J-Nu & Jaylen Newman shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi J-Nu & Jaylen, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
The recent shows and community fundraisers happening in the wake of the Palestine Genocide and the unlawful ICE raids in LA have given me a newfound spark of creativity. I think sometimes it’s hard for me to feel like any of this stuff is important when real things are going on outside but now more than ever I’m connecting the things I do creatively and the causes I believe in, it’s always been a part of the equation but at this point, in this moment in time it’s become everything. If it won’t help anyone, there’s no point in putting effort and time into it.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hello my name is Jaylen Newman, and I produce and write songs under a few aliases, the main one being “J-Nu” the main goal I keep in mind when creating is free expression of the world around me, what that means is I won’t censor myself or make the things I’ve experienced more palatable for mainstream audiences, and I’m not afraid to joke or make light of very harsh realities we all face everyday. To me both sides are what make us human, we don’t cry or laugh all our lives, we take the highs and the lows. Both can bring epiphanies. I’m from Pacoima, which is a neighborhood in the San Fernando Valley and I think my valley upbringing has shaped many of my ideologies. I live in such a cultural mixing pot that I genuinely believe I’ve met one of every kind of person their is and getting all those different perspectives is vital when it comes to forming a worldview. I’m always working on music but this upcoming year I plan to put more time into building a visual catalog, I’ve already started releasing some content and I don’t plan to slow down as long as I have a say in the matter.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
I vividly remember the first time I thought about power and authority and my relationship to them. I was 2 years old at a family party, sitting in a foldable park chair that was way too big for me. I got up for a moment to get some juice from my mother and when I turned around my dad had stolen my chair. I was sad and looked to my sister for comfort and she said “You have to do what he says, he’s the daddy” and my thought was that doesn’t seem right so instead I looked him in the eyes and said “If you don’t get up I’m going to pee on you” and the whole family thought this was hilarious, as the laughter erupted, I took that as. my cue to start the show. I peed in his direction and he frustratedly got up to wash his pant leg. I sat down victorious and thought “Maybe you don’t have to listen to someone just because they have a title” Now my understanding of these concepts is far more nuanced now that I’m not TWO YEARS OLD but you can see from origin story, I was always going to be a complete menace.
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
Losing loved ones to murder, overdoses, accidents. Even at a young age I was no stranger to funerals. Loving someone and missing them and not being able to rekindle no matter how much you want to, has shaped every single relationship in my life. I choose to love people very hard while I’m here, because we will never get to try again once this life is over. Do it now so you don’t regret it later.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What do you believe is true but cannot prove?
So many things. Let’s start with Alien’s existing. Mathematically that just has to be true, the universe is TOO big. I believe that most of the most controversial conspiracy theories are actually quickly and easily explained. I think we overcomplicate things to protect ourself because if the truth is right in front of us, our helplessness has to turn into proactiveness and that’s way harder to do. If it’s a shadowy cabal than it’s alright for me to be feckless and not worry about changing the world because it’s impossible it’s me versus the whole illuminate but in reality the president is openly a pedophile supporting a genocide, it’s right there, no cover up needed, no officiation or secret society, just rich powerful people doing what they want in broad daylight.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
All I know is that I don’t know nothing…
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/fr33luv
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/injaylenwetrust/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/injaylenwetrust
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMuaTPcdpCA&t=1s
- Other: jnufree.bandcamp.com
all releases available
Image Credits
Evan Lopez
Marylou Juarez
