Illuminati 2G

Meet J-Rich, the bay area born and bred MC who has rubbed elbows with some of the industries biggest and toughest heavyweights. After two separate moves which took him to New York and Miami, J-Rich was able to hook up and do business with Keyshia Cole, The Game, Fabolous, Glasses Malone and many more. After pondering upon which label offer to accept, J-Rich began his brand with the hard working independent record label, Stay Focused Records, even after discussing with Lil Wayne and his Young Money Records outfit.

A well known studio rat, J-Rich is prepping to drop his first ever official first single in the fourth quarter of this year. With expectations to see that single stomp the airwaves in a major way, J-Rich is clearly up next from the Bay which has already given the west coast mac Dre, Too $hort, E-40 and more.

Read this exclusive J-Rich interview to learn all about the bay area's next star! A very big thank you goes out to the International Publicity Agency (IPA) for setting this interview up.

Interview: Tell us where your name J -Rich comes from. Does that stem from your real name?

J- Rich: My name is Johnny. The streets gave me that name. Since I was 13 years old, I was coming through in all kinds of shit like drop tops, brand new 5.0’s in high school. Everybody was like J, you’re rich J you rich. And it just translated from J you rich into J. Rich.

Interview: At such a young age, how could you afford such a rich lifestyle?

J-Rich: I was born into the hustle, I come from a very poor background, but once I got off the porch - - I started touching a lot of money.

Interview: You shared studio time out in New York with some heavyweights such as Keisha Cole, Fabolous, The Game and countless others. Which session was the most productive from your point of view? What did you learn?

J -Rich: I’ve been in the studio so long, even before that, but I definitely learned in 2006 - - that being in the studio is where you need to be… I learned that many people say that they are rappers, or that they’re in the music industry and what not, but there never on the grind. I learned in New York in 2006 that the grind is a terrible thing to waste. You really have to work hard if you want anything done. I’ve seen a lot of people spend a lot of hours in the studio and that made me realized that this is not an overnight situation, it’s a lot of hard work.

Interview: What’s the biggest difference between the vibe of a New York and Bay area recording studio?

J-Rich:  Good question… I would have to say the three hour time difference (laughs)

Interview: Did you actually ever meet Keisha Cole, Fabolous, The Game, etc?

J-Rich:  Yes - - and now we all have good relationships and I would love to work with all of them in the future, especially my Bay area comrade K.C (Keisha Cole); Shouts out to Manney, Imani, BWS, Street Fam, Young Money, CTE, and Big Gates - - all official family.

Interview: When is the last time you’ve actually talked to Keisha Cole?

J-Rich: While she was on the “I Am Music tour.” She’s a very busy lady, and I’d like to congratulate her on all her success.

Interview: Would you have learned that if you hadn’t moved to New York or was that necessary?

J -Rich: Very necessary. The bay area has a very independent hustle and we’re very good at making good music, but New York is the mecca of hard work.

Interview: What is it about New York, that you would call it, “the mecca of hard work?”

J-Rich:  They don’t sleep. Niggas be taking straight naps in the booth, and then they wake up spitting. Once the product is done, they’re on the go with it. There’s no substitute for hard work. 

Interview: So would you compare the way they’re on go with their products in New York to how the bay handles their independent products?

J-Rich: We started independent rap in the bay. I mean, from the booth to the streets straight out of the trunk as I stated earlier. I know a lot of music pioneers from NY but I grew up in the bay so I couldn’t tell what was going on out there in the late 80s.

Interview: You returned to the west coast in 2007 and dropped a slew of independent projects. Do you think it’s important to keep your name out there today with multiple projects going on at the same time?

J-Rich: I had got so much work done in New York, because I learned the essence of hard work in 2006, I came back to the west coast and had no choice but to let it all out. That was the independent hustle that the bay taught me, not to sit on your product. I decided to let it all out. By me letting it all out, I felt like I got a great response from it.

Interview: You moved to Miami after realizing staying in the bay was bad for business. Why Miami this time?

J-Rich: Because the south was popping in 2007 and 2008 especially Miami. When I was on the west coast, I noticed that the tune had gone to Miami and Atlanta. The south was just buzzing; everything that was coming out was on fire like Plies, Rick Ross, and Pitbull and so on. Everything was popping in Miami. I figured why not go where it’s popping at? I need to be in the middle of the fire. I need to be right in the middle of it plus they got great studios out there 1 of the #1 selling LPS of 2008 was recorded down there (Hit Factory) so if u can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em (laughs).

Interview: Have you hooked with any of the major artists in Miami yet?

J-Rich:  I’ve worked in studios such as The Hit Factory, Circle House and the Slip N Slide studio, so I’ve ran into everyone down here, literally at lease two or three times. I’m a very real person, so when people meet me - - they don’t forget me, but as far as if I work with anyone, not yet - - I’m still working on myself.  I love to listen to all kinds of music and different artists, but I’m more like Plies on that feature thing, not really too big on it. I might want to feature some singing, because I can’t sing, but definitely not a rapper on every song with me - - I can hold my own. 

Interview: Now what you say is the biggest difference in the rap scene, between Miami and both the Bay area and New York?

J-Rich:  In the Bay, were all ghetto superstars that are regionally famous, so we all work together and keep it like that, but no one is really mainstream yet, where on the other hand - - when you are recording in Miami, or in New York – you are liable to run into T.I., Young Jeezy, Busta Rhymes, Lil Wayne, etc - and just being around such big artists, makes you step up your creativity.. 

Interview: Out of all the studios you’ve been in, what other artist have you been most impressed with in the studio?

J-Rich: That’s a tough question because every artist has his or her own lane but I would probably say Fabolous. When he came out and did a verse for my boy Sky Balla for his album, he just had a nice vibe going and he ripped that shit.

Interview: Tell us about your new single “I’m a Trappa.”

J-Rich: It’s not actually a single. It’s a street buzz for my mixtape. I’m actually dropping three singles with three videos for my mixtape. The mixtape is titled “Independently Major.” So I’m dropping three singles off of that one. “I’m a Trappa” was the first one, “Off the Meter” is the second one and “Ur my Lady” is the third one. I’m just putting that out there to warm up the streets for the actual single for the album which I haven’t chose what single I’m going to go with yet, but I’m just warming up the streets right now.

Interview: Speaking of videos, what is it like working with director, McKinley Presents?

J-Rich:  If you need a indie video done, he’s the go to guy - - and my boy, Damon Jamal and Rock Jacobs, they all some real down to earth directors, but also shouts out to my boy Taj and Gil Green.  I will be working with them also and people need to understand that now the visual era is a must, so these directors should be top priority in your music business plans.

Interview: Tell us more about the video release party you are having at the VMA’s

J-Rich:  It’s going to be another episode, but if you got any good ideals or wanna sponsorship, or get involved - - get at me through my URL or MySpace.

Interview: Thanks a lot for your time J-Rich. Do you have any last words before I let you go?

J-Rich: Y’all are great. Stay Focused Records. I do this for y’all! Download the mixtape for free, it’s everywhere. Shouts out to DJ EFX who is my new DJ - - I’m rocking with him all the way. He is who hosted the mixtape “Independently Major.” One love to my fans and it’s time for the trill to get a turn… The streets are calling out and I’m yelling back. I got y’all!  Hit me up at my MySpace at www.myspace.com/mrgetrich.