Music Review and Exclusive Interview with JSpook for “I Knew It”
The opening piano riff to this track, which runs throughout the piece, has a beautifully unique sound to it; it brings an element of classical flair to the track, a sign of creative freedom and experimentation within the genre – an unexpected placement of such a sound, but it really brings it out of the shadows. On top of this, the rap style has a very mellow, almost spoken word flow to it, so the whole piece sounds very real and believable. It actually sounds like you’re sort of overhearing a chat between strangers at a jazz bar, with a nice touch of that classic hip-hop style beat to keep the good vibes moving.
The track is too short, but it seems intended; the benefit is it leaves you wanting more – along with the vocalised promise of part two. The piano riff and the beat work together brilliantly, the ambiance created has a haunting, kind of creepy, but effective and memorable sound to it. The lyrics are occasionally unusual, but for the most part there aren’t many lines that are particularly striking or fresh – again though, as it’s such a short song, you’d hope that there’d be more substance to come when more music surfaces.
In terms of the sound of the voice, it sounds stylish, confident, effortless in it’s performance, and calm enough to fit in well with the whole sound scape that exists around the vocal. The style has a serious tone to it in many ways, but for the most part the vibe is easy going and care free, which makes it pretty easy to listen to and let play out in the background to your life. The musicality is the strongest element, there’s a lot to work with and hopefully much more to look forward to from this artist, creatively.
By Rebecca Cullen
Exclusive Interview:
Exposed Vocals: so tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?
JSpook: Born & raised in da county of dade where da niggas getin payed & da hoes getin slayed……..But im from a lil area called ” overtown” do ya google & research about overtown murder rate they know what it is!!
I became a artist so I can help others u know like open up that door for more miami local rappers doin their thang cause its alot talent in my city….& my story is the truth alot of young niggas can relate to the shit I speak on in my music.
Exposed Vocals: how did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?
JSpook: My name came from around my way just coming up with names & making shit adjust to what we rep and what we stand on….
The inspiration behind it is alot of my dead homies wanted me to do this music shit years & years ago……… Like they always told me all that street shit wasnt for me……..I had the brain to make billions & it wasn’t in da streets so thats what really inspired me like I have to this shit no questions asked. #gcode
Exposed Vocals: what do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?
JSpook: I think sharing online all good & shit I give away alot free music so the fans can stay intuned with the movement its the best route to take now days mf’s aint reallysellin records unless u drake, or jay z , so I think free music is cool to a certain extent u got know how to feed the fans with music basically ya delivery like how many tapes u drop & when they dropin I think all that type shit count.
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?
JSpook: Keep working stay consistent eith music like always recording its hard for some people to record alot but where ever u recorded the music u already have out & establish a business bond with the engineer or anything u know think like brand not a band.
Exposed Vocals: where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?
JSpook: The beat I just pick a beat I like & go in period.
Features the same way.
Exposed Vocals: do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?
JSpook: I use all platforms any platform u can think of just google jspook305
A lot of my new shit ain’t drop yet its all recorded & ready im just checkin for the perfect outlett to drop it all on I or if im fuck uo the winter season wit a mixtape dropin every month…….
Exposed Vocals: if you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?
JSpook: Wont even speak on that.
Exposed Vocals: how do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?
JSpook: Networking moving around state to state & working with different people artist, dj”S, producers, etc.
Exposed Vocals: so, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?
JSpook: Definitely that I got “Foe pt. 2 coming soon……… +++++++ alot new music coming soon with the visuals & shit my camera team under work right now so for a1 photo & video editors in cali lets work from la to da bay if u 🔥🔥🔥 with that camera email rob [email protected]
Exposed Vocals: if you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?
JSpook: I wont even speak on that.
Exposed Vocals: how do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?
JSpook: God first family second this music shit is whenever this aint promised but im thankful
Exposed Vocals: what should fans look forward to in 2016?
JSpook: A lot more energy music, more focused music alot more shows & shit im tryna do like 50 shows this year my nigga for real nigga dat focused bra like u only get what u put in dis shit 2016 im grindin hard af wit dis music….. But 50 shows would be a good year for a nigga like me I came from nothing….I got more energy I I can do more shit u feel me?!?!?! ” I done cut back on dat “Drank” & shit but I still smoke opps” “Dont let this rap shit fool you niggaz”
Youtube : https://m.youtube.com/user/
Reverbnation: https://www.reverbnation.com/
Soundcloud: https://m.soundcloud.com/