The Jacka
We had a chance recently to speak with Bay area artist Jacka. Jacka is part of C-Bo's group The Mob Figaz. We talked about his album thats soon to drop, what its like working with C-Bo, the new Tupac album, what he thinks about the current state of Hip Hop and more... Check it out below...
First of all I would like to thank you for taking the time to speak with us today.
Jeremy - Lets start out with you explaining a little bit about yourself. Did you grow up in the Bay area? what was it like?
Jacka - Yeah, I grew up in the Bay. It was amazing. There are so many different types of people out here. You really get to see many different walks and ways of life.
Jeremy - How did you get into the rap scene and who inspired you the most to rap?
Jacka - Me and my producer RobLo started recording songs on a 4 track when we were real young. My music is really inspired by the streets as well as growing up poor. When I was young I listened to and was inspired by Too $hort, Slick Rick, and NWA, especially Ice Cube.
Jeremy - You got a new album thats soon to drop, that right?
Jacka - Yeah, it’s called “The Jack Artist”. It’s supposed to be out in March. I also got a mixtape dropping real soon, like the end of December or early January. Both projects are dope and unique. My mixtape is really like an album, something to get everyone ready for the album.
Jeremy - And what can we expect from this album?
Jacka - I am expecting it to be the Independent Album of the year. I think it’s real dope and unique. Certain things about my album may remind you of other peoples shit but it’s really not like anything else. I did me on this one, like I always do. RobLo did just about all the beats, so they are all dope.
Jeremy - You got any special guests on this album?
Jacka - I got a few. Of course I have the regulars, the Mob Figaz, I actually got my whole group on there. Husalah, Fedx, AP9, and Rydah. RobLo has a verse on there. BA (Bart) from 3xKrazy is on a few tracks and so is Dub 20 from the Ghetto Starz. I also got Lil Ric, Yukmouth, and should have Keak da Sneak. Also I am planning to have Cormega on the remix to “Barney (More Crime)”.
Jeremy - Is there going be a music video made for any of the tracks from the album?
Jacka - Yeah. We’re going to shoot a video for “Barney (More Crime)” soon. We’re working on the treatment for it now. It’s gonna be dope. Might have Cormega’s verse on there too; depends. I hope to do another one a little later too, just depends how things go.
Jeremy - I understand you're a part of C-Bo's group the Mob Figaz. What is it like working with C-Bo?
Jacka - Working with Bo is like working with a brother, it was a lot of fun for me. It was really one of the best times of my life. We did so much and learned so much.
Jeremy - Can we expect a new album from the Mob Figaz to drop any time soon?
Jacka - I don’t think so but anything is possible. We will do an album eventually, but everything has to be right. Right now, everything isn’t in place for us to successfully record and release an album. But there are no problems between us. We are all still cool and still communicate with each other. I see Hus and Fed every week and Rydah is never too far away. AP is always somewhere doing his thing but we talk on the phone.
Jeremy - Okay, this is a Tupac site so I have to ask you. What do you think of Tupac's music?
Jacka - Tupac is one of the Greatest of All Times, if not The Greatest. Pac taught me a lot about being a rapper, about putting real messages in music and making music that has real meaning to people, not just some hot shit for the times. I want my words to be timeless, to be dope no matter what year you pop my CD in the deck.
Jeremy - Amaru Entertainment has a new Tupac album coming out titled "Loyal to The Game." It features mainstream artists that Tupac never
knew when he was alive. A lot of his homeboys from the westcoast that were originally on the tracks had been cut from them. What is your views on this situation?
Jacka - All I can say about that, is if Pac was alive, rap would be going in a whole different direction and I’m sure his boys from the West Coast would still be on those tracks. I doubt they would be produced by Eminem either.
Jeremy - What do you think of the current state of hiphop?
Jacka - Club music rules the airwaves and the videos. Seems like if its not made for the club it has a hard time getting mainstream love these days. Hip hop is “pop” these days. I think that’s good because it’s expanding hip hop and turning more people on to it. I don’t like it because it seems to be making everyone change who they are in order to sell records instead of keeping it real and being themselves. Then the true meaning and basis of hip hop gets lost.
Jeremy - What’s your favorite movie right now?
Jacka - Ray and City of God. That movie Ray is dope. It taught me a lot. For my life as a man and as an artist. And City of God is just raw period.
Jeremy - What are you listening to these days?
Jacka - Reggae, both Dancehall and Roots. I’m not too into hip hop these days. Its not inspiring to me and I don’t want to get caught up in all the bullshit everyone else is putting out.
Jeremy - If you could change one thing about the Bay Area what would it be?
Jacka - I have 2. One, I would bring, “Festival At The Lake” back. That was a festival in Oakland we had every summer. It was lit every year. Like the best shit, but in like ’95 it started getting mainy; little riots, fights, a lot of chaos, so they changed it up. There isn’t a lot to do for our youth to do as far as fun goes. I think that would really help.
I would also like there to be more support of local artists. Not just from the radio but from everywhere. From other artists, from fans, all that shit. A lot of artists from the East Coast or wherever else, come here and sell big units. Which means there are hip hop fans here. We really need all their support. We can create the next big hip hop movement out here if everyone plays their appropriate role.
Jeremy - What’s up with you and Cormega? I see that you have done songs together and you had a track on his last project.
Jacka - He’s from the East Coast, I’m from the West Coast but we’re both from the streets. So we respect each other and get down together. I look up to him.
Jeremy - Before we let you go today is there anything you would like to say to your fans?
Jacka - I love y’all and thanks for helping me stay treal!!
Jeremy - Alright man, we appreciate you doing this interview with us today and if you ever need anything just holla at your boys at mobfiggaz.net.
Jacka - No, thank you. If you ever need me, which I don’t think you will (LOL), let me know. One Luv. RIP 2PAC, Mac Dre, Freako…
Make sure yall go pick up Jacka's new album when its dropped. It's gonna be hot! We'll keep ya posted.
This Interview was conducted by Jeremy from MobFiggaz.net
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