Jabee: Staying Focused on the Next Level
Posted by Justin Boland on Jan 12, 2011 | 12 comments
Jabee does Oklahoma City proud. He is versatile, crazy talented and hustles harder every year. This interview is a look back at the path that brought him to where he is today, and the business moves he’s made along the way. Jabee is dedicated to his community and exactly the kind of business-minded artist that Audible Hype was made for. If you’ve never heard of him before, I am very glad to introduce you…
What’s the life experience that prepared you the most for making moves in the music industry?
Jabee: Probably the things I went through with my family, mostly the struggles my mom dealt with being a single parent. I seen her battle through so many things that this world threw at her and she fought it all, and protected her children in the process. So that helped motivate me to fight for what I want and never give up.
AH: What was your process working with Mick Boogie to create your (dope) mixtape, Must Be Nice?
Jabee: I just communicated through email with him and Terry Urban, I’m friends with UNI and Mick Boogie did their mixtape, and he said he wanted to do one with me! I was excited. I told him I had songs ready when I didn’t…I just banged out as many as I could as fast as I could, I knew he was busy so I didn’t want to miss the chance.
AH: How did your approach to promotion and music creation change between the Valentines Day EP and the Lucky Me mixtape?
Jabee: The Valentine’s EP was a last minute Idea, I wrote and recorded those songs in one week. I have the video ideas and we did those real quick, the interviews were an idea that I had after talking with a friend about how she hated Valentine’s Day. We actually filmed about 4 or 5 girls but only used two. The video where I’m in the mall dressed as a nerd was an idea my homie aDDLib thought of , it was a cool video people liked it, it didn’t end the way we planed though.
As far as Lucky Me, I wanted it to be big. I had big presenters IMKing, and djbooth, so I knew it would be one of my bigger projects. People were starting to check for me more so I wanted to build a real buzz, I’m working on other stuff now, but I’m gonna be pushing Lucky Me for a while.
AH: How did you get the opportunity to work with Carlitta Durand?
Jabee: We met online in like 06 when myspace was poppin, I’ve always thought she was amazing, and when I was ready and developed she worked with me, I’m grateful for it too, she put me on her EP which was huge, and the song was a popular song we did together and the video got mad love!
I actually picked the beat for lost love and she wrote the song sent it to me I wrote a verse for it and that was it. Every time I hear something from her I’m blown away by her talent. Her voice and writing are awesome.
AH: What kind of team are you working with these days?
Jabee: My team is mostly just people that I grew up with and family or my crew… Nobody has really gone out of their way to help me in this music business aside from Commissioner Gordon, Carlitta Durand or just my friends and family at home… I get frustrated sometimes because I feel left out of a lot of things I feel I have earned a position to be a part of, or I get discouraged when I feel like certain rappers or promoters aren’t showing me respect for whatever reason. But I just try to stay grounded and positive no matter what because I know the Lord has something special for me if I stay on track. So that’s why I keep a close knit team of family and friends who support me. Oklahoma is my team!
AH: Who are your role models, in terms of making music for a living?
Jabee: My number one would have to be EL-P, because he stayed independent and he did everything his way with no compromise. He is someone that I feel no matter where music goes, he will still be relevant. Dame Dash because he always has some sort of hustle and knows what’s new and fresh…and Jay Z, for obvious reasons.
Also Slug and Ant, they are the true meaning of hard work paying off! I saw them in OKC in 98 or 99, there was like 15 people there, then they came back in 03 and sold out!
AH: What’s your business focus for 2011?
Jabee: Push Lucky Me more and more. I’m wanting to get out on the road and tour this year and start to build an actual fan base. I just wanna work on getting my name out more, gotta keep recording more music, I didn’t record as much music as I should have in 2010.
I want to get more press, I need more visuals as well so I’m working on videos and viral promos. I’m also gonna make it my business to take Raven Symone out on a date and make her fall in love with me.
AH: What advice do you have for new artists on preparing a good stage show?
Jabee: Always consider the audience’s attention span. Remember to perform for them, not you, interaction, and presence are key. Even if the crowd knows who you are, perform as if you are trying to win them over. Also don’t perform and do the same things you see rappers do on TV when they perform, because if you seen them do it, chances are so did someone else and that will make you look corny and look unoriginal.
AH: What helps keep you focused when you get frustrated?
Jabee:I’d have to say its a combination of the friends and family around me…they believe in me more than I do. Also, it’s just knowing that God has a plan for me…I just gotta stay focused and not give up!
AH: What is the biggest change you’d like to make this year?
Jabee:The biggest change this year I’d like to make would have to be moving into the next level of my career, where people are noticing my music more and actually checking for me, and booking me for shows and events and tours…
12 Comments
1 Lou Little says...
Yeah this guy is cool, I like the humility. I like the music, too, adding the Bandcamp player to these interviews is a good look. I always look them up while I read anyway. Never thought of OKC as a city to check for hip hop before!
Posted at 10:40 p.m. on January 12, 2011
2 Malcolm Guthrie says...
I manage a West Coast rap group, who would I talk to in order to get them interviewed on Audible Hype? Thanks!
Posted at 6:20 a.m. on January 13, 2011
3 Becky says...
GO SEE JABEE LIVE! GREAT ENERGY GREAT MUSIC GREAT PERSON!!
Posted at 9:02 a.m. on January 13, 2011
4 Justin Boland says...
@ Lou: Amen, that's an idea from Charles Blingus and he was RIGHT. Adds a lot to these posts.
@Malcolm: Free pro tip: try emailing me directly instead of leaving irrelevant comments on someone else's interview, right? Right.
Posted at 12:16 p.m. on January 13, 2011
5 Rosalinda says...
Jabee is a leader in his community and too humble to talk about all the church and youth work he does. This is just the tip of the iceberg!
Posted at 5:37 p.m. on January 13, 2011
6 blade says...
Dope interview! this dude is the truth! keeps it real and you can hear it in his music! I been seeing his name around but never checked him until now!!!
This interview made me want to know more about him! this might be his year he way more humble than all these other joe shmoes out in the industry
thats my 2cent
blankscare
Posted at 5:43 p.m. on January 13, 2011
7 soulwilliams says...
Great interview! Yeah I was one of the dudes sleeping on Jabee in the beginning...I'm from and live in OKC and I'm a crazy Hip Hop head! Yeah it's a bunch of us here, lol!! And I just didn't think there were any for real local hip hop artists here...I got tired of arguing with people here about what true hip hop is. What's HOT and what's NOT! Nobody here in the CITY to vibe off of or get inspiration from other than just relying on the regular artists I listen to all the time, like the entire Justus League camp, Kidz in the Hall, Skyzoo to name a few and of course God which is the best inspiration! Then one late night i'm up and ran across the "Must Be Nice" mixtape and was like WHOA!! Jabee the rapper from OKC & Mick Boogie? It's sad it took me seeing Mick Boogie's name on the cover and all the other artists on the tape to get my attention or to open my ears. But shoot I was hooked then, so it did what it was suppose to do. I went back and listen to all of his work and was blown away. I had to apologize to the kid for sleeping on em, he's representing the city quite well. I'm telling everybody about dude now! I'm a artists and I've found myself falling to the norm (music wise) here in OKC, I haven't been true to myself as hip hop artist. I can really say that dude, Jabee has inspired me to stay true to who I am artistry wise and not compromise for the sake of.... That's what I've been doing! There is plenty of people here in the city that love Hip Hop and everything that it's about. I'm talking about that good Hip Hop with substance! Not that watered down garbage that has no meaning! Jabee, is bringing that Hip Hop with substance! And like I said before my friend! Keep grinding, continue to stay true to yourself, I think the people are listening, I know I am! I thank you in advance for opening up the doors!
Love, Peace & Soul
Posted at 6:57 p.m. on January 13, 2011
8 Doyle says...
BIG INSPIRATION FOR A DIRTY SOUTH / MID WEST BWOY ON THE COME UP THANKS FOR THE MOTIVATIONAL JUICE
Posted at 2:51 a.m. on January 16, 2011
9 Cory Bloom says...
Just got converted into a fan, great voice, great style. Jabee is dope!!!
Posted at 9:44 a.m. on January 20, 2011
10 Matt says...
Been hearing good things about Jabee all year, he's really putting OKC on the map right now, he's got his whole city behind him these days and he respects his fans
Posted at 11:52 a.m. on January 20, 2011
11 Isaac says...
Recent article on Jabee you should check out:
http://oudaily.com/news/2011/jan/21/local-hip-hop-artist-...
Posted at 11:38 a.m. on January 21, 2011
12 Betty T says...
Reading this comments made my day, too! Great article, great person!!
Posted at 12:28 a.m. on January 25, 2011