"I want the people to know that I didn’t come here to play" - The Jayson Cash Interview
California is a place where legends are born. In the city of Carson however, rapper/songwriter Jayson Cash knew from early that he wanted his name placed among the greats. With the church and a musical family being integral parts of his upbringing, he started the journey of creating his own sound, and gained valuable experience and knowledge along the way.
Despite challenges coming his way, he never let them stop him from achieving his goals. Now calling Atlantic Records his musical home, he is set to put everything into some of the best music you'll ever hear.
We recently caught up Jayson Cash to talk about his upbringing in Carson, being inspired by Bow Wow, getting his start in writing songs for others, networking, his reason for not being an "almost nigga", upcoming music, and a lot more. From the West Coast with love, get familiar with Jayson Cash below.
Photo credit: John Kendricks
Thanks for coming through! You’re pretty well known on the Westside. But for those unfamiliar, give us a run down of how you got your start rapping.
Well, I started rapping because of Lil Bow Wow. There was a girl I liked in elementary school who was in love with Bow Wow, and I thought if I could be a kid rapper like him, then she’d be mine. That’s how I initially started, but another reason was that I got exposed to a lot of music as a kid. I grew up in the church as my grandparents were preachers. I played drums while my brother played piano, and my father played guitar/bass, so music was always around, but Hip Hop became my vehicle for expressing myself.
You’ve been on your grind for awhile now. What gave you the motivation to keep going, despite the odds?
The fact that I’m too deep, so I can’t quit. I remember telling my homeboys that I didn’t want to be an “almost” n*gga". I didn’t want to tell my kids, and nieces and nephews about what I could’ve been. I want them to know who I am, and what I did to get to that point. So, that mindset was a driving force into why I kept going for mine. I was also around people who made things happen for themselves, and I wanted to be like them, so that was some motivation as well.
So, you just signed with Atlantic Records. How’d that deal come about?
Just being in rooms with the right people, and making connections. The studio that I record in now, is the same studio I’d be at everyday. I had to focus on me, so I did what I could when I was there whether it was being in the back of the room writing for someone else, or being someone’s plus 1, I just stayed around. Eventually when I got the chance to grab the aux (cord) or get featured on something, everyone knew what time it was, so they had to rock with me.
Aside from getting your deal, what have you learnt when it comes to you networking?
I learned that there are differences when it comes to networking, because you can be in the room, and nobody says anything to you. But you can learn something just from being around in the room that you can apply when the opportunity comes your way.
You learn how to conduct yourself, proper studio etiquette, and what methods work and don’t work when it comes to networking. It’s all about making the best moves at the best time. When I was writing for people, I didn’t go out there and say I’m a rapper, I just showcased my talents when the opportunity came, and people found out that I did that through my social media.
How did you get into writing for other artists?
It happened by accident. There was an artist I worked with by the name of Major Myjah, his dad is (legendary Jamaican Dancehall artist) Bounty Killa. I met him around the time I was in meetings with Def Jam in 2018, and they were suggesting I work on my hook writing skills. Major reached out and said he’d help me with that, and I help him with storytelling in return.
So, being around him a lot, gave me the chance to be in various studio sessions. One of those sessions was for Ro James, and after he was conversing with Major, Ro approached me about songwriting. That conversation resulted in me writing with Major for Ro’s “Plan B” single featuring Brandy off his “Mantic” album. For me that was dope because being from Carson, my first placement for a song featuring Brandy, who was also from Carson.
So, that Def Jam meeting lead me to meeting Major Myjah, then being in various sessions with him, to landing my first placement. Crazy thing about it, it was easier to get into certain rooms as a songwriting rather than a rapper.
What advantages would you say you have now, now that you’re signed?
I would say for the most part, having time is an advantage. Before this, I was balancing working at a job, and being at the studio. Now that I’m signed, I have a lot more time to focus on myself and my craft. Even though life happens, and situations will come up, at least I don’t have to be rushing to the studio to record 5 songs in one session or something. Having this advantage also pushed me to enhance my work ethic as well.
The independent grind can be intense. What was at the most challenging part about being an indie artist?
I would say having and maintaining a balance. You have a family to take care of, a lot of work on the table, and obligations elsewhere, so there are times where it’s a challenge to keep everything going smoothly. My last job was working for TSA on a full schedule, and finding time to do other things was a hassle.
When I made plans to be at events like Rolling Loud, I had to have someone cover my schedule, or switch shifts, or use my vacation time, and doing all of that was hard. Now that I’m an artist full time with a team, I have to find ways to take care of things outside of that with and without them. Some of them still have jobs, so when sh*t pops off at times, I’m the one having to take care of that when they’re unavailable. It’s a challenge, but it has to get done.
I didn't want to be an "almost n*gga"
What advice would you have for those trying to find that balance while pursuing their dreams and goals?
Just be mindful and aware of who you are, where you’re at in life, and where you want to go because if not, it’s real easy to get caught up in the mix. Some people lose focus real quick and it will be difficult to get back on track, but I’m fortunate to stay above the madness, prioritize, and keep pushing towards my goals.
You rep Carson heavy. What do you love about your city the most?
Carson gave me my perspective. I feel like everything good and bad happened to me while living there. These experiences contributed to how I think and move, and I feel like I owe my city so any chance I get, I try to shine a light on Carson. There are plenty people who live there who don’t think they have any good options to elevate themselves, so with folks like me shining a light, it can inspire them to make something happen that they never thought was possible.
Your music is a vibe. But, how would you describe your sound?
I would describe it as the new G-Funk because i’m super influenced by that era of music, and Suga Free is my favorite rapper while DJ Quik and Battlecat are two of my favorite producers. I’m so inspired by the old sound, and seeing that many are incorporating the old school into what they’re doing now, i’m bringing a twist through my music.
My sound is authentic, and people rock with it because like me, they were raised on the old school influences. My music is honest, as I’m not afraid to speak on where I’m coming from, and i’m connecting with the people who got it out the mud like me. I make music for the underdogs, and i’m living proof that anything is possible.
How has your upbringing in the church influenced your sound and style of storytelling today?
I would say the church upbringing heavily influenced the sound a whole lot because that’s where the musical elements came from. Me having an appreciation for music happened because I grew up around it. I feel like growing up in the church affects how I rap too because my grandfather was a pastor and he’d always tell me that i’ll be joining in his footsteps.
Funny enough when I’m rapping, sometimes it’d come off as preaching, and the energy that comes from my delivery is almost like i’m presenting a sermon. Overall, the church played a huge part in influencing my sound, the execution, and the appreciation of music.
So, your debut project is around the corner… what type of content can we expect?
A lot of different content. I feel like this is the best time for me to show off the different layers of me. I never was one to be stuck in a box, because there’s so much more to me. I really want to show who I am, my personality, the way I see the world, and the way I see music in general throughout this project.
On my first single, “All I Know”, I really want it to be an introductory record for anyone who has never heard my music before. I want them to feel like they know me now after hearing the song, and my project would be a continuation of me introducing myself. I don’t want to just show the side that i’m most comfortable with, I want you to know all sides of me.
With this concept for my debut being an introduction, I believe this will set me up to continue with future projects and music. If you look at Kendrick Lamar, you know that “Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City” is an introductory project for many people, and the following albums were a continuation, reinforcing who he is, and show the different changes in his life and career.
Speaking of new music, you just dropped a new single called “Priority”, featuring Blxst. What or who inspired it?
A lot of things really, including me and my friends’ experiences in relationships. When you’re out here doing what you do and dating, you try make that person know that they’re a priority to you, and you should be a priority to them too. Overall, some relationships grow, and some just fade away, but it’s all about what’s important.
Blxst really did his thing on this track, and I know we have a hit, and a track that is pretty universal with the subject matter. This isn’t just a song where we’re barring people to death, we’re having a conversation, and speaking on some real situations.
Be mindful and aware of who you are, where you’re at in life, and where you want to go because if not, it’s real easy to get caught up in the mix
The West Coast’s Hip Hop scene is unrivaled. Are there any artists you’d like to work with next?
For the most part, I’ve worked with everybody I wanted to work with. I have songs with Blxst, Reason, Buddy, Westside Boogie, and I just did a song with 1TakeJay and Eric Bellinger. I really wanna work with Ty Dolla $ign though, and I’m waiting on a verse from Dom Kennedy.
So for the most part, I’ve worked with a lot of people, and it’s dope when you see people that you respect, and before you know it, you’re working with them. I like doing collaborations with people that I love, and it’s better this way than working with people just because they’re hot or have a name.
Oh yeah, Kendrick is on that list of people I want to work with too. That’s my G.O.A.T.! Schoolboy Q and Ab-Soul are others I want to work with too, especially Ab because he’s from Carson too.
Anything else we should know?
I want the people to know that I didn’t come here to play. I’m mindful that not many of us get these opportunities, and I feel it would be disrespectful to the kid who stays up all night writing verses, and to anyone who has supported my career in any way, shape, or form. I can’t bulls*t my shot, I want everything I came here for.
I just came off of not having any music out since 2018, I was working on music however, but given this opportunity to shine, I’m not wasting it. I’m here to deliver over and over again to make up for my absence, and to make good on this blessing to be here.
