Quality Control's Jordan Hollywood Details His Journey to World-Class Status
"Everyone wants to be best at what they do. But for me, I just have so much fun doing it."
Quality Control's Jordan Hollywood kicks off our 2019 round of interviews in this new Hype Off Life exclusive. Hailing from one of Florida's most poppin' parts of town, Broward County, Jordan is a multi-versed rapper, singer and songwriter that gained momentum through releasing music as a teenager, beginning almost a decade ago.
After convincing his Mom to let him drop out of high school to pursue his career, it was then on and cracking, with Jordan gaining footing in the industry. From earning himself writing credits for Jason Derulo and French Montana (just to name a few) to ghostwriting verses for fellow rappers.
Jordan’s enigmatic sound is dark and meticulously crafted from life experiences. As he matured so did his sound, progressing from songs written from a carefree teenager's perspective to
To complement his music, Jordan brings out-of-this-world creativity to play. Jordan’s raw perspective on visuals are unfiltered and unapologetically unnerving. They include Jordan drowning while being buried alive to pulling off a high-stakes heist robbing jewels to bringing the casino to West End Atlanta with strippers twerking on slot machines.
Dope, I know. Which is why we're thrilled to bring you this interview today. So, don't let all that good energy go to waste. Read up on Jordan's journey, as he describes his push towards excellence, relationship with Quality Control Music and that 1 year he lived in Los Angeles. After you've soaked up all that good game, peep some visuals and his new EP, 'FINALLY' for more dope sh*t from one of the most gifted in the game, Jordan Hollywood.
When moving to Los Angeles, what was one difference and similarity that stood out the most?
I only moved to LA for a year. I still live in Broward County but when I go to visit LA what’s different to me is the weed, the weed is way better in LA than anywhere else I’ve ever been. The weather is fucking amazing in LA. In Florida it rains almost every day. In LA it never rains. It’s also more expensive to live in Cali than it is in Florida.
What do you think has contributed to the success of your hometown, Broward County’s prominence in Hip Hop’s new wave?
The youth man and rappers like XXXTENTACION, Kodak Black, Ski Mask The Slump God, and Ace Hood. Ace was the originator to rep Broward.
How did you fall into penning songs for other artists like French Montana and Jason Derulo?
Working hard. Taking chances and traveling. I was just studio hopping and grinding.
What did you say to your Mom that convinced her to let you drop out of high school to pursue your career?
I didn’t have enough credits to graduate. They were on the verge of getting me out. If they didn’t kick me out then I was going to be stuck in school and I was never gonna graduate. I would’ve just sat there and wasted time. So I told my mom “Yo listen I need to get a head start on this music shit. If I stay here I’m just going to keep skipping.” She believed in my vision and pulled me out.
What was it like during those years, skipping out on all the high school parties in favor of staying in the studio?
It was amazing. There were definitely times I felt left out and that I was missing out on stuff. But If I had to make the same decision now, I would man because it turned me into a monster or a beast. I learned how to engineer real early on. I learned how to make beats and write records real early on and I got a head start on a lot of people.
Do you still find yourself liking to stay in over partying?
I prefer to still stay in.
What is your record label/management company “The Wasted Youth” about?
Changing people’s lives. Putting people in position and giving people things I wish I had when I was getting started in my career. I go after artists that don’t have anything going on. I like to work with a blank canvas and listen to their vision and help bring it to life. That’s what we’re all about here at The Wasted Youth.
"When you’re working with your homies you’re just having fun the whole time."
How did your deal with Quality Control come about?
Hard work and grinding. Putting out fire music. I knew I wanted to be signed to them. So I reached out to everyone I could that knew Coach and Pee. Then we made it happen.
Your visuals are insanely creative, with high levels of detail only likeminded eyes would catch. What pushes you to be the best at what you do?
You nailed it on the head with the explanation of the visuals. I feel only people that are woke understand the message that I’m portraying in my visuals. Some people that are watching just might think I’m doing crazy things but every video I have has a deeper meaning behind it.
Everyone wants to be best at what they do. But for me, I just have so much fun doing it. I have so much fun pushing myself whether it’s trying to make a better song or shoot a better video than the last one. When you’re working with your homies you’re just having fun the whole time. You don’t have to push yourself when you’re having fun. It just happens naturally.
Which emotions did you want to convey in your recent visual, “FINALLY”?
Betrayal, anger, and built up emotions of sadness.
What gave you the idea of warfare for your new video, “EXPOLSION ”?
My director is a movie guy. He likes movies. That’s why all my videos look like movies. That’s his style. He wants to shoot movies. Not really music videos. He tells me all the time I’m the only person he wants to shoot music videos for. His favorite type of shit is war movies and I knew if I allowed him to do some type of war theme with me he was going to have so much fun.
That’s the goal when you’re collaborating with people you wanna make it fun for everybody. Nobody wants to feel like “Uh I don’t like this idea or I don’t wanna shoot this.” The way you get things to come out organically and dope is you get everyone excited about the project. I just knew an army idea with him would be amazing.
