•How did you come up with your Producer/Artist name? Tell us about it.

Originally my name was Cracker Jack but I heard DJ Khaled on the radio release a song from another artist called Cracker Jack that won a radio battle earlier that month so I dropped the cracker. (lol) Changed jack to Jay A double c and its and acronym that stands for multiple meanings such as;
Jealous Adversaries Conquered Creatively
Just Another Crazy Caucasian
Just Another Cannabis Champion
Jewish American Creating Concepts

• Where are you from, and what was it like growing up there?

I’m from Miami-Dade County, I grew up all over South Florida from; Pinecrest to Kendall, the Grove to South Miami, Perrine, and South Miami Heights. My family has moved over 10 times over the course of my life,I lived in Kendall majority of my life up until high school. Then we moved to a small duplex in Pinecrest so my father could put me in a better school district. Shortly after graduating. I returned to Kendall, my mother lived between South Miami and the Grove. I would stay in when I would visit, i grew up and had lot life experiences more in the down south area of Miami. Through people who are still to this day close family friends not a lot but a good few I learned how to survive as a man in this world. From being exposed and indulging some of the elements that shape a person’s mind for either better or worse. Growing up and still growing is always an adventure ,didn’t grow up poor but as a family we had to work, save and scrape for every little thing we needed. I never had to beg for anything just needed to be patient and eventually it would come with work and savings.

• Who were you raised by? Tell us your family situation. Got any
brothers, sisters, or any siblings? Tell us about your childhood,
and how it impacted your music?

I was raised by my Great Grandmother may she R.I.P. and my Father. I have two brothers and a sister. At one point all 5 of us were living in a one-bedroom apartment. We had one bed and a pullout sofa, we made due to best we could. Those were some of the most humbling times I’ve faced with my family as a whole. On the other side of my family my mother always struggled with addiction to both drugs and alcohol. Growing up trying to raise a family mixed with her addiction was recipe for disaster. It caused a lot of emotional damage throughout my family. I admit, there has been a lot of positive progression with my mother’s recovery. At the time my mother was using is when my older brother and sister followed down the same road of drug and alcohol addiction. Those were some of the darkest years of our lives, I myself followed the same path for a short period of time before I focused all my energy and time on music, music saved my life. I am proud to say that my older brother is now on the straight and narrow with his recovery. Unfortunately I cannot say the same for my sister as she continues to struggle with her addiction to this day. Lastly, my younger brother who is currently my manager, always found a way through all the bad influences to stay on the right track. This is a little bit about who I am and the situation I come from. This reflects who I am as an individual and my message, which is truth, knowledge, growth and understanding.

• What age did you start making music?

I started rapping when I was eleven years old and started making music at the age of thirtheen. It was then I met my mentor, Gold of Street Light Poets, a local rap group in South Florida. I expressed to him that I wanted to start recording my story and the rest is history.

• What inspired you to pursue making music?

Needing an outlet to express myself, and my mind in a way the world can understand it.

• What artists/producers do you work with? Or rubbed shoulders with?

I’ve worked with many local artist such as SEDD out of the Section 8 hud camp. Young Prince from Smiley Boi Ent, John Payan who was formally the lead mc with the a band called The Politix. I’ve worked with strange music and South Florida locals’ !Mayday! as well as J-nics. Other features include Sony Red recording artist HI- REZ, South Miami’s own Ghost Wridah and most recently Chris Rivers. Producers I’ve had the opportunity to work with have been ,OC3 productions, Producer Kingpin out of Pittsburgh, Monstarrz Entertainment, Young Hollywood. Also currently working with Gold from Fort Knocks Ent/Echelon Music Group and Musician, producer & engineer, Dawsie Keys.

• What else you got coming out? New Album? or Mixtape/EP?

Yes I have recently dropped my new mixtape it’s out on datpiff titled “Hometown Advantage” and I currently have 4 music videos of the tracks on WorldStar and YouTube with many more to come.

• Tell us about your newest single “________”, how did you come
up with that, share us the story?

My newest single that I’m pushing right now is called, “Not Coming Down”. Sometimes when you reach a low point in your life and you search for ways to rise and sit above all the negativity life throws at you. In the chorus I say, “I’m high right now and I aint coming down”. This has a double meaning, but when you listen to the verses it all correlates to being above the negative influence and reflecting on life from a top view. That may give you a better understanding and outlook to your current situation. No ones life is the same but there are common struggles people of this world go through no matter where you’re from. This song is for anybody looking for a way to see things with more clarity while going through certain trials and tribulations of life.

• Any new travel plans, what you got going on?

I recently just came back from New York after filming a new music video/song with Chris Rivers. My next destination is to record a song and film a visual out in California with another future legendary artist who I can’t mention at this time ninja code lol. But it will be a classic rhythm for the music lovers everywhere. Other then that my plans are to keep pushing the current mix tape Hometown Advantage while working on new projects to put together a new mix tape for the all Jacc music fans out there!

• What is the biggest thing to happen in your career?

The biggest thing to happen to me is when I got to headline for the openers for the Rakim show and was introduced to Rakim as performer of the night. He shed some knowledge with me that I will be able to utilize for the rest of my life and music career. It was a true blessing to have that moment with the God MC.

• Where can people find you?

Where do you see yourself going in 2014 and how do you plan to separate yourself from the other artist out today to get the recognition you feel you deserve?
I’m not hard to find I’m a Miami local. I’m either in the studio, Kendall or down south. Or you can find me on YouTube, WorldStar, now 24hourhiphop.com and all social media networks. The way I feel I will stand out from what today’s artist represents would be, to be your best self and represent your truth no one else’s. No one has a story like yours’ similar maybe, but not always the same brand. Your honesty with a message the masses can paint a picture and adapt to with that the recognition of being different and standing out will come naturally over time. This musical journey takes a lot effort, dedication, understanding and patience. With 2014 coming to an end I see nothing but progression in 2015. Only moving up with a main goal to create classics and to be featured on the XXL Freshman list and to be apart of the BET Cypher.

• Any last words or shout outs?

I want to give a shout out to all my Jacc music fans. Everybody who has helped support me and my craft, My Jacc Music team, my father who first played me Run DMC and I fell in love with hip hop instantly. My brother’s Brett and Adam, Monstarrz Ent, Dawsiekys, My mentor Gold, My visual team Andrew Johnson and Dylan Rives. Lastly, I want to give a shout to the craziest and greatest place that created the man I am today Miami Dade County I love my city!