What’s your stage name and where are you from?
Jhiakhana, and I’m from Saginaw, Michigan by way of New York City.
What’s the story behind your stage name?
Well, originally it was Ramesses D.B.I., which began as Ram Dibia$e like the wrestler. I was going to carry the million-dollar championship and have someone around that resembled Virgil (RIP Virgil). So I turned it into Ramesses D.B.I., and I know it sounds like a prime-time action television show, but I knew it sounded interesting. My actual birth name is Ramesses, and everyone calls me Ram because for some odd reason, seeing it on paper makes it seem so difficult to pronounce. I started calling myself Ram Giancana as an alias, like the prolific mob figure Sam Giancana, as a nod to the 90’s era where Nas would call himself Esco and the whole mafia integration into Hip Hop culture. My birth name is also used by a couple of different bands, and from a local perspective, I would receive a lot of hate, so I went back to the drawing board. Jhiakhana stuck, and I added the “J” and the unique spelling out of respect for Kool G Rap.
Describe your musical journey in three sentences.
A long, hard-fought battle.
Facing resistance for being seen as a threat.
Lifelong blood, sweat, tears, and sacrifice.
Share an interesting experience you had while creating your latest track.
I was at a club watching artists perform, and there’s this female artist I’m kind of fond of and quite smitten with. She made body contact with me, and we vibed some. I was dead tired, but I got a second wind, and at 4 a.m., I recorded my next single “Glitter Socks & Loafers.” I was so inspired. I hope she sees this.
What message do you want to convey through your music?
I want to restore the feeling of timeless music that’s going to stick with you forever. Having songs that your homies ride around to, and 20 years later, they’ll be like, “Remember this?” I want to have records that inspire a young lad to get that girl he’s been eyeing. I want to bring wordplay and technical skill back to prominence.
Tell us about a challenge you faced during production and how you overcame it.
Well, off top, what comes to mind is my “Surgical Gloves” project. It was hosted by DJ Hood, and my man DJ Snakes was supposed to scratch and mix and all that jazz. So, the day we were mixing and mastering, he decides to go rogue on us. His name was on the cover art and everything, but Hood was like, “That’s no problem.” We ended up getting DJ Grady, who’s part of QC, to do the tape, and to this day, it’s my classic, critically acclaimed, numbers-all-that magnum opus—until “Execution Te Excellence” drops.
If you could collaborate with any artist, who would it be and why?
Michael Jackson, because that was always part of the plan. But in the near future, I want to work with Styles P because I know he plans on retiring within the next two releases. Also on the list are Lloyd Banks, Westside Gunn, Mickey Diamond, Rome Streetz, Flee Lord, Stove God Cooks, Nas, Fabolous, and The Clipse. I’m trying to get that list crossed off within the next 18 months.
Where do you see your music taking you in the next year?
I see myself making a huge splash in the underground scene. I see myself getting vinyl deals and traveling around the globe. I see myself on the verge of becoming a household name. I also can see myself being the most seasoned artist to be on the freshman cover.
What’s the next big step for you as an artist?
The next big step would be to lock in a vinyl deal, distribution for CDs & cassettes, get my merchandise out there, and drop projects as frequently as possible.
Would you be interested in being featured on our Bird of Paradise Podcast for in-depth discussions?
Absolutely, positively, most certainly.
Are there any other promotional opportunities you’re looking for to boost your visibility?
More interviews, more mix shows, more podcasts. If anyone has a music broadcast show, I want in. These platforms where they have freestyles, I want in. I’m open to it all.
Where can we hear/watch your most recent work?
You can go on Paka the Plug channel to check out my most recent songs and videos. You can also check me out on Spotify, YouTube, and Apple. The name is “Jhiakhana.”
What is the best way to contact you if fans want to give feedback or if other artists/producers want to collaborate?
Instagram: @jhiakhana
Or you can email me at ramjhiakhana@gmail.com. If you guys support me and help me expand, I’ll invest in my operation, get a phone like Mike Jones, and y’all can hit me up directly.
