J The S

J the S feat. B.o.B - Another Round [Directed by Court Dunn] from Restless Films on Vimeo.

What’s In A Name: “My real name is Jake and ‘Jake the Snake’ was always my nickname growin’ up. I started rhymin’ when I was a teenager just fuckin’ around. I use to write graffiti, break-dance and this and that but when I was starting to think about maybe pursuing music I just ran with the name I had. I actually own both names I could go with either one. Over the years I just shortened it down; it’s easier, smaller, it’s easy to put to a logo and to package.”

Schoolin’ Em: “I was a teacher and I used to teach in Boston public schools and shit. When I was younger I was just runnin’ around and doin’ things that weren’t positive and I didn’t really have much direction. I was just doin’ some shit that kids do like gettin’ in trouble, breakin’ the law, gettin’ high and doin’ all kinds of other shit; I didn’t really have any ambition and I didn’t know what I wanted to do or what I wanted to be. I got into workin’ with youth through gettin’ in trouble in school and bein’ forced to do after-school programs. Workin’ with youth was an opportunity for me to educate and put them in the right direction because so often the education system they’re in is kinda bullshit, this that and the third. I did that slowly and at the same time I started takin’ the Rap shit seriously.”

The Realistic Future: “My goal right now is to get this album out on the biggest platform possible so it can reach the most people. I love doin’ this but it’s not like I have to do this forever. This shit I rap about is more important than me rappin’. I’m still gonna do it for a while and you will see me but this shit ain’t everything. Some might wanna drop their next album and retire or some might wanna branch off into somethin’ else but they’re scared to say that. Your manager might not wanna fuck with you if you said some shit like that. The music industry is one of the most disgusting things I’ve ever seen. I’ve spent time in the drug game and I found almost more honor, honesty, and respect in that than I do in this. We got label interests and I could tell you the same shit that these other guys have said to you but that’s not really my concern.”

Album In The Works: “I have plans to drop this album I’ve been workin’ on called The Last Days. We’re tryin’ to find the best place for it where it’s gonna get the proper exposure it deserves so the official release date will be official when it has secured home. Production-wise I wanted to branch out and incorporate different genres whether it was reggae, R&B, Soul, or Rock & Roll. I got this guy F.R.E.A.K. he’s worked with 50 Cent [click to read] and Jay-Z [click to read], I got this kid M-Phazes from Australia, I’ve got this duo Goodwill & MGI from Finland who did some shit for Akon [click to read] and Twista [click to read], I’ve got a kid called Blaze P from Baltimore, I’ve even done some production on there and I’ve got Cory Bolt who did a lot of production with Keri Hilson and Destiny’s Child. In terms of some of the features I can’t really reveal those ‘cause I don’t wanna let too many cats out of the bag.”

The Single: “Right now the first single is out with Jadakiss [click to read] over M-Phazes’ production and it’s called ‘The Last Party.. It’s been on commercial radio and all over the websites.”

Pre-Album Snack: “There will be a project released of mine for free, an album of sorts. Basically it’s all songs that were cut from the album and didn’t make the final cut plus unreleased stuff but not in a mixtape format with a deejay screamin’ over every track and blendin’ together bad quality. I’m gonna drop that project early fall just to give the fans somethin’ to snack on before The Last Days.”

Mixtape vs. Album: “Anybody can make a mixtape. An album requires original production, original ideas, songwriting... more than just bars. I don’t care how sick your 16 is over some other dude’s beat; get your own beat and make your own song on it. Impress me and be an artist not just a fuckin’ rapper.”

Blended Sound: “If you put like John Lennon, Bob Marley, Public Enemy and Nas in a blender and had them come out and spit on some futuristic beat and talk lots of real shit that’s what you would get with me.”

Living Contradiction: “I’m contradictory in nature just like many people. When I would freestyle in the streets I would be on some battle shit but when writing it was always political or social based. There are also parts in my life from even after I was teachin’ that I’m not proud of; some things in the criminal realm which is somethin’ that I grew up around and participated in, but when I rap about those elements I don’t glorify them. Even with a party record where we have fun I have morals and standards that I never bend.”

Want More?: “Go to my MySpace [click here] and I have many free downloads on there, you can follow me on Twitter at JtheS, you can check me on Facebook or you can go to www.jthes.com – currently under construction and it will re-route you to my MySpace for now. I have free downloads."