New Emergence of Rap - Interview with Jackson Whalan
Written By Selomon
Here to bring deeply meaningful lyricism in a new emergence of rap, Jackson Whalan has a powerful message with the music that he creates. Connecting audiences around the world, and inspiring others to prioritize their gifts and talents, his latest album "Millennial Sound" is a soundtrack for his generation. The songs are about about how it feels to come of age in unprecedented times.
Learn more about him and check out his interview below!
Who are you and where do you come from?
I'm Jackson Whalan. I am a lyricist and producer. I was born in 1991 in Berkshire County, Massachusetts. I've been rapping, making beats, recording, and performing since I was 11 years old.
What inspires you to do what you do?
Hip Hop inspires me to do what I do. More than just the feelings and emotions I get from the music, which are enough on their own, I recognize hip-hop music as the transformation of struggle into positivity, of powerlessness into empowerment.
It's a whole way of life, and it involves being constantly inspired, and constantly evolving. My favorite scholars like to break it down like this: "hip" is to know, like to get hip to something, and "hop" is to move, so hip hop is a knowledge movement. Whether its expressed through DJing, MCing, Breakdancing, or graffiti, it's the expression of knowing, and sharing knowledge. This sharing has been happening in various forms since the dawn of humanity, and that's inspiring to me.
"Hip means to know
It's a form of intelligence
To be hip is to be up-date and relevant
Hop is a form of movement
You can't just observe a hop
You got to hop up and do it
Hip and Hop is more than music
Hip is the knowledge
Hop is the movement
Hip and Hop is intelligent movement
Or relevant movement
We selling the music."
KRS-One
I seek inspiration from all corners of life, great news sources like Democracy Now, whistle-blowers like Edward Snowden, comedians, activists, and even musicians outside of hip-hop like Bruce Springsteen, and his autobiography, "Born To Run." Eastern spirituality and old texts like "The Ramayana" are also very inspiring. But really what inspires me is seeing others pursue their art fully.
When I see my close friends, family, and favorite artists fully active in what they do best, that's what drives me to stay dedicated. I feel thankful and honored to have so many gifted people in my life.
What influences your music, or how did you find your "style" or genre?
I found hip-hop because my older brother Adam left CDs at the house. I found them. The first album of this kind that I listened to was De La Soul's Art Official Intelligence. I wrote my first rhyme to Nas's "N.Y. State of Mind".
It was more like my genre found me. I was truly a young, angry, rebellious kid, until I encountered hip hop. Regi Wingo, aka Dominik Omega, was the person who showed me how to rap in the beginning. Janos Fulop (The Arcitype) and Robby Baier became mentors in music, songwriting, and recording.
I first recorded with my brother Matt onto a tape deck, using a less-than-great keyboard to play the beat. It's come a long way from that. I don't see this as a choice that I made, I see it as an encounter with my destiny, because life became extraordinary from then on.
Aside from those first encounters with Hip Hop, of which there are many, I was also heavily influenced by electronic music, and music of all kinds, from Motown to Indian ragas, which has all informed my style in countless ways.
Can you tell me about your favorite song and the story behind it?
Right now one of my favorite songs is "Tibetan Flags" by Ramuun: https://soundcloud.com/ramuun/tibetan-flags
My friends Luna and Narayan made this song. It's brought me to tears. I was playing it the whole way across the country on a recent tour I was on.
What is your favorite instrument/program to use why?
My voice and Ableton, because thats what I know the most, and exploration is endless. I love creating drum beats and incorporating the turntable/scratching as well. I pick up the clarinet every so often too.
How long does it take you to create a song typically?
It always differs. It's never the same. I've finished a song in hours. I have also worked some songs for more than two years. Once I am completely finished, it's usually after a grueling back-and-forth process.
Do you have any special studio rituals to get you “in the zone?”
Meditation, breathing, concerts, hikes, food, and cannabis. Sometimes I just find I am in the zone though without having to burn any sage or palo santo or do anything at all.
Whats something maybe strange or different but useful you like to use or have near by while creating?
The Dubs Alive Dub Siren, made by my homie Cody Morrison:
http://www.dubsalive.com/roots-culture/
What is your ultimate venue to perform at?
I loved performing at The Bluebird Theatre in Denver when I opened for Moon Hooch. Performing at Red Rocks would be a sweet milestone, no pun intended.
Do you like large arena type crowds, or more intimate gatherings?
All of the above. I love the energy when it's a packed room or festival.
What is one piece of advice you have for others looking to follow their passions?
Don't get stuck in your head. Be confident. Don't worry about money too much. Go for it fully. Don't let people who you don't even agree with determine how you feel about yourself. Be as specific as possible about what you want.
Say yes. Say no. Be the best at what you do. Don't depend on others as an excuse for why things aren't working out. Read. Educate yourself on the music business and learn the trajectories of your favorite idols.
Make sure your publishing is set up. If your dream opportunity requires that you drop whatever your doing right at that moment, take the opportunity to do that.
What is your ultimate goal with your passion or project?
To bring about social change through my music, while staying true to myself and others. Connecting audiences around the world, and inspiring others to prioritize their gifts and talents. To headline festivals and concerts as a result of building a movement around the music I create.
If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Right now I want to go to Ireland, and tour throughout Europe.
What’s one funny thing that has happened to you recently?
I was wondering how I could make my album release party in Nevada City, CA on May 17th at The Stonehouse be about something bigger than just my album.
I then got a phone call from a friend who said that The Lakota Law Project wanted to be a part of the show, and give updates on people who were arrested at Standing Rock, and raise awareness about the petition underway to have all charges dropped for our water protectors.
More than funny, this was serendipitous, and right in line with my intentions for this album, and its celebration.
A pet peeve that you have?
Being labeled a conscious rapper.
Your favorite color, or flavor, or both!?
Turquoise
What are some of your upcoming or current projects you'd like to share?
I recently released my latest album, Millennial Sound
Spotify: https://bit.ly/2qQWLiM
iTunes: https://apple.co/2HFRKmB
Google Play: https://bit.ly/2HjOZrT
Bandcamp: https://bit.ly/2vHpSJY (includes a bonus track and 2 immediate song downloads)
"Climate Chaos (feat. Michael Wilbur)" - single out now: https://saintaudio.com/2018/04/19/premiere-climate-chaos-jackson-whalan/
Millennial Sound Beat Tape (Free Download): https://soundcloud.com/jackson-whalan/msbeattape
This album is a soundtrack for my generation. These songs are about how it feels to come of age in unprecedented times.
When I started defining the title, I kept asking: 'what does my generation sound like? What can it sound like?' Lyrically, I sought to unpack and and challenge the way that so-called "Millennials" are perceived. This quickly became a theme in my process. I wanted to reflect the anger, the playfulness, the confusion, the ambivalence, the cannabis culture, the politics, the activism, the environment... the realities we face together as young people.
I have felt for some time that there would soon be a new emergence of rap with deeply meaningful lyricism. Right now I see young people standing together in movements around the world for important causes, and making this album involved imagining what kind of music would reflect this collective action. As a producer and rapper who loves hip-hop and appreciates its history, I am motivated to respond to the call for meaningful content. I am thankful and fortunate to have some amazingly talented people in my life, many of whom appear as collaborators on this very project.
Where can we find you online?
Website: https://www.jacksonwhalan.com/
Music:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4DC3sI1OQyd1gYxmbNCKzX
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/jackson-whalan/834690680
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/jackson-whalan
Bandcamp: https://jacksonwhalan.bandcamp.com/
Go ahead and give a shout out to someone else doing something awesome!? Who should we be on the look out for?
Frank Heiss, rest in peace: https://soundcloud.com/heissmusi
Thanks for taking the time out of your busy schedule to do this interview!
Thanks,
Talk soon...
Jackson