Interview with Frank: Jay+Kin

Had the opportunity to sit down with "Vancity's Nicest" Jay+Kin the other night to discuss his newest LP, the Vancouver scene and living abroad.

Jay+Kin | Controller

DrF: You go by "Jay-Kin". What's your real name?

Jk: Jaakan actually, it's a biblical name.

DrF: Where are you from?

Jk: Vancouver, born and raised.

DrF: And your "occupation"?

Jk: Recording artist-Alife Vancouver-Japanese-English-Sensei

DrF: What prompted you to start rhyming?

Jk: [with little thought] Naughty by Nature - 19 Naughty III. It was purchased by my Mom - it was a fight because Treach was holding a chainsaw on the album cover. Nonetheless, she bought it. I remember listening to it non-stop. Took a break, went to the toilet, and then said 'I can do that'.

DrF: Talk about the Vancouver scene. In my mind, there aren't a lot of big emcee's coming out of the PacWest.

Jk: This scene's been going on for over two decades now. Early 90's was when it started developing. It's a quiet city when it comes to getting music out. It's located far from the other musical centers; the center of the music biz [in Canada] is Toronto. It's developed an image [that] is painted on every artist: underground, backpacker, poppy. But the love for hip hop is strong. [Unfortunately,] there's a huge brick wall surrounding the city, but people [and their music] is getting out.

DrF: You've lived in Tokyo and that has a clear influence on your rhymes. Talk about living over there, the culture, the hip hop, the ladies . . .

Jk: Tokyo, it's very reserved, but when it comes to expressing themselves, especially through fashion, anything goes. in terms of hip hop, they're still focused on the 90's which is nice; they're focused on the fundamentals. About the girls, a lotta people get the wrong impression. There are so many different styles, vibes and personalities for the different cities. They love the 90's [hip hop] too, which is a common love interest [of mine]. I grew up listening to Wu, Nas and Jay, so it works.

DrF: This week, you're gonna share the bill and the stage with of the greatest names in hip hop, the GZA [of Wu-Tang]. What's that like?

Jk: Man, I've been waiting since I was a kid. To open up for him, is to realize a dream . . . ten times that. I'm blessed to meet and open for him. I've opened for Raekwon, but the GZA!? Man . . .

DrF: What artist, emcee, and/or genre is exciting you the most right now?

Jk: Onra, a producer from France; Dam-Funk from LA, DJ U-Tern (Van) - he sampling hip hop producers and Sunreal who's from Vancouver too.

DrF: Talk about the new EP, actually it's more of an LP, Sneakers & Video Games? How'd you come up with it?

Jk: It came to me while living in Japan. It was all about doing something different. The Japanese do it in fashion, but what [and how] should I do it next? In Tokyo, I came home one night and my place was a mess. When I looked around [my apartment], all I saw were sneakers and video games.

DrF: What's the thesis of the album?

Jk: For me, it's all about being myself; talking about subjects that I didn't really grasp before. All about taking a chance. If you don't like it, whatever. I'm making real music.

DrF: I'm wrestling with this idea myself, but what are your thoughts about the internet's influence on music? Is it better? Worse? Unchanged?

Jk: Before [it expanded], the internet hindered major artists, but it helped unsigned artists. They got a chance to distribute their music. Now both parties are learning to use the internet more effectively - it's mutual bounty for the two. YouTube, Twitter, Vimeo . . . they're having equalizing effect, but can lead to a downfall through over saturation.

Make sure to check out Jay-Kin opening for the GZA, Weds March 9th at Fortune Sound Club. More event info here.