Upcoming 100: How long have you been in the music industry and has music always been a part of your life?
Jay Hype: I’ve been in the industry for about 5 years now and music has definitely always been a part of me. I always knew I’d end up doing music but I just wasn’t enough to take it serious yet.
Upcoming 100: Was there a specific moment in your life where you thought, “Music is what I want to do”?
Jay Hype: When I was about 3 I was watching “Jackson 5: The American Dream” and at the scene where the boys were auditioning for Berry Gordy, I turned around and told my dad that’s what I want to do.
Upcoming 100: What inspires you (or your music)?
Jay Hype: Everything inspires me. Whenever I’m writing, I’m thinking of anything from a specific situation pertaining to myself to a random conversation I had with a friend or even just something I noticed while out one night. Just life itself inspires me.
Upcoming 100: Who are on your playlist?
Jay Hype: Besides myself of course, lately I’ve been listening to Jaden Smith, A Boogie, Zacari, Da Baby, & Tory Lanez.
Upcoming 100: The EP you are currently promoting, “S.N.A. (Still Not Available)” how did the idea for it come about?
https://soundcloud.com/jayhype/sets/s-n-a
Jay Hype: My previous project that I dropped last year is titled “N.E.A.” which stands for Not Emotionally Available and is basically the Part 1 to this project. When time came to put out a new project, I was listening to all the songs I had recorded and I realized I was telling the same story as the first project just in a different chapter. That’s when I decided to make this project a continuation of “N.E.A.” hence, “Still Not Available”.
Upcoming 100: There are thousands of artists trying to do what you are doing, what do you think gives you an advantage to break into mainstream America?
Jay Hype: I feel that my music has sustainable & timeless content and along with my unique sound & voice, gives me an advantage most of the other artists do not have.
Upcoming 100: We listened to “Trending Topic” and it’s amazing! https://soundcloud.com/jayhype/trending-topic/s-o8ViD
We can definitely appreciate your sound and style. What steps are you taking to preserve and improve your singing style? What are your best practices?
Jay Hype: My friend who is a singer showed me vocal/breathing exercises that I do for 15 minutes a day for at least 4 days a week. I drink a lot of tea especially at the studio and before my shows. My best practice is probably when I run on the treadmill while rapping to build up my stamina and lung strength. I say it’s my best practice because it’s actually the hardest to do lol
Upcoming 100: Do you have other passions in life? Do you believe passion is an essential part of success?
Jay Hype: I definitely believe passion is an essential part of success. If you’re not passionate about whatever it is that you are trying to be successful at, how can you possibly become successful at it? You have to love it. You have to be obsessed with it or else you’re wasting time and energy into something you don’t even take seriously. I’m passionate about anything that I put my energy into whether it’s music, my charity work, or even just helping out my friends with their own endeavors. If I’m not passionate about it, I won’t even waste my time with it.
Upcoming 100: Working with a renowned PR firm such as Starlight PR and the level of success you have achieved so far, what advice would you give to someone just starting out in his or her career who doesn't even have a studio to record but would love to do what you are doing now?
Jay Hype: Everybody has to start somewhere so don’t be discouraged by the stage you’re in because the great ones were once at that same stage. Don’t let anybody, including yourself, discourage you from keeping at it. It always pays off in the end.
Upcoming 100: Where can potential fans find out more about you?
Jay Hype: All of my social media is @_Jayhype & my website is www.jayhype.com where you can find all my music as well.
