What is your name and what city do you rep?
My name is 8BitJ and straight outta the Bay Area
Tell us about your latest releases, what inspired you to create them?
My newest album Mecha 8 came from reflection over the last 10 years of my life feeling like I lost a lot during my youth and how generally over time I was being rebuilt into the person I am today, literally around 10 years ago I was going through the worst times in my life so that along with slappin a bunch of soul music was what inspired the topics and overall vibe from this album, That and a bunch of old Kaiju/Japanese monster movies
What is unique about you and your music?
My music is unique because I pull no punches when talking about my life, nothing is shameful for me in that aspect I don’t see any struggle and pain as a legit fault in a way, just some things I had to go through and feelings I’ve dealt with, it’s about as human as an experience as I can give to anyone in this world without literally being in therapy
What shaped your music?
2Pac, Kanye, Tribe, Dr Dre and all them, Cyphers taking place in the Bay Area during high school, being on YouTube in middle school slapping 9th wonder and Pete rock beats trying to put together mixtapes for my friends, just being a student in the game
When did you realize you were going to make music professionally?
I had no other desires in life like that since my Freshman year of high school so right there
What type of music do you listen to?
It’s a mixture, but a lot of rap like 2pac, Kanye, Hov, Mac Miller, Tribe, Kendrick and a WHOLE lotta soul, Gil Scott Heron, Curtis Mayfield, The Stylistics, The Spinners, Isley Brothers, too many others to name in both genres
What inspires you to write music?
I don’t like therapy
What do you do when you don’t do music (creative or otherwise) and that you are passionate about?
I just watch more TV and movies, I play video games and stuff too, I also try to use my passport as much as possible
Happiness to you is…
Dinner in Shinjuku with the homies
What do you wish you were told when you first started making music that you think would help artists just starting out?
Network as much as you can and don’t be selfish, I feel the universe works in weird ways not trying to sound all superstitious or whatever but I always felt that the best things that happened to me was when I wasn’t just trying to benefit myself and I was overall just having a good time making music I wanted to make, so I guess my answer would be don’t follow trends and narratives create your own
Tell us about your upcoming projects…
ZERO, Stream Mecha 8, 17 beautiful songs to play whenever you need it, Modern day soul album
Where do we find you music / music projects?
Spotify, Apple Music just look up 8BitJ, also instagram I post all my new stuff and what not on there 8BitJ_
Any last words for the readers?
STREAM MECHA 8 I’m trying to perform at the Super Bowl
