JayGee Interview

Winning Season Intro

JayGee is a real one. Tupac is one of his favorite rappers and the influence is apparent because JayGee knows how to flow. One of the best hip-hop albums of the year is “Winning Season Intro” and it talks about the struggle that JayGee has had to endure.

Through struggle comes good times. The main message to take away from JayGee is never to give up even when you have to do things you don’t want to do. There is always a brighter day and you too will be in the “Winning Season”.

Calculated Moves

Slowly and eerie starts the track off and then all of a sudden an icy crisp beat hits us in the face. “Calculated moves I make… I’ve been humble and patient” There are so many memorable lyrics in this song and I like how he advocates fighting it out with your fists instead of resorting to guns. So many youngsters are too quick to grab the gun without trying to solve things in a more productive way.

Rich

“Rich” is an absolutely beautiful song with a hypnotic piano riff. The trap drums hit in just the right parts and JayGee’s voice is poetic and calming. “Double up get a quarter-brick” and more nuggets of truth from “Winning Season Intro”. Trapping and drugs were JayGee’s ticket out of being poor but now he tells his story.

Rap needs JayGee which is why we had to reach out to JayGee for an interview to learn more about him and his story.

Rock the Hip Hop JayGee Interview

Where were you born?

I was born and raised in Southside, Richmond Virginia.

What was your childhood like?

My given name at birth is Jonathan Berry. I was raised with both parents, an older brother and a younger sister. In my early years of growing up, I had a normal life. I come from a big family and spent a lot of time with my cousins.

When were you first introduced to rap music?

It all started for me around 1984-85 when one of my older cousins, Shawn( Rip). introduced me and my brother to rap music. That’s when I fell in love!

What were some struggles you had to deal with growing up?

I got into the drug game in 6th grade and by 13 or 14 years old, I got kicked out of my parents’ house and moved in with my grandmother. I started rapping in middle school kicking a freestyle in the bathroom.

When did you know you wanted to be a rapper?

I knew I wanted to be a rapper, but my head wasn’t in it back then. I started to take the music game seriously after getting kicked out of high school.

Who was your favorite rapper?

Pac was my favorite rapper. He had the biggest influence on me, the way he commanded the stage, the artistry, lyrics, authenticity, and his passion for his music and for his people. Pac made no apologies for who he was and stood in his words.

Another favorite was Scarface. Face along with Geto Boys was the first to give the south a voice and speak on the exact experiences we have in our culture but from a southern standpoint.

Tell me about some of your accomplishments.

That is my goal when it comes to Richmond, Va. We have a story but others are telling our stories for us. When you look at the news, it primarily focuses on the crime and not the dope talent that’s in Richmond, Va.

We even made Forbes magazine in 2019 for being “The Underground Music City” that people need to visit. The fact that it has only been one or two big names to come out of Richmond, Va. in the last 20-plus years doesn’t sit well with me and those that have resources to help new, fresh, and even young talent to get discovered don’t reach back. This is where the disconnect comes in between the older generation of Hip Hop and the new and I want to be that one to bridge the gap.