Prior to the release of his brand new solo single I Know, we caught an interview with creative Twodoorjay, to find out more about his move from producer to artist, what inspired the new single, and what his plans are for the coming months. Here’s how it went.
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Hi Jay – what a pleasure, thanks for your time! To introduce things, where are you right now, and what are you busy working on?
I recently moved back to Denver, CO from San Antonio, TX this past summer. I’m currently working on my EP that I’m planning to release around spring of 2024.
You’re a renowned producer in the US, but you’re also about to release a new single as a solo artist – How did the song ‘I Know’ come to be, and what does it represent for you?
Most of the time when I’m creating music, it’s for another artist, so I Know derived from a project that I was working on to potentially give to someone else. It started with production and lead to me creating a hook for it. I sent it to my label mate Ronnie Lott and Manager Michael “Smoove” Cox. They both agreed that I should finish the song and keep it for myself. I did so and now here we are for my third release as an artist.
Tell me about your decision to move from producer to artist – was this something you’d always aspired to do, and in what ways does your creative approach differ when producing music for your own project?
As an adolescent, I’ve always been around music and knew this was my path. Producing will always be my foundation but as I got older, I fell in love with composing complete songs. I feel like producing gives me a creative advantage when it comes to writing.
How different is writing lyrics to creating soundscapes, and which tends to come first for you?
I would say producing comes first in my creative process. While I find producing to be the easier of the two, I’ve embraced the challenges that come with writing. I’m very critical of my work so in the end, the result makes everything worth it.
You’ve worked with some big names throughout your journey – what’s been the most memorable experience, and what’s one of the biggest lessons you’ve learned about the industry?
I would say being in the studio and working with Chief Keef was one of my most memorable moments. Having the opportunity to be around an artist like that, at that height of his career, was eye opening.
One of the biggest lessons I learned was everything ultimately is about timing. This made me focus on mastering my craft more so than anticipating when the “big break” would come.
What’s the music scene like in Denver lately, and do you get to perform much, is that part of your plans?
The music scene in Denver is constantly evolving. I feel like it’s only a matter of time before it’s recognized for its diverse artists. I haven’t had the opportunity to perform here yet but it’s a huge goal of mine to do so in 2024.
What would a live show from Twodoorjay entail?
A live show from me would consist of all around good vibrations. I love hip-hop and r&b so it would be heavily influenced by those genres. I often say the 90’s r&b raised me so it would resemble a lot of vibes from that era of music.
Will there be a video to accompany the new single, and if so – how does that creative process compare for you to the studio / audio experience?
I’m currently planning ideas and treatment for a video. I would say that’s a whole different beast when it comes to the creation part. The video will make my lyrics come alive as I aim to make it almost like a short film.
What do you want people to think of when they hear your name?
I want people to see me as an artist striving to execute at a high level. Someone who’s completely genuine in the words that I convey. As an artist it can be perceived that our lives are for others’ entertainment. To me, I’m sharing my story through my passion. My music is truly a piece of me that I’m sharing with the world.
What’s the best piece of advice you were ever given?
Be patient, everything is about timing. What’s meant for me is already mine. Embrace the journey. Embrace adversity. I wouldn’t want it any other way.
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Find Twodoorjay on Soundcloud, Instagram & TikTok.
