Exposed Vocals Interviews ‘Just Vibe’

Exposed Vocals: How did you hear about Exposed Vocals? What made you decide to sign up?

 

Just Vibe: Exposed Vocals followed me on Twitter and so we viewed their Twitter page. This sparked an interest.

 

Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?

 

Just Vibe: I, Jamehla, grew up in Little Rock, Arkansas and TK Lil Buddy grew up partially in Indianapolis, Indiana, but started out in Little Rock, AR.  We, as a family, have been doing music all of our lives and the drive to do music professionally came naturally.

 

Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?

 

Just Vibe: TK was inspired by a poetry event called Vibes on Wednesdays but she had never taken the opportunity to perform at one of the events. During this same time Kendrick Lamar’s “Don’t Kill my Vibe was Very Popular” and one of my favorite songs. Tk was looking to change the name of her label she started in high school, which was called Unknown Productions and she chose Just Vibes Entertainment. She believed regardless of the different genres our songs may be, all of our music will be something everyone can “just vibe” with. We started promoting the label, but people thought it was our group name so we decided we would call our group Just Vibe, because we are the first artists of Just Vibes Entertainment.

Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?

 

Just Vibe: We believe that to get anywhere sometimes you have to give a little. A star is not born over night. You have to promote yourself, whether it is a free show or CD; like our song says, “If I have to do a free show to get on then that’s what it is”. We love online sharing, it makes us feel closer to our fans.

Exposed Vocals: Since everyone was a start-up once, can you give any smaller or local bands or artists looking to get gigs and airplay some tips?

Just Vibe: If there aren’t any opportunities to take, you must create them. We started by hosting our own shows and even though the attendance was small our talent was seen. What was small expanded and we began getting invited to perform at other shows.

 

Exposed Vocals: Do you ever make mistakes during performances? How do you handle that?

 

Just Vibe: We don’t believe it’s a real performance if absolutely there isn’t anything to go wrong. As an artist you have to be able to embrace the mistakes and turn them into art. If you don’t let the mistake show, your audience will just perceive it as a little flavor added. When we make mistakes we just keep performing as if nothing happened.

 

Exposed Vocals: Do you tour? Anything interesting happen on tour that you think our readers would enjoy hearing about?

 

Just Vibe: We haven’t begun touring yet. However, we have done a few out of town and state performances. We’re both finding ourselves and embracing all opportunities that come to us. Right now our life is taking chances, making mistakes, and growing from each experience.

 

Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?

 

Just Vibe:  We are both poets, which gives us the ability to feel and think deeply about things, whether it be our own life or situations occurring around us. We are also actors, so we are able to write as if we are other people. Our writing process usually doesn’t start with pen and paper, but by talking and listening, then boom there’s a melody in our head we have to get out. Music is not in our heads; it’s in our hearts. When we get inspiration, we go crazy. It’s like adrenaline running through our veins.

Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?

 

Just Vibe: We have a Wix websitetashieram.wix.com/justvibe. You can also find us on Facebook under Just Vibe and YouTube under Just Vibes.

Exposed Vocals: What are some really embarrassing songs that we might find on your mp3 player?

 

Just Vibe: First Lady “ Baby I Love You” is a song, I, TK have. Its not really embarrassing, but it sounds very childlike and she blushes when she hears it because of who introduced her to the song.  Elle Varner “So Fly” is one Jamehla has. It’s a really good song, but the insecurities in the song are quite funny due to the fact they’re not things she can be insecure about now; especially due to the fact that she no longer has small boobs. Go listen to the song.

Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?

 

Just Vibe: We would invest in our own studio and open up a facility that helps homeless find jobs. Well, TK would probably start a youth music program or something that includes children and the arts.

Exposed Vocals: Any planned studio upgrades? What are you working with now?

 

Just Vibe: Right now all we have is a Mac laptop and a dream. We are making it work though. We plan to start using actual studios for upcoming projects, while we continue to build our own.

Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?

 

Just Vibe: We are constantly networking and taking any opportunity to perform or be heard. We also have a YouTube channel and have started our own challenge using one of our singles “Get on My Grind”. We also use Facebook and SoundCloud to get music to our fans.

Exposed Vocals: If you could perform anywhere and with any artists (Dead or Alive) where and who would it be with? Why?

 

Just Vibe: Jamehla would perform with Aaliyah and Monica. I would perform with so many different people. Aaliyah, TLC (when Left Eye was alive), Tupac, Missy Elliott; the list goes on and on. Some current artist I would perform with would be Wale, J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar, Tink, and Sevyn Streeter. I have love for so many artists in the game right now that I feel don’t get the attention they deserve. To me it doesn’t matter where we perform as long as we perform and are heard.

Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?

 

Just Vibe: TK and I are working on solo albums as well as a group album.  My solo album is entitled “The Next Chapter”. Tk’s solo album is currently untitled. We are getting things prepared for our November benefit “Perform 4 Food” in which we help raise money to feed the less fortunate on Thanksgiving. We are also working on growing the label and including more talented artist.

Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?

 

Just Vibe: We would be helping the less fortunate. Both of us have been told we should be teachers, but we do not believe our calling is to teach in the traditional way, but through our music.

Exposed Vocals: Do you remember buying your first album? Who was it? What was going through your head?

 

Just Vibe: Jamehla’s first album that she bought wasn’t even a album it was a tape. It was Missy Elliott and it had “Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)” on it. The first tape I remember playing myself had Aaliyah’s “One In A Million” on it, but I think the first album I had was Lil Cory’s “Hush Lil Lady” single.

Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?

 

Just Vibe: It takes late nights after work so really there is no balance just hard work.

Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in 2016?

 

Just Vibe: They can expect more vibes and a constant grind. We will not stop here; this is only the beginning. Like our song says, “If you didn’t know about us then, bet you know about us now”.