Jin speaks on his retirement, his wins and losses and his ups and downs in the music industry. After some time with Ruff Ryders, Jin is ready to embark on an independent journey. We caught up with Jin for some questions.

HHDX: For those who don’t know, can you explain a little about your upbringing?

Jin: I was born and raised in Miami, Florida. I was born in 1982. My family was hard working. My Mom and Dad immigrated to the United States when they were teenagers. Well, mainly my Dad, actually. He immigrated to New York. He was raised in New York and, as he got older, married my Mom and moved to Miami, which is where I was born. As I was growing up, they were just trying to do the you know, your typical American Dream. Trying to start a little business and just trying to maintain. That’s pretty much what my childhood was; being a part of that environment watching my parents work hard. The thing about it is that they were working hard just to barely make it. I think that’s the case with a lot of different families regardless if you‘re Asian or not.

The one thing about a lot of families in this country is, of course you have your families that are poverty stricken in horrible conditions. I’m fortunate enough to say we were never at that point. But certainly, things weren’t all gravy. Right in the middle, it’s just as hard because you’re not at the point where you’re able to get assistance but then at the same time, you’re not at the point where you’re like filthy rich.

HHDX: Most fans already know about Jin’s past, including the freestyle battles, but what is The Emcee trying to accomplish right now?

Jin: I think The Emcee is not too different from Jin. I mean, realistically, it’s the same person you know what I‘m sayin’. That’s one thing about the whole “Oh, what is he changing his name?” I mean, I don’t think it’s so much as changing my name, it’s just that right now, I’m trying to take my music in a new direction. Or basically, a different direction I should say. One that I certainly feel is more reflective of who I am as an artist. It certainly wasn’t something that was just gonna happen. I feel like, in order for me to get to where my mind is at right now, I had to go through all of the stuff I went through in the last four years. So, you know, I never look at it like “Ah! My career was screwed because of So and So or because of this company...” You know what I’m saying? I thank all of them for the opportunities, you know what I’m sayin’? If I would go back, I’d do it the exact same way. I never regret the Ruff Ryders thing. I never regret picking certain songs. I think it’s all supposed to happen for a certain reason. Continued on page 2 »