Photography © David Delaplace
Photography © David Delaplace
"It's incredible that I was nominated at the BET Awards...
I always watched this ceremony, and now I’m going there."
"It's incredible that I was
nominated at the BET Awards...
I always watched this ceremony,
and now I’m going there."
Suppose it was an article for a French-speaking audience. I'd have started by saying: “We are no longer presenting Jok'air, the former member of the MZ group, who is having phenomenal success flying solo....” But for you today, I think setting the stage and saying everything about Jok'air’s talent is essential.
Having started in 2006, he's now seeing some deserved success with a million listeners on Spotify, not to mention all his other hits, like his BET Award nomination as the Best New International Act. The one who made hot & sexy songs his speciality took the time to tell A Rap & A Cup Of Tea about his feelings on his last album, mainly the incredible promo done by his team.
With sincerity, frankness and love for music, Jok'air delivers here, in all simplicity, the musical creations that led him to realise the biggest project of his career, counting 32 artists on his mixtape. The one who's not afraid to open up in his songs and who often responds to DMs received by his fans has kindly agreed to share his best memories with us.
How did you become the rapper you are today: a recognised French rapper who makes millions of views and streams and just released a film as the extension of your last album with 15 new tracks?
Hum... I got all of that through work; there are no secrets. (laughs) Determination is a big part, too. All the answers are in the film called La Fièvre, which came out in June. It’s all about work... a lot of work.
I'd like to come back to this film. How did you come up with the idea of such a project?
It all started with Davidson, who's my producer, my DJ, and also my older brother. He was the first to have the idea. Initially, I was kinda afraid, and I wondered how we would put together a project of this magnitude. In the end, everything was done naturally, and I was lucky enough to have the support of many people, including French figures such as Seb La Frite – one the most famous French YouTubers – and artists like Jaymax. The strength of this project is that you can find many of the artists I worked with for the album.
You talk about your childhood, the trials and tribulations you’ve been through, etc...
To be honest, it wasn’t more difficult than making the music. Talking about my experience is already something I do through my songs. It was quite the same thing, but only in a different way. When you speak frankly, everything becomes simpler, I think. What I'm talking about in music, I can also say in all honesty in front of a camera.
You’ve been nominated for the BET Award as the Best New International Act!
Honestly, I was first flattered to represent France at such a ceremony. It's incredible to think that I was nominated at the BET Awards... I have always watched this ceremony on my TV and am now going there. It means something to me! Being nominated at this point in my career is a real honour to me. I didn’t feel fear, I just felt really honoured.
You collaborated with 32 artists on your last mixtape! What motivated this desire?
The truth is that most of the artists I have collaborated with for these featurings are artists I know with whom I have already developed friendships and whom I appreciate as human beings. Doing this with people you know and enjoy is different because it makes it easier. It’s something that doesn’t work with many people anymore. I grew up with mixtapes like Booba’s 'Autopsie' saga and La Fouine’s one with 'Capital Du Crime'. There were always several artists on their mixtapes, and it was the same with US Rap and rappers like Lil Wayne, etc. This is something that's done less and less, and I wanted to put the term mixtape back to basics and celebrate it. It's important to work on this kind of project and show youth that mixtapes are still alive. I honestly believe this is the project I’ve had the most fun with since I started music.
With so many feats with artists as different and diverse from S.Pri Noir to Sadek via Chilla it also proves that numerous artists validate you... It must be an incredible feeling?
Yes, it's really great, and I do thank them! They made it easy for me because I didn't feel any constraints with any artists present on the project. The artistic connection between us was really genuine.
I guess this number of songs and featuring takes much time and work. Are you someone who writes all the time?
Yes, I’m writing all the time. To be honest, I’m not someone who will sit at a table to do a writing session. But I write when it comes to me, which means basically all the time. (laughs)
"My mission on earth is to make
good music and those who are willing to do
nice things with me are always welcome."
"My mission on earth is to make
good music and those who are
willing to do nice things with me
are always welcome."
People often say there's a lot of competition in the Rap game, but this project proves that this is not always the case, precisely because 32 collaborations is phenomenal.
I think I proved it indeed with this project. Especially because I have an American mentality more about sharing than in rivalry. I'm not ashamed to say that I was inspired and influenced by the Americans in their way of thinking. Going to BET confirmed what I was thinking about them. In Western Europe, we're often haughty for nothing; men bomb their chests to prove they're strong, but it's different there. If there are so many collaborations between various artists, it's because everyone knows their place; we are only artists, and what we give is entertainment. The goal is to move forward and go even further. I’m here to make good music and not compete with anyone.
Which one was your best collaboration?
I can’t choose one in particular, but I’ve had many beautiful memories like with Jazzy Bazz. We met at 6 p.m., but we finally started recording at 11 p.m. because we kept talking instead of working. After a while, we thought we had to get on with it so we could go home. (laughs) I also have a great memory of the song with Siboy because usually, you do your verse first, and then the person comes after you, but on this track, we’ve done everything together, and it makes the music even better. He brought me the “brutality” that I needed in this project. It was quite the same story with the song 'Hendrix Du Tieks', where all the guitar sounds were recorded by KPoint himself because he's an artist who can play guitar the same way he can rap.
All these encounters must have enriched you as a person too?
Yes, completely. Everyone collaborating on the project came to give me love and strength. For me, it helped me to feel more confident after that.
Are there any more features you’d like to do?
Yes, sure. Quite a lot, to be honest. I have never closed any door to any collaboration it's quite the opposite. As I always say, my mission on earth is to make good music, and those willing to do nice things with me are always welcome.
Is there a song in particular that represents the album to you?
No, not really. Each song represents the album in its own way. I tried to do varied things with different sounds but with a homogeneous spirit.
To balance with the frenzy of your career, do you have any hobbies?
Apart from music, what I love most is being with my son. We have a close relationship, and I need to be there for him and spend time together. And, of course, I like spending time with my mates.
What are you dreaming about now that you’re an established artist?
What is most important to me now is to be generous with my people to ensure they have everything they need. I guess it's essential for me.
Can your English fans hope to see you coming through London for a live show soon?
We don’t have any plans right now, but I’d like to come and play live. I have already come to London to work, mastering the sounds for my first album, Jok'Rambo. I haven't had the opportunity to perform yet. I hope it's gonna be soon!
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