Musik vs Motivation - Jvmes Jet Interview
One can say Jarryd “Jvmes Jet ”James is the full package. He’s got the looks, he’s got the voice, he’s got the beats, and he’s got the style. But even with all those terrific attributes, he’s got to stay aggressive to keep a space in the music world just like every other gifted musician.
As a member of Tha Boogie, he’s studied under award-winning songwriter/producer Raphael Saadiq, was featured in Rolling Stone Magazine/Rollingstone.com, and toured all over the world.
We chatted with the LA-based singer/songwriter/producer/visual artist a bit to discuss his thoughts on growing up in the music industry and he how manages to stay motivated.
Musik !D TV: Share what ignited your passion for music.
Jvmes Jet: Watching Michael Jackson on T.V. for the first time as a child. Hearing “One In a Million” by Aaliyah on the radio for the first time in the third grade. I was confused at first, because it sounded like nothing I’ve ever heard before. I just knew I wanted to do that - whatever “that” was.
M!DTV: How do you stay dedicated to doing what you love?
JJ: I have a vision for a better planet. We’re all here for each other. We are all forces of energy that can work together to create change for the better. Creativity for positivity.
M!DTV: Many people give up, but what keeps you going?
JJ: I have no idea. It’s an overwhelming feeling that I have to create and share. Besides I really couldn’t see myself doing anything else.
M!DTV: You are a creative with multiple talents - singing, producing, and artistry. How do you do it all with no indecisiveness or without losing focus?
JJ: I do lose focus. I’m still learning how to make time for everything. I’m kind of all over the place, I tend to go off of feeling. Sometimes I don’t feel like making music, I just want to paint. Sometimes I don’t want to paint, I want to shoot a video or bleach an old shirt. But I guess it kind of works for me in a weird way.
M!DTV: Is there another part of your craft that you would like to develop next?
JJ: Storytelling.
M!DTV: What is your intention in music? What is your main motivation?
JJ: I want to inspire people to be themselves. And to be creative with a purpose. To live in their magic, it’s beauty in that. That’s how we progress.
M!DTV: You have been in Tha Boogie, since you were a teenager. Share your journey as an adult and as a solo artist?
JJ: Being in Tha boogie as a teen was fun. It was no worries, no real responsibilities, outside of making sure we f*%&ed sh!t up. We were young and full of ideas. It’s interesting growing up and having to face real adult issues and experiences head on, good and ugly. But you discover so many new things about life and yourself. It definitely takes an effect on your creativity. But the most important thing for me is to hold on to that inner teen who creates freely and fearlessly.
M!DTV: Many of us make sacrifices to make our dreams come true. What are you sacrificing to make your dream happen?
JJ: I’m not really sacrificing anything. This is what I chose to do. You can be or have anything you want in life, but just know that it won’t be easy.
M!DTV: What was your greatest misconception about the music industry?
JJ: Creative control.
M!DTV: If you had to do it all over again, would you still choose this career? Would you do anything differently?
JJ: No, this is my purpose. I’m all in.
M!DTV: On your journey, have you met people who were in you ideal position and did that change your idea of success?
JJ: Yes I have. But that’s their journey. Everyone’s idea of success is different.
M!DTV: Have you ever had self-doubt?
JJ: At a time self-doubt was my comfort zone, at one point I had to learn how to love myself.
M!DTV: How do you feel when or if you don’t get a response to your music?
JJ: Everything is not for everybody. Stay in your magic, and the right people will come.
M!DTV: What skills/personal attributes do you believe are most important to being successful as an artist?
JJ: You have to have patience. You have to understand the concept of building. Everything takes time but there’s beauty in the journey. Resilience. You have to be able to get back up and fall again. As Raphael Saadiq said to us as teens, “you have to dare to suck.”
M!DTV: Based on your experience, where do you see the music industry 10 years from now?
JJ: I don’t.
Check out Jvmes Jet's music and overall shenanigans here:
