Walk through the Day with Jay Cinema

Words by Matthew Spence:

To unlock this next level and forge on in Hip-Hop Arcadia, enter the cheat code: “Jansport.” Once you do that, everything will fall into its’ right place. Your stats will fluctuate more than ones mental stability whenever they remember they’re in debt. Your intelligence will increase +5, so now you’ll know the history of Stones Throw and Def Jux but still lack the awareness to not play The Last Huzzah Remix when someone takes requests at a party. Your senses will be brighter than the Batman signal, so you know and feel when someone utters, “I Miss Cash Carti.” Charisma is upgraded, so now you’ll earn cool points whenever you say your favorite mixtape is Ye West’s “Get Well Soon.” Last but not least, you may experience the night terrors of the day when your favorite artist official crosses that bridge to the pearly golden gates of the masses. Are your laces tied and your headphones connected (we use wired headphones over here, yo)? The next stage is the granddaddy of them. Many tried but ultimately said, “Fuck it, I’ll go listen to Nothing Was the Same again.” Welcome to the stage of Underground Hip-Hop.

We’ve all been there. It’s a phase for some and a lifestyle for others. It’s a gamble for many but a sure thing for plenty. Yet, it’s an iceberg we all try to deep-dive under. But once you scratch off that Hip-Hop ticket and luck out with that one artist that directs you to the scene like marshallers, it’s another element of music you can’t help but admire and enjoy. Of course, we have your DOOMS, Danny Browns, El-Ps, etc. People who may be at the top of the food chain regarding the underground but they see tend to lead to a trail. For instance, getting into Earl Sweatshirt may lead you to MIKE, which may lead to AKAI Solo, then low and behold, that’ll lead you—WAIT. We’re getting ahead of ourselves. We’ll get there soon. Rummaging around in the tunnel, you’ll find clues and links to where you can go and should go; even if it leads nowhere satisfying, the thrill comes with the discovery of seeking who’s on the up-in-coming spray painting their territory. Doing their thing that the mainstream may not be ready for.

There’s a kind of grit beauty with Underground Hip-Hop. The vast creativity from respected sub-genres. Considering a lot of these artists are independent or at least signed to a small label, we can feel a bit more secure knowing that the artist and their art are coming from a place of pure passion than not. Combine with the lack of expectation and level of creative freedom, many underground artists can just say, “Fuck it.” No holds barred. Everyone is working their way up, whether at the top or the middle. So with that in mind, like in adolescence, an artist has that sense of discovery of oneself creatively. Trying what best works for them and just experimenting by any means necessary until they work the grooves that play for them. With that type of plan, they soon develop the fanbase they earn. Dedicated, loyal, and persistent.

It embodies a level of exclusivity and niche but is still open to those who want to join. Think Fight Club—not the David Fincher film but the one in the movie Bottoms. Now the gatekeeping and upward nose judgment that may come with those who strictly prefer underground vs. mainstream is another topic for another day. Digression aside, it feels like you’re in on a secret only a select, trusted few know. You gotta know people who know people who know people (who may or may not be under the stairs). It’s like the Def Jam Vendetta Underworld.

Now the underground has evolved and is still evolving to the point where “technically” underground isn’t a thing anymore since the internet has given more widespread access to music. However, the adventure is still going on, and the spirit is still there. Raw, uncut, and authentic. We may be past the years of Lyricist Lounge and Soundbombing CDs, street mixtapes in corner stores next to the bandanas and corn chips; we’re even past the DatPiff and SoundCloud eras. No matter how you discover the music, what remains the same is keeping your ears open to the streets and the services. It’s like being a part of an afterschool program, where you and the homies get together like _____ and geek over the love of hip-hop. And if that’s the case, everyone lucked out cause today we A+ class. One member is Jay Cinema.

A native of the mecca of Hip-Hop, New York. Born and raised in Yonkers, the home of: Mary J. Blige, Tommy from Martin, and the guy who told us to open up shop (I’m kidding, obviously DMX is goated). Jay is an artist who took therapy into his own hands by crafting his own form of audio art as a release. Taking reflection eternal to a high standard, using the arts to let go of all that holds his spirit and mind hostage. “Fuck a Top 5. Don’t Wannabe your favorite; I wanna fix up my mental” is a standout bar he delivers that stands up for his core being and artistry. Listening to his music is a POV shot of the camera staring at you, and you stare at it, beyond looking at a mirror reflection. Sprinkled through his music, you’ll hear themes of pressure, blackness, and reflection. It feels like Jay takes his music as an opportunity for his psyche to rest and breathe. In an interview with Marooned Radio, he did speak and said, “If I went to therapy, I’d stop rapping honestly.” So it’s safe to say that rap is a main priority for him.

In times when he could’ve crashed out, cause me and him established, “2024 is the year to crash out,” he managed to keep his composure. That led to more creation. Listening to the “Soul to Grow” production and his idiomatic lyrics, all trace back to a kid in Yonkers figuring out his world and himself. Like the movie “Brown Sugar,” a love story of Hip-Hop, I shall break down his origins like a DVD chapter selection.

Chillin Delight

Growing up in Yonkers with his mom, music was around like it is for many. Generally, his mom would play Mary J. Blige and Alicia Keys with a mix and match of Nicki Minaj and Drake. Blending Hip-Hop and R&B, Jay was cool with some but realized the other wasn’t for him, as mainstream Hip-Hop was so far from his rotation that God himself couldn’t reach with a pole. “I didn’t care about how much bitches you got; I had Legos.” Spoken to Marooned Radio.

I Met this Girl…

It all takes one day to spark change in your life. That day happened to Jay in 5th grade, when a homie showed him the Yonkers video in computer class. Soon that led to a rabbit hole of 2010s hip hop: Odd Future, Joey Badass, etc.

The Making of Some Rap Songs

2018. Being in college as a communication major, he’d had hopes of writing for Pitchfork and XXL. Oh no. I’m not writing about me; this is still Jay Cinema’s feature piece. While having those dreams, he decided to pick up poetry, and soon that would slowly but surely lead to wanting to make music.

From Jay Wav. to Jay Cinema

2019 would be the beginning. With the release of his first single to date, “Regrets,” would drop. Which is an ironic title as Jay expressed his feelings towards his early work—not really regret but “eh?”. As in our convo, he expressed, “I can’t even talk about my old music. Cause I’m way better as a rapper now, so every time I interact with my old music, it’s like it’s not even the same nigga; it’s kinda weird.” But it’s all progress. He’d build his repertoire with singles and soon debut album Better Days and his 2021 follow-up “Out The Loop,” and see the journey of him sharpening his pen and mic.

Now, we’re here in 2024. He walks the streets of Harlem now where he currently resides. With his catalog more extended, 3 albums this year alone: JayFRowNS, BrwnCinema, and the golden child of the trilogy. Alchemy.

Primarily produced by Chow (shout-out to Chow), it’s 18 tracks of pure feeling that underground hip-hop carries: unfiltered in ideas and unpolished in sound. As the first act is more off-kilter compared to the singles we hear. A good direction to point to is Drum Me (Look At Me). 1-minute track of a Jay rapping one verse over a reversed loop instrumental that can make for a disorientated experience in a way Lynchian. You may love it or you may appreciate the abstractness. Which transitions to Burnin’ Up, with the same reversed loop approach, crafting a medley of some sort. It’s tight. Where the last act leans towards the dirt of NYC Underground Hip-Hop. “Put the Word In” and “What a Day” are great examples.

The final track, “Blessings on Bless,” is a posse cut that feels like that daily reminder of why there’s nothing more satisfying than a bar fest with no hooks. Jay describes the second act of the album as “like coming down off of shrooms.” Well, put the two slices of bread together, and we have a body of work to appreciate and explore as music fans. While Jay has a body of work he can be proud of. “Alchemy was def the first project where I’m really doing what I need to do. I had everything mixed and the homie Chow produced, we gave a fuck about it.” This portion of our convo ends with a gleeful reflection and says “I really view myself as an artist way more.” “It’s a project exploring solitude, depression, growth over soul, jazz samples,” as Jay would put it, I simply say: it’s dope. Their alchemy comes from hunger to make the best shit for themselves.

On an average Joe Smoe day in September, I had the luck to be able to chat with Jay, in the comfort of our respective homes for a bit and ask some questions for a quick Q&A and discuss hip-hop, crashing out, Belly being a coming-of-age film, and Kendrick doing the Super Bowl Halftime Show. Plus, plenty of stuff that may or may not make the interview.

Let’s begin shall we…..

Where and when do you take time to reflect?

Truthfully, it depends. I wouldn’t say I have like a consistent [time], but it’s just universal. I’m just always thinking, “Oh man, what could I do better? How could I do things differently?” But it’s not like “I’m on the train now or I’m home [time to think]”; it’s more of a feeling or an urge to sit down and reflect on what’s going on. What could you do better? How could you improve? It could be anywhere, anytime.

Describe your music in 3 words.

Honest, Good, and Vulnerable. It’s a lot of words to describe it. It’s music; it’s everything.

Imposter Syndrome vs. Creative Burnout: What affects you more?

I’d say creative burnout; I don’t really think I deal with imposter syndrome that much anymore; you feel me? I feel I’m in a place where I’m comfortable with who I am. I’ve definitely grown confidently as an artist. So definitely, burnout, especially with me; I’m a person who unfortunately doesn’t have a lot of hobbies. I just wake up and listen to music all day, so it’s def a thing where hip-hop is my only outlet right now. So when I do have that time of “Damn, I have nothing to write about” or “damn, not doing anything new,” it’s def difficult cause I love making music. I’m blessed to have a lot of people who believe in me. Def burnout in terms of trying to do more in music and in my art.

Have you grasped the idea of your music being free therapy for someone out there?

Yeah, absolutely! Since the beginning really. Since I started making music in 2018 and started taking it seriously in 2019, around 2019/2020ish is when people started reaching out to me like, “Damn, this song means a lot to me, etc.” So, I’m def aware and not just therapy but to be relatable for other people, cause the goal anyways. My first-ever fav artist was Tyler the Creator because of that same shit like, “Oh, he also feels how I feel; he’s saying he’s depressed.” That’s [his music] been that to others who may feel lost or alone. I’m very aware and grateful that my music helps people; it’s fucking sick.

What albums were free therapy for you?

I don’t have too many albums nowadays. I should be crashing out, but I’m chilling <laughs>. Def in the past though: all of Tyler’s [the Creator’s] early stuff, same with Earl [sweatshirt], MIKE, and “Care 4 Me” by Saba helped through college. Apologies in Advance by Sylvian LaCue, [Erykah Badus] Mama’s Gun & Baduizm, those did a lot for my spirit and mental health. John Coltrane, a lot of jazz shit when I’m sad. A lot of Radiohead. King Krule, If I’m listening to some Archy Marshall, that’s when you know it’s bad.

Mount Rushmore of Hip-Hop Blogs?

Pitchfork cause of influence, Complex needs to be up there, the Source, and XXL.

—Editors Interruption: Sorry DJBooth—-

Songwriting Process?

I let the beat dictate what I write. I know a lot of artists who write first and then listen to a beat; I don’t understand that shit at all. That shit is weird to me. It just depends. I have a theory that there is no complete song, cause again, any little situation could affect you. I try not to overthink it, like, “Oh, I should’ve put more punchlines,” you know. It’s just how do I feel and how could describe this feeling and just lock the fuck in.

Jay Cinemas views on Cinema.

<laughs> That’s funny, bro. Oh god, I need to change my name. I don’t watch movies. I’m not a movie person. People always ask and tell me, “Why don’t you watch movies?” and I’m like, “Man, I get enough entertainment from music.

The Prequel: Before Cinema, there was Wav.

“Before ‘Jay Cinema’, my first rap name was Jay Wav. (like a Wav. File, and he had waves). Then I thought, ‘This name is fucking corny, bro; change that shit’. Something I used to do for inspiration was go to Instagram, go on all of my fav artists [page], and scroll to their first-ever posts. Just to see their journey, you know. So I was doing that with Kevin Abstract, so I remember scrolling down to his first post back in 2012, and his at the time was @kevincinema. I was like, “Hold up, I like the name cinema.” I was thinking about myself as an artist. I feel you could close your eyes and paint the picture of what I’m talking about; put yourself in my world. I just fuck the name, but I’m not a movie person.” —-

—– However, he has a soft spot for the Black Classics (as everyone should low-key). From Juice, The Woods, Crooklyn, DOPE, Belly, etc.—-

Crate digging at FlySiifus record shop; how much stuff would you walk out with?

Aw man, If I would, I’d leave with a lot of shit cause I know, they’d have everything: soul, jazz, etc.

—-With this question, he unloads a bunch of artists, highlighting how wide his frame of reference in music stretches. Sadly, my ass couldn’t figure out how to spell and figure out who he mentioned. Just know: like Quasimoto and Tribe, he’s got the jazz, my man.

XXL Cover or Genius Verified Video?

Genius. Just because I spent a lot of time on Rap Genius forms. I would go to the library and go on the forums for like an hour, like “Alright, what’s Joey Badass doing or Chance the Rapper?” and that’s how I found a lot of rappers too, like “Oh, the underachievers?” and “Oh, who’s Denzel Curry?” —

Rap community. Important is an understatement to say the least, as community was a priority. His steps from the Genius form to hip-hop artist would be fruitful, but it wasn’t without a bit of isolation. “I was the only rapper that rapped the way I do so my whole time as a music fan. I felt alone cause I was listening to Tyler [the Creator] and my friends were listening to Lil’ Wayne and Chief Keef. So I couldn’t relate on an artistic level. Now, he’s amongst peers and fans, soaking in the love and respect he’s earned. No matter how big or small or perfect median, he enjoys the community and scene he’s gotten to embrace and be embraced by. Considering there was a time when he’d just post a song and think, “I hope someone likes it. Now, beyond that, it’s gotten to a community: music friends, going to shows, and other underground artists recognize him. ” I remember MIKE recognized me; he was like, ‘Oh, what up?’ Me and MIKE are low-key cool; every time I see him, it’s like ‘Yo What Up Gang’. He continues by saying, “So community was something I was definitely yearning for during this journey as an artist; it’s so fucking nuts reflecting on it.” From LA to NY to Australia, he’s connecting to many through the art of hip-hop.

Future Plans?

I’m making music damn near every day, but I can say there will be a project next year. It’s not done, but it’ll be so cool for 2025. I’m not really the type to plan shot; “it’s whatever happens, happens” to me. But I hope to drop a lot of music. Lord knows I need to delete some stuff off my computer <chuckles>. Just time to lock in.

Be sure to Check Out Jay Cinema on all platforms (whichever you prefer) and follow him on all social media. Stream Alchemy, Shout-out to Peezy