interviews

Jacquees On “Sincerely For You,” Future As EP & Holiday Traditions For HNHH’s “12 Days Of Christmas”

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Undeniably, Jacquees is preparing for a new season of his career. Years ago, he took social media by storm with his “King of R&B” declarations that caused quite a few conversations. However, Jacquees is more than just a viral moment or the subject of a hot take. The 28-year-old R&B crooner has been active in the industry for over a decade, and now, he’s back with a new album, Sincerely For You. The project not only hosts a look from Future, but the rapper also holds the title of executive producer.

Aside from Jacquees partnering with his fellow Georgia native, the star-studded cast of features are also standouts. Summer Walker, 6LACK, Tory Lanez, John P. Kee, and Dreezy help round out a project that Jacquees is hoping that is ushering in a new chapter of his life.

Photo Provided By Publicist
“It’s all grown-man vibes. I’m 28 years old now,” he told HNHH exclusively for our 12 Days of Christmas series. “So, the conversations are just different for everything, for me. Even the lifestyle.
You know, you get older, you know, you stop doing a lot of the things that you was doing before. I feel like that’s kind of how I did it with my lifestyle and my music. And I believe that through records, you’ll be able to tell the growth into maturity.“

In 2019, Jacquees delivered two projects: his sophomore studio album, King of R&B, and his holiday offering, Christmas in Decatur. The Cash Money and Republic Records star also gave us a mixtape in 2020 amid the pandemic. His new singles “Tipsy” and “Still That” certainly place the hitmaker’s talents on display, and it’s evident that Jacquees is authentically evolving in an ever-changing entertainment industry.

As he celebrates the arrival of Sincerely For You, Jacquees took a few minutes to chat with us about the album, a few holiday traditions, leading from the heart, and wanting to lock in a few award wins in 2023.

This interview has been slightly edited for clarity.

HNHH: Thank you so much for taking the time to talk with us today. It feels like you’ve been laying low, and now you’re back with a new record. Tell us about Sincerely For You and what fans can expect.

It has definitely been a minute. I ain’t dropped an album since, I think like, 2019. Sincerely For You, this my third album, executive produced by Future, of course. The process was crazy. We been working on it for like a year, over a year. We started on it last year in Miami. It’s just been a cool process. I got some dope producers on there.

I’m just bringing the sound that I know everybody wanna hear from me. I gave them a preview with “Tipsy” and “Still That.” It’s a lot more records to come that’s just gon’ be crazy. I know everybody gon’ love these records ‘cause I already know what my fans expect from me. So, I feel like I’m finna give them just that.

It’s interesting because Sincerely For You hosts features from 21 Savage, Tory Lanez, Summer Walker, Future… But you decided to lead with singles where you stand alone. Many artists often push a record with a featured track first. What were your thoughts on doing the opposite this time around?

I feel like features are cool, but I always feel like my fans, they always want me. You know what I’m sayin’? Of course, with features, it always helps because we collab fan bases, but a lot of the times, a lot of my stand-alone records be some of my best records. I just want the people to know, you know, I can do it alone.

But of course, I got some records, some features that’s crazy. We gon’ push them up through there [laughs]. But, for the most part, I really wanted to put those records out first because I feel like it’ll give people a good feel for the album and what to expect.

I read that this was a “new chapter” for you. What does that mean for you professionally as you usher in this new era?

It’s all grown-man vibes. I’m 28 years old now. I was 24, 25, when I dropped my last album. So, the conversations are just different for everything, for me. Even the lifestyle.

You know, you get older, you know, you stop doing a lot of the things that you was doing before. I feel like that’s kind of how I did it with my lifestyle and my music. And I believe that through records, you’ll be able to tell the growth into maturity.

Most definitely. Personal evolution and maturation can’t help but spill over into your professional life—if you’re dedicated to the growth.

Exactly.

Sincerely For You cover art
Read More: Jacquees Talks Future Producing His Album That Features Summer Walker, Chris Brown, 21 Savage

Let’s shift gears to the holidays. We’re in the thick of things with family dinners, trimming trees, and all the feel-good moments of the season. What traditions do you do with your loved ones this time of year?

Traditions that we do? Hm. We always get together at my mama house, always, for Christmas. You know we always—do we open gifts on Christmas Eve? No, we don’t open gifts on Christmas Eve, but we always have a big breakfast. My mama makes some of the best cheese grits in the world [laughs]. I’m really looking forward to that.

For the most part, a lot of times lately, we always go to like, Disney World for Christmas. We’ve been doing that lately. Going down to Orlando, celebrating at Disney World, just doing stuff like that.

That’s sweet! I need those cheese grits [laughs]. And during this time, people are casting visions for 2023. I stopped resolutions and instead try to learn something new for the year. Are there any resolutions or goals that you have for 2023?

I feel like everybody always says the same sh*t [laughs]. But for me, every year, I’m trying to be a better person, a better artist, a better human being, period. So, I think for me next year, my New Year’s resolution, besides all that, I just want to get some awards. I think that’s something that I’m trying to work hard toward. Get some awards, some recognition for my hard work. That’s something I look forward to.

Photo Provided By Publicist
Read More: Jacquees Croons Through “Not Jus Anybody” Ft. Future

Definitely deserved. This is my last question, I ask everyone I interview. In the illusion that is the industry, people have expectations of who they think Jacquees is. The veil of celebrity often causes people to perceive artists in a certain way that’s not always a true reflection of who they are. What is something about the heart of Jacquees as a person that doesn’t always translate because people can’t see beyond who they think you are as a celebrity?

I don’t think people see how big my heart is. Of course, they see everything I say, you know, this and that, but I don’t think people really just see, like, the truth. The real me. I feel like, if they did, I’d get a lot more love. But that’s what I’m trying to show people now. Hopefully, they’ll see it.

But I feel like that’s something that people don’t really see a lot of me like…my heart is huge. Like, I do so much. Just off the strength of my heart, you know? But I feel like people will eventually see.

I appreciate that so much. Thank you so much for the time. Have a wonderful holiday season, and Happy New Year!

Thank you. And you, too! And make sure to get Sincerely For You on December 16th [laughs]!

Stream Jacquees’ latest album, Sincerely For You, below and let us know your thoughts in the comments.

On The Radar’s Gabe P Ranks Top 10 OTR Freestyles Of 2022

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On The Radar became the go-to platform in 2022 for up-and-coming rappers to show and prove. At first, many of the mainstays of New York’s drill scene began appearing on the platform. Not only dropping bars but also, providing some of their most compelling interviews. However, what was initially limited to regional acts during the pandemic quickly spread into a worldwide affair.

Gabe P is the mastermind behind On The Radar, who launched the platform in 2022. Since then, the platform’s helped break plenty of artists, like Ice Spice. At the same time, they garnered the attention of the biggest acts in the genre, like Drake and Nicki Minaj. This year, On The Radar leveled up with the number of freestyles and interviews, many of which have gone viral. DThang’s freestyle helped attract new eyes in late 2021 but the momentum continued to build throughout 2022.

On The Radar host Gabe P via @youleeseas
On The Radar host Gabe P via @youleeseas

“Expansion is key,” Gabe told HotNewHipHop during a November Zoom call. “We’ve been blessed this year to really host people from all over. We’ve had Skillibeng on the show. We did GloRilla’s first interview in New York City, her very first interview in New York City.”

Artists like GloRilla, Ice Spice, and Skillibeng are a few who graced the OTR microphone before their mainstream success. However, it was largely a stepping stone for what’s in stores in 2023. Gabe has plans to take it global – not just bringing the world to New York City, but bringing On The Radar on the road with him.

“Next year, we’re going to take the show on tour. Right now, we’re aiming to hit I think 4 or 5 cities,” he revealed. “Memphis, Miami, Atlanta, and L.A., I think are our first couple of stops. So obviously, we’re always going to be near our base, we’re always going to do what we got to do for the city, but On The Radar is so much bigger than that. It’s an expanding ever-expanding music platform and you know, we’re going to be the biggest music platform in the world.”

From Ron Suno’s shirtless freestyle to Bizzy Banks’ first day-out freestyle, On The Radar produced some incredible moments. So, it was only right that we caught up with Gabe P for 12 Days Of Christmas to rank his favorite OTR freestyles of 2022 and share the stories behind them.

Check out our interview with Lola Brooke for 12 Days Of Christmas here.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

Baby Money Cites Biggie, Babyface Ray & Doughboyz Cashout As His Influences In “On The Come Up”

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Baby Money bubbled through Detroit’s underground before joining the Quality Control roster alongside Lil Baby, City Girls, and more. The hustler energy that seeps through his music is why QC’s VP of A&R Wayno Clarke described Baby Money as a resemblance “of Jeezy in a space of motivation.”

The Detroit atmosphere that bred hustlers and rappers alike shaped Baby Money in his formidable years. He witnessed his older brother’s efforts as a member of the local group which taught him the fundamentals of verse structure. 

Baby Money on HotNewHipHop’s “On The Come Up.” (Cam Kirk, Collective Gallery)
Baby Money on HotNewHipHop’s “On The Come Up.” (Cam Kirk, Collective Gallery)

Then, he began rapping at 12 years old before gaining a strong grip on the city in his teenage years. Slowly, he became a defining face of the current generation of Detroit’s street rap. He’s an embodiment of the D-Boy (Detroit Boy), integrating influences from the past and present. He cites Biggie and Jay-Z as his musical inspirations along with homebred talent like Babyface Ray, Blade Icewood, and Doughboyz Cashout, who were pivotal in his leap into music as a child.

“My hometown influences my music,” he tells HNHH of Detroit’s impact on his creative approach on the latest episode of On The Come Up. “Everybody knows when you come to Detroit, it’s about money. Back in the day, it was minks, ya feel what I’m saying? Nowadays the young n****s in the 550s, too. So ain’t nothing changed so it motivated me a lot.”

Like any hustler, he understood that results take time. His early videos would score 10,000 views through an organic buzz. Those numbers would increase with each subsequent video until finally he finally hit 1,000,000. “I feel like I was doing something right, you feel what I’m saying?” he says. 

From songs like “Moncler Bubble,” which currently sits at 2.5 million views on YouTube, and a string of potent mixtapes, like Young N***a Old Soul and September’s New Money, Baby Money is bringing his own take on Detroit’s swagger to the rap game with each release. He sat down with HNHH on the latest episode of On The Come Up to discuss his beginnings, his dream collaboration, and the Detroit hustle.

Lola Brooke Wants To Make Jay-Z Proud: The “Don’t Play With It” Rapper On Brooklyn Drill, Kim Kardashian & Pusha T Co-Signs & More

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It’s Christmas time, again. It feels like we were ringing in 2022 yesterday but it feels like time is moving at an unfathomably rapid pace these days.  As we’ve done in the past, HotNewHipHop returned with our annual 12 Days Of Christmas series where we chop it up with some of your favorite rappers, musicians, athletes, and entertainers about their annual highlights. 

Kicking off the series is one of the most exciting new voices out of New York City this year, Lola Brooke. Like many of her contemporaries, the Bed-Stuy native had her big break off of TikTok with the success of “Don’t Play With It.” The adrenaline-pumping production and her charismatic delivery became a hit after her “From The Block” performance began to garner attention. However, once TikTok got a hold of the record, it formed a life of its own. Cardi B, Kim Kardashian and North West are among Hollywood’s elite of the strength of “Don’t Play With It.” At the same time, she’s landed on the radars of formidable MCs like Pusha T and Meek Mill, who’ve shown her nothing but love in recent times. 

“I used to say, when I put the song out, I said to my team, ‘Don’t Play With It’ could really be a thing.’ I just thought it could be a thing on TikTok. Like, imagine kids playing with things they not supposed to be playing with. Things that are dangerous. Don’t Play With It, Don’t Play With It, Don’t Play With It,” she told HotNewHipHop.

Lola Brooke. Photo Credit: Felicia Abban
Photo Credit: Felicia Abban

What really sold people was the authenticity of Brooklyn that seeps through each bar. The night before our interview, Lola Brooke performed at the Barclay’s Center during the Wizards vs. Nets halftime show – the same night Ab-Soul linked up with Jay-Z. As a Bedford-Stuyvestant native, that performance stands as a highlight of her year. If not for performing in one of the biggest stages in her borough, then for being able to showcase her talent in front of the biggest export out of Bed-Stuy.

“When he sees you, remind him of where he came from. And he be proud that he came from where he grew up from,” she recalled telling herself during her performance. 

For the first installment of 2022’s 12 Days Of Christmas, we chopped it up with Lola Brooke to discuss co-signs from Pusha T & Kim Kardashian, embodying Brooklyn, and so much more.

This interview has been edited and condensed for length and clarity.

JELEEL! Reveals His Love For DMX, Talks Rhode Island Origins & More In “On The Come Up”

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In the new age of social media, the only way to become successful is through having a strong online presence. Fans need to know where to find you, and if you can manipulate the algorithm, then you have a fantastic shot of breaking through and becoming well-known to millions of people. For JELEEL!, TikTok has been the key driver for his success, although he is much more than just a viral flash in the pan. In fact, he is probably the most energetic artist you’ve ever seen.

Fans who saw the artist at Rolling Loud this past summer got a front-row seat to this energy that he describes as “real raw.” From backflips to crowd surfing, no one does it quite like JELEEL! Even watching his music videos, you can immediately tell that JELEEL! is someone who believes in his own music. It is a mix of hip-hop,  hyper-pop, and pop-punk that is almost impossible not to appreciate. With songs like “DIVE IN!” and “JELEEL JUICE!” making huge noise on TikTok, JELEEL! has proven himself to have a great ear for hitmaking, and his talents are only going to improve from here on out.

JELEEL! on HotNewHipHop’s “On The Come Up” (Cam Kirk, Collective Gallery)

Interestingly enough, JELEEL! is from Pawtucket, Rhode Island, which isn’t exactly the hotbed of hip-hop. As JELEEL! told us during the latest episode of “On The Come Up,” his parents came from Nigeria, and as a first-generation immigrant, he listened to Afrobeats. This eventually led to a love of hip-hop, where he became enamored with the music and energy of DMX. Since that time, JELEEL! has worked on crafting a sound of his own, and there is no denying that he is a unique character.

During JELEEL!’s “On The Come Up” feature, he gave us the scoop on his origin story, his biggest influences, as well as the advice he would give to a young artist working today.

HNHH: JELEEL!, where you from?

JELEEL!: I’m from Pawtucket, Rhode Island. I’m from the smallest state.

How’d you get into music?

How did I get into music? I got into music because I wanted to be an athlete and it wasn’t working out. As you can tell I got an athlete’s build, but, God got better plans. So I started making music you know, and I fell in love and it felt like it was my calling. Something I didn’t feel before but it just felt right. So thank god.

Who are your musical inspirations?

Who are my musical inspirations? Man I love DMX, you know I always loved his energy and I loved how raw and how authentic he was…  and he was very vulnerable, too, so I loved, I love that about D. So, I would say that’s my, like, one of my favorite artists, you know?

What was the turning point for you where you realized you were on your way to becoming successful in music?

The turning point where I realized I was onto a success point was when I started doing music because I felt like this was what I was supposed to do. So me just taking a leap and moving to L.A… being homeless was part of the story, you know? I’ve always known I was going to be successful doing this sh*t because I had God on my side, but once I hopped on TikTok last year it was game over.

If a music fan were to discover you today for the first time what song should they listen to first and why?

If a music fan was to discover me today the first song they should listen to by JELEEL is “Uncivilized”. Go go go go, go go go go.

Tell us about a valuable lesson you’ve learned during your come-up.

Okay, so a valuable lesson I’ve learned during my come-up is to completely be who you are. Be yourself. You don’t need to do anything to appease anybody. You don’t need to start, you know, popping pills and doing all these drugs… Like, be yourself if that’s not you don’t do it, you know. Like, for example, other people might have tattoos I don’t have tattoos because it’s not me, you know? I don’t smoke weed because it’s not me, you know? I just like to really just be me to the tee, you know. And I have a relationship with God so I like praying and, you know, I would say pray, too.

Faith is important.

Always.

Summarize your debut project and that can be, you know, mixtape… song… and what inspired that.

Okay, so my debut project… wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, which project? Project coming or the project I just released…

…your first song, let’s lean on them first songs. So when you first went to market with that song, what inspired you to create that song?

So the first project I dropped was called Angel From Heaven. Angel… JELEEL!’s an angel, you know. I feel like I’m floating every time I wake up. I feel like I’m on air you know. Walking on air. It feels good I feel like JELEEL! is…  I got my wings you know. I’m finna fly so Angel From Heaven is just a fresh breath of air and it shows people a different side of JELEEL!, but still has that rage element, so. Angel From Heaven is a fresh breath of air, I would feel. I would say. You know so. Hey, if y’all ready, listen to it, too.

JELEEL! on HotNewHipHop’s “On The Come Up” (Cam Kirk, Collective Gallery)

Tell us about your hometown and how it influences your music.

I’m from Pawtucket, Rhode Island. My parents are from Nigeria. I’m first generation and I grew up listening to Afrobeat so that was one of the first sounds I’ve heard, you know. Just been listening to that and also, like, I feel like I was born with a great ear because there was one time, there was a commercial playing at home and I would always try to like rewind that commercial in my mind and try to act like what the person was doing in the commercial because I loved the song so much. So I just felt like I had a great ear and I listened to Afrobeat. I listened to 50 Cent, DMX, like not really my hometown had anything to do with it. I feel like I just always had a strong ear, you know? And I loved what I love. I love Styles P, Jadakiss, all the legends you know. Yeah. 

Have you ever been to Nigeria?

Of course, I’ve been to Nigeria too many times you know. I love Nigeria. I can’t wait to go perform there, you know. People don’t know I’m Nigerian but I love to tell them I’m Nigerian.

What part specifically?

Lagos. You know, so can’t wait to go to Lagos and turn that sh*t up. JELEEL!, yeahhhh.

And you mentioned you’re open to go to Nigeria to perform. Where do you hope your music career takes you overall?

I hope my music career takes me around the world and I make an impact… that’s what I’m really here for you know. I’m here to make an impact. I’m here to help people. I’m here to help people feel who JELEEL! is. I don’t care about the clout or the money. I just want people to feel good you know. So I’m just here for the people man. Yeah.

Tell me about your hometown and how it influences your music.

Okay, so my hometown is Pawtucket, Rhode Island. Rhode Island is an overlooked state. I’m overlooked. Underdog. Always felt like the underdog all my life. I was that kid that nobody wanted to pick. I was that kid that nobody really cared about, but seems like everyone peaks in high school, right? So, I’m here. I’m still the underdog, I’m still the one that people don’t think is real, they don’t see it but God has a plan it’s been written and they going to see it soon.

If you could create your dream song, what would it sound like and who would you feature on it?

So obviously DMX. DMX, he hopping on my song. Who else is hopping on my song? DMX. I’ll have Missy Elliott in there. I’ll have… wow. Ye, will have some Ye in there. I love 50 too so… it’ll just be a bunch of, like, raw energy man. Maybe, even Beyonce, she got some energy, too, you know. And it would sound like…  it would sound impeccable. It would sound like something that the world has never heard before. Like, if you hear it, you might cure yourself from diseases. So that’s what I want it to sound like. I want my music to cure people, like, I want people to hear it and they feel, like, alive! Like, jolted with energy. Like, someone just put a JELEEL! juice battery pack in their back and they just feel like they going to ascend to heaven [laughs], you know. So I want that.

If you could give one piece of advice to aspiring musicians on the come-up, what would it be?

Okay, so the piece of advice I would give to aspiring musicians is to use TikTok. Use that TikTok app, yo. That sh*t helped me out. It might help you out. You just have to have good music and see where it goes. The branding is going to come. For me, I’ve always had the branding because that’s always been me but keep using your Tik Tok. And also like, I would say who gives a f*ck what n***as have to say. Like, people be talking sh*t all the time. They aren’t you. They don’t know. They’re not God. They don’t know the answers. Nobody knows the answers. You don’t know the answers Sway, you know? So just keep doing you…  no one knows when they’re going to die. No one knows when they were going to be born, you know? So just keep flowing and moving. We just living and don’t be hard on yourself, you know? Everybody be too hard on themselves. Keep going. Keep praying. And keep flowing. Have good relationships with your friends. Keep good people around you, you know? So don’t be hard on yourself, we’re all just humans, you know? Yeah, that’s the advice I would say. 

B-Lovee Details The Value Of Hard Work, Talks Bronx Drill Origins & More In “On The Come Up”

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Since gaining traction with early cuts like “No Hook Pt 2” and the Kay Flock-assisted “Shot Down”, Maryland-born and New York City-bred artist B-Lovee quickly became a poster child for Bronx’s bubbling sample drill scene.

The 21-year-old artist released his first song, “No Hook,” in April 2020. Then, in the span of just two years, B-Lovee landed collaborations with G Herbo, A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, Coi Leray, and Don Q. Touting a hyper-aggressive flow that’s coupled with a compelling command of New York vernacular, B-Lovee is one of the most consistent rising artists out.

B-Lovee on HotNewHipHop’s “On The Come Up.” (Cam Kirk, Collective Gallery)
B-Lovee on HotNewHipHop’s “On The Come Up.” (Cam Kirk, Collective Gallery)

As a result of his meteoric rise, he earned a spot on this season of HNHH’s On The Come Up. With at least one new song dropping practically every month and multiple EPs already under his belt, the rising artist is a firm believer in the importance of putting in the hard work even when it goes unnoticed.

“Never stop working. Stay patient. Stay down,” he tells HotNewHipHop on the latest episode of On The Come Up. 

Last year, B-Lovee inked a major-label deal with New York-based record label RECORDS and Columbia Records. Since then, he’s been on an absolute rampage, releasing a slew of grimy drill cuts and plenty of crossover-friendly tracks, as well — most notably the Mary J Blige-sampling “My Everything.”

During his On The Come Up feature, B-Lovee gives fans a rundown of his entry into rap, his musical inspirations, the rise of Bronx Drill, his dream collaboration, and much more.