Q: Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how your childhood impacted your musical direction?
A: I was introduced to music at the impressionable age of 6 years old. As a kid I would mimic the dancing of Michael Jackson lol! I was so enamored by his moves & passion for his craft. I started playing the drums when I was 6 & I felt this feeling of excitement of being in front of an audience. I always have been able to make meaningful connections with any one doesn’t matter nationality, creed, color, gender or race. So for me as an artist I always been conscious of that while making music. I’m proud to be an emcee/rapper who has rap/hip hop as my foundation. Also being able to tap into different pockets whether is a pop record, r&b collab, etc. My Rap hero’s like Kanye West, Jay-Z, LL COOL J, & Nelly are great at that.
Q: How are you planning on growing your fan base and sharing your music with the world? What message do you have for anyone who is about to discover “EJAY Since 12:05”?
A: Keeping my finger on the pulse of what’s contemporary I believe is huge. All the while I still maintain who I am. You know Usher had a phrase I read in an interview he did where he said you either evolve or evaporate, well I’m always with the former ya know. Shows, interactive content, Social Media, building the most effective team. My message for anyone that’s about to discover my music is first I thank you for your support & I hope to earn you as a life long supporter of me. My aim is to make music that is timeless. Not making trendy music, however music that is fire & it so happen to trends. That sets the trends music that is contemporary & also can be heard in 2035. That would be my message.
Q: Who is the most inspiring artist for you right now? And where do you find inspiration for making music?
A: I’m going to say it’s by committee. I have found myself as of late & always any way loving 80’s, 90’s & 2000’s artist of numerous genres. What inspires & inspired me is the originality of who was out back then. When you heard a Prince song you knew that was Prince. When you heard a 2pac song the same thing you knew. In the 2000’s when you heard OutKast you knew. I feel some of that is lost now. There’s great music, however it can sound similar to a fellow artist.
Q: Can you tell us about the story or message behind the song, “Fourth of June (Imma Warrior So I Won’t Go Easily).”?
A: So this is very personal. My father passed last year on June 4, 2024. I was in a tough place & I didn’t know how I navigate music again after losing my Dad. My father was a warrior & while he was going through what he went through he went out like a warrior. So originally I had wrote a different version on this song in 2012. It obviously had a different title, chorus, & hook. When my dad passed I rewrote certain parts that would be applicable to my current life. I felt that people could relate to loss of someone & it’s my real life.
Q: How would you describe your sound in one word for potential listeners?
A: Diverse.
Q: Did you face any challenges while writing or recording this new single?
A: Surprisingly no. My dad passed in June 2024 & I felt ready to start back making music around December 2024. I recorded in April 2025 & release on May 1 of this year.
Q: What is the message of your music? And what are your goals as an artist?
A: My message is to always have some form of substance in party/fun records, records about break up, loss etc. One of my goals is to be signed to a Major label. I had the pleasure of having my demo reviewed by RCA Records in 2011. After much consideration they passed on me. I’m forever grateful for that opportunity & I’m confident I will have another opportunity.
Q: Who is your dream artist to collaborate with? (dead or alive)
A: Michael Jackson
Q: What is your advice for people interested in pursuing music as a career or for those trying to enter the industry?
A: If you truly love it be prepared for the no’s & sacrifice is a major factor to be successful. Not just music biz, but in life.
Q: If you could go back in time and give a younger you some words of wisdom, what would they be?
A: Something LL Cool J said “dreams don’t have deadlines.” You don’t have to reach the goal at a certain stage in life. Stay engaged.
