Westleaf Staff
What's up Leafers? Welcome to the latest edition of On the Rise where we interview upcoming hip hop talent. Today's guest is artist, Bobby Jaggerjack. Bobby is from Cleveland, Ohio and he wears a number of different hats. The Cleveland MC is also a comedian, podcaster, and executive. His music is is real and raw with bars for the Gods. We can definitely see him performing on stages such as Coachella and Rolling Loud. The Ohio based MC has been on our radar for a while so we had to tap in with him! Check out the interview below.
Westleaf Staff: What's up, Bobby? Your sound is dope. When did you start making music?
Bobby: 2010.
Westleaf Staff: That's cool! What city do you represent?
Bobby: Cleveland, OH.
Westleaf Staff: Shout out to Cleveland. So how did you create your stage name?
Bobby: I'm a mega anime head, and my name was inspired by one of my favorite antagonists from "Bleach". At the time I related to that character more than any person I knew, and it's stuck for more than a decade since.
Westleaf Staff: That's a dope name. And it came naturally! So how did your early life shape your interest in music?
Bobby: Well for starters, I've always had something to say! Couple that with the fact that my life experiences were riddled with defining moments, both good and bad, it seemed to make for a good pot of source material. I also listened to a LOT of Eminem and Ice Cube growing up, so to me taking my life, my thoughts and ideas and turning them into song feels natural, more so than doing anything else does.
Westleaf Staff: Dope! It's cool that you love your work. So who is your biggest Musical influence?
Bobby: Eminem, Ice Cube, T.I., Royce Da 5'9", Joyner Lucas, Ludacris, J.I.D (Couldn't split the rest down the middle but Eminem is definitely number 1!).
Westleaf Staff: Dope choices! What's been the defining moment in your music career thus far?
Bobby: When I was finally able to form my own record label and publisher for my music. Being the sole decision maker in how I move when it comes to my career is an important power that I don't take for granted.
Westleaf Staff: That's dope! It's definitely cool that you're creating a legacy. So what makes you a unique artist?
Bobby: Well for one I'm an avid practitioner and supporter of ownership in the Rap community. I have my own record label; Lucky Libra Records and my own publisher; Lucky Libra Publishing, and then I took it a step further and trademarked my pseudonym "Bobby Jaggerjack" as it identifies me as a living individual, I figured I should have indisputable power over what that name and everything attached to it looks and sounds like. I also love the craft and the culture itself and genuinely want to belong to that community of artists I listen to and respect and get better. I also don't need all of the aesthetically pleasing bullshit like a big house, fast car, diamonds, chains, exotics pets, or other goofy shit that tends to be the downfall of my peers pockets. I just want to create, inspire, and get paid enough in the process to provide a comfortable and peaceful life for me and the people I care about.
Westleaf Staff: Dope! So what does art mean to you?
Bobby: Communication made visible, silence made audible.
Westleaf Staff: True! That's deep! Where do you see your music career going over the next few years?
Bobby: I believe that I'll be flourishing on the world stage but on my terms because I've laid one hell of a foundation, long since putting in the proverbial "10,000 hours".
Westleaf Staff: I wish you much success! Before we go, describe music in three words.
Bobby: Fluid, Influential, necessary.
Follow Bobby:
Instagram: @bobbyjaggerjack
Facebook: Bobby Jaggerjack
More from Bobby:
