Jefe Jumpman: A Southern Boss on the Come-up and Why the Rap Industry Needs To Listen

Jefe Jumpman (@jefejumpman)

The South has been known to produce a number of big names in the hip-hop/rap world and create unique sounds that distinguish the artists from the different regions. This has made it a hotspot for talent. Every year, dozens of rappers emerge that end up having their music played on the radio or attached to some other well-known artists. One of the emerging talents is Jefe Jumpman. He’s on a journey to the top to become one of the next big things out of the south. I sat down with him to talk about his vision for his career, grinding on his own, and standing out from the rest.

Interview was conducted in early January 2020.

It’s a brand new year and I have the honor of interviewing you for the first Klubhouse Session of 2020. How you feelin’ making it to a new decade?

First off, I appreciate you giving me the opportunity to have a voice on your platform! But, I’m honestly blessed. I’m motivated and ready to receive a lot of blessings this year. Making a true mark and splash on the scene in the next ten years is a big goal of mine.

A lot of people really feel like this year is the year. I know people say that every year, but there’s a lot more riding on this. I feel like because it’s 2020... It’s a new decade... This year is a lot of people’s "golden year.” What do you think you’re going to do this year that’s different from previous years, especially, to help kick off reaching that goal for the coming years?

I’m not really one of those “new year, new me,” kinda people. I just move based off what I’ve done previously. If it was something that was beneficial to me I’ll capitalize and repeat that move with more precision, versus any move that I made that I felt like hindered me in any way. I got rid of those unnecessary habits. I’m a man of solidarity. I spend plenty of time by myself by choice. Long as anything I do helps me progress and become the man and musician I am to be, I’m all for it.

I’m a big fan of trial and error. If you do something and fail you can do it again differently and possibly come out with a better result. Not trying at all will leave me where I don’t wanna be. I used to be afraid of failure, but not so much.

I totally understand that. I think a lot of people, including myself really let the fear of failure hold them back. It’s good that you are past that… You frequent a lot of areas: Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, New York… What have you learned about the music industry in those areas?

Everywhere has its similarities and its differences. I was born in Hopkinsville, Kentucky in ‘91. Stayed there ‘til I was about 13, then I migrated to Clarksville, Tennessee. Music in Kentucky and Tennessee, that I was hearing, was always heavily influenced by Texas and the Georgia sound. I haven’t hit Texas yet, but that’s a place on my bucket list. Georgia is like my second home. It’s about 3 hours from home and I got family and connects down there. The Atlanta sound is one of my favorites. They always had a stronghold on the rap game since I was a lil nigga. New York rap didn’t really latch on to me as much as the southern style. But, it was some artists, like of course Biggie, 50 Cent, some of Jigga’s after 2000 projects, and The Diplomats, that made me become a fan of up North Sound. The Tennessee sound so dope tho! I been here over 15 years now and Memphis has been a perennial hip-hop Mecca since I came. I was listening to nigga’s like Three 6 Mafia, Yo Gotti, Playa Fly, Dolph…

I learned that each place has its own unique melody and delivery while relaying a massive, relatable, shared struggle and message. I think that’s dope as fuck in itself and it’s something I’ve wanted to be a part of for a while. But sometimes, location can work against you, being in a place that’s not recognized for its hip-hop genre. So, I gotta work twice as hard.

So, that’s where I’m at with it right now. Just strategizing to carry out a master plan.

Location really has a big effect on an artists’ ability to network and just be heard by some bigger labels. The internet and platforms like SoundCloud have definitely made it a lot easier to get on people’s radars all over the world.

Yea, that’s why I plan on kickin’ the door down with my image and my sound. The backstory gon’ sell itself in my music. I ain’t just some nigga who picked up a pen and pad by mistake. I felt like I always had something to talk about, as far as what I done lived, seen, and been through.

One of my downfalls has been not being involved enough on the internet. I’m fully aware of the necessary steps to become a successful, major, independent artist. Sometimes your setting can be a strain.

The important thing is you know what steps to take and can start from there.

Progress is a process and I learned that through various experiences, good and bad.

The internet has its downsides as well though. Within rap culture there’s always lots of conflict between artists. Because of the internet, not only do you have to deal with artists in your area, you have to deal with artists that might live across the country, having some type of issue with you. How do you deal with any drama that you have faced or might face?

I ain’t just the type to go out and make friends or enemies. The nigga’s ‘round me all family. I don’t do friends and if any nigga got a problem with me, it’s always a time and a place for smoke. I just ain’t gon’ let a nigga trick me off the street. I got too much to lose out here.

But I like that: all family, no friends. It’s definitely a plus to have a solid team.

I’m glad you brought up team because that’s one area where I feel I lack greatly. And that ain’t no disrespect to any of the people who support me and rooting for me to win. But, it’s a distinct difference between supporters and people who have specific roles to play that are critical and vital to my success, so that I can feed us all when the show money come.

I feel that. I deal with that as well, with those who are just rooting and those who are truly putting action behind the support. When it comes to writing and creating a song, do you have a process of how you go about it? Or is it just whatever sounds good at that time you roll with it?

When it comes to writing a song I never really have anything specific in mind, if that makes sense. I kinda go off what I been going through and the life experiences and find an unorthodox way of letting people know about who I am in my own way: past dealings, the way I’m feeling and thinking, and future endeavors. I put it into my music the best way I know how.

Now on to what the people really wanna know… When are we getting some new music or videos? What do you have in store for us, as far as new content this year

And the million dollar question! I plan on dropping a single in February, the first week. If everything goes as planned I’ll drop a single every month with the correct promotion behind it.

As I said in the beginning, I don’t have nobody outside the streets who is involved in the music industry. Who I can glide under their wing to get shown the ropes, because I just been free flowing these past few years. Finding those people is a task in itself.

Oh nice! I’ll make sure to be on the lookout for it so I can get that posted for people to check out… But finding somebody who will truly take the time to invest in you and tell you the secrets of the the industry is hard. A lot of people fear someone being better than them or just not wanting to see anyone else get to their level of success. I’m confident that you can make it without that though!

I think that’s definitely a contributing factor in the situation to be honest. Envy and low key hating. Everybody in each respective city and state knows who do music and knows who goes hard. But you know it’s really a popularity contest. If you ain’t somebody everybody just knows outright, they gon’ be biased regardless. But if you start doing shit that makes everybody gravitate toward your direction, then you gon’ be that guy. But I’ve made my splashes and I’m respected as an artist in my city, but I think I ain’t respected enough by the other ones who do music. Not saying anybody has an issue or anything like that. It’s one of them things like, if you put me on yo’ song, ima kill that shit and you know I might overshadow you on yo’ own shit. That bothers nigga’s, even the ones that got more than you and still find a reason to play it that way. So, it’s a real circus sometimes. You just gotta find out who the clowns are.

I don’t know how often you have shows, but what’s your dream venue or event to perform at one day?

I don’t have a particular place to want to perform. I just want to be in front of masses of people who respect my work enough to purchase tickets to see me do my thing live. That will be a euphoric moment in itself and no amount of money will ever be able to give me that.

You know you’re the first artist I’ve interviewed that gave an answer like that. Everyone I’ve asked always has a huge venue in mind. Nothing wrong with that of course, but I haven’t had anyone just say they just want to perform. It doesn’t matter where. That’s honestly so real.

Well a lot of people in this shit for the wrong reasons. Money is coo’, but I get money already. Don’t get it twisted, I could use some extra money all day. But, I’d rather gain respect from audiences and fans around the globe that can relate to me on a personal level. Everything is authenticated from this end. I don’t got shit to prove except that I belong in this lane. I got what it takes. I have the talent. I have the sound. I have the image. I have the storyline. It’s about timing at this point. I ain’t waiting for nobody to take a chance. I’m just finna dive in it my own way, because trying to do it the traditional way don’t always work out. You have vultures that try and take advantage of indy artists not knowing much about the game just yet, just like the streets, in a different perspective.

I feel that. I think a lot of fans can tell the difference too between an artist who really has a passion for all of what creating music entails and those that are just “doing” it and kind of making a mockery out of it in a sense. My observation is that true, passionate artists are the ones whose careers have the longevity. It’s a plus that you’re on that side of the spectrum, with the passionate people.

How do you feel about the controversial debate on rappers using the “n-word” in their songs and then performing it for audiences that a lot of the time, are mainly white and most likely singing along, word-for-word?

As far as people saying the “n-word" in the crowd, singing along to the dope lyrics… I have to say I’ll never be offended unless we having a casual conversation and you just slinging it around like I don’t exist. Singing lyrics to a dope song of your favorite artist, at a live show, is excusable in my book.

So with all this talk about music, I gotta know what other things are you interested in when you aren’t working on any music?

I’m a grinder. I’m always trying to run up a check. That’s the goal. At the end of the day I just want to be financially stable, no matter what I’m involved with. I love spending time with my son whenever I can be with him. He lives in New York, so time with and building with him is more important than anything.

You said you have a son. What do you hope he can learn from you now and once he’s older and can understand the sacrifices you have made and by then, Lord willing, the even better successes with your career?

I just want him to understand the importance of hard work and staying true to yourself. It’s a lot of people who may not understand your vision and might tell you to quit when it’s not looking so bright. Keep pushing because you never know what the end result of that next push may get you. Love what you do. Be passionate. Do right by people. Don’t let anyone control you or have power over you. Be a man and stand firm on your morals, ethics, and values.

Solid advice. Not just for him, but for anyone really. Once again, I appreciate you taking the time to do this interview. It’s got me excited for your upcoming projects and to see how you will breakthrough the industry. I’m looking forward to witnessing the journey. I’m sure everyone who reads this will be interested in seeing what you do as well. Thank you!

Appreciate you for having me! This is the first of many sit-downs to come. God willing the next time we touch bases I’ll be interviewing from a condo, with more successes to share. I’m forever grateful for the consideration and time. Stay up fam and best wishes to you in your endeavors for indy artists! Grateful for people like you to shed light on the smaller market right now.

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Be sure to follow Jefe Jumpman on his socials, @jefejumpman. Also, be on the lookout for his new single dropping February 2020.

Comment below and let me know are you gonna be looking to see what this artist will do in 2020? Follow @badkollective to stay up-to-date on new interviews and content.