iAmJeepz.

I’m from the Great White North, our nation’s capital, Ottawa, Canada.

I make Vintage Futuristic Boom-Bap. I produce for an array of talented emcees, as well as put out a lot of instrumental, solo work. I’d like to think my work’s soulful but will still leave you in a neck brace. I also like to shoot music videos and aspire to make sound engineering an art form moreso than a behind the scenes science.

I’ve been toying with music since forever… I grew up playing drums and messing around with records from a young age, but I only started really getting into beatmaking 4 years ago.

I don’t perform all that much because that’s typically not a beatmaker’s gig, but I’ve performed in some producer battles and showcases. The first experience being an Ottawa Beat League battle that I wound up winning. I’m not a big fan of on being on stage, but it’s an awesome feeling to see the heads nodding and the screw faces when I drop something ill. I find it way more exciting to watch my emcees go in over my beats and see the crowd get into it.

Growth—both in myself and in my collaborators. There’s no better feeling than getting better at something by putting in the work and watching my people get the shine they deserve.

I want them to gain what I gained of my influences: and that’s to actually feel something when you listen to the music. My favorite emcees are always the ones who emotionally engage their audience with their music. Think Pac, Common, Kendrick and Cole. I want my music to mean something to them at that moment—and in hindsight. I want my music to take them somewhere extraordinary.

First and foremost, J Dilla. There’s no one who’s ever been as prolific in terms of quality, innovation and breadth of work. I’m very inspired by the fact that this was his life: He could do nothing else. That’s a true calling. And, literally, one he dedicated himself to till his last breath. Stylistically, I’m also very inspired by the work of Exile, Black Milk, M-Phazes, Pete Rock and !llmind.

Worrying that there’ll never be enough time in finding my balance between life and art.

This is going to be an exciting year for Jeepz flavored music… We (G.Grand, Hyf Gypsy Sun and myself) are performing/opening for Nas at Bluesfest, which is the biggest musical festival in Ottawa. We’re also releasing our collaborative project, Tapas, this year. I’m set to release my 50th beat tape in the early fall, which should be huge. Beyond that, I’ll be releasing an album with Cali’s Kay Flow and, hopefully, a third Just Poets album. Throw in a few other guest spots, shows, singles and videos—and it’s going to be busy!