Jumz New York, NY

From time to time we put the spotlight on a member whose achievements caught our attention. Jumz is one of them. Repping for Washington Heights in New York City, Jumz has recently collaborated with Grand Master Flash and Q-Tip. Yes, you read well. Oh and guess what? He's expecting you good GoldMic peeps to send him your best beats.

GM: Jumz, let's start this Q&A by going a few years back in time. Tell us how you got into hip hop. We know you're from The Heights. There's a lot of hip hop going on but Latin music is going strong there as well. So what triggered it all?

Well growing up, my family listened to many different genres of music. Even though my mother and father were both born in the Dominican Republic, they were heavy into Rock, Pop, and real smooth R&B. I listened to everything when I was younger but as I got older hip hop continued to evolve and then it got my attention. Artist like BIG, Nas, the Wu Tang Clan, and even groups like Brand Nubian were always bumpin in the cassette deck. I remember being able to  buy cassette singles from a spot called Coconuts! They were like a dollar, those were the good ol' days. ha!

GM: How would you define yourself as an artist? What sets you apart? What's the Jumz flavor? 

What sets me apart is what sets apart all of the other legends. This is my life. That's my niche. No one can express the story of my life better than i can. I have a particular flow that I use that makes it understandable to the listener. I'm not here to challenge your intellect, I'm here to transfer you to different places in time, bring you fierce images about people and their behaviors. This is real shit that everyone goes through.

GM: What rappers (mainstream or indie) influence you today?

I can't really say any body out there is influencing my MUSIC at this point in time. I am inspired by the likes of a T.I. or Jay-Z by the way they maneuver within and out of this industry. So as much as I enjoy creating, I look at these established artists more for their business savvy than their lyrics. I mean, go on the internet, everybody raps! Right now its about solidifying a credible brand that everyone wants a piece of.

GM: Two months ago Grand Master Flash released his new album "The Bridge". It's an event in itself because it has been 20 years since his latest album. You are featured with Q-Tip on the song "Shine all day". It's the dream of countless GoldMic members to achieve that. Tell us more about your experience collaborating with those two behemoths of hip hop. 

I don't think I still haven't realized how much of a milestone this is for my career. I really entered that project as another artist doing a song with another artist. I never got caught up in their resumes. Flash is a legend as well as Q-Tip. When the track was given to me, I never expected in a million years that Q-Tip would be on it. But once I got it, I did like any other rapper would do, write the best 16 possible to fit the song and still be myself. And at the end of the day, I feel like Flash has a lot of respect for the work i put in on that song. So I'm very grateful for "Shine All Day" but I know my career wont stop there.

GM: We understand that everything is going pretty well for you. Can you say that hip hop is your full-time job now? How long did it take you? What advice would you give to our members out there everyday trying to make it happen? 

This isn't a job, this is my life support. This is what keeps the heart pumpin and my body in motion everyday. A job is something people do to "get by", trust me.. I don't need music to "get by". If you want to be in this business, you have to make it your life partner. It needs all the attention as if it were your significant other. And just like a human being is not one dimensional, neither is the music. You have to cater to every aspect of the music business in order for your relationship with this significant other to be successful. This is how deep it is for me.

GM: Any advice for our most talented MC members about the DOs and DONTs when discussing opportunities with managers, A&Rs, and music labels? 

Forget about them. No one can tell YOU whats hot. No one knows how the people are going to receive songs. None of it is 100%. You do what your heart tells you and then when you get to that point you consider these people. To me they are just hands dipping in the pot when you just starting out. Now when you become established that's when you need these people because they can take you to the next level. But right now, starting out and doing this music on your own.. you don't need them, they can't do anything for you.

GM: You know that there is a lot of emcee battling going on on GoldMic. What's your experience in battling? 

I'm not heavy into battling like when I was starting out. In my career I only battled to prove how good i was to be apart of something. Right now, no offense but I just don't see the point. Punchlines don't make great songs. Songs need structure and songs get you a record deal.

GM: Besides battlers there are also TONS of beat producers on GoldMic. Do you produce your own beats? What equipment do you use? If you don't make your own beats, who do you work with? Any chance for our members to send you their best beats? 

No I don't produce and I really don't plan to. I feel that would be insulting to actual producers who been doing this for ages. I'll start doing another craft once I perfect the one I'm working on now. I don't ever feel like I'm at the top of my game no matter how great people may think my music is,  I stay motivated this way. For me to start making beats would just be an insult to a whole legion of beat makers.

I would love for GoldMic members to send me their best work. You can find my contact info on my page. I check it everyday and I have producers from all over the world sending me work. If the beat is to my liking I will let you know. As for right now, I'm working closely with this producer from DC named David E. Beats. He's no joke and everything he does is cinematic. So you guys should expect my next project to be extremely vivid and on point. 

GM: You're from the Heights, any local hip hop joint we should know of? Where can we go see you perform on the local scene? 

In the Heights we don't have open mics to perform but we do have certain nightclubs that might let you rock if you bring in a certain amount of people. To check me out locally I will be setting something up once my "STONEWATER" project is finished. I plan to hit the road with David E. Beats and rock the nation.

GM: We've interviewed Final Outlaw a little while ago. He's one of those cats who hang out in the Heights. Anyone else you'd recommend listening to? 

Not really. Just me. It's my interview isn't it? haha

GM: What's for you in the future? Any upcoming projects? 

Like I mentioned before, people should definitely look out for "STONEWATER" the EP. It will be available for free download in May. It's already crazy and I have many people anticipating it. It will be my first EP available for free download on websites everywhere.

GM: Thank you for your time. I know our readers will be interested in learning more about you and will go check out your GoldMic page. Any final word for them?

When you come across my work just know that I put a lot of time into what I do. I make this music for you just as much as myself. It's ok if you wanna learn to my music, write to my music, or even beat people up to my music. Just remember to keep an open ear and an open mind and let my words carry you into the times of my life.