Jackboy has quickly been building a reputation as one of hip-hop's most exciting new artists. Born in Haiti but raised in Pompano Beach, Florida, the rapper brings his own unique perspective to the game being a first generation immigrant, and embracing his authentic self. With a musical that follows suit, his style consists of high energy beats and personal, intense lyrics that combine influences from his upbringings in both Haiti and Florida. Since 2017, he has racked up over 160 million streams on all platforms, with his largest success to date being his intense self-titled album Jackboy. Now, the young artist has returned with a sequel in Jackboy 2, which finds him upping the energy to electrifying levels and entirely elevating his sound. He caught up with EARMILK to discuss his background, musical style, and his brand new album.
Jackboy began creating music as a teenager in Florida, influenced by his circle of friends, as well as some of the hardships he faced as a youth. "A friend of mine inspired me to start rapping, and going to jail also made me really want to make music". He then developed his exhilarating sound over a series of promising early mixtapes. Influenced by his international upbringing and the adversity he faced going to jail at a young age, the rapper narrated his life on these tapes, capturing the hearts of a rabid fanbase. Moreover, from the start the rapper was determined to set himself apart in Florida, a place that birthed a number of legendary hip-hop artists. "As an artist, the majority of Florida artists sound very similar so that influenced me to be different. Florida influenced me as a person by how I come, and how I approach certain situations".
Immigrating from Haiti gave him another perspective on music that his contemporaries did not have, deeply influencing his creative process. "It made me comfortable in being different, and I use my accent a lot in my music, which makes me stand out from the rest". Incorporating influences from Haitian music and culture into his vocals and beats, he prioritizes staying true to his roots. The artist paints an authentic picture of himself as he sonically injects influences from Haitian culture, combining them with Florida hip-hop stylings to craft a unique blend.
Now, with the release of his album Jackboy 2, he has further cemented himself as a force to be reckoned with in the hip-hop industry, taking his style to a whole new level. On the project, he sounds determined, delivering a series of powerful tracks containing sharp songwriting. An album highlight is the uplifting, motivational "Hurt" with Fireboy DML, which Jackboy says is a track he's particularly proud of. "I'm most excited for fans to hear "Hurt", since it's my first time having an international artist on one of my songs". The international perspective that both Jackboy and Fireboy DML bring to the track is truly refreshing, making for a standout song. They combine to create a diverse, tantalizing track that beckons many re-listens.
With this new release, Jackboy prioritizes connecting with his fans and continuing to expand his sound. "I hope my fans will see my growth as an artist and how much work I put in". He has put a lot of time and effort into giving fans the best project possible, despite the challenge of following up the beloved Jackboy. Regarding the difference between the two albums, Jackboy remarks that he has mastered his recording process. "I'm more comfortable than ever in the studio now". This advancement makes sense considering he sounds truly confident and self-assured on this Jackboy 2.
To follow up the album, Jackboy will begin touring in September as a part of Tee Grizzley's "Built For Whatever" tour. The two previously collaborated on the invigorating bangers "Married to My Enemies" and "Notice Me", and linking for the tour seems to be a move that makes sense for them. Be sure to catch him on one of these upcoming tour dates, as his motivational sound is perfect for a live setting.
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