Meet Me - Jaking The Divine

I think as a writer I’ve gotten better at stripping down the fat and becoming less focused on being the best technical rapper. I’d rather create a peculiar feeling through intentional imagery, cultured references, rephrasing and day to day stories from my own life so that the listener connects more emotionally with the work. I’ve had flashes of being a great writer throughout my career, but sometimes my ego and passion got in the way. That’s totally removed now. My full focus is on being effective and curating soundscapes and concepts that showcase my best skills as an all around artist.

I think I’ve always been focused on world building from the beginning, but I’ve definitely gotten better at it over time. What’s changed most in my process is allowing more flow within my ideas and trusting that I’m doing the right thing creatively. Whenever I try to challenge where I’m naturally at, things start to feel forced and uninspiring. The more honest I am with my instincts, the better the work becomes.

What still motivates me musically is the fact that although my style can be categorized as retro and familiar, there are so many more things I encompass within my brand and world in relation to art and culture. For me, there are no true boundaries to where this can go. I may not know exactly where the journey leads, but I know it’s more than just good raps over a beat. That uncertainty is what makes the process rewarding and exhilarating when things finally come full circle.

When it comes to making my voice heard on a global stage, I focus on solid rollouts, consistency and being strategic about where I’m seen and which platforms I use to display the foundation of everything, rhyme. In the future, I hope to work with producers and musicians like Madlib, No ID, Pharrell, Robert Glasper and Thundercat. Right now, I work closely with Jamil Honesty, who really understands what I need as an artist.

A major turning point in my career was releasing the album Delusions of Grandeur. Even though it’s not the most popular project in my catalogue, it was the moment I truly began building a cult like fanbase and appeal. I grew as a writer, producer and creative director in terms of executing themes and concepts effectively. That was when all my ideas about branding and world building really came into play. I sold out merch, sold out vinyls and earned respect for carving out my own lane instead of being compared to anyone else.

In today’s digital age, there’s a constant war for attention. Music has become so accessible that the challenge is proving your value among thousands of songs released every day. At the same time, I think this climate forces artists to become more than just musicians. You have to build additional skills to truly make this career sustainable. Personally, I find value in learning every aspect of the process because it keeps me connected to my craft while also humbling me through understanding what it really takes.

Social media is something I’m still learning every day, especially because so much of my attention and audience has come from it. Instead of chasing trends, I focus on building an aesthetic that genuinely works for me and what I do creatively. That way, I can still play the game while keeping my integrity intact and remaining effective at the same time.

My connection with my fans means everything to me. I’m fortunate to have supporters who are patient, who truly hold onto what I say and who value quality over quantity. That’s rare in today’s music climate, and I don’t take it for granted. At the same time, I know I need to become more consistent and continue finding new and innovative ways to connect with them.

When working on a single or album, knowing when something is “done” usually sneaks up on me. I don’t think there has ever been a moment where I immediately knew which song would become the single until people chose it themselves. Most times, though, when I personally feel something special after creating it, I’m usually right once it reaches the listener.

Lately, I’ve been leaning more into industrial and alternative sounds. Visually, I also want to become more potent because I truly love film. I can see a lot of my work fitting naturally into indie films and niche visual spaces that may eventually become the center of attention over time.

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is that your first ideas are never going to be your best ones. You have to treat your career and your business skills like any other trade. Time, research and consistency matter more than anything. Execution comes naturally once you discover who you are through trial and error.

When I think about legacy, I want to be remembered as someone who represented my city and what hip hop truly means at its core, while also bringing luxury, taste, education, philosophy and forgotten fragments of the culture back to the forefront. I want to continue carrying the energy and avant garde spirit of underground hip hop forward.

Outside of music, life, family and all forms of art constantly fuel my creativity. I’ve written entire albums from a single line in a film or created songs inspired by one paragraph in a book about the Black diaspora and my people’s history. Everything moves me creatively, and I try to find meaning even in the smallest moments of life.

As for the future, something that might surprise people is possibly stepping into acting or even politics one day.