying I’m an artist & whatever happens, happens.
SM: ‘Primitive’, your first project came out last year… it has an interesting feel, it's quite smooth all throughout…then tracks like ‘Reckless Intentions’, ‘We Good’ or ‘Primitive’ are pure hard Hip Hop tracks…are there two sides to Jay Prime or is it just different moods?
JP: 'Primitive’ is a breakdown of my life so far. Every song tells a story, compiled of memories & experiences that either I’ve been in or someone I know has been in. So I have tracks like that to express those parts of me – most of the time, I’m really mellow & chill but there are times where I get hyped up.
SM: Your second offering ‘Thirty Hour Theory’ seems to emphasize even more on the soulful atmosphere… it’s very addictive and classy in its sound…
JP: ‘Thirty Hour Theory’ was a lot more personal than ‘Primitive’. ‘Primitive’ covered a lot of ground so it’s hard to really get into detail for 20 years without taking forever. ‘Thirty Hour Theory’ was really my life from like September 2013 to like February 2014. With my music getting out to people & them liking it, I was getting attention & going through things I never really have before. I was losing people I thought were friends at a rapid rate, gaining new perspectives on what type of family I have, struggling with school & a load of other things. Pretty much everything was feeling like it was falling apart. But through it all, I was mentally stronger than I’ve ever been in my life so the way I was pushing through it was what made the project. ‘Primitive’ was me finally speaking, but ‘Thirty Hour Theory’ was me speaking comfortably.
SM: And the middle of it all there is ‘Lord’, very impressive track… a real contrast with the rest of the album… could you tell us what this song is about?
JP: Thanks. That project was initially intended to be somewhat commercial – something that can be played anytime. ‘Lord’ was the second song I finished & I didn’t really decide to get as personal until afterwards but the song still fit. ‘Lord’ is really like my response to a lot of issues my friends & I were dealing with. I’m a very levelheaded person so it takes a lot to get under my skin. However, after getting so much negativity from people, I started getting frustrated. ‘Lord’ was just my inner thoughts on it all – I feel that everyone can succeed & I love seeing others do well so anyone wishing ill on anyone is just irritating to me. This was the song for me to let people know it doesn’t matter what you have to say; I’m going to do well, so you might as well focus on yourself & what the Lord put you here to do.
SM: Are you the one artistically directing your own albums? Are you your own boss when it comes to music?
JP: Yeah, I come up with everything for my music. I write out track lists with sound ideas and so on. I’m really anal about how things get executed so having songs organized before I even write helps me stay on track. Also, this is who I am – my art reflects me as a person. Music is really my way of expressing myself so it wouldn’t work if I had someone else doing it.
SM: You are from Detroit… How did living there shape your style and your music in any way Jaye?
JP: The biggest thing I got from living in Detroit is the hustle. Being from Detroit, I’m always able to see a way out & a way up—it’s all just a matter of making it happen. With my music, I’m able to push myself & see a way out of the box. I work everyday & it’s that grind I naturally get from being a Detroiter. I’m always pushing & always finding ways to become a better artist. I definitely got that mind state from my city.
SM: You have a very close relationship with Detroit Che… could you explain the story, the bond between you two and also tell us what do you think of her getting all that good attention at the moment?
JP: Che is like my little sister. We met last year because we were hanging around the same people at the time. She needed to record a song so I engineered her & soon after, I ended up engineering everything for her. We got cool & just clicked – I’m not too sure how, but the way we work I'd say God put together. As far as the good attention, I’m so happy for her. People see the videos, hear the bars, & see all this stuff on social media but they have no clue how hard she works & prays to make these things happen. I’m there engineering, mixing & more importantly being a sister to her so I see it before it’s nice & pretty. I’m there before it’s appealing to everyone – when it’s just a bunch of mumbles she thought of in the shower or something so I get to see it come together & it’s insane. Like, I knew like everyone else that Che could do it, but seeing it happen is amazing. She deserves all of it.
SM: Both, you & Che, in the video ‘DVA’, quite an impressive one… it’s hard & gangsta… what made you both come up with the idea though, Detroit vs anybody?
JP: The DVA with Che & I is actually a part two. I released the original last year & performed it a few times. The initial idea came from a company in Detroit called ‘Detroit vs Everybody’, created by Tommey Walker. There was a company in New York that copied the shirts & everyone was on Twitter & Instagram going crazy about it. I think Tommey even had a limited edition ‘Detroit vs Anybody’ shirt soon after. So, in support of this creator/business-owner form Detroit, I wrote the song. I feel like our city doesn’t get credit for a lot of the things we do. There’s a lot of talent here so this was just my way of supporting a fellow Detroiter.
SM: You both are the new wave in Detroit, not only bringing the attention to your city but also repping for the Ladies…
JP: Yeah, it’s cool. What’s crazy is having all of these people supporting me for something that I feel like I need to do. I make music because it keeps me sane – I really don’t feel like I could be happy doing anything else. It’s kind of like people supporting you & saying you’re representing because you’re taking your vitamins haha. But I’ve taken into consideration that even though this is what I want to do, I am being looked at as a representation for my city & women alike. I just do my best to stay positive & just walk in the direction I feel is best.
SM: What don’t we know about Jaye Prime yet, that she hasn’t told the world and that she is willing to do?
JP: All of my music so far has been me finding myself as an artist. I have a lot that I want to do musically as well as with visuals and so on. I’ve always been involved with music & I’m always trying to progress so there’s a whole world out there for me to dissect & pull inspiration from. Even beyond music, there’s a lot more coming from me in the future.
SM: Thanks a lot Jaye, any last words?
JP:Thanks for reaching out to me for the interview, I appreciate it! Also, there is some new material on the way, so everyone look out for that. Peace to everyone.
createproper.com
