Today we’d like to introduce you to Jay Ham.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
So I originally grew up in Northern California, Stockton to be exact. When I was a freshman(age 14) in high school I ended up moving to three different states, so I went to three different high schools in three different states just in the 9th grade (California, South Dakota, and Ohio). This is where I started to really get into the process of writing music. I listened to a lot of different genres of music(rap, jazz, even country) to get me through every type of feeling I had while going through all of this moving. But all in all, I have been working on my craft for about ten years.
While living in Ohio, I met one of my best friends/producer/music partner “Tre Wright”, who is going to be the Godfather of my first child (due in June). But anyways, I stayed put in Ohio for about five years until I had to get out of the cold and back to California (age 19). But instead of Northern California, I moved to SoCal because my brother was already staying down there. So we got a place in Van Nuys and then I made my way to Santa Monica. While in Santa Monica I got the call from Tre telling me that he was moving to LA after his college graduation. LIT! This made it easier for me because now we didn’t have to handle everything over emails and could do our work in person. So I have been in Los Angeles for about four years now. Working working working!
I originally worked at Riot Games for about a year and a half and then a wine company for a bit. About two years ago I decided to try to do my own thing and just uber full time so I could handle everything I needed and when I needed. Best thing I ever did. Found my music managers through driving uber, as well as my attorney. In early 2018, I dropped my single called “No time to be Broke” which got nominated for “Best Rap Song of the Year” in the HMMA Awards in the fall of 2018. I will also be dropping my first album towards the Summer this year (no specific date yet). And to top it all off, I just got signed to Ford Models at the beginnings of this year! So big things are to come this year. BIG THINGS!!!!!
Please tell us about your art.
I’d like to be cliche and say that I create beautiful art in the form of music. But I guess that’s just a pretty way for saying I write music, isn’t it? haha. Its what I love to do. I write music for people to grasp in a time of life where they need understanding or a sense of somebody being through what they have. I went through a lot of rough patches as a kid. Especially from moving around non stop. I wasn’t always settled or used to the places I was, so music was home. J. Cole was a huge part of me understanding music and how to portray emotions throughout it. The way he could make me feel in a verse was indescribable.
You know when you’re just in your feelings and you hear the perfect beat with the perfect words to let you know it’s going to be ok? That’s exactly what I wanted to be able to do. I had a hard time for being mixed and having a white mom, I got bullied, I fell in and out of love, etc. I went through what a lot of people go through and don’t want to talk about or just don’t know how to talk about it. Even relationship issues. I get a lot of clarity out of my own relationship by just writing about it. So it often helps me understand life too. And I continue to inspire myself as well because I want to get better and better to touch more and more people. My music is just good positive music. If you aren’t making it to better the world, then I just don’t know what you’re doing it for. BUT! Everybody talks about different things in their music. And everybody has their own story. That’s the beauty of it.
What do you think is the biggest challenge facing artists today?
I think there is just a lot of really dope and neat artist out here nowadays! And with so many people having the ability to create music or just trying to be artists in general. It leaves a lot of great artists overshadowed. But that’s the world we live in. A lot of industries are being watered down because it’s easier to do things on your own nowadays. Which has its pros and cons.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
Spotify, Itunes/Apple Music, Tidal, etc. I even have a vlog with my girlfriend on Youtube called “Josh and Kazz” where you can see how we operate and do funny challenges. My Instagram is @itsjayham where you can also see my daily life and watch my career grow.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsjayham/?hl=en
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/itsjayham?lang=en
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSzI5LvQABgIdkegVa2RaGA; https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIXGUqw_zeNFqOH1mVY5olA
Image Credit:
Hannah Gweun & Brianna Alysse
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
