Unsigned Artist Spotlight: Jay Cro: Then & Now
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
, Posted by krushez at 12/16/2009 05:24:00 PM
Understanding that progress is a key to success in the Hip-Hop world, Detroit rapper Jay Cro, who also goes by the name Jay Young’n released a 20-track mixtape in November titled, Potential: Then & Now (Hosted by DJ Pest & DJ Grand K) that showed his development into a rapper you need to keep an eye out for. His dedication to perfecting his craft and taking the game seriously earns him the respect of his peers and love from the listeners. His lyrics, backed by the voice of a confident emcee who knows he’s got what it takes, will make both the hip-hop heads and the ladies bob their heads. Check out the interview we scored with Jay Cro below:HW: Firstly, is Jay Cro a stage name?
Jay:Yes, Jay-Cro, Jay-Young'n the name, hip-hop/hustling the game (laughing)
HW: (laughing) I see. Speaking of the hip-hop game, what do you think of the rap scene nowadays?
Jay: Well I think its getting better than where it was going. To me only lyricism survives so the commercial ring-tone rap only last for a hot minute. I think a lot of artist need to stay original and don't worry about what others think and stick to making their style of music.
HW: What do you think of the style and vibe of Detroit? Did moving there from Atlanta shape your own music in any way?
Jay: Well, Detroit most def has a lot of potential that needs to be heard. Most "local" artists here just wanna rap about the averaged dope boy life "killing, drugs, money & women", but there are some artists that stand out rapping about those same topics and other aspects of life. We surely have a style that would be new to the game, just can’t wait to get the chance to express it to the world. Me moving here definitely changed the way my music comes out. The way the south is ain’t no telling how my music would be, or if I would still even be rapping if I stayed down there.
HW: What would have kept you from rapping here (Atlanta)
Jay: I don’t know really, I was raised up here in Detroit so if I would have stayed in ATL ain’t no telling how I woulda been; my sound, the way I talk, the way I dressed all could have been different. So that's why I say Detroit made me who I am.
HW: Which leads me to your mixtape; Potential: Then & Now. What is your favorite aspect about it?
Jay: The "NOW" part (laughing). But I did it to show people my growth as an artist, from the production to my delivery in flow. So I like how if people actually pay attention they can hear the difference between then and now.
HW: You just explained my next question which was going to be about the title. Is there anything you would have done differently on it?
Jay: Naw, not really. I mean, I did everything on the tape exactly the way I wanted to. Only thing I would have done differently was the way I did the promotion for it before it came out, because I didn't get to do everything i wanted to before-hand.
HW: Ok. How has your life been different since Potential came out?
Jay: Busy lol. I’ve been getting on different blogs, different mix-tapes, getting more listeners, meeting and connecting with different people. Some performances have opened up, a lot of different opportunities are becoming official.
HW: That's amazing! Who are you now, as a person, since getting into the music industry?
Jay:’m still the same old me, the hustle, the grinder "Jay-Cro Jay-Young'n", ain’t nothin gonna change me but the lord (laughing)
HW: So there haven't been any positive or negative changes in you in all this time?
Jay: Naw I try to keep all negative energy as far away from me as I can. I’m a very optimistic person so its been nothing but positive movement round these parks lol. I’m just blessed to be able to make the music I can.
HW: I couldn't agree with you more. How long have you been rapping? Can you give me an exact number?
Jay: I’ve been rapping for 7 years now, since I was 13.
HW: At your age especially, people are always evolving. Do you think the same can be said for you, and for your music?
Jay: Most definitely, that was the whole point of my mix-tape. I am going to keep evolving and progressing because I feel I can always get better as an artist.
HW: I have a quote from you in regards to music. You said that "it should never be made for one specific crowd". But do you think its also possible that being a rapper alienates you from people who don't listen to rap?
Jay: Yeah it would to a certain extenct, because if you don’t listen to hip-hop then you’re just not going to listen period. But for the people that like rap, I don't make rap songs for one type of person, I make songs that everybody can feel & relate to.
HW: Do you think you will add different elements to your music as time goes on? Throw in some rock music maybe?
Jay: Yeah, I’ve always had a thing for rock music far as beats. You can tell that with my song "Cocky" off my mix-tape. I wanted to do it before [Lil] Wayne did it, just not as far as he took it (laughing). But fasho rock, singing, pop, just different things to be simply...different
HW: I wish you all the best of luck with that, you are going to make some outstanding music with that kind of attitude and passion. So for my last question, how far do you want to go as an artist?
Jay: I want to go farther than anyone could even imagine. I don’t have to be the best, the king, or the person on top. At the end of my lifetime and rap career I just want to be simply known as a "Legend".
HW: Well, legends are definitely not born, they are truly made. I know you'll continue to work for it. Thank you so much for your time Jay
Jay: No, no thank you. I most def appreciate this.
Be sure to check out Jay Cro's mixtape, here: jay-cro.bandcamp.com. You can find him on Twitter and Myspace. The compilation includes previously unreleased tracks as well as some of his new material. Leave a comment below!
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