Up-and-coming Artists: Jaylon Musa

Born in Lake Charles, and raised in Cameron, Louisiana, Jaylon Musa grew up influenced by the likes of Biggie Smalls, Jay-Z, J. Cole, and 50 Cent. The 28-year-old rapper feels that it is his responsibility to “serve the people” and in aspect, not necessarily the give the people the music that they want from him. “I make music for myself first, then I serve it amongst the masses.” Musa believes that as long as music makes the listeners think, then he has accomplished his goal. While working on his music, Jaylon is also working on a film about his life. “I’m also working on a short film with The God Jerule based on my life and my influences coming up in Louisiana.” Currently working on his EP, not yet titled, I recently spoke to Musa as he shares that he wants to stay consistent with good quality art in 2018. Revealing that he dreams to one day work with Jay-Z, the imbalance in the music scene today and why connections in the industry and in life are very important.
Screen Shot 2018-09-10 at 12.58.01 AM

MA: Who were/are your music influences?

Jaylon Musa: My influences range anywhere from Biggie to Jay-Z to some older J.Cole and 50 Cent. Jay-Z is the artist I feel most influenced my flow. He and Biggie’s wordplay mixed in with seamless transitions of different flows is literally what I pride myself on doing; giving the listener wordplay while trying to display flow in a way to where the listener doesn’t even realize that the flow switched. J.Coles voice always influenced me. The way he uses it whether he’s singing or rapping he’s always able to channel the right emotion with the words. Also, I feel we are kind of like ” Tone Cousins ” which means I feel our voices are somewhat similar which made it easy to gravitate towards him while making sure I don’t sound like him. In a weird way a lot of times when I use to listen to 50’s hooks they would bring me back to the days I use to sing in the choir. He actually influences the hook I wrote for my song “Remember me”.

MA: What hip-hop albums did you grow up listening to?

Jaylon Musa: I grew up listening to albums like Juvenile 400 degrees album to Webbie Savage life 1 and 2. I was heavy on Lil Wayne ” The Carter 2 “and his ” Dedication ” mixtape series. On the Rnb side, I was heavy into that Pretty Ricky ” Late Night Special ” Album lol. Definitely use to sing my ass off alone on my way to school trying to wake the hell up lol; oh yea and a little 50 Cent ” Get Rich or Die Trying”. 

MA: What was the first song that you wrote and what was it about?

Jaylon Musa: Uh, I don’t remember the first song I wrote to honest but I remember the first verse I wrote. It was me and some childhood friends recording in the dining room with a little mic and a laptop to record. Man, I was talking so much foolishness in that verse lol. I was just trying to rhyme each word that came to mind. I went from saying I was 19years old and I don’t have to pack a pistol to rhyming about chilling sipping some alcohol mixed with lemonade in the shade then I rap about rappers coming up short like a midget lol; you gotta excuse me this is when Wayne was dropping punchlines and metaphors left and right in his verses. I was trying to bring that energy.

MA: What is your writing process?

Jaylon Musa: For the most part, I will think of the concept of the song and then pursue finding the music that matches it then write to it. I usually write the hooks first not always. Some songs I don’t write at all on paper; I’ll literally write it in my head while in heavy Los Angeles traffic daily. It just depends on how I’m feeling that day that hour that second. I see music as space and color so when I hear the beat initially I need to know how music space will she (the beat) give me and then I go to painting with words.

MA: What would be your dream collaboration with any rapper/singer or producer?

Jaylon Musa: Definitely Jay-Z. His in his earlier years was my blueprint to get to where I am today lyrically while showcasing flow at all times possible. He’s one of the artists who gave me purpose which propelled me to take myself serious.
Screen Shot 2018-09-10 at 12.59.09 AM

MA: Tell me a little about your latest release? Who produced it? What inspired it?

Jaylon Musa: Uh, I used a few producers. My latest project is named ” The Birth “. It is my first project and me taking to an extent the first breath of an artist with an actual body of work is what inspired it. I had a lot to say; I felt an urge to finally let go of the music and now we here. Uh, musically it symbolizes where I was at mentally. I feel its kind of a moody project; if I could put a color to it would be midnight blue. I recorded it in 2 and a half days in friends living room to make sure there was a rawness to it. I consciously kept it short due to the amount of content I  placed in each song. I used 5 producers Beatsinmybackpack, DA, NY Bangers, Juno Adonis and Epik the Dawn.

MA: What is the importance of the connections you make? How can you utilize them?

Jaylon Musa: The connections you make are everything; not only in music but in life. Having connections can save you a lot of time and money and stress especially if you’re a person who prides themselves on giving healthy energy to others. To be honest, when you have a sense of integrity you don’t have you utilize anything to an extent the connections will utilize themselves for you, I believe that its the energy you put out into the universe you get it back.

MA: How do you feel about the music scene today?

Jaylon Musa: Uh, it’s interesting I feel different ways on different days but today I think the music scene is imbalanced. I mean everything for the most part that’s being promoted is based on outer experiences like materials. There was a time when music made you reflect Inner self and to me, that’s more valuable because it resonates with your being and you learned a lot about yourself. Of course, there are plenty of great artists out there but I know Hip Hop would be in a better place if the promotion was the same for ” Introspective ” artist but it will come, I’m hopeful.

MA: What plans do you have for 2018, musically?

Jaylon Musa: I’m working on my Album. I don’t have a name for it yet but I am excited about the music I’m creating currently. Now it’s about outdoing my latest work for me. I just want to remain consistent with producing quality art that I enjoy.
I’m excited to share another experience with the supporters of my music as well.

MA: What advice would you give to a young musician that wants to get into the game?

Jaylon Musa: The first thing I would tell them is to be patient. I know to see all of the materialistic things that many artist flashes in their videos make people forget the process because a lot of those same artists don’t promote the failures it took to get where they are and don’t think artist are rich because of what you see in the videos. The 2nd thing I would say especially if they’re serious about their craft is to understand what is their sound of music; what’s the aesthetic. Pursue finding what audience you appeal to and don’t look back. Once you build a core that’s is will to buy anything you touch that’s when you will be able to be self-efficient but that takes the time you must be persistent.
You can visit Jaylon on his website, SoundCloud, and Bandcamp.