Jake One Interview

I had the chance to meet Jake One at Red Bull Music Academy 2007 where he was part of the studio crew. After working with everyone from MF Doom to G-Unit, releasing "White Van" album, and finishing the new album with Freeway, he had some time to answer a few questions.


1) You're from Seattle.. How does it make a difference as a producer?

- I think because Seattle hasn't really had a dominant figure in rap, the people here are influenced by a lot of different styles of hip hop. I grew up listening to 415 and Pete Rock which is a weird combo.

    My ear for sampling and drums leans more towards the East Coast style, but I think my ear for basslines comes from listening to West Coast stuff.

2) Is it really true that artists like 50 Cent and Little Brother are picking the same beats? Give us some examples!

- It is true. You never know who is going to gravitate towards a particular beat. The song I did for 50 Cent "All of Me" with Mary J Blige was something that Brother Ali was interested in. 50 also wanted "Rock Co.Kane Flow" which ended up with De La Soul.

    I listen to all types of rap so for me I want to make something that appeals to my ear which is kinda underground with a tint of mainstream.


3) Unforgettable moment in your career?

- Probably meeting all the artists and producers that I grew up listening to and them appreciating my work. Songs come and go, I'm usually more excited about what I'm doing in the moment.

4) Pick of the moment?

Rick Ross - Mafia Music 2 (prod. The Olympicks):




Thanks for the interview Jake! (Photos by May Truong)

Freeway & Jake One CD Package = Customer Experience

The upcoming collaboration album of Freeway & Jake One shows us some creativity how music should be packaged.

I'd consider this as exciting customer experience:

El Da Sensei - Gunblast

Another Jake One gem you might've missed.

El Da Sensei - Gunblast (prod. Jake One)

Rakim - The Seventh Seal

10 years has passed since the master, Rakim, released his previous album. The path has been complicated with album delays, signing with Dr. Dre's Aftermath and leaving it after a while.

In fact, the new album "The Seventh Seal" kind of sounds like Dr. Dre has something to do with it - even though he hasn't. The album is good but some of the beats could be more on point. You be the judge.

Rakim - Satisfaction Guaranteed



Rakim - Won't Be Long (prod. Jake One)

Quality: Jake One & Termanology

2 albums really caught my attention this Fall.

Jake One - White Van Music

New album of this producer-genius features e.g. M.O.P, Evidence, Alchemist, Prodigy, MF Doom, Little Brother, Busta Rhymes, Royce Da 5'9'', Elzhi, Black Milk, Freeway, Brother Ali, Young Buck ja Slug. Jake is definitely a speciality, since his beats are so widely used; from MF Doom to 50 Cent. The man himself said, that for example Little Brother and 50 are reaching actually on the same beats!

Jake Uno's shouts to Jyvaskyla (my home town):



Jake One - God Like (feat. D. Black)




Termanology - Politics as Usual

Term finally managed to drop his debut album, which is produced by DJ Premier, Pete Rock, Alchemist, Buckwild, Large Professor, Havoc, Nottz ja Easy Mo Bee.

Tho the song is a couple of years old and the video is kind of khm... special, here we go: Termanology - Watch How It Go Down (prod. DJ Premier)