The death of 2Pac in the mid 90’s ripped the heart out of West Coast Hip Hop. At the same time a young street poet named the Jacka was honing his skills in the Bay Area Rap game. Always open minded, he was influenced by b-boys and thugs, pimps and Imams. The Jacka has since developed into an established, well-rounded, well-versed emcee in the right place to bring the West Coast some serious attention…

The Jacka’s music is a reflection of his life. He witnessed the birth of the dope game and the drug war that followed, as the battle was waged in his community, on his block, and in his house. Memories of departed loved ones haunt his mind and soul. His release is to share his experiences through his music. Reality hurts. Rap is the Jacka’s medicine. That and some purple. 

Jacka’s success proves his mettle as an emcee. He has been featured on over 50 albums over the past six years. His contributions to the Mob Figaz self-entitled album resulted in over 100,000 units sold. His tour with Yukmouth (of the Luniz), C-Bo, the Mob Figaz, and Tech 9ne exposed him to nationwide notoriety. His first solo release (featuring Too $hort, Cormega, Christion, and Yukmouth) in 2002 sold over 30,000 units. Jacka sold these units himself, in the Bay Area and through shipping to one-stops across the country. Though great support came from the Bay Area, sixty percent of Jacka’s sales came from outside of California.

The Jacka’s upcoming album, The Jack Artist, is sure to satisfy his fans and impress new listeners. The album thrusts its listeners into the day to day reality of street survival with leadoff song, “Never Blink.” “Got the eyes of a snake, never blink, never cry.” The songs “Drugged Out” “Really Dope” “Never Equal” “Blind World” “Won’t Break Me” and “Feel This Clip” carry this theme throughout the album. Life is hard to earn, but life is not without its party. Radio friendly songs “Girls Say” and “Get Out There” recount days at the park and nights in the club or on the strip. Street single “Barney” is a golden mean between these two extremes. While it celebrates the Bay Area pastime of enjoying some purple, “I’m from the place where they grow that stuff,” it, in greater measure, encapsulates the struggle between doing right and doing wrong. “Selling dope is cool, but rap is on my mind, it’s hard to do them both and get my bread at the same time.” Jacka concludes the Jack Artist with a song dedicated to his three year old daughter, “Kuran”, contrasting the grimey reality of the streets with the hope of a better future for his daughter. “Every time I stare at you, the purest thing about me. Tell me what we’re all going to do? The world is cold. I need Allah’s help. How can I guide my seed when I can’t guide myself?” The album is produced by legendary RobLo, whose production captures the ideas of the songs perfectly. 

The Jacka is a leading force in filling the gap left by past-departed West Coast soldiers. Listen closer.

Ed’s Note:  Check back soon for an exclusive interview.

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