Q&A With Rising Springfield, Massachusetts Based Hip Hop Artist Myles Jéh
Please tell me how long have you been rapping?
I have been rapping publicly since 2013.
Where are you from?
Born and raised in Springfield, Massachusetts.
Do you remember where you were at exactly when you wrote your first track!!??
The first track I released was a remix to Goapele- Closer. I was in the back room of my job when I wrote it; clearly not doing work.
Your style and rhyme scheme is super raw and different! How do you describe your sound?
I would say my sound is Hip-Hop Soul.
How long did it take for you to find your sound?
It was natural and happened immediately. I simply did what I liked and let the creative process flow. I did not want to follow trends; my goal was to make music I wanted to hear.
Tell us about your Hip Hop and/or music influences?
Majority of my musical influences stem from R&B artists ranging from Brandy to Lyfe Jennings.
Any Springfield influences?
Everyone in my city is my influence. I write music that is based on people’s stories and life experiences. What I see is what people hear.
Was there anyone in your life that motivated you to STEP IT UP when it comes to making dope Hip Hop?
Yes, my best friend pushed me to be my hardest critic and showed me I should only compete with myself.
Please breakdown the creative process of your latest project “Mylestones.”
“Mylestones” started off as a completely different album. I scrapped half of the tracks, went back to the drawing board and started all over. The finished product was released a year after the initial expected release date, which is why “October 1, 2014” is seen on the album cover. Once I was satisfied with the material, I then geared up to release “Mylestones” as a physical CD only. I had the standard edition that was free and a deluxe edition that one could purchase for as low as one dollar. Once all the physical copies were gone, I then released the album digitally.
Any pressuring situations before you decided to push your album? Did everything work out according to plan?
Before releasing the album, there weren’t any issues. I mapped everything out and followed the plan. The only issue came after the release when I had to take legal action against an individual.
Any new projects coming out!?
As of right now, my plan is to continue to promote “Mylestones” as if it is brand new. There are millions who still have not heard it.
Rappers nowadays think by throwing up a few videos up on social media and pushing quick projects, they can blow up overnight! Give us your view on how over saturated the market is right now with so many MC’s/Producers but not to many quality music.
Mainstream rappers tend to have the image of an “overnight success” and releasing music gets instant attention and a lot of it. So naturally, people think this is the recipe for success…release something and eventually something will take and the rest is history. Unfortunately, this is not what anyone should be striving for because what they fail to notice is that same song that has millions of views today is quickly forgotten tomorrow. Everything is trendy and being a trendy artist means a short-lived career.
How often do you perform LIVE? Any shows lined up in the near future?
I perform as often as I can. My next show is in Pittsburgh, PA on June 11th. Show dates are always adding and posted on my website (www.mylesjeh.com).
Where do you see yourself in 5yrs time?
In the next five years I see myself enjoying life, doing what I love, and owning at least one business.
Here it is! Our most popular question! What is your definition of “underground hip hop?”
Underground Hip-Hop is the untainted, raw, and purest form of Hip-Hop where you find the most creative and least confined artists.
Where can people find you on the web? Drop all the vital links.
Lastly, and shout out?
Shout out to Springfield, MA
Shout out to my family and friends
Shout out to my Mylestones (supporters)
And last, but not least shout out to me, myself, & Myles.
