Jimijamesmusic: Well, It's my Escape, my medicine, my cope, and connection with the people, I love creating unique energy with others.
Illcitizens: So it's a form of therapy for you?
Jimijamesmusic: Absolutely, It's like another Spirit takes over, I know that's been said a lot by performers but it's true. Sometimes after I get off stage, I can't remember what happened in the moment.
Illcitizens: Interesting you say that, do you feel alone on stage when you are in this spiritual mode? When did you realize that music was what you wanted to pursue?
Jimijamesmusic: I don't feel alone I feel totally connected, I never thought about it like that, good question. My mom actually told me today to start singing with my Eyes open! I said Mom you're so right! In most of my pix, my eyes are closed, I guess I zone out and travel!
Illcitizens: Well, if there was one place you could travel to while closing your eyes where would that be?Jimijamesmusic: I would go to a place that has nothing to do with earth, society, or the government, I forget about all of that, most of the time. You just have to Visualize and what you visualize becomes reality. People are afraid to go after what they really want but it's possible, we have to not fear, we have to be more confident. I never thought about being a singer. Funny, I never thought I was a "singer" I thought Whitney Houston was a singer, but I loved to create sound. After I studied Theatre, I found my true voice and learned how to express myself.
Illcitizens: Well take me on your next lift off! I'd love to see the world from that angle. Who are some of your musical influences and do you hear them in your music?
Jimijamesmusic: Oh wow! I hear them all and others do too! Let's see, SWV, Missy Elliott, Mary J. Blige, Brandy, Debarges, Stevie Wonder, Kim Burrell, Guy, James Ingram, Michael Jackson, Prince, Tweet, Bilal, Madonna, Cyndi Lauper, Tu-Pac, Biggie.
Illcitizens: Kim Burrell! Good! She’s Amazing!
Jimijamesmusic: The list goes on and on, yes I listen to Kim when I want to practice my range, warm up while feeling the natural Spirit!
Illcitizens: What went through your mind when you were asked to perform at The Roots Annual Pre-Grammy Jam Session?
Sent at 12:21 PM on Thursday
Jimijamesmusic: That night was interesting, my manager at the time had been saying she wanted me to perform, but would never confirm it. I was kind of like Man! If they want me to perform damnit, just invite me! Don't do me any favors, I wanted to be wanted, I like things to happen naturally. So finally the day came for sound check and they were totally ignoring me, then, I saw my dude James Poyser (Prod. for Roots, Erykah, Bilal, etc.) and he was like Jimi! Oh She's Good! And told me “Don't worry I got you”. So night came and I did red carpet the whole nine, got in there and someone removed my name off the list!
Sent at 12:26 PM on Thursday
Jimijamesmusic: But James pulled me up & I was the only artist that free-styled, and killed it. That night I received a lot of respect, I had no idea what I was going to do & almost totally freaked out. That was God that carried me into the land of being Fearless.
Illcitizens: I can relate times 10, it all worked in your favor at the end of the day, and that's Love. Have you ever had any strange or stalking fans that you are aware of?Jimijamesmusic: I've never had any stalkers, thank God. I have had peeping Tom's though, f**kers! Excuse my French.
Illcitizens: Lol, how would you describe your music to the audience if they have never heard you before?
Jimijamesmusic: It's popular music and I say Experimental R&B. Sexy, Funky, Soulful, Fun, uninhibited, Electric, Honest.
Illcitizens: When you write an amazing verse, what is your reaction? Do you hop up and dance or crack a smile and say to yourself "Damn Jimi, I'm good"?
Jimijamesmusic: Oh yeah, I'm like Yeeeaaaaah Niiccuuuh (shaking my head in slow motion). I start doing the "food dance", like when your mom is almost done cooking.
Sent at 12:35 PM on Thursday
Illcitizens: Lol I know the exact dance you're talking about. Tell us about your most embarrassing moment if you care to share?
Jimijamesmusic: Hmmm, I've got to think about that one for a second!
Illcitzens: Stop. Think about it!
Sent at 12:37 PM on Thursday
Jimijamesmusic: One of them was when I first went to a Barber shop in ATL to tighten up my new fly cut, and this Barber shaved the side of my head and put some janky perm in it for too long, I had to get up and be out.
Illcitizens: Lol, you looked like the soul glow commercial with a one sided fade? Do you currently have an agent, endorsement, or record label?
Jimijamesmusic: Lol! Man, I have God and his good angels. He is working on me and putting everything together nicely, so long as I am in-tuned. I release my music under my company JimiRAH Entertainment.
Illcitizens: Word, what is it about your craft that makes you different from other artist?
Sent at 12:44 PM on Thursday
Jimijamesmusic: I am still old school, I believe in knowing and studying your craft. My music is honest it is not consistently in one direction. I go many directions, as people are multi-dimensional, I touch every emotion.
Illcitizens: Are your songs from personal experiences?
Sent at 12:46 PM on Thursday
Jimijamesmusic: I pull from everything I approach everything from the aspect of an actor or director. I create the scene, it may be my story, a mixture of stories or something I just want to see through. I try to imagine what it would be like, and that is what's liberating about expressing yourself, there's no limit to what you can experience. Just imagine and describe what it feels like, taste like, sounds like, or looks like.
Sent at 12:49 PM on ThursdayIllcitizens: Thinking back, did your family carry on the same musical/artistic interests?
Sent at 12:51 PM on Thursday
Jimijamesmusic: No, not really my Dad & Mom are both huge music lovers. My God father is a well-respected singer and very soulful so I was definitely exposed at an early age.
Sent at 12:53 PM on Thursday
Illcitizens: Are you currently working on any projects?
Sent at 1:00 PM on Thursday
Jimijamesmusic: Well, I just released The ”So Janky” album on ITUNES, a must get! Classic, Jody Watley just twittered about it a couple days ago and it also gets play on KCRW by Garth Trinidad, much Love. Also, The JIMIJEEZEE Mix-tape, which is a free download. I am also launching a flyer company called FLyy-HER. Doing fresh party flyers, logos, biz cards and all.
Illcitizens: That’s what’s up, I will most definitely be downloading after the interview. Well thank you for sitting with us at ILLCITIZENS and sharing yourself to the fans, our readers, and the world, any closing words?
Jimijamesmusic: I’m on Twitter as JIMIJAMESMusic, Facebook as JIMIJAMES Rahrahgirl, and who still goes to Myspace? Much Love, and thanks again.
Illcitizens: Ladies and Gentlemen, JIMIJAMES, she definitely rock out with us today. Make sure to checkout all of her sites - And we’re out!
