Wicked J 303

Rhythm & Beats

When did you first get into music? Who or What inspired you to pursue a career in music?

It’s been around my whole like pretty much since I was a kid. I’ve always loved music so I decided to get into it at an early age. In middle school I was taking drum lessons and I was in band, and other musical groups playing instruments all the way up to college. In general, all of my instructors inspired me to pursue a career in music. Someone else who inspired me is the rap artist Tech N9ne. When I first started listening to his music I was really touched by his style of music. Unlike playing instruments rapping is fun but it’s also different because you’re using words to spread a message, and Tech N9ne showed me that through his music and seeing him live and I knew it was something I wanted to do.

How have your skills evolved since you first got into music?

I’ve learned a lot about music, because my taste has grown so much. I learned about music theory in college, I learned new techniques through my music instructors which to this day help me express myself musically and lyrically freely than before.

If you were forced to choose only one, which emotion, more than any other drives you to stay in this tough business? Is it joy, anger,desire, passion or pride and why?

I would say passion. The reason is because if I was pursuing a career I had no passion for, I would not give it my hunnid percent. I think that if you have a dream that you’re truly passionate about, it doesn’t matter how tough it is to become successful. Nothing will be able to stop you.

Which ingredient do you think makes you special and unique as a performing artist in an industry overflowing with new talent and ideas?

So, I would say what makes me unique is I don’t wanna try to sound like anyone else. My originality makes me stand out. And to be fair, who wants to see the same artist hop out on stage sounding like the guy before him and the guy after him. It’s a huge reason why so many people don’t make it, especially here in Denver. People wanna see something new and that’s something I have to offer.

What has been your biggest challenge as a performing artist? Have you been able to overcome that challenge? If so, how?

My biggest challenge as a performing artist was choosing the wrong crowd to spend time with. Spending time with people who don’t have the same work ethic and drive as you can hold back your career and realizing this I knew I had to cut people off so that I can focus on building my career at my own pace rather than having to work at the pace of others.

A common phrase in the industry is, “you must suffer for your art”. Do you agree with this statement? If so, how have you suffered for your art?

I disagree. Pain is inevitable, but suffering is a choice. From my perspective, going through pain to achieve success in music and/ or chase your dreams in life, is worth it. So it’s really not suffering if it’s worth it in the end. For this career, I’ve sacrificed many things in my life to pursue it. To pursue music. However, I think that’s just life. Like if you really wanna do something, it has to be your top priority. There is no plan b, there’s no other path but what you choose. You have to be willing to make sure that is where your focus lies at all times.

How has the pandemic affected how you utilize streaming and social media?

I think it’s definitely taken a toll as far as performing and filming live shows. An example would be I would advertise selling tickets for upcoming shows I have but now I’ve been utilizing social media and streaming to promote music I have been releasing in the studio. So as far as streaming and social media the focus has just shifted to promoting music and keeping people updated on my process of releasing it.

If you could change anything about the music industry, what would it be?

GIVE. ARTISTS. COMPLETE. ARTISTIC. CONTROL. If I could change anything, it would be these major corporations and labels essentially slaving their artists and telling them what they can release and cannot release. Every artist should have the right to release any kind of music they want to, regardless of who’s paying them. An example, would be when Tupac was signed to Interscope records, they didn’t want him to release “Brenda’s Got A Baby” on his 2pacolypse Now album. However, Tupac knew how these major labels work and refused to let them have artistic control. To this day, this still happens with so many artists. It’s hard to do anything about it, but these are people who are limiting what you can hear on the radios, on streaming platforms, on stage, etc. And this is a huge reason why so many underground artists are starving, because they have the talent to become major and successful. The problem is, they don’t have the exposure to do so.

What are the 5 albums that have helped make you the person you are today?

1. Avenged Sevenfold’s – Nightmare album 2. Tech N9ne’s – Something Else 3. Tupac’s – All Eyes on Me 4. Logic’s – Under Pressure 5. Linkin Park’s – Hybrid Theory Album. These 5 albums have helped me through very hard times in my life and they have taught me valuable lessons that have helped me grow into a better person today.

Tell us about your current project.

I’m currently working on my first official EP called Driptown Denver. It contains 9 tracks, has a variety of beat styles, and a good representation of Denver’s hip hop style. Driptown Denver is an EP to show the world how we get down in Denver, Colorado. Denver doesn’t get a good reputation as far as hip hop goes. Our local radio stations to even our local music scenes have trouble supporting our local artists. I’m very excited to finally show people what I have to offer to the industry and the world.

What’s next for you?

What’s next for me, is more studio time and really buckling down to the last details on this EP. I’m In the studio right now with DJ Deuce who’s been a huge help in really sharpening my sound, and this EP should be set to release in the next few months.

How can fans-to-be gain access to your music and follow your career?

Follow me on Facebook and/or Instagram under Wicked J 303 and if you check out my bio I have a link-tree to my newest single called “I Know” on all platforms. It also has a little more information about myself and a direct link to my social media pages.