Interview with Jackie Chain

Jackie Chain is not to be confused with the martial artist actor Jackie Chan.

The similarity ends with the name as the Alabama native Jackie Chain is a rapper that has built a buzz for the past few years with the highlight being his single “Rollin” from 2008.

He has been acknowledged in many publications – Complex Magazine named him one of the 10 most underrated new rappers in 2009 – as an artist on the rise and ready to blow up.

2011 just might be the year for that to happen. Jackie released a new street/mixtape album Ballers Eve & DJ Burnone Present: Who Da Mane this past December and will follow that with his full length major label debut album, I Ain’t Slept in Weeks, that is scheduled for release Spring 2011 on Universal Motown.

We were able to connect with Jackie while he is hard at work finishing up I Ain’t Slept in Weeks and present this insightful look into who is Jackie Chain.

Please note that HalfKorean.com comments/questions are in BOLD.

Background: The Basics on Jackie Chain

Where were you born and raised?
I was born in Huntsville, Alabama. I grew up in a military household so I moved around a lot as a kid. I lived everywhere from Korea, Germany, Texas and Oklahoma. My seventh grade year I moved back to Alabama and been here pretty much ever since. I consider myself raised here in Alabama. I don’t really know my real mom and she’s in Korea. I lived with my grandparents for a while until my dad met my stepmom. My stepmom was Korean as well so I was raised Korean.

How did your parents meet?
They met when he was stationed in Korea. My father met my stepmom the same way.

Do you have any brothers and/or sisters?
No, I’m an only child.

Do you speak any Korean?
I just know the basic phrases like thank you, hello, goodbye and all that stuff. I didn’t really get to learn it as much as I wanted to.

What is your favorite Korean food?
I hate to say kalbi because it is so stereotypical. I’d say my favorite is kimchi soup.

Coming from a military household and moving around a lot, did you grow up around other mixed Koreans or people of mixed heritage?
Yeah, I did. One of my best friends is also mixed Korean. From being at military bases you get a lot of that. I grew up around a lot of half Asians and Koreans.

Did you ever experience any identity issues while growing up?
Yeah, actually I never experienced racism until I moved back to Alabama. I went to a real country school so I would get everything from Chinese, Mexican to whatever. I get it a lot even to this day. People can tell I’m mixed with something but can’t really tell what it is. I actually like it because it is kind of cool with the exoticness.

When was the last time you have been to Korea?
The last time was when I was a little kid and lived there. I haven’t had the opportunity to go back yet. I would love to go back to Korea to visit.

What do people who meet/see you think your ethnicity is?
Being in Huntsville, Alabama I usually get Korean a lot. There is not really that many Chinese or Japanese out here. There is an army base over here and a lot of Koreans. But, I have definitely gotten Chinese, Mexican or Native American.

Jackie Chain / Rapper

How did you get your introduction to the hip hop culture and how long have you been rapping?
I’ve always listened to rap and a wide variety of music including rock, r&b and pop. I identified mostly with rap and was in my first rap group in fifth grade. In eighth grade I did a talent show where I rapped and fell in love with it. Even though I still listen to a lot of other music also and incorporate other music like Reggae and old school samples, but rap has been a definite major influence on my life since I was a young kid.

How long have you been making music professionally?
It was in about 2004/2005 when I really started getting serious about it and released mixtapes.

How would you describe your style and music?
As Pimp C would put it, it is “down South country rap tunes.” A lot of Asians and Koreans that I’ve dealt with are really into the whole hip hop culture; freestyling, backpackers with graffiti and break dancing. I’m not really involved with all of the elements. I didn’t grow up listening to the New York style music. I grew up more off artists like UGK and Eightball & MJG. I consider myself more like that “down South country rap tunes.” I got love for hip hop, it is all hip hop. I am an Asian American who is representing another side. I represent those dope boys and those boys getting money. It is a different lifestyle. I know a lot of Asians who are gangsters, pimps and get money on these streets. I feel like they don’t really have someone that represents for them like that, that I’ve seen. I’m sure there are some out on the West Coast, but I haven’t really had the chance to experience the scene out there yet. I represent those Asians out there that are hustling and getting that money. It doesn’t even have to be dope dealing. It’s just being in the streets and doing it.

When did you get signed to Universal/Motown?
I’ve been signed with them for about two years now.

When are you planning to release I Ain’t Slept in Weeks?
We are looking around March/Spring for the release.

Will the album be all new material or will it include songs from your mixtapes and previous releases?
I believe the only song that anybody out there has heard that will be on the album is the “Rollin” remix with Kid Cudi. Everything else will be 100% brand new material.

Do you have a lead single you plan to release before the album drops?
Yeah, we are going to push this track “Park Outside” with Bun B. I have another single that we are going to be pushing called “Yeah That’s Me” with Yelawolf and Big K.R.I.T.. We plan to drop those in January.

Will we some more new music videos from you?
Oh yeah. I already have two music videos that I’ve shot for the album. I really take the initiative and don’t try to wait on the label. If it is a dope song then I’m going to shoot the video. If you wait on the label you’ll be waiting for a long time. You have to keep working on your buzz and your fan base. With a label like Universal it might take them a minute to kick in but when it does kick in, it’s a big ass kick.

Is there anybody in particular that you’d like to mention who will be featuring on your album?
I have Bun B, Yelawolf and Big K.R.I.T.. I have Kid Cudi on another new track. I have a couple more big features but I can’t let those names out yet. Trust me though, they are some big names and relevant artists in the game.

How far along is the album?
I have about two more songs to do and plan to have 14 tracks on the album.

Is there any difference for you now that you are signed to a major label?
To be honest, nothing has really changed. I have been signed to Universal for two plus years. It just now really feels like it is kicking in. I’ve been working on my buzz and fan base and I grind like the independent artist. At the end of the day, when you get a deal, it is like you are in college but you still need to go pro. You have your foot in the door but you can’t slide all the way in yet. I’ve been grinding and doing mixtapes, videos and not waiting on the label. And really, that is what has made the label kick in. The fact that I was out there doing shows, reaching out to my fans and everything I needed to do as an artist is what made Universal really come around. I didn’t get signed to a single deal. I know a lot of artists that got signed at the same time that I did that aren’t signed anymore. They had one hit or track out. I call them ringtone artists, they put a song out and then you never hear an album from them or the album flops. A lot of time those artists don’t even get an album. I feel that Universal saw something in me that was more than just a “one hit wonder.” Now, in 2011, you are going to see a lot more of me because the label is going to kick in. Like I said, you can grind as an independent but it takes money. There is so much you can do as independent if you don’t have investors or heavy in the game making cheese. It ain’t cheap. I’ve spent hundreds of thousands of my own money. Real talk, I’ve sacrificed a lot and I’ve done a lot to get to where I’m at now in my career.

We have to ask, how did “Jackie Chain” become your stage name?
It’s funny. I did some time in prison for a dope case. When I was in prison, we would sit and pass the time freestyling. I got called everything, in a joking way, from Jet Li to Bruce Lee to Jackie Chain; anything to do with Asians. Jackie Chain just stuck. When I got released, I’d be with my friends and they’d be like, “Hey Jackie Chain!” It started out as a joke and ended up sticking. You don’t really give yourself a nickname, it is given to you. No matter what people say about me, if they talk shit about me or whatever, they will remember that name.

Obviously you are not a “traditional”-looking rapper. How do you overcome any misconceptions due to your appearance?
The rap game is very, very cutthroat business just like any other business and you have to earn your respect. Of course, when I get up there a lot of times if people don’t know me initially they might think “Who is this guy with long hair?” I don’t fit the stereotype. But, like I said, when I get up there I have to rock it. I’m speaking real shit and people can’t help but respect it. Also, you have to be keep it 100 and stay real. I really do what I say in my raps. My city knows that. My state knows that. Anywhere you go, real recognizes real. I’ve been to plenty of shows and conventions where people automatically thought I was the DJ, sound-man, make beats or something like that. You got to let the music speak for itself. Confidence is very important. If you get up there on stage and you are not confident, the folks will eat you alive.

I’ve done Nokia Theater in New York where I’m sure 99% of the crowd did not know who I was and I rocked that bitch. I was with Lloyd Banks, Talib Kweli, Cory Gunz and all these New York artists and the New York Times wrote that I was the best act of the night. You really got to let your music speak for itself. If you get up there and you rock that bitch, can’t nobody say shit. You feel me?

Who are some of your influences?
Musically, I grew up listening to UGK, Eightball & MJG, and Three 6 Mafia. I also listened to a lot of West Coast artists like NWA and Too Short.

Outside of music, I was influenced by anybody out there getting money. I’m trying to get money. If anybody tells you they are in this for anything else, they are lying. Everybody has love for the music but at the end of the day, love don’t pay the bills. Growing up, I looked up to the hustlers. I looked up to the cats in my neighborhood that were balling. Being Korean and Asian American there weren’t really a lot of role models other than martial artists. That was pretty much it. Even to this day, off the top of my head, I can’t name one actor that doesn’t have a martial arts influence. You have a few here and there but not when I was growing up. I didn’t really have any heroes when I was growing up. My heroes were those cats like the dope dealers, pimps and the ones with all the money in the clubs.

“Rollin” is arguably your most prominent track so far. Were you surprised at all by the reception you got for that track?
Actually, to be honest, “Rollin” was a B-side record. I had a single that I was pushing at the time called “Blinded” and “Rollin” was the bonus track I had on there. I wasn’t pushing it as a single. I don’t know how it works out there on the West Coast but down here in the South it pretty much starts off in the strip clubs then the regular clubs and then the radio. I was in Atlanta pushing this other song and then everyone was calling me and telling me that “Rollin” was killin ‘em in the strip club. Next thing I know it was on the radio and playing on stations all over. It was a record that I wasn’t pushing or performing at shows.

Have you connected with any other Asian/Korean American emcees?
To be honest with you, I’m open to collaborate with any Asian American artist that’s out there on their grind. I know out here in Atlanta there is Sky High Lab, who are Korean, and I’ve worked with them a lot. I also work with a dude named Smokes who’s from the Midwest. But, most of the Asian American artists are out on the West Coast and I really haven’t had a chance to make it out that way yet.

I’d really love to do a track with Rain. I think that would be a dope collaboration.

Being in the South, I can’t even think of another artist who is signed and on the level I’m at. Don’t get me wrong there are a lot of great emcees out there though. I’d love to work with any Asians and especially Koreans. Not saying that I’d do a song with anybody, but people who are on the grind and take this rap game serious. So, if there are any Korean emcees out there reading this interview, get at me. Let’s get it!

Do you think it is time for more Asian American artists/entertainers to find the same popularity and record sales as other ethnic groups?
Our numbers are so big it should just be a matter of time. I think that the industry has been scared to really let an Asian American artist get out there. I’ve seen some R&B singers and Far East Movement. Far East Movement is really doing their thing and they have Snoop behind them so that’s like OG approval. I’m hoping that I can open some doors as well when my album drops. I embrace my Asian side very, very much. I think our time is coming.

It is almost like a double-edged sword for me because nobody from Alabama has really blown up. There has been Rich Boy and now there are a lot of artists coming out like Yelawolf, Attitude and 6 Tre. Alabama is really being looked at now.

Being Asian and from Alabama was, at first, really a strike against me. It was like, “this guy is from Alabama and he’s Asian. There is no way he can rap being an Asian from Alabama.” But now people are opening their eyes.

I think it will only take one or two artists and if I could be one of them it would be great. If I’m not, someone will come along sooner or later because there are a lot of dope Asian emcees out there. I think this is our time to get our shine on.

The whole fact that I’m mixed, Asian and white, has opened me up to so many different people. The Asian folks embrace me. The white folks embrace me. The black folks embrace me because, at the same time, I’m keeping it 100 and talking that real shit. Real recognizes real. So, being mixed has been a blessing and helps me to reach so many different demographics than if I was just the “white rapper” or the “Asian rapper.” There are so many of us out there. The mixed Asian community is so deep that if everyone out there bought my album I’d be 10-times fucking platinum. There are a whole bunch of us out there and we really need to unite. When I saw there was a half Korean website I was like, “damn that’s dope!”

Have you listened to any of the hip hop from Korea?
Drunken Tiger is dope. But, before my mom passed away, I watched some Korean TV and it seems like some of the music is behind a little bit. Some Koreans might get mad at me for saying that but I’m just going off of what I saw. It is a lot harder for Asian artists to break into the States than the other way. Bringing up Rain again, the only reason he did that movie was to help break himself in America. He’s a dope singer and I consider him the Justin Timberlake of Korea. But, even now, motherfuckers still don’t know who he is. To blow up in America first is the move because, once you blow up here, Korea is going to accept you.

Would you want to go to Korea to perform?
I would love to tour out in Korea or really anywhere in Asia. Actually, one of my ultimate goals is to go over there. It is a whole different and untapped market. There are not that many Korean-American rappers that go over there to Korea that I know of. I know that there are a lot of rappers out in LA and the West Coast that are probably doing their thing and I have no idea about. But, as far as a Southern Korean-American rapper, I think I might be the first.

Has there been any contact from media or artists out in Korea and Asia?
I’ve had a couple inquiries but nothing really solid. I have done some Asian American Hip Hop Summits here and a lot of those guys talk about going over there. It is an opportunity that I would love to do and if I got the opportunity I would definitely jump on it. With my album about to drop and everything is going good so hopefully that opportunity will come soon.

I really embrace my Asian culture. I get a lot of love here in Atlanta. There are a lot of Koreans out here. It is definitely a lane I’m trying to get in to.

As you mentioned, you’ve been involved with the Asian American hip hop scene. How important is it for you to be involved with those events and movements?
It is very important to me because the Korean culture is such a big part of my life. Growing up, I ate Korean food every day. I was raised Asian with the exception of speaking Korean because I helped my mom speak English. She wanted me to speak English so she could speak better. Even though I’m half Korean, it is my culture and I embrace it. I love the culture and the people. A lot of times when you are half, your family doesn’t accept you. A lot of my stepmom’s family didn’t accept me. She’s passed away but even to this day some of her family doesn’t even know that she was married to a white man. So, I haven’t even met a lot of my Korean family. I feel like that it is very important me to embrace the culture since my mom was such a big part of my life. It is very important to get that acceptance and be a part of it because I love and embrace it. It is a beautiful culture. I’m a kimchi eating motherfucker!

What should we expect to see/hear from you in 2011 and beyond?
2011 is going to be my year. I have a dope album dropping with dope features and videos. I feel like that I’m representing Asians that hadn’t been represented in the spotlight yet. There are a whole bunch of us that are just like me. It ain’t all got to be all about metaphors and freestyling. I’m not like that and I rap about the streets and talking about what we do and the struggle. That’s what it is. I feel like that I’m bringing something to the table that nobody has seen yet. Plus, it is good music and that will speak for itself. My internet presence is stupid right now. I think as soon as I get my videos on MTV Jams and what not and the world sees me that it will be a beautiful year for Jackie Chain.

Any specific goals you plan to accomplish?
I plan on Grammys, MTV and BET awards. You have to think big in this game and set goals. If you believe in it, it will happen. I’m trying to take over the world baby! I want to be a household name not only in America but in Asia as well. I want people to associate my name and think of me when they hear Jackie Chan’s name. I want it to be on that level. I’m trying to get to that level. I’m definitely going to put it on for the Asian Americans. You don’t have to worry about that.

Any advice you would give to someone pursuing a career in the music industry?
Just like anything in life, if you are going to do it you have to believe in yourself 110%. There is no half-assing it. You have to go full force and live, eat, breathe this industry. When I say industry, it is not just the rap part, you have to know everything. It is not the music business, it is the business of music. Anybody can make it in this industry. It takes 10% talent and 90% work ethic. There are a lot of emcees better than me but you have to have that drive and determination to go out there and make your dreams happen. If it is something that you really want, give it 110% no matter what nobody fucking says. You know how many times people said that I sucked and I wasn’t going to make it? Really not that many, but you know what I’m saying. My haters are my motivators. I love all my haters. Hell, write on the blogs and talk about me. When my album comes out, buy it and talk about how shitty it is as long as you are buying it. Once people stop hating on me then I have something to worry about. As long as I have haters then I feel like I’m doing something right.

That’s the thing with my album. All my music up this point has been me rapping about what I do and what I see. This album has really given me the opportunity to really broaden my horizons. Being from the South, pretty much the only beats I get were from the South. Once I worked on the album and Universal started coming through, I had the opportunity to get on a lot of these beats that I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to get on. A lot of people are going to hear me on some shit that they’ve never heard me on before. I think I really did my best to touch all bases when it comes to the music.

Anybody who’s listened to my mixtapes knows that I’ve got love songs and all kinds of shit. Not really love songs, but I don’t care how hard you are everybody has had a girl. You know what I’m saying?

Of course I’m going to have my critics and people say that I’m not “real” hip hop but at the end of the day what is “real” hip hop? Hip hop is a culture and there is something for everyone.

Random

What is your current relationship status?
I’m living that bachelor life right now. In this music industry and the lifestyle I live it is really hard for a lot of women to accept it. I’m not going to be young forever so I’m just enjoying life. I’m taking advantage of a lot of opportunities that come my way, if you know what I’m saying. Now, if I find the right one and she comes along then that’s another story. But, shit, I’m loving life right now brother!

Do you have any hobbies or interests that you do to relax?
I’m a very, very, very big weed head. In fact, I’m rolling up right now. As far as hobbies go, I’m almost always doing something with music. If I do have some free time, I’m like the typical Asian kid playing Call of Duty and Xboxing it up. I don’t really have any hobbies. Everything I do has got do with music. If I’m not rapping I’m thinking about rapping. I want to get into making beats. I party hard, everyday and every night. I’m in the studio from 5 to 5. I do 12 hour days and I’m in there until my throat goes out and I can’t rap no more. You might even hear on some of my verses that my voice is so raspy and you can tell that must have been at the end of my session and I had probably laid down four tracks. But when I’m not in the booth or not doing music, I’m definitely partaking in my herbal medication and Xboxing it up. If anybody wants to get their ass whooped in Call of Duty my user name is “PleazureHouse” on the Xbox. I’m on there doing it big.

Anybody you respect/look up to?
No, not really. I guess if I did look up to someone, it was the cats in the neighborhood driving the big whips like the Cadillacs and Impalas and shit. When I was a kid that’s what I wanted to be. I’ve always wanted to be a rapper since the 5th grade. I can’t really say that there has been anybody outside of music. Man, really, I looked up to myself. I’ve always been the man and didn’t have anybody to look up to. It’s fucked up to say but I can’t really think of anyone. I guess when I was young, Bruce Lee. Being an Asian growing up, there wasn’t too many role models.

Do you drink soju?
Of course. In fact, there is a 24 hour Korean BBQ spot here in Atlanta and I took my manager and he had never had it before. I love Korean food.

Is there much of a Korean community in Alabama?
Oh yeah, Alabama has a big Korean community because of the Army bases there. In Alabama, you don’t have the Chinese or Japanese grocery stores but there are a lot of Korean grocery stores.

What are some of your favorite websites?
WorldStarHipHop.com, OnSmash.com and BLVDST.com pretty much every day. I also fuck with Ballers Eve internet radio out in New York. It is a station that plays Southern music. I’m not a big Facebook or MySpace person. I’m just now getting on that Twitter and really like it. It is crazy how many connections I’ve made off of Twitter. That’s how I connected with Bun B for our track together. It’s crazy because I have people like Snoop Dogg following me. I didn’t think I would use Twitter and thought it was the stupidest thing ever at first. It is such a great marketing tool that is unbelievable.

What did you think about HalfKorean.com when you first checked it out?
I was like, damn, this is something for me! For me, to be accepted by the whites being half Asian is hard and being accepted by the Asians being half white is hard. To find a website where it is all people like me who are mixed, I was like damn that’s the shit! There are a lot of us out there.

Any words that you would like to pass on to the community?
Keep it 100. That is my slogan. No matter what you do, embrace both sides of your culture and never forget where you came from. There are a lot of mixed people who don’t embrace it and I’m like you need to embrace it because it is your culture. Learn about your culture and about where you are from.

Buy my album when it drops! Also, I just released a free mixtape album, Who Da Mane, last month.

Thank you to Jackie for his time. His first album on Univeral Motown, I Ain’t Slept in Weeks, is slated for release Spring 2011. In the meantime, be sure to download his free mixtape album, Who Da Mane.

You can check out him on Universal Motown, his official Twitter, MySpace and Facebook page.

Interview by: David Lee Sanders

Posted: 1/14/2011