24: Introduce yourself to everyone that doesn’t already know who you are.

J-Key: Hey everyone, my name is J-Key. I’m an artist out of Everett, Washington. Reppin’ Bottom Line Records, but still unsigned. #SpartanUp. Holla @ me @TheONLYJKey.

24: Before we get into your music, can you describe your history about
how you got into and what inspired you?

J-Key: I’ve been writing music since I was 6 years old. I’ve always loved music, been able to recite songs back to back better than i can remember my own school work. I remember I was with my two older brothers and their group of friends when they were writing and trying to be rappers. So I started writing rhymes with them and reading them in the cypher with them and it’s been a wrap ever since. My oldest brother Antwone never stopped encouraging me to write and I never had the desire to put the pen down. Music is my therapy, it’s everything to me and my drive comes from a desire to be the best to ever do it.

24: What was the Hip-Hop scene like for you growing up where you’re from?

J-Key: The Hip-Hop scene in my region for me growing up was non-existent until I turned about 15 when I ran into an older guy who did music and was more of CEO type figure. He introduced me to a closet studio for 15 an hour and some other people who could help me get moving. He taught me how to slang CDs and gave me some pointers to the game. I’ve been on it ever since. It wasn’t as full as I would’ve liked for it to be though, like a California or New York scene.

Besides the local scene, the music scene here was weak, because if you know anything about the North West our music and fashion is very behind. So I was always ahead, because I do my music research but not many other people were.

24: What makes you unique as an artist and different from other rappers
out now?

J-Key: What makes me unique as an artists and different from other rappers in the game today would have to be my outlook on music, the way i create music, and the depth of my perception from the words to the instruments in the beats when I listen. In other words, how serious I take the music. I look at every song as a masterpiece that you must perfect. I purposely pick producers who’s beats are out of the norm, yet still relevant and different sounding and use them along with my sound to create my own sound in order to not sound like anyone. The variety of topics i touch when put to the sound of music i create is unheard before. I am also very versatile and willing to work on any sound of music even though I might make my own or a different type.

24: Tell us about what you are working on.

J-Key: The project I just released in the streets and is currently awaiting release on iTunes is my sophomore project named “The Potential”. My first project “The Spark” (Available on Datpiff.com) was not over original beats, and overall sloppy in my eyes, although my best works at the time. I named the cd “The Potential” that name because I had the opportunity to go to the best studio in town, buy original beats from brand name producers, get better graphics, etc. Between the singers and the fullness of the cd as a whole, I feel that this CD shows my true POTENTIAL even if it wasn’t on a million dollar budget.

After that CD I have “Commercial Airlines” just released on August 2nd. That cd was influenced by the billboard awards. I was watching the billboard awards at a friend’s house and realized that there weren’t really any hip hop artists on there besides Eminem and Nikki Minaj. So I decided pick and choose off of the top 50 billboard songs and go over them to create a hip hop buzz in the pop department and to get those artists to want to work with me in order to be in those awards one day. That CD is free and will be available on Datpiff.com and plenty of other websites.

The third mixtape I have dropping in early September will be called “C4”. I took the idea from Lil’ Wayne’s “No Ceilings” idea. Wayne named the CD “No Ceilings” because he sees nothing above him, I named my CD “C4” because I’m blowing up. The CD will be in a “No Ceilings” style. Bar for bar of punchlines over other people’s beats, and this will be my last mixtape before I focus more on blowing myself up because I’ll have material to work with. This CD will also be available for free on Datpiff.com and all other hip hop websites.

24: What producers have you worked with and who would you like to work
with in the future?

J-Key: I have worked with of course my local Everett, Wa producers like Young West of TrakDealaz, MoonMan Noize, and Black N9ne, Trailman Beatz of St. Louis and also Lil Lody of Memphis which is the producer of “Bugatti Music” by Rick Ross & P. Diddy and has produced various beats on Young Jeezy’s “The Real Is Back” mixtape. All these productions were on “The Potential”. I would like to work with Lex Luger, I was hunting him at one point. I would like to have tracks produced by both Big K.R.I.T. & J. Cole. My most desired producer collab would be Kanye West, I think he and I are similar in our way of making songs a masterpiece and that that tracks would be amazing. Last, but not least, Timbaland & Dr. Dre. There are more producers but I don’t want to ramble.

24: Are you happy with the feedback you have been getting from people
on material you have released?

J-Key: I am very pleased with the feedback I’ve been getting from my most recent project “The Potential”. I’ve had people tell me that my cd sounds like a collection of singles, or that I’m the new face of Washington hip-hop. But then again I’ve also had people say that they weren’t too fond. On World Star my video has been up for 2 days and 80% of comments are clowning me. I just see it as a part of the game though. I’ve never had someone listen to any of my full cds and tell me they didn’t approve. I feel like honestly I get a 7/10 approval rate. I have a song that everyone could listen to no matter what crowd you’re from.

24: In today’s free download age, what do you need that you don’t to
make yourself a household name?

J-Key: I need a good publicist and promotion team. One, so I can get seen all over the world. Two, so I can be concerned about my shows and writing my CDs and not all the extra stuff. Having to do all of that at the same time slows me down. If I get proper promotions, I believe that I’ll get enough money from all the work in music to fuel everything else I need to do. Promotions and money. I already put out free music.

24: How do you feel about the current state of the Hip-Hop scene?

J-Key: I feel like the current state of the hip hop scene is healthy. Its always changing lately. Its also been getting more original lately and lyrical as apposed to recent years. Thanks to those such as the J. Cole’s for the lyrics and the Kanye West’s as far as originality and the innovative spirit. As long as the game continues to head in this direction I feel like we have some good years ahead of us.

24: Outside of the music, what else are you currently working on?

J-Key: Outside of music, I am currently working on making a clothing brand, label named. Starting with t-shirts with designs and logos on them. Eventually I would like to start a full clothing line, more higher class like a polo but of urban wear and upper class wear. With a unique and prestigious name that also carries on like polo.

24: Where do you see yourself going in 2011 and how do you plan to
separate yourself from the other artist out today to get the recognition you feel you deserve?

J-Key: In 2011 I plan on setting up my 2012 year for hip hop. My goal is to make it on the freshman edition of the 2012 XXL cover. At the very latest 2013, but I am racing for 2012. I feel as if I’ve had a late start though. In 2011 I see myself pretty much owning the region I reside in, the northwest region (Washington, Oregon, Idaho) and to make connections + expand my fan base all over the country. I already have travel dates set up.

To separate myself from the others, I feel that getting my name/cd in the right hands and mouths will do the trick. I plan to take over the mixtape circuit. Especially with “The Potential” that I just dropped and the two mixtapes I have coming. I feel like the fans that I am going to get on top of the usual hip hop crowd that I will already attract will put me ahead of the competition. Not to mention staying relevant with so much new music coming out at one time. My goal is to create a fan base that creates a demand for me instead of me looking for a door to go through or a lane to travel down. I don’t believe in lanes. I believe that every human has a broad span of thoughts. Each one will capture new people. So I guess you could also say by staying original and not conforming to whats going on in music today. Just creating my own sound.

24: How can fans go about contacting you?

J-Key: Fans can go to my Facebook page or my Twitter or my Reverb Nation:
Facebook.com/TheOnlyKey
Twitter.com/TheOnlyJKey
ReverbNation.com/TheOnlyJKey
YouTube.com/TheOnlyJKey

For booking features, shows, etc.: TheONLYJKey@Gmail.com

24: Thank you for providing 24hourhiphop.com with this exclusive
interview, do you have any last words for your present and future fans?

J-Key: My final words are #SpartanUp, get The Potential on iTunes and be on the lookout for the next two mixtapes when they come out. O yea, and FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER @TheONLYJKey, lol.

Checkout the Video:

[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Hy0T4U5hSA]