What’s your stage name and where are you from?
My stage name is Big Jayyy, and I’m from Knoxville, TN.

What’s the story behind your stage name?
Big Jayyy—Big came from me being a bigger guy, and Jay is a nickname, but “Jayyy” made it an easier search on socials and streaming platforms.

Describe your musical journey in three sentences.
I wrote my first verse at 8 years old. I played my first live show when I was 17. I’ve never been hungrier or wanted something more than I do now with music.

Share an interesting experience you had while creating your latest track.
My latest track, “Murdered Out,” is written from the perspective of me being the Grim Reaper. I started researching all the known folklore and mythologies surrounding the Reaper and concluded that the Reaper is a good example of “don’t kill the messenger”—he’s not the bad guy, just doing his job.

What message do you want to convey through your music?
I want people to feel like they have someone or something to relate to and find comfort in my music. I write a lot about depression, suicidal thoughts, and mental health issues. I want my audience to feel the same way I do when listening to artists who strike a chord with me and inspire me.

Tell us about a challenge you faced during production and how you overcame it.
During the writing/recording process for “Murdered Out,” I had to chop the beat and rearrange it to make my lyrics work. Syncing everything back into time and making it flow again was the challenge.

If you could collaborate with any artist, who would it be and why?
My number one pick would be Terror Reid. His flow and style are dope, and I’d love to go back and forth on a track with him, trading 8-bar sections.

Where do you see your music taking you in the next year?
In the next year, my goal is to play consistent live shows. I love performing live, and I recently opened for (hed) P.E. in Knoxville—I need to keep that momentum going.

What’s the next big step for you as an artist?
The next step would be being part of a tour. I’m working on my second album, and it’d be great if it made some waves too.

We occasionally feature artists on our Bird of Paradise Podcast for in-depth discussions. Would this be something you’re interested in exploring?
I’d absolutely be interested.

Are there any other promotional opportunities you’re looking for to boost your visibility?
I’d be up for just about anything.

Where can we hear/watch your most recent work?
You can find “Murdered Out” and the rest of my discography on any platform you use to get music.
Listen here

What is the best way to contact you if fans want to give feedback or if other artists/producers want to collaborate?
Shoot me a DM on Instagram or any other social media @BigJayyyMusic.