Rapper Kaly Jay’s Artistic Journey

Rapper Kaly Jay’s Artistic Journey

ARTISTIC JOURNEY

Individual style w raised in the Western Addition’s jazz and funk milieu.

By Cristina Deptula

San Francisco native and current resident Kaly Jay (Javonte Holloway) prides himself on his unique hip-hop style. (Kaly is his middle name and friends call him Jay, hence the artist name.)

When asked to describe his music, he says, “I would describe my music as uplifting, introspective, thought-provoking, and slappin'. What makes my work unique is how it makes listeners want to dance and get hyphy, but at the same time hold onto the message that the lyrics convey.”

Jay says being in San Francisco and growing up in the Western Addition has played a role in his music. “Yes, I know for a fact that growing up in the Fillmore/ San Francisco has greatly influenced my artistry. As a rapper, where you come from is a huge part of your image because you act as a representative from your city or neighborhood. I feel like it's been that way since the beginning of hip hop.”

Most people who give me feedback on my music tell me that they can't think of another artist that reminds them of me. I embrace that, and continue to make music that’s true to who I am.

Photo Credit: Violeta Gonzalez

Kaly Jay grew up aware of the rich multi-racial cultural history of music in that part of the city. “Beyond rap, I was heavily influenced by the history of jazz and funk in my neighborhood. When all of those influences are combined, you get my sound.” He began playing music seriously as a teenager in a band with his high school friends Frak and Sean.

We laugh when we reflect on those days because we wanted to be really ‘woke’ with our raps and our image. While the intentions were pure and the potential was there, in all honesty, we just came off as young and naive to the ways of the world.

Photo Credit: Violeta Gonzalez

Now, he still expresses positive messages in his lyrics, but in a more sophisticated, subtle way. However, he appreciates what he learned from his early days as a musician and sees that time in his life as valuable.

I cherish that experience because it was a starting point. At the time, I didn't know how to record vocals well, count bars, or even put music out on the internet. Today, I'm a much better MC, singer, and performer with a clearer understanding of my craft. My growth came from consistent practice and failure until I started getting it right.

One other way in which Kaly Jay shares positivity is by spreading the word about other musicians and artists. “I promote my friends' work on social media, mainly out of support in order to increase the looks they may get. I can tell the amount of time and effort that goes into a piece based on the quality. It's the small details in the edits, the transitions, and even how they promote their work. Normally I'll share my homies' work regardless because even if it isn't my cup of tea, it may be someone else's.”

To Jay, this is especially important because it can be harder for a rap or hip hop artist to get known in San Francisco, although the city is overall a good place to find music. “I think SF is musicianfriendly, but not necessarily for hip hop artists. If you're R&B, alternative, or pretty much anything else, you've got a good chance of booking shows at most major venues. But to

tap into the local up and coming rap artists, you have to be in the know and tapped into the community.”

Jay thinks things are slowly improving, though, for local rappers in terms of publicity. “I believe these conditions are changing with the rise of organizations and labels like Project Level, 1015 Mgmt, Audio Vandals, and Empire. I think they're at the forefront of bringing SF rap artists to a bigger audience.”

Used to finding and creating his own place in the music world, Jay expects to keep blazing his own trail. “Through it all, as an independent multimedia artist, I continue to create and get in where I fit in. That's the name of the game.”

Read more at https://issuu.com/rareluxuryliving/docs/troora_san_francisco_2021_pages/236