JaWill Interview
Destany Long: Over 23,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, several live shows in, and a new album that just released (congratulations, by the way!), how does it feel to be where you are now?
JaWill: I don’t know. Sometimes it doesn’t feel like a real thing, and I think I downplay it a lot. I just had someone text me yesterday, congratulating me on the album; stuff like that reminds me that people are watching and are excited to see what else I do. To finally put an album out and have a good amount of people like it… it feels good! Feels like it wasn’t all for nothing.
Destany Long: Let’s take it back to the beginning. When did that love for music happen?
JaWill: I’ve been writing raps since I was young. I didn’t listen to a lot of rap as a kid because my mom was not playing that shit; she was more gospel. When I was 10 years old, I wrote my first rap, and it was a gospel rap. It wasn’t until my dad started playing rap around me, like Cole, Drake, Earl, and Vince, that my sound started to take shape. I never actually made time to put anything out because I was too busy with school and being a teenager who was sad all the time. When COVID happened, I felt like I didn't have anything else to do, so that's when I started rapping. I bought the necessary mic equipment and put it in my closet. My brother, who also rapped, helped me put blankets up on the wall to keep the sound in. I recorded my first EP there, and that was in March of 2020. Since then, my main focus has been on enhancing my writing, and it's only progressed over the past four years.
Destany Long: What’s the origin story behind, “The Purple Tape?” How did it come about?
JaWill: It’s always been an idea that I’ve had since I was a kid; painting what a rap career would look like, and trying to make it morph into my life now. They taught me when I was young that the color purple is the color of royalty. Black people came from royalty, so I wanted to include the idea of the color purple, the country as a whole, and the depression many black people face. A lot of the songs, especially “Known Crooks” and “Working Out”, were written, not sarcastically, but to show the egotistical mindset of a man, and how some often perpetuate this tough, macho man act, to show that they're not weak. That’s why you also hear songs like “Nobody” or “Purple” or “These Days”, to show the times when men may feel less strong. Sometimes you don’t feel like a king or a queen, you know.
Destany Long: What’s something this album has that your previous projects didn’t have?
JaWill: Features. [laughs] I’m singing, I’m getting more comfortable with that. I also think it taking two years to finish made the content more crafty. I put a project out in 2022, I believe, and it was similar in terms of the dramatics, but I think this one is way more crafty. Just sonically, it sounds better and I think it’s a better representation of me as an artist and where I'm going.
Destany Long: Two years and it’s finally here! How do you remain so consistent in what you do?
JaWill: Music is the only thing I’ve ever really liked doing and I don’t get anything out of quitting. I saw this quote the other day that said, “Most people have a problem with their own art because it looks like they made it and if they keep getting better, it won’t look like them anymore,” and that’s something I’m currently struggling with. I want to continue to make things that I can be proud of. “The Purple Tape” is as vulnerable and as honest as I’ve ever been. That album is the foundation and I’m only going to grow from it. I may be a pessimist at times, but it inspired some pretty good raps.
Destany Long: Your songwriting has always impressed me. Who are some of your favorite writers or lyricists?
JaWill: It’s funny that Eli G mentioned guys like Earl Sweatshirt and Kendrick because my first song I ever recorded was on an Earl beat, just trying to rap like him. Kendrick, everytime I listen to him, I’m just in awe. I really like SZA’s writing too. I like writing that can be both vulnerable and clever. JID has also been another artist that’s inspired my writing. He makes rhyming words look so easy. He’ll have a line and then the next line, all the words rhyme with each other, he’s an alien! Isaiah Rashad is another writer that’s inspired me these past few months. He’s very vulnerable, but it’s all well thought out.
Destany Long: I want to touch on the creative scene in Indianapolis. It’s expanded significantly in the past few years, and we sorta have our own community here. How has your village of people affected your growth as an artist?
JaWill: Nemo has really helped take my career to a whole new level. Jaylen is also somebody who is eager to shoot more and learn different styles, and that boosts my creativity. Eli G is another one. Anytime I’m in the studio with him, it’s like watching Jordan play. I’m watching a true writer write, and it motivates me to be more intentional with my writing. They have pushed me in every aspect creatively. I still struggle with talking to people and networking (whatever that means), so they help with my confidence and putting myself out there. I think to succeed, especially in a space like music, you need a team, because it’s hard, man. With social media, you’re quick to compare yourself to everybody, so it’s good to have a strong team that wants to see everybody win. I don’t think I would be where I'm at right now without them.
Destany Long: You’re your worst critic, so what advice would you give to someone struggling with trusting their art?
JaWill: I would say get some ears that you trust. I always send the stuff I make to my friends to get their thoughts, because sometimes you need that second opinion. Get some ears you trust and just keep working! If you believe in your talent and it’s genuine, don’t give it up. Make it something that people can relate to or be inspired by. Put in the work, whether it’s writing a rhyme, shooting a ball, or drawing a picture. Ask yourself: How bad do you want it?
Destany Long: One of your biggest songs, Superhero, is a fan favorite, so I think it’s only fair that you tell us who your favorite superhero is?
JaWill: I’m real simple. I like Spiderman and Deadpool, Robin is pretty cool too. I like the jokes, the fighting, and the turmoil they go through to face the bigger threat, and based on the song, I guess, I’m my favorite superhero as well.