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To me, your music is in line with a trend of a few artists that have been gaining popularity recently such as Snoh Aalegra. You have a uniquely beautiful voice and you don’t shy away from sharing your raw feelings with listeners in your music. Does this authenticity come naturally to you, or is it more something you’ve had to stretch yourself to do and develop over time?
Thank you, that's very flattering, but I strongly don’t believe my music follows any trend. Its funny because a lot of producers that I’ve worked with constantly tell me to tap into the trends. Sometimes I feel like, if I actually tried to sound like what’s trendy, I might rise faster or get more playlisting/support. People love familiar sounds, but my sound is original and my tone is very unique. Some people will gravitate towards it, while others may need to settle in. Regardless, I’m fine with my journey moving as is because everything has been authentic and genuine.
As far as my sound and the feelings filled into my music, well, I’m a cancer. I feel deeply. I’m also an empath so I feel other people's emotions and energy intensely, as if they were my own. But, because I grew up in the projects, I’ve been through a lot of shit and seen a lot, so I’m abrasive too. These feelings and emotions that I feel and go through bleed out naturally through my music. Even the “genre” I fell into was organic. I never had the intention of making “R&B” music. I just made music that felt good, then the listeners labeled it.
We’re in a time where much of mainstream music is dominated by clicks and viral moments. Can you explain to me what your strategy is to differentiate yourself from the field and try to reach as many demographics as possible without sacrificing your artistic integrity?
My tone, my look, my writing, and my story are enough to differentiate myself from the rest. I’m not looking for a quick moment, my approach is longevity. Right now, the goal is to get my story out there, inspire, and continue to elevate my sound.
-Can you talk to me a little about your process in creating music? For instance, do you follow any routines or simply let it come about organically? Are you more collaborative in the studio or do you primarily just trust your own ear? Do you go into the session with a plan? Etc.
Yes, for the most part, I go into every session with a plan. I have severe financial trauma from dealing with poverty my whole life. I grew up with nothing, so when my manager books me sessions, I am extremely aware that we are on the clock, and time is money. Although this seems crippling to creativity, as an independent artist, it doesn’t feel right to walk into a session without a plan. I’m only in sessions to cut vocals, or if I’m linking with a producer or writer. I never sit in a session and write alone, because I can do that at home.
I like to keep my sessions small. Just me and the producer. Usually the producer will play sounds, then I’ll guide him on what I like before we build the beat together. Then within the first few minutes, if I really vibe with the beat, I go in the booth and freestyle melodies and words. After that process, I comp and select which melodies I like, structure the song, and fill in the blanks. It's a therapeutic process.
I’ve seen you speak to the influence your New York upbringing has had on you as a person and artist. Can you speak at all to the struggles, if any, that have resulted from trying to make it from such a talent-rich and important market as New York?
Being from New York made me abrasive, smart, and a hella loyal individual. But making music in New York has been really difficult. The music industry is very male dominated. It's difficult being a woman, because no matter how talented you are, boys will always try you. I’ve seen this since I was 14 years old, and it’s been hard to navigate. Unfortunately, this goes beyond NY.
Secondly, I could never afford my own studio time. I usually found myself in a broken down studio, deep in industrial parts of queens, or I made writing exchanges to use decent studios in the city. I used to write 6 songs for a studio owners’ artist in exchange for an hour free studio time. Now that I look at it, it wasn't an even exchange, but I was hungry to work. Even after writing all these songs, when it was time for me to take my hour, they would still make it difficult. It was a cycle of unnecessary obstacles. Maybe this explains my trust issues with people in the industry. It wasn’t until my manager found me, and set up my sessions, that I was able to finally create in New York. But I definitely earned my stripes.
I’ve also read that you’ve dreamed of doing music from a young age. With all of the work you’ve put in to get there yo keep growing and improving?
Honestly, it feels good because when you really think about it, I’ve only been making music professionally for a little over a team. As an INDEPENDENT ARTIST with absolutely no budget or support, I was able to chart #1 on the itunes R&B charts
But, though I’m mad grateful, I still don't feel accomplished. I feel like the hood Hannah Montana. I deadass live a double lif reality, I go to LA to make music from 11am-3am, for maybe a week, sleeping on my managers couch, because I’m there to walls, floods, leaks, etc… Yes, some people think I’m “successful,” but according to my definition of success, I haven’t even recently made a viral tweet that exposes the inhumane living conditions NYCHA (New York City Housing Authority) has its
I will begin to acknowledge success when I’m able to live off of my income from music - and my parents and I are out the ho
-Your last project, “with time”, was a succinct but sonically rich collection of seven songs. Can you tell me more abou
“with time” is my second EP, but the first project I made where I was able to work with producers. I actually got to sit with p represents that no matter what you are going through, with time, things will align-because they always do. I take a “directors masked it so it's easy to digest. I’ve been through so much shit in my life to the point where “love” or “heartbreak” is the last
ou’ve got to feel a great sense of accomplishment. How do you balance that feeling of achievement with your drive to
year. I’ve already achieved a few things like charting, a sync on my favorite show, etc. I’m very proud of myself and my s alongside a sea of signed artists! I deserved this.
fe. You look at my social media and numbers and your like “wow she’s in LA making music and living life.” When in work. Then when the week is over, I get sent back home to cold water, broken heaters, roaches everywhere, mold on my n touched it. Even with millions of streams, my family and I still live in the projects and struggling off of food stamps. I s residents living in. I openly share what we are going through.
ood.
ut this project (how it came about, what it means to you, concept, etc)?
producers and be creatively free. My previous EP “41-10” consisted of almost all youtube beats that I had found. The EP title approach” when I write, so a lot of songs seem to be about an intimate relationship failing, but it’s deeper than that. I just t thing on my mind.
You really began your rise with your incredible debut EP last year “41-10”. An artist’s debut is often filled with some of their best work from the years they’ve spent trying to get to the point where they can drop an album. What more can you tell me about the “41-10” album, and how you ended up with such a great body of work.
Thank you, I really do believe “41-10” is a beautiful body of work. It’s so vulnerable, honest, and real af. My manager says it’ll be considered a legendary EP that people will discover after I breakout. If I’m being completely honest, the project only took maybe 4 studio sessions that were 3-4 hours long (but of course I dedicated days of writing, outside of the studio). After writing in exchange for studio times, when my manager found me and gave me my FIRST session, I was excited! I had been craving and wanting this my entire life. So I went on YouTube, A&Red my project, and wrote a gang of songs. When I walked into that studio session, I cut vocals and completed 5 songs. When I sent them to my manager, he was shook. He knew I was talented but I guess most new artists need assistance with writing and such, so he was impressed. We uploaded my first song “say less” and the reaction was wild. Blogs were picking it up and a few labels began to reach out. After that we dropped a second song titled “stuck in the past.” This song changed everything because it was playlisted on top Spotify playlists, and nearly every label was calling me to take a meeting.
We never intended to create an EP, but by the end of my fourth session, my manager texted me a private Soundcloud link with the message “your EP is done!” He had it sequenced and everything. Of course I tweaked it, but “41-10” was born. I titled it my building number in QueensBridge because that's where all the songs started, where they were written.
On that first EP you had a collaboration with fellow New Yorker Dave East that got a lot of attention. Do you see yourself doing any more collabs with hiphop artists in the future? Yes, I knew I wanted to collaborate with NYC artist, and Dave East was the first but won’t be the last. I just can’t say who I have lined up yet :) -You’ve got a strong core fan base that is strengthened by the authenticity you display in your songs. What, if anything, would you want those that are maybe more unfamiliar with you to know about you or your music?
What I want people to know about me is that I am determined to defeat all the odds. Honestly, a lot of the people I grew up around, my friends, are either dead, locked up, dropped out of school, etc…and I understand this. Due to institutionalized racism and criminalization of poverty, I understand why those statistics exist. I mean, imagine wanting to change your life by taking an unpaid summer internship, but not being able to afford the commute. You have two options: 1.) you’re forced to jump the turnstile with the risk of being fined or arrested or 2.) you turn the offer down...at one point, that was me. In a system that is designed for us to lose, you have no other option but to bend the rules sometimes to survive. That being said, I still went to the top performing arts high school while running home and helping my parents fill out medical paperwork, food stamp paperwork, etc…I still went to an Ivy League University, and even graduated a year early. I’ve had jobs since I was 14 and saved all my money knowing I would need it later. That same savings enabled me to afford going to LA after graduation to take an internship with a label, which put me on the path I’m on now.
You just need dedication, some sacrifice, and at least the outline of a plan. Don’t let people tell you or make you feel as if you are undeserving. You deserve the world and more babyyyy!!! I’m here to inspire others to be able to do the same, that’s what I want people to know about me.
Where do you envision the trajectory of your career to go from here? Obviously it’s very early in what I’m sure with be a career with longevity, but what do you ultimately want from music? Do you have any specific goals?
Right now, I’m on a mission to become the biggest alternative R&B/pop artist on the planet. I also want my music to help heal the world, including myself.
DENZEL CURRY
TREVOR JACKSON +PHOTOGRAPHER: LIZ STYLES =MAZ
Tiffany: Being a multi-hyphenate artist has great advantages but do you ever feel like it is a curse? Since society often pressures people to choose one thing. Trevor: Absolutely. The biggest thing that I think is a gift and a curse is the inability to be satisfied with anything that I do. People would say, “omg you did such a great job” but in my mind, I would be like it could’ve been 12 times better. That is the issue for me but I just want to keep bettering myself. It keeps me pushing- but it’s also hard to live in moments. Tiffany: That was my second question... Do you find yourself being overly critical of your own work because you are doing multiple things? Trevor: Yeah, yeah! Because I feel like there are so many different perspectives someone that looks at the world in a certain way- may like this particular thing and another person that looks at the world in a different way- may like something else. So I have to try and find a place where everyone can find something they like. On all my albums that I make- I try not to make 2 songs to sound the same.
The sentiment that you can’t do it all does not apply to the 24-year old multi-hyphenate artist, Trevor Jackson. The Indiana-native is equal parts singer, actor, budding director, and style icon. Starring in Freeform’s hit tv show “Grown-ish” while balancing a successful musical career is a testament to his natural aptitude, discipline, and creativity. On a rare chilly afternoon in the heart of downtown LA, I get to spend time with Trevor Jackson chatting about how he deals with the pressure of success, working on the set of Grown-ish, and how he remains authentic in his music.
Tiffany: Your first lead role was on Disney’s ‘Let it Shine”, being a child star do you think it's hard for people to grow with you as you become an adult? Do you think your fan base can get stuck in who they think you are? Trevor: No, not so much. That was fun! I was 15 years old and that was a great role at that time and I think because I only did one, it’s not as hard as if I did a tv show. I think Superfly kind of helped with the adultism. I also did “ American Crime” which was one of them, “Burning Sands” those types of roles- helped with that process. Tiffany: What made you decide not to have a stage name for your musical career? Trevor: Because I wouldn’t be myself. Even in real life, the only way to really talk about whatever is going on in my life is through my music. I think stuff is so gimmicky already which I can’t stand when it comes to music. I like to be real and as authentic as possible.
Tiffany: You wrote all of the songs on your last project why is it important for you to have creative control over your project? Trevor: I wrote the project before that as well, and the one before that I co-wrote. Why else do it you know. If I do something someone else did I can’t redo that. Let’s say I get massive success over a song I didn’t write and I try and recreate that it would be impossible. I would need someone and I don't ever want to need anyone. Although I love working with people and putting minds together is always amazing. I think when it comes from me it’s just more real and again music for me is so therapeutic. At times I felt like giving up or been depressed over a relationship or anything and I made a song and I was cool after. The peace I find is what I want people to find after they listen to my stuff. Being involved in the creative process- it’s your view and your view of the world only, it wasn’t meant to be someone else’s. You’re alive to tell a certain story-a certain perspective and I always want to make sure I tell mines. It’s just important! You’re here for that, you’re not here to do what’s been done either. I feel like tradition is almost limiting. I love tradition and I love how it brings people together but it’s very limiting to do what someone else has already done. Every aspect of my life I’m kind of different because I want a different result.
Tiffany: In Rough Drafts pt.2,” In My Crocs” is a fun and light record- what inspired that record and why is it important for you to create music that is fun? Trevor: Going back to what you were saying about being yourself. Something that people always say you know you see me on movies and music videos but when you see me in real life I would be in a pair of crocs- just chillen’. It was a joke for a long time- Trevor wears Crocs all the time, I wear Crocs to the club. Even on the set of Grown-ish that why they put it in the shoe because I would be on set with Crocs and everyone would be like I can’t believe this guy wears Crocs. Even past the Crocs, is the fact that people think that because you are in a certain position that you then need to buy, tons of jewelry, Guiseppe shoes, a sports car, and I think it’s stupid. I like to spend money on things that are going to last for a long time and have value toward me past materialistic value. I like to be comfortable if I could I would go to the red carpet with boxers, a sweater, and crocs. Especially with kids, they would be like “what kind of house do you live in, what kind of car do you drive”. The question is never hoe did you find your happiness, that should be the main question that people should ask how do I be happy. I did Disney’s “Dreamer’s Academy” and I had to go down to talk to a whole bunch of young men between the ages of 13-19. One kid was like “ how do I be happy”. Tiffany: That’s powerful Trevor: I wish I had the answer to that. The best question someone can ask is how do I be happy with everything I have? Tiffany: Looking back on RD2, five months from now, what do you want to see that’ll make you feel the album had the impact you wanted?
Trevor: I’ve already seen that! The tattoos, I’ve seen like 8 tattoos and that’s pretty crazy to me. I’ve seen lyrics and I’ve seen the name of the album on there and I will always be like Woah. That’s on someone’s body for life! My brother and I saw the first one together and we looked at each other like wow dude, this is a movement, “Rough Draft”. Just knowing that you have somewhere to go and but knowing that there’s no one way to get there or even a wrong way to get there. There’s going be a lot of time where you are going to fall, and break some bones on the way but it’s all apart of it. You can’t get the final grade until you complete the rough drafts. I feel like there’s a lot of pressure on men, especially young men who don’t have it all figured out. I’ve felt that way for a long time from age sixteen until twenty-now. People may say “ wow you’re a man” but you’re really not a man until like you feel like you are. Whatever being a man means. I’m just like anyone else just trying to figure it out and sometimes we fall but I want to represent those guys who may feel like they are hard on themselves because maybe they got their mom, their partner or whoever telling them they should be a certain way. It’s like dude, it takes time.
Tiffany: What does winning a Soul Train Award mean to you?
Trevor: That was crazy, so unexpected. I had no idea, some people say you know but I didn’t know at
were like “ The winner is…”. They said my name and I was like woah. It felt good because I feel music
I see you”. I put in work, I dont think that’s a secret to anybody. I’m always working but it’s nice to have I’m just happy to be doing it.
Tiffany: In another interview, you mentioned that there are a lot of failures that go into what you
Trevor: Although that may have been the word I used, I dont believe in failure. I just believe in correctio
hand. At the time I might’ve wailed but my dad was saving my hand from being scolded off. I feel like G
made sense later. Everything I thought was a failure made so much later. Rather it may have been a r
gotten into business or personal, thinking I really want something and it would have been great to have
all. I was there and they were like you got to be there for this interview. I ran over there and they
cally I dont think my peers haven’t recognized me in that way. So it was nice to have people say, “Ok
e that affirmation that your work is being seen and noticed. But, then again that shouldn’t be the goal.
u create and the opportunities you receive. What is your greatest failure?
ons. It’s almost like when you are a kid and your about to put your hand in fire then your dad hits your
God has done that a lot with me in my life. So I can’t say the greatest failure because everything
role I wanted really bad and the movie ended up tanking. Or even a relationship that I might have
e. Later I see the result of what could’ve been- it just always made sense.
Tiffany: You’ve also directed music videos.
Trevor: Yes, directing! I love directing. I watch movies every single day, I love movies. How people look at pa
wanted to start telling my own stories because I would see my videos and someone else’s and it would look t
same aesthetic, 2 led lights on the top and bottom, and then spice it up and cut it to the music. I was like ok, I
Now” video it starts off sexy and then something crazy happens. My next music video for “Tell You The Truth
Tiffany: How did you learn to trust yourself? To know your ideas are dope and what you produce is d
Trevor: I knew what I didn’t like. Because I do watch so much stuff on a daily, I couldn’t be biased with my ow
thing is, it’s me, If I don’t believe in myself how am I going to get the next person to believe in me. The most and if it gives you that same feeling go with that.
Tiffany: You killed at NYFW for Laquan Smith.
Trevor: Thank you, thank you. I had a great time! I walked one fashion show when I was 4 years old and I wo Laquan Smith and it was amazing. He’s such a nice guy too!
Tiffany: What went into deciding that this was the perfect opportunity for you to debut as a runway m
Trevor: It just happened, It wasn’t planned. They kind of reached out, and then I walked it. Now Laquan and I jeans!
Tiffany: On social, you show yourself going surfing and recently participating in a beach clean up. Ho
Trevor: The ocean is definitely my friend. It’s really one of the only places I really enjoy being by myself. I hav
I’m in the water it’s amazing. Surfing, in particular, is something I did when I was younger when I was eleven. disciplined about certain things.
aintings. I’m always like how did you do that, why did you choose that angle, what are you trying to say. I
the same. People are using the same directors, and labels are filtering through the same 5 directors, with the
I have seen that! I want to tell stories that I think about or things that I have seen. That’s why in the “Right
h” is about to be really cool, apocalyptic. I don’t want to do the usual.
dope.
wn work. If my stuff reminded me of something I didn’t like I would be like we have to change it. And the
important thing when creating and trying to figure out if it’s dope or not is to find things you are in love with
ore a Tweety Bird basketball jersey and that was the highlight of my life at the time. Then I just walked for
model?
I are really cool. He just invited me out to come out to a Jordache dinner and which was super cool. I love
ow important is the ocean for you? Where did that connection ignite from?
ve a very hard time being alone. I hate it, I don’t want to talk about it, I don’t want to think about it. But, when
. I stopped for a long time and I just got back into it 2-3 years ago and it saved me. It caused me to be more
Tiffany: It’s great to see a young black man surfing because I feel like it’s so rare Trevor: Black people surf and they can swim ok! You just have to do it. Tiffany: Grown-ish season 3 has been renewed, season 3 airs’ in January are there a lot of parallels between yourself and your character Aaron? Trevor: I think the ambition side of things but also the confusion side. I feel like for my whole life I’ve had a direction but know that I’m older and kind of resting I’m asking those questions who am I, am I doing enough, should I be doing more. I think my character goes through those same things rather that’s with a relationship, career, or school. I feel like Aaron is asking himself the same thing. Tiffany: What topic on season 3 are you excited to see discussed. Trevor: There is one topic I’m super excited to see discussed on Season 3 but I can’t say. When it does happen we will reconnect and I will tell you. Tiffany: What is something you hope the audience takes away from watching Grown-ish? Trevor: Judgment. People who aren’t comfortable with themselves or aren’t comfortable with other people. Grown-ish is a show that puts an arm around everyone. It lets everyone know that we are all ok. We don’t have to not like someone because we may not understand them. Grown-ish gives that perspective on every kind of person. Every person on the show I know someone like that or someone that has been through a similar circumstance being discussed. It’s that togetherness. I think every television/ movie should evoke the natural nature of figuring out. Tiffany: Any relationship advice you would give Aaron about Zoey? Trevor: Follow your heart man! I don’t read the script until we doing the table read and then we shoot. I’m just as surprised as people when they are watching the show. Tiffany: How is it working with friends? The fact that you all are friends outside of the showhow is that? Trevor: It’s amazing, it doesn’t feel like work. It definitely helps with the questioning of if I’m doing enough. Being able to be there do my job and then it not feeling like a job. Just go there and have fun every day. The one problem I do have with the show is the food. I eat so much food- and I get from my mother she also eats a lot. It’s an addiction, we both have an addiction. So when I’m there and I see food around, I would just eat it- even if I’m not hungry. Rather that’s hot snacks, m&m’s, another hot snack, a block of cheese. I’m going to eat it all! I’m going to talk to myself in the mirror about it.
Tiffany: When you are creating, rather that is a music project or a role do you do it with the fans in mind?
Trevor: It’s more so after I have done it, I’m like what would they think. But I don’t try to adjust to make them happy because I know what makes them happy is me being me. They are definitely in mind for sure though. Tiffany: What is your favorite role that you’ve played? Trevor: Superfly was the most fun because I got to do martial arts in slow motion. That has been a dream of mines since I was a kid. My dad used to make me watch martial arts movies all the time. “ Kid with the Golden Arm”, “ Five Deadly Venoms”, every Bruce Lee movie ever made, all of the “Matrix” movies, “Blade”- any Wesly Snipes movie I had to watch it. So seeing that and having to do it in Superfly with a long coat on, that shit was tight. That was pretty fun!
Tiffany: How do you want to be remembered? Trevor: That such a hard question and I’m going to put a lot of pressure on myself to answer it because I want it to be good and true. I want to lead people to the peace that I have found through my relationship with God. So when people ask “How did I do it” it would be because of that. My ability to love myself, I feel like that’s the hardest quest for people sometimes is to how to love themselves. I’m on my journey to doing that. I just hope that people are like man, he loved himself, he loved life, he was happy first. There so many successful billionaire a-holes, I want to be remembered as a kind, happy, good guy. That fucked it up when it came to music and film (jokingly). No that did a great job and loved his movies and music.
SMINO
Lexii Alijai (February 19, 1998 – January 1, 2020)
BEXEY
