JustiKe

[$7 // Edition of 20 // https://justike.bandcamp.com/album/peculiar-side-a]

For all of the rap music that I listen to- and I grew up on it with cassettes, as I'm sure you've probably read at least once or ten times before here- I really find it hard to place JustiKe in an era with other rappers and that might not be a bad thing.

Initially, there is a throwback feel to when I was listening to rap on cassette in the 1990's. There are these horns and even a saxaphone (which is a wind instrument, not a horn) which adds to the element of the music to make it something more than just rap with beats, in the way that you think of a lot of artists like Nas and most anyone who came after the year 2000 really.

I really wish I knew more about rap music so I could aptly compare this with someone other than my standard go-to of A Tribe Called Quest, but really I'm kind of glad I can't pinpoint this anywhere else. It definitely has a cassette sound to it though, meaning that I would have been more likely to heard it back in the 1990's than whatever passes for rap these days on a commercial level.

The lyrics flow and the songs are about a number of different topics but there is a reoccurring theme of religion. JustiKe also admits at one point he believes in God and I'm kind of left wondering how many rappers out there could say the same without sounding like DC Talk. (Sorry, had to drop that name at least once in this review because I don't know who their modern equal is)

I can say this in closing though: In some ways, when this does sound more on the modern side of the coin, it reminds me of Zeale and that is never a bad thing because Zeale is one of my favorites. What it comes down to is that this is a great rap cassette and it is truly in a league all its own, just not like Geena Davis. - Raised by Gypsies

JustiKe is one emcee the likes of who you have never seen before. The Full Sail university student takes artistry to a whole new level, with crisp bars and a lacerating flow. JustiKe is one artist that we really love here at NUMB and thats why we asked if he could be our artist spotlight.

What got you interested in Music?

Having parents who played instruments and sang influenced me early to be a musician. Through grade school I spent time learning the clarinet and tenor saxophone. It was my pal Carl "Youngin" Daniels who encouraged me to begin writing lyrics in high school.

Where are you from?

I was born in Virginia but I grew up in Spokane, WA.

Top 3 favorite artists and why?

Bria Zhanae, Ocean Jams, and Marcellus Juvan.
These all happen to be artists I'm growing to know personally. I admire how confident these individuals are with sharing their perspective with an audience. Marcellus and Bria have great stage presence when live. They easily get the crowd to participate in heightening the mood of their performance. I admire how much content gets released by Ocean Jams. He does a great job of building an audience with it.

What experience in your career was a game changer for you and why?

Going to Full Sail helped me rearrange my goals. I had a more solid idea of what I wanted to do with my music. Asking with that I began to develop a backup plan as well. This experience provided me with more resources to grow as an artist and better develop my network.

What else do you do besides Rap?

Currently I'm three months away from finishing my bachelors in music business at Full Sail University. Also, I've been working on my beat making. I produced more than half of my "Peculiar Escapades" album.

Most memorable experience?

My most vivid experience goes back to recording a tune produced by my brother Darien. This was in my early stages of rapping and it happened to be one of my first releases. The tune was called “ utomatik Go”. My buddy Youngin was in the studio with us that night encouraging me to better my adlibs.

What makes you different than other artists?

I tend to write songs that encourage myself before considering others. These lyrics and poems come out as therapy sessions for me. As I put them out I just hope they can be understood in many circles. - N.U.M.B.