By Dreylan Johnson
Known for pushing musical and style boundaries, 25-year-old Guyanese singer/songwriter Jackie Jaxx, born Jackie Hanover has evolved tremendously on both fronts since she first spoke with The Scene in 2011. This was more than obvious in an interview she did followed by a styling done by Ashma John of The Online Runway. This week, we caught up with Jackie again to see what she has been up to since then.
The Scene: There is a lot of talk about your personal style, which is often described as bold and unique. What advice would you give to other artistes who are still trying to develop their individual identities?
Jackie Jaxx: I believe we all know deep inside who we are and who we’re meant to be. However, we live in a world where we look to others for validation. That’s very detrimental for artists and all creative people, who need to be authentic in order to function effectively. The correlation between the songs you sing and the performer must be evident; people have to believe you. When I’m on stage, I don’t act like Jackie Jaxx. I am Jackie Jaxx. It’s scary but oh-so-rewarding.
The Scene: You had your roots singing in church but during your career you’ve explored several genres, what would you say to anyone questioning your journey from gospel to the less conservative dancehall?
JJ: Music is expression. ‘Gospel’ and ‘dancehall’ are just labels. I can sing a song about righteous living with the same emotion and conviction as a song about being in love. None is nobler than the next and the intention remains the same. Whichever genre I choose, is just the route I take to express myself.
The Scene: What would you say influenced each stage of your artistic evolution? (From R&B to soca, to reggae, then dancehall)
JJ: I’ve always liked different types of music. I started out with R&B not because that’s what I liked most, but that’s what I was exposed to mostly. I knew R&B best and I sounded good with it. When I started to explore different genres, I found that my skills were not limited so I dabbled a bit in quite a few of them. I don’t know what I’ll sound like ten years from now, but you can bet it’ll be authentic. I grow as everything does with time.
The Scene: Who are your musical influences?
JJ: Vybz Kartel, Buju Banton, Fantasia Barrino, Michael Jackson, Beyonce, Whitney Houston, Chronixx, Eminem, Bunji Garlin…
The Scene: What is it about their music that you admire and perhaps hope to emulate?
JJ: Some of the artists I mentioned are songwriters and I’m working on strengthening this craft. When I listen to music, I hope to learn something from it. I pay attention to the lyrical and musical arrangement, I listen to how they use their voice and their song-selections (on albums). These artists appeal to me because I can identify with them. I admire and have great respect for their dedication to their craft as well.
The Scene: What is the one thing you hope people will take away when they listen to your music?
JJ: I hope they feel me every time. No matter what I’m singing about, I always hope they feel the genuineness in each syllable. I also hope that someone listening is inspired to chase their own passion as courageously. This is not easily done. It takes time and effort to master but I work on it daily.
The Scene: One issue Guyanese artists are usually criticized for is that their music sounds ‘foreign’. How do you manage to stay true to your roots and avoid being influenced lyrically?
JJ: I don’t avoid it [Laughs]. Music is art. It expresses feelings or ideas. What’s ‘Guyanese music’ anyway? Music from Guyana? How should Guyanese dancers dance? I don’t like labels when it comes to art. Every artist will illustrate an idea in their own way. I am absolutely in love with Guyanese cultures and it’s a pleasure to incorporate anything Guyanese into my songs or performances. However, my inspiration comes from everywhere and it makes up my lyrical content.
The Scene: What’s your writing process like? Do you have a routine?
JJ: I actually didn’t before now. Today, [Wednesday] I read the War of Art by Steven Pressfield and I’ve crafted a workable plan. I was like many people wishing to become artists. They live in a chaotic world. I wrote if I didn’t doze off from exhaustion when I got home at nights until the wee hours of the morning. This works sometimes but it is generally counter-productive. I have created a schedule and henceforth I will write 2 hours daily. No distractions. No excuses.
The Scene: As an artist, when you’re faced with mental block what do you do to re-inspire the process?
JJ: We’re all artists in some way or the other and this is something we all face sometimes but I never understood it before until Pressfield shed glaring light on it for me in his War of Art. He called it resistance. Resistance, he said, is a universal force which acts against human creativity. It causes us to procrastinate, inspires fear and anxiety and creates distractions so that we won’t do our work. It’s self-sabotage. I’ve faced resistance to the point of lying in bed crying many nights with a blank Microsoft Word screen on my open laptop. I couldn’t get past that block. I felt like I was dying inside. I learned from the War of Art that I will face resistance every day. I do. There’s no fearless warrior. I face my fear and I sit down. I force myself to write. Inspiration shows up as long as I take that seat. The resistance just goes away and the block clears.
The Scene: You’re pursuing music fulltime, this is a risky choice considering the uncertain state of Guyana’s music industry. What was the defining factor that led to you going all in and taking such a risky leap?
JJ: I’ve always known that I was born to sing. A woman met me in the street once and said that I used to tell her about my musical ambitions since I was in nursery school. This never left me. How could I know this at such a tender age? I mean really feel it from the depths of my core. My voice is my instrument and my soul’s calling is to create music. I feel most happy doing it and I never grow tired of it. There’s no better feeling in the world to me. Whether or not I become an international star isn’t important. As long as I’m doing what I love, I’ll be fine. I am pursuing a career in music and wherever it leads me, I’ll be good there. I’m no greater than my purpose and I’m yet to decipher what exactly that is. So, I’m enjoying the journey and taking it one day at a time.
The Scene: Would you say the rewards been worth the risk so far?
JJ: Yes! I get to do what I love every day. After a long day of the routine stuff, sitting down to write and sing feels like standing in the rain with both arms open wide, eyes closed with your face to the skies. You feel the magic in each raindrop as it descends from its heavenly realm and you know that there’s something greater than you out there…and you’re in touch with it even if for a moment. We all seek the face of God in our own ways.
The Scene: Have you performed outside of Guyana?
JJ: I haven’t. I’m looking forward to it.
The Scene: What has been the most memorable performance of your career thus far?
JJ: The performance at the recently held SWS event at the HJ Water World was one I didn’t plan and didn’t expect. [Laughs] I just compiled a list of songs and went on stage positive that I’d just give a great show. I committed to the task and the inspiration showed up as it always does. I had a magnificent time!
The Scene: What would you consider to be your greatest success thus far?
JJ: My greatest success thus far is being able to make a living doing what I love. “Choose a job you love and you’ll never work another day in your life” – Confucius
The Scene: What would you describe as your ultimate level of success?
JJ: The ultimate level of success for me is being able to inspire others to chase their own passions. There’s nothing greater you can do for someone than becoming an example that they can follow to achieve their own success. I too have many people who have inspired me to do this.
The Scene: What are your hobbies besides singing and song writing?
JJ: I draw and paint when I want to let off some steam sometimes. I dance as well. Mostly in private away from prying eyes [Laughs]. I like fishing too.
The Scene: What great things can Guyanese expect from you in the near future? Anyone you’re hoping to collaborate with?
JJ: Whatever I do, I do to the best of my ability so I hope my best is good enough to help me achieve great things. I hope eventually that my music will help to inspire positive changes in the lives of the listeners. I would love to collaborate with Chronixx, Tanya Stephens Vybz Kartel (who has a musical magic I can’t get enough of), Diana King, Major Lazer and Tarrus Riley among many others.
The Scene: What would you say defines you as an artiste and sets you apart in the local music industry?
JJ: I don’t think anything personally sets me apart—we’re all inspired by something greater than ourselves. If we’re humble and submit to inspiration, it shows up. I believe the only thing that may separate me is my exposure which is greater than some.
The Scene: Is there any advice you’d like to leave with your fans?
JJ: Live. Don’t just survive. Whatever you do, follow the calling in your heart because it will undoubtedly lead you to where your purpose resides. Life is more than dollars and bills. Love yourself and all your unique quirks. Be you. Be the best you. There will never another. You’re great and everything is possible!
