South Central native JAG has been buzzing with the recent release of his hit single “Tap In” that features Trey Songz. JAG announces that he will be opening up for Maryland native, Jay IDK‘s tour for his West Coast leg. As JAG being apart of the independent route, he is someone, who is all about working for himself, with no label. He is proud of the work he has accomplished with his team. With his amazing talent, he will be apart of the first inaugural Rolling Loud Festival that will be held in Los Angeles, California that will start on Friday, December 14 to Saturday, December 15. We recently caught up with the hip-hop cat and talk about how did he get Trey Songz on the track, his new project on the way, the start of the tour with IDK and more.
RESPECT.: How did you get the name JAG?
It was a name I got from the streets. It stands for Just Another Gangster.
RESPECT.: Explain what the “Kapernick Effect” is. What is your ideal message you want to bring to the fans and audience?
“Kapernick Effect” was a fitting title because it was speaking about everything that went down to him wanting to protest. I wanted people to see the pain on my face and understand where black men are coming from. I try to give people a chance to think about a day in our shoes and how we deal with things solely because of the typical stereotypes at this day in age.
Screenshot Image: @jag
RESPECT.: With your hit single “Tap In,” that features Trey Songz, how did that come about? What were you the vibes like while recording the song?
After the “Kapernick Effect” went viral, Trey hit me up and told me to send something with an open verse to him. I was working at a studio in Noho and had Bizness Boi sent me a pack with Trey in mind. Soon after, I cut my verse and knew it was a go. I’m at the crib and got a missed FaceTime call from a DMV number. It ended up being Trey on there listening to “Tap In.”
RESPECT.: What is it like working with Grammy-nominated producer Bizness Boi? What were the vibes like doing “Tap In?”
Biz is busy now man! Haha.. He has had one of the craziest year, as a producer, so we not always able to lock in but that’s my nigga for real! Biz and I been knowing each other since 2016, and we were cool ever since then. “Tap In” sounded like a smash before we started recording. I’ll never forget about cutting it because there were six of us going crazy about it.
RESPECT.: Define RESPECT.
Respect is what you get when you’re working so hard and moving on the right path. As a person, you inspire others to want to be the best version of themselves.
Screenshot Image: @jag
RESPECT.: What can we expect on this upcoming project?
My next project will be my sophomore album. My recent project, 2700, was an EP. It was built as a playlist that people could turn up to. My album will be more in the Kendrick or Cole era yet soulful but tells a story about real rap with a vibe.
RESPECT.: Will there be another feature with you and Ty Dolla $ign?
Not even a question! We already have been talking about doing a whole project together. It will definitely be more stuff with Ty.
Screenshot Image: @jag
RESPECT.: In your recent interview with The Rap Fest, you have explained that you have a campaign called “DOPE” that is in the works, with clothes and accessories, in Los Angeles. How did that come about?
So the campaign is with the clothing company DOPE. They have been around a long now. They have a shop on Fairfax in Los Angeles, and they have worked with big-name artists over the last few years. We did a photo shoot with them months ago and built a relationship from then on until now.
RESPECT.: By working with no label, what are some encouraging words that you can say to artists, who want to be signed, that isn’t worth it?
It’s mostly freedom man. When you with a label, it’s not a whole lot of things that you can do to make the final call on things. I like the independent grind because me and my team do what we want, how we want when we want and the way that we want.
RESPECT.: Recently, you announced that you will be guest on tour with IDK? Congratulations on that! How did it come about?
Thank you for real! IDK and I been knowing each other for a while. I think he hacomeme across me with the “Kapernick Effect” visual. When we saw he was putting a tour together, my team contacted him about it. They asked me to come to do the West Coast leg with him.
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