J Holiday

Ashleyy — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 01:13:25 -0000

QUOTE`sz 4RM J HOLIDAY HIMSELF!

1. "In a woman, the main thing I look for is confidence … you need to be confident in yourself to know that you’ve got something that I’m looking for…"

2. "By 2012, I just hope to still be here man. You know what I’m saying? I’m happy that I’m at where I’m at. But it doesn’t stop there for me … for nobody."

3. "My government name is a biblical name. It’s Nahum Grymes … My mom’s a preacher, so, you know, I ended up with the biblical name…"

4. " ["Back of My Lac"] kind of shows you, you know, the type of person that I am and the things that I’ve been through a little bit."

Dustin: What’s good J.Holiday, this is Dustin from THINK2WICE.ORG, how you doing?

What’s good with you man?

Dustin: I ain’t doing nothing much, I’m just chilling.

J.HOLIDAY INTRODUCES HIMSELF

Dustin: So first thing’s first. Tell us a little about J Holiday, the person behind the music.

J.Holiday: I’m just laid back. You know, I’m a people person, and I’m from down South so you know I’ve got down-home living in me. You know man, I’m down to earth and I just like to chill, and kick it. I like having good people around me. That’s really it. I’m a simple dude.

Dustin: Your bio says you’re originally from D.C. What was it like growing up in D.C.?

J.Holiday: It was cool. I think it was probably like any major city. By that being the nation’s capital, you know, we got to deal with a little bit more than other cities with the politics and everything. But, I mean for the most part it’s cool. I mean, I ain’t got no complaints.

Dustin: How old were you when you found out that you enjoyed singing?

J.Holiday: When I really found out that I really like doing it, I was like 14.

Dustin: That’s when you also realized you wanted to pursue it as a career?

J.Holiday: Right, yeah, exactly.

Dustin: How did you get your record deal, how were you discovered?

J.Holiday: Well, I was in a group when I was in D.C. called 295. And basically, just through my management, Corey Green, he already had connections and contacts and relationships in Atlanta already … with certain producers and stuff like that, so a couple of them came and checked us out in D.C. and they moved us down to Atlanta. And the group thing just didn’t quite work out. After the group thing, I just started working on my solo thing, and started writing songs and stuff for myself. And we sat in front of Capitol Records and they signed me on the spot.

Dustin: So how do you feel about the recent success of Bed? I mean, if you look at it, it’s blowing up pretty fast. And I know you originally came out with "Be With Me," and that generated a buzz, but Bed gave you that boost that you deserved. How do you feel about that?

J.Holiday: Man it feels good. I mean, it’s like a catch-22 because I love all of the music that I do. But with Be With Me, you know what I’m saying, of course it’s a little bit more musical than Bed. And it’s hard because it’s like, I want people to accept the musical side of me too versus just, you know, having a baby-making song. You know what I mean?

Dustin: Yeah [laughs]. But you went hard on Bed though, I’m really feeling it.

J.Holiday: Yeah, fa’ sho, fa’ sho. I mean, I try to go hard on any song that I do. But you know, it’s hard man. It’s a hard game to really break into and get people paying attention to you. So, I’m happy that they’re paying attention to me now.

Dustin: How did you and The Dream hook up to write the song?

J.Holiday: Well basically, he had already wrote like two joints. Well, me and him co-wrote this one joint called "La La" that’s on my album, and he wrote another joint called "Suffocate" that’s on my album. And basically, that was just a relationship that we already had. And anytime he would write a song, he would always, you know, bring it to me or bring me ideas or whatever. So, I just told him we needed a smash for the ladies and that’s what he came up with [laughs].

J.HOLIDAY TALKS ABOUT "BACK OF MY LAC"

"BACK OF MY LAC" - IN STORES OCTOBER 2ND, 2007!!

J.HOLIDAY TELL US WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS FOR HIM AND HIS CAREER

Dustin: What would you like to accomplish in the next 5 years? Where does J.Holiday see himself in the year 2012?

J.Holiday: By 2012, I just hope to still be here man. You know what I’m saying? I’m happy that I’m at where I’m at. But it doesn’t stop there for me … for nobody. And lately, the trip’s been a lot shorter than longer for a lot of artists, so it’s like … in 5 years, I just still want to be here.

Dustin: Would you like to expand your career into other fields, like acting, or owning your own business or anything like that?

J.Holiday: Oh, fa’ sho man. I’m very business minded and I got a lot of ideas and just a lot things I want to do. And of course, I be playing around all the time so of course I’m going to dibble and dabble into acting and maybe some sitcoms or something. I’m going to try to do as much as possible without compromising, you know, who I am, or making it look crazy, or look stupid. Because you know, some artists, just need to just leave some things alone.

Dustin: Yeah, they go too far out and it’s hard to bring them back in.

J.Holiday: Yeah, exactly, and they can’t never get back, and then don’t nobody want an album from them anymore.

Dustin: Yeah, somebody has already taken their spot from the little "break" that they took.

J.Holiday: Right, exactly.

Dustin: Are there any last words you have to the readers over at THINK2WICE?

J.Holiday: Yeah, just much appreciation, and thanks for all the love, and for anybody that’s trying to do what I’m doing … just stay true to yourself. And make sure don’t nobody change you. Perfect your craft. And just hold me down, and y’all will see me in a minute.

Dustin: Alright man, thanks for taking the time to speak with us today. I wish you the best of success.

J.Holiday: Oh, fa’ sho man.

Dustin: When does that album drop?

J.Holiday: October 2nd, "Back of My Lac!" Make sure they cop it, definitely!

Dustin: Alright, I’ll make sure I let the readers know. Thanks for speaking with us.

J.Holiday: Oh, fa’ sho man.

J Holiday

Ashleyy — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 01:02:08 -0000

J. Holiday is a preachers’ son. Raised in the church by a hardworking mother, the pull of secular music was still too much for him to ignore. Fascinated by the early ‘90s R&B vocal groups such as Boyz II Men, H-Town and Jodeci, J. Holiday soon became enamored with hip-hop, marveling in the intricate rhymes of Jay-Z and OutKast. But it was during a high school talent show when a 14-year-old Holiday knew he had a passion for singing. However, local bands were unable to recruit the budding vocalist, whose mother had plans for her son to finish school before seriously pursuing music. Two years later, J. Holiday would discover the music of Marvin Gaye, an experience he calls a "revelation."

The gifted vocalist had found his calling. Holiday skipped college and began recording demos in a local studio. He also found himself increasingly caught up in street activities, but music offered a more positive path. Soon, Holiday met up with current manager Corey Green and formed the group 295, named after the D.C. highway. Buzz for 295 was growing but by 2003 the R&B act disbanded. Fortunately for J. Holiday, his vocal prowess and dynamic stage presence was too much of a commodity to pass up. A&R veteran, Anthony "T.A" Tate, of Music Line Group (Ciara, Teairra Marie) quickly set up a meeting with Capitol Records and a deal was made on the spot.

MAA HUSBANN' NAHUM

Updates to playlist: Myy Video`sz

Ashleyy — Sun, 02 Sep 2007 04:49:50 -0000

Updates to playlist: BIG CHUNE`sz

Ashleyy — Sun, 02 Sep 2007 04:45:47 -0000