Interview: New Haven Based Rapper Black Jewelz Talks About His New Song "King is Black"
/
“New Haven made me. That’s where I was lost and that’s where I was found. That’s where I started gaining acclaim as an emcee and a poet.”
Congratulations on the release of your new song "King is Black"; tell us about your creative process for its development for songwriting and production standpoints.
Thank you. I made this beat on a whim. Starting with the basic beat and horn melody. As it progressed I wanted to make it have a certain energy or vibe. I wanted the track to be able to impact and carry the listener as it played. So I designed the arrangement and the various sounds to achieve the effect. I essentially wanted to make it like an abstract painting. That’s how the designing of it was for me at least.
Can we expect a music video for "King is Black", and will it be featured on your upcoming album "Strictly 4 Myself"?
It will not be in S4MS and there will not be a music video. Only because I don’t have the money for a video—not for a video done RIGHT anyway.
I have started a Patreon page for people who would like to support, one of the main things I want to be able to do is have professional videographers who can bring my ideas to life visually.
Speaking of "Strictly 4 Myself", what can you tell us about this album? Is it totally self-produced and are there featured guests?
S4MS will be self-produced, there will not be any guest features. It’s not going to be the typical sellable album. It is truly “strictly for myself.”
It’s concept album with a storyline, but it’s all about some of the darkest moments of my life over recent years. Most of it will probably be super depressing.
Tell us about how you got started writing rhymes and producing music; who were some artists and/or producers that inspired you artistically coming up?
I started writing rhymes as a little kid. I was amazed by rappers like Nas, Shady and Jigga. I also a HUGE Lauryn Hill fan. She influenced me in such a major way. I wouldn’t be who I am today without her music and influence, for sure.
My biggest influence was probably Tupac though. I got into Pac years after he died but his interviews and the documentaries about him just impacted me so immensely. His music used to speak to me a lot. If taught me a lot about how you can put passion into your music.
My favorite producers coming up were definitely Timbaland, The Neptunes and Kanye.
How would you say that your hometown of New Haven has influenced the music you create?
New Haven made me. That’s where I was lost and that’s where I was found. That’s where I started gaining acclaim as an emcee and a poet.
I’ve done a lot of work in the streets and stages there, and in the classrooms. Someday I want to be able to help reform the school system in New Haven.