Interview: J. Dwight
Posted on September 21, 2011 by Ladies&Gentleman
J. Dwight is one hell cool cat. As an up and coming Hip Hop artist from Sydney, who performed at both PRIMO! magazine’s FRESH events, the sky seems to be the limit for this kid. I caught up with him, after weeks of trying to get a meet up organised. Here’s how it went down;
So we are finally getting this interview underway, J.D. You are a pretty elusive dude.
I know right! It’s finally happening.
(laughs) Alright, lets do this; Tell us a bit about yourself.
My name is Emmanual J. Dwight. People call me JD or J. Dwight (artist name). I was born and grew up in Austria. Both my parents were working for the embassy there and had moved to Austria to be professors. They are pretty brainy people my parents. Before coming to Australia, we travelled around Europe, and moved here permanently 13 years ago. I was meant to be in Year 5, but as I didn’t speak any English (only spoke German) they put me in year 4. In saying that, I could understand English because my parents sometimes spoke it, but I didn’t really know the language at all because German was my first language. I ended up doing the whole E.S.L. thing, but couldn’t get much right.(laughs). I was A.D.D and my brain was retarded at that time because of the change. But yeah, that’s me basically from where I came from.
How did you get a start in Hip Hop?
Well basically, it was kind of like the only thing I could do to be accepted. It was sports or music. For a black person… Or anyone who is not from Australia, you either have to be good at something, or you suffer (from my own personal experience). For me, it was basketball or athletics. I remember my first day of school, the first thing they asked me was my name, and if could I run. So I raced them. I had to prove a point, you know? So yeah, like I said, it was sports, or music.
Speaking of music, I remember the first CD I was given; Nas’ album “Nastradamus”. It changed my whole perspective on music. Also, growing up with Church and being part of it with my parents, gave me the opportunity to meet some really good musicians. The first person that got me into writing (music) was one of the first Australian Hip Hop groups called Renegade Funk Train. They were the original, first signed Hip Hop artists you could say in Australia, and most of those guys were not even from AUS. They were from Chile, and the US. They just came together and did something really cool, inspiring me a lot. For one, they were my youth leaders, and also had experience playing Boyz to Men, New Kids on the Block, so its kind of from that where I got my music.
I guess this leads perfectly onto my next question, of what are your inspirations?
My inspiration in life in general, will be Will Smith. I see how he came from nothing to becoming such a powerhouse. He was just a dude just doing house parties with DJ Jazzy Jeff, and then became this massive superstar, selling platinum music. I mean his music wasn’t exactly the best, but he had that dream and vision to be successful.
Cool, bro. So would you say he is your musical inspiration as well?
I wouldn’t say he is my musical inspiration, but more so my in my life, general, success, coming from rags to riches kind of inspiration. My musical inspiration definitely changes a lot, but it did come heavily from Nas.
YES!! I freakin’ love Nas.
Because again, that was my first CD. It also heavily comes from Common, Mos Def and The Fugees. I am definitely influenced by all the old school/new school type dudes that were out there. They were all coming out with the old school sound, in the new school day, you know what I mean? Those were my inspirations at the time, because I didn’t know much about old school music, but I knew it originated from that. That’s where you kind of have to pay your respects at, and learn from. I definitely evolved into liking different artists such as J.Cole. I am actually listening to a lot of Tupac at the moment, and finding a lot of relevance between them both. Listening to a lot of Drake, and Big Sean, and finding a lot of relevance between the ways they live. I am also listening to a lot of Immortal Technique and Ill Bill. Oh yeah, and Frank Ocean. Both Frank Ocean and Tupac actually heavily influence my new album.
Speaking about your next album, what are you dropping on us next?
My next album that is coming out is called ‘Lights Camera Action” or L.C.A. It’s a mixtape that’s coming out at the end of September for everyone to download.
What can people expect from it?
A lot of really sick features! (Laughs) I have my boys from Dream Big, Miracle, Young Men Society, and Lazy J. I have a few really dope producers like Khaled from Orange Factory, Joshua W from Byron Bay, and Leon Sanders. Leon is bringing my mind to place it has never been musically, so it’s a blessing to be working with that guy. He brings out something in me that not many people can.
So about your crew Dream Big, can you tell us a bit about them, and what they mean to you?
I wouldn’t say they’re my crew, but more like my boys. Dream Big is just a group of really talented dudes that are dreaming big, and together, we are going to make those dreams happen by helping each other out. That’s kind of the people I roll with. They have my back, and I have theirs. But realistically, I hang out with everyone.
Having some boys behind you is important, bro. So tell me, where will J.Dwight be in 5 years?
I want to be on my 3rd major album release at least. What I want, by the next 5 years, is just to have my music in stores and on radio. Just doing my thing, you know? People enjoying my music and being successful at what I want to do. I want to inspire people to be as successful as me. I have got a lot of people I have to prove wrong, you know? (laughs)
Well, that’s a good drive.
Yeah! A lot of people say it’s a negative drive, but it’s actually a good drive as it makes you want to show better of yourself.
Totally right, bro. I know where your coming from. Ok, so as where doing this interview at a basketball court and, as we at PRIMO! magazine love ball. Do you follow the NBA, and if so, what team do you follow?
Well my team at this present moment, I have to say are the L.A. Lakers. Not saying that I don’t support any other individual players though. I support LeBron James, but I have been a Lakers supporter since day one, so I have to stay with them. Even though there is a crazy machine playing out there in Miami, where the weather is better… Now that I think about it, he should have come to LA. (Laughs)
Respect bro… Respect. I go for the Clippers, so as long as you have love for the city of Los Angeles, we cool. Final question that if you answer incorrectly, there will be mad consequences; Burgers or Burritos?
Burgers, man. Burgers.
You’re dead to me.
You know what? Sometimes you can come across some bad burritos.
And you know what, you’re right about that.
I had this one bad burrito that turned me off them, but don’t get it twisted, you will find me at El Loco every Friday night eating them damn beef Tacos. (Laughs)
That’s it. I am taking you to my favourite burrito place.
Catch J.Dwight on here:
J.DWIGHT TV- Youtube
D.O.M.E- Myspace
J.DWIGHT- Facebook
