Interview: THE JACKA (of Mob Figaz)

        The extremely thin line between hip-hop and drug dealing will never dissipate. Endless hip-hop songs either have rhymes about hustling or use hustling as a metaphor. Listeners cannot help but be entertained by the real life struggles. While some rappers are just selling an image, hip-hop does have some real emcees, who truly lived that life. A myriad of drug dealers dropped the dope and picked up the microphone. They followed the legitimate path and spit the truth. The Jacka is one of those emcees who lived that life that many rappers try to pass off as their image. After many years of hustling drugs, he is using his skills to hustle music. After hooking up with Mob Figaz (a crew linked to C-Bo), The Jacka’s legitimate world began to form. His 2002 debut album, “The Jacka Of The Mob Figaz” featured Too Short, Cormega, Allen Anthony (of Christion), and Hoodfellaz. Jacka also appeared on many albums by Mob Figaz and C-Bo. 2005 marks The Jacka’s return. On Artist Records, The Jacka released “The Jack Artist” with guests including Yukmouth, Keak Da Sneak, Fed-X, Mob Figaz, Cormega, and more. Independent but part of a clique, The Jacka has not forgotten his origin. He brings that hardcore street attitude to the microphone and to the music industry. Basically, hide your money because The Jacka will jack you for your cash.

T.JONES: "What goes on?"
THE JACKA: “I’m just out here in northern Cali, the bay area, f*cking with it tough.”

T.JONES: “You just released ‘The Jack Artist’ LP. Tell us about the album.”
THE JACKA: “It’s an album for people who love good music. I put my heart in it.”

T.JONES: “How long did it take you to record ‘The Jack Artist’?”
THE JACKA: “It took about six to eight months.”

T.JONES: “What is your favorite song on ‘The Jack Artist’?”
THE JACKA: “I don’t know. I listen to the whole album as one song.”
 
T.JONES: “Can you explain the creative process?”
THE JACKA: “I was trying to bring some pride back to hip-hop.”
 
T.JONES: “What song took you the longest to do? Why?”
THE JACKA: “‘Get Out There’ because I didn’t want to do the song.”

T.JONES: “What song took you the shortest to do? Why?”
THE JACKA: “‘Barney (More Crime)’. I love that beat. I just felt it. It was quick.”

T.JONES: “What is the meaning behind the title ‘The Jack Artist’?”
THE JACKA: “The jack artist is a n*gga who’s mastered the art of ‘jackin’, taking from people.”

T.JONES: “Rob Lo handles most the production. Was this intentional?”
THE JACKA: “Yes. If it wasn’t for Rob there would be no Jacka.”

T.JONES: “How is Rob Lo different from other producers you have worked with?”
THE JACKA: “He knows me.”

T.JONES: “How is ‘The Jack Artist’ different from your debut album?”
THE JACKA: “ It’s not really different. It’s just doper because it’s newer.”

T.JONES: “When writing lyrics, do you have the lyrics pre-written or a set theme or do you hear the music first?”
THE JACKA: “I hear the music most the time. Or, if I got a verse that fits that that beat, I’ll just jump on it.”

T.JONES: “How is your rhyme style different from others?”
THE JACKA: “It’s my own. I’ve been crafting my style for years. Me and my boy, Rob Lo.”

T.JONES: “Although for some it may be obvious, can you go deeper into what the name The Jacka means to you?”
THE JACKA: “It means nothing to me. But, it’s my nickname. I got it from jackin’ n*ggas.”

T.JONES: “How did you get involved with Mob Figaz?”
THE JACKA: “We all started from day one with Rob Lo.”

T.JONES: “How did you get involved with Artist Records?”
THE JACKA: “I put it together with Golden Mean Management.”

T.JONES: “They say that heroin (as opposed to cocaine), is a gentlemen’s business. Would you agree?”
THE JACKA: “Agreed.”

T.JONES: “How hard was it to leave illegal life behind to hustle music?”
THE JACKA: “It was easy. No one who’s real wants to hustle. So a way out is a blessing.”

T.JONES: “Although hustling drugs and music are extremely similar, what are some major differences?”
THE JACKA: “You’re legit. No one can stop you. You can’t get 15 to life for a hit song.”

T.JONES: “The song ‘Barney (More Crime) Remix’ features Cormega. How did you hook up with Cormega for this song? What was the creative process like?”
THE JACKA: “I’ve been knowing Mega for a minute now, when he first heard the song he put the original on the ‘Legal Hustle” album. He once lived that lifestyle, so the creative process comes naturally.”

T.JONES: “What hurdles or problems have you encountered?”
THE JACKA: “Jail, murder, baby mamas, all the shit.”

T.JONES: “When did you first begin making music?”
THE JACKA: “At 9 years old.”

T.JONES: “How were you making a living before or outside music?”
THE JACKA: “I wasn’t making a living I was just living.”

T.JONES: “How has your live show evolved? What is your favorite part of your live show?”
THE JACKA: “I love when I perform ‘Hey Girl Remix’.”

T.JONES: “What is your favorite way to smoke?”
THE JACKA: “In a blunt, in a car, or in the club.

T.JONES: “What is it like living on the West Coast? What is the hip-hop scene like?”
THE JACKA: “It’s tough, but as hip hop artists we get a lot of support.”

T.JONES: “Who are your biggest influences?”
THE JACKA: “Too Short, Slick Rick, 2Pac, Capelton, Sizzla, Bob Marley.”

T.JONES: “What was the last incident of racism you experienced?”
THE JACKA: “I can’t remember at the moment.”

T.JONES: “Death penalty. For or against?”
THE JACKA: “Against.”

T.JONES: “Where were you on the September 11th terrorist attack? How did you deal with it? How has it affected the music industry?”
THE JACKA: “I was in killa Cali. I was like, ‘Damn!’ It just made me more serious.”

T.JONES: “How do you feel about the US involvement in the Middle East?”
THE JACKA: “Wack. The U.S. is killing people that pray to God, all day every day.”

T.JONES: “Word association. I am going to say the name and you say the first word that pops into your head. So, if I said ‘Public Enemy’, you may say, ‘Revolution’ or ‘Fight The Power’. If I said, ‘The Beatles’, you may say, ‘Revolver’ or ‘Yoko Ono’.”

T.JONES: “Hieroglyphics.”
THE JACKA: “Oakland.”

T.JONES: “Jurassic 5.”
THE JACKA: “Jurassic Park.”

T.JONES: “50 Cent.”
THE JACKA: “Tattoos.”

T.JONES: “Eminem.”
THE JACKA: “8 Mile.”

T.JONES: “Jay-Z.”
THE JACKA: “Camel.”

T.JONES: “Atmosphere.”
THE JACKA: “Never heard of them.”

T.JONES: “Dead Prez.”
THE JACKA: “Struggle.”

T.JONES: “Pharcyde.”
THE JACKA: “Fat lips.”

T.JONES: “Phife Dawg.”
THE JACKA: “Check The Rhyme.”

T.JONES: “Gangstarr.”
THE JACKA: “I was raised like a Muslim.”

T.JONES: “Rakim.”
THE JACKA: “Microphone.”

T.JONES: “Lyrics Born.”
THE JACKA: “Light skin n*gga.”

T.JONES: “Necro.”
THE JACKA: “Internet.”

T.JONES: “Cormega.”
THE JACKA: “Queensbridge.”

T.JONES: “Curtis Mayfield.”
THE JACKA: “Dope.”

T.JONES: “Gil-Scott Heron.”
THE JACKA: “Don’t know him.”

T.JONES: “George Bush.”
THE JACKA: “America.”

T.JONES: “Who are some artists you would like to work with in the future?”
THE JACKA: “Sizzla and VP Records.”

T.JONES: “Who are some producers you would like to work with in the future?”
THE JACKA: “Neptunes.”

T.JONES: “What is the biggest mistake you have made in your career?”
THE JACKA: “Getting locked up.”

T.JONES: “What advice would you give to an up and coming hip-hop emcee?”
THE JACKA: “Grind every day, hard!”

T.JONES: “What do you think hip-hop needs these days? What is it lacking?”
THE JACKA: “Pride.”

T.JONES: “What song are you most proud of?”
THE JACKA: “Whatever is dope. It doesn’t necessarily got to be rap. Whatever is truly dope.”

T.JONES: “What CDs or LPs have been in your CD player or on your turntable recently?”
THE JACKA: “Black Uhuru.”

T.JONES: “Favorite movies?”
THE JACKA: “‘City Of God’ and ‘Shottas’.”

T.JONES: “If you could remake any classic hip-hop song, what song would it be?”
THE JACKA: “‘Teenage Love’ by Slick Rick.”

T.JONES: “What do you do when you are incredibly stressed out?”
THE JACKA: “Smoke incredible weed.”

T.JONES: “What are some misconceptions do you think people have of you?”
THE JACKA: “they think I’m light skinned.”

T.JONES: “How do you think that you have matured, evolved, or changed as a group?”
THE JACKA: “As the Mob Figaz, we all step up so we can go down as the best group alive.”

T.JONES: “In hip-hop, what kind of styles of styles do you see coming in the future?”
THE JACKA: “More industry bullsh*t. That’s all.”

T.JONES: “What is in the future for The Jacka or Mob Figaz tours? Remixes? Collaborations?”
THE JACKA: “I look lovely at the moment. Us and C-Bo are working on a new Mob Figaz album as we speak.”

T.JONES: “Any final words?”
THE JACKA: “Stay tough.”