 Aloha and bienvenidos to Hispanic Hawaii, I'm Richard Concepcion, you host. Today's program is about Jason Exclusive. She's a hip-hop artist, NC, a blogger, and entrepreneur. She takes her time to create music, and she dedicates her time to promote others within the music industry. She was born and raised right here in Honolulu, Hawaii, and she has a unique style. And she created a style to her own personal experience and creativity. Jason, welcome to the show. Thank you so much. All right, let's start by telling me a little bit about yourself and share with me some of your experiences growing up here in Honolulu, Hawaii. Well, my name is Jason Exclusive. I'm a hip-hop artist born and raised here in Honolulu, third generation Filipino-American, and really just growing up in Hawaii just gave me a really different experience because I know a lot of people don't get to grow up going to the beach, hanging out with family, and it was very interesting that there's a hip-hop community here now sharing our stories and things like that. So that's kind of how it all starts off for me. That's good. So you have made your influence how you live here in Honolulu, Hawaii, right? So let me ask you, any other major influence that inspired you, either within your family or another artist that is a hip-hop artist, with your style and the way that you present yourself to ANC? As far as musical influences, I grew up in the late 90s to early 2000s. So I was really into Nelly, T.I., kind of that wave of music that happened during that time, and just very highly influenced. My parents were kind of young parents when they had me. They were in the early 20s when they had me. So they were listening to rap, reggae, all kinds of different stuff. So I was just always influenced by music that way. As far as content and the things I speak about in my music, a lot of it stems from growing up with my single mom, Jessica Ballinay. She's a loan officer here in Hawaii, and she's been driven. She's basically like her own entrepreneur, and that kind of just infiltrated into what I want to do and what I chose to do now. So tell me how everything started, how you got involved with this music, tell me the whole thing. I want to know. Yeah, yeah. So what happened was, when I was a junior in high school back in 2009, I was invited to spend about two to three weeks at the UC Berkeley through the Panna Institute. What it was, it was this program called Represents to Witness, or R2W. They don't have it anymore, unfortunately. But what it was is like a leadership conference for colored and multicultural youth. So Hispanic, Filipino, Asian, black, all over, from all over the United States, between the ages of about 17 to 22. Every night during that two to three week period, we had to pick an art form, whether it be singing, dancing, or writing poetry to talk about what we learned during the day. So we went to different housing projects to learn about the different communities in the lower income areas in California. We did just a lot of community work generally, and a lot of like different sociology and things like that. So just learning about different social aspects, and I can't really sing. I do play a little bit of musical instruments, but I don't really consider myself a musician. So the next best thing was spoken word. And pretty much as soon as I learned spoken word, came back home after that summer and kind of just started recording poems on GarageBand. Eventually I was like, you know, I like poetry, but I like rap a lot better. I just like the music and vibing, and it's a totally different feeling than just doing poetry. So I would say like my poetry is in the rap. So it's a different style. And why do you usually like to be a rapper and know to do something different, just sing all the time for the music? I think what really gets me about hip hop music and rap culture in general is that it's just very like, it's very honest and it's in your face, whether you like it or not, whether it's talking about partying and you know, the kind of stuff that hip hop kind of talks about women and all this kind of stuff. But at the same time, as an artist, I speak from my truth and I feel like at the core of it all, that's what hip hop is all about, is just speaking your truth, whatever it may be. And now we live in a time where it's not just gangster rappers. It's not just black kids or Hispanic kids. It's a movement that is all over the world. There's hip hop in the Philippines, all over Asia and Africa, like all over the world, even in Europe and Spain and things like that. So it's just cool to be part of the new wave of how technology has changed the industry and stuff, so it's kind of where I'm at. Well, sometimes they give the rapper, you know, a bad reputation, you know, some of the rappers are well educated and some of them, like you, you know, you write poetry and it's coming straight out from the heart. So you graduated from HPU University and you was invited to perform for the HPU competitions. And you always had the opportunity to go to LA and you participated in the Team Backpack Competition. Tell me about that competition, LA. Okay. So in 2015, I represented Hawaii in the Team Backpack Competition. Team Backpack is basically a huge platform where they have like a Facebook, a website, social media, they're really big on social media. And what they do is they basically host, well, they used to, they host a cipher draft, kind of like, like a rap Olympics sort of thing where you go to LA or New York City or one of whatever city they choose. You spend about three days there auditioning in front of judges, rapping, networking with other artists. And honestly, for me, what I learned from that was that it's not really about the competition, it was about the networking and building relationships. So that was the really big thing that I took from that. What I would like to say about that particular experience is that what I did was I created like a GoFundMe campaign, and I only needed about $1,200 to fly up there and take care of my food and hotel and stuff like that. But I actually raised like close to two grand. So with the extra money I had, instead of like blowing it or whatever, I decided to invest it back in my business. And that's how I started my website and my blog. So that's kind of what happened from there. So you think that team back part competition have made you influence what you are right now? Yeah. Like I said, I learned that a lot of times, what's it called? Up-and-coming rappers, they get caught up in the competition or getting the shout out on social media or winning this, this, and that to get internet famous and stuff. And I just realized that it's not necessarily about that for longevity and to take it seriously, it's about building the connection. That's the biggest thing that I learned there, coming from Hawaii being a female artist, being from Hawaii, being Filipino and brown and stuff like that. It was just really cool to be in that environment where everyone is just really trying to create and connect. All right, that's perfect. So let's watch the video. Okay, perfect. We have a quick video about you and the competition. Yeah, cool. So I'm on the gate. See you guys soon. Got my official name tag. Shout out to everyone here at Mission Underground. Can't wait to meet everyone. Peace. You doing this? See you guys soon. No, Sinatra. No, Shakespeare. Let's be honest, we don't know how long we'll be here. Don't believe in fairy tales. All I have for months is on crack. Don't be talked to living so high only at once. How's that? You want to yell me a tune? Go to work in the school. But I'm standing from a country I ain't never been to. So then they gave me a tune. Told me I'll pay for my schooling. Signing like the Uncle Sharon on the bracket. We threw it out of the suit and it got off. Not trying to show off. I love that video. I see the crowd so into it, especially when you say from Hawaii, very supportive. So let's talk about the HPU performance. So you graduated from HPU and you was able to perform for that free show. And I want to know what it was running to your mind when you was working to stage, to perform in front of your peers and friends, and what was the reaction of the crowd and the message that you was sending to your fellow friends? Well, first off, I have to give a huge shout out to Hawaii Pacific University and the Student Life program there and their partnership with Hawaii Theater because they host their annual talent show, which is called The Freak Show. That's for students and faculty to kind of just have a fun night and perform and showcase their talents. I started doing that in the, I think the spring of 2014. And pretty much from that point on, I performed for the next three years as a student while going to team backpack and things like that. But then this year, this past March, I actually got called back since I'm already graduated. I got called back to be kind of like the closing act. So I went from being like, you know, just part of the lineup to being the main act at the end of the night. So I was just really humbled by that experience and just to be able to perform in front of the HPU students. And they're a really super cool crowd. So I just, I always like it. And it's really cool that I get to, I've gotten to perform at such a historic venue, being local and being a student and everything. So that was really fun. That's an inspiration to the students as well, you know. So let's watch the video you performed for the school. Perfect. A couple years ago, I went and wrote my first poem. Hawaii kid in San Francisco had a problem with boredom. Never could just keep still. Always had to do something from writing a drawing to something worth loving. Thinking back to old days, waiting up for my mom. Coming on from night class, I'd open up the garage, turned off the car and parked it. She greeted me smiling. Didn't have to say nothing, said, baby, keep trying. Next morning, waking up, grandpa knocking on my door, said, go on, get ready, grandma made breakfast, I'm sure. At the time, I didn't know what was happening. Now that I'm grown, I have these memories. I wish we could go back again, but all that in God's plan was leading me here. I don't know what this really is. I just put music in your ears and I'm hoping that you love it. This one's for all my siblings and all of my cousins. Know that I can't carry the world, but I can make your burdens lighter. These words carry love that can lift you up higher. And to anyone you lose in your process, remember that without struggle, there is no progress. That was great. So tell me, what was the main message? Because you finished with saying that we got a struggle in order for you to grow. What do you mean by that? Yeah. You had a lot of struggle in your life and that's what the whole song was all about. So that song that I performed is called Roll Another. And it's actually a remix to this other Filipino Canadian rapper named Pride. He has a song called Roll Another. I wrote my own lyrics to his song and stuff. So basically, a lot of my music and that song in particular just talks about the different struggles that I faced growing up and stuff like that. And I just like to put it out there to inspire people that no matter where you come from, no matter your parental or financial situation that you come from, you can do whatever you want. And it takes taking the step, taking a leap of faith and just working hard. And that's why I'm here today and why I'm talking to you. And I'm just really grateful for the opportunities that have happened in the last couple of years, especially for music and stuff. That's perfect. OK, we're going to take a quick break. And when we come back, we're going to continue talking to story about just saying exclusive. We have this crazy thing going on today. I was just walking by and all these DJs and producers are set up all around the city. I just walked by and I said, what's happening, guys? They told me they were making music. You're doing well. So we're doing it. Welcome back. We're here with just saying exclusive talking story. So let's talk about your new release, Palm Tree. Why the title of that? OK, so the Palm Tree's EP is actually a collaborative EP between me and my friend, Young Dedicated Proper, also known as YDP. She's another Bay Area based hip hop artist, entertainer, videographer, another very talented young female out in the Bay Area. I actually met her at Team Backpack. So we've been kind of exchanging, you know, doing a little different songs here and there for the last two years or so. And back in, I'll talk about this a little later, but back in December, I went to go visit the Bay Area with my mom and then me and YDP shot a video. And, you know, we kind of just always vibe together with each other. We have a very similar message, kind of just very similar on a lot of artistic levels. So we decided to kind of put our fan bases together, put our resources and all that all together and we created Palm Trees. It kind of started off as like a 420-styled EP, but what happened was she actually tragically lost her sister during this process a few months ago. And we decided to continue pushing the project. So on one of the songs, Money, we actually kind of like attributed that song to her sister, Rashonda Franklin. And that's why we say in the Money song, we say, Diamonds Are Forever, that was kind of like her tagline. That was like her Instagram name and things like that. So yeah, so that's kind of what's happening. And really why we're pushing this is because we're pushing the funding and the different sales we get from merchandise and from this project. It's gonna help build the college funds for her two sons who are still alive. So yeah, so that's kind of what Palm Trees is all about. So how many songs is in the Palm Trees? Yeah, so Palm Trees is just an EP, so it's four tracks. It has my single Morning Vibes, which you guys are gonna play. And then YDP's single My Year. And then it has our two collab tracks, Money, that I just mentioned, and Jammin, which I just put out a promo video for last night. So it's all on my website and stuff. Let's talk about that one. You know, Money Vibes, tell me about that. About which one? About the first one, you know, the Vibes, Money Vibes? Yeah, so Morning Vibes. It wasn't initially supposed to be on Palm Trees, but as we were figuring out what solo track to put on to kind of showcase our own style. I just decided to choose Morning Vibes because it kept the 420 kind of laid back type of vibes. I wrote that song kind of when I was graduating college last year. So just kind of like letting go of a lot of stuff and just detaching. Detaching from everything. And then like I said, we shot the video in the Bay Area, so that was really cool. Yeah. All right, let's watch the video then. Let's see what it do. I can tell the new people around me trying to get up all in my level. Hydro-Ponic, supersonic, so high I ain't really finna settle down. Downtown and I hit the scene, going loco off of that loco, up in the cut. Don't give a f***, drinking out my cup is red solo. Taking a dick, taking a hit, homie, I'm lit while I'm telling you this. Take care of your kids, hide all your s***. You head out and catch you a lift, cuz they finna come. And then stress comes, we all working towards that lump sum. And I done done some that I'm not, uh-uh-uh. Never mind that, give me that. Oh wow, you have so many different styles. So every song and, you know, and the palm trees have different rhythm and different beat and different styles. Oh wow, perfect. So let's talk about your new single. Okay, perfect. The name, The Real. The Real, okay. So The Real, first thing, Palm Trees is actually out now on Spotify, iTunes, all digital music platforms, so you guys can just search it up. Young Dedicated, Proper, Orange is not exclusive, whichever one you choose. What's it called? So The Real, I actually released kind of alongside Palm Trees E.B., kind of like my own solo follow-up to the collaboration EP. This one is produced by Bombs. He's another Filipino rapper and producer from Kalihi, but he currently lives with his family in Las Vegas. He's kind of like a pretty well-known emcee in the Hawai'i scene and like in Las Vegas too. So he's been an inspiration for me for a number of years, so it was really cool to work with him as a producer. He actually also did the artwork too, so just a lot of, I mean, you know, a lot of artists, they're just multifaceted. So that's really kind of what inspires me to do it. But The Real, I guess lyrically is kind of, it has like a more gangsta vibe and I'm just like talking about how dope I am and stuff. So I'm just saying that, you know, I'm doing it for The Real Reason, which is like my own reason. I do it for, you know, my own self, my own family, my own reasons. And that's what I feel like hip-hop is all about, staying true to yourself and just keeping it real. You're very passionate about it. You're real to The Real, right? So let's talk about being a blogger. You do blogger and that keeps you really, really busy. And how can you keep, you know, straight, normal liar, we say, blogging all the time. What's blogging is all about? Plus, what is the OTD hip-hop? Okay, okay. So like I said, after the Team Backpack thing, I told you I raised money from my GoFundMe campaign. I put the money, extra money into building my website and my blog. So I design and edit and upkeep my own website and blog. What I like to call myself is that I'm a freelance creator. I create music. I create, you know, written stuff and articles and blogs and stuff. But I also curate, so that means that I help facilitate other artists and promoting their own stuff. So OTD hip-hop stands for On the Daily Hip-Hop and eventually I kind of see myself branching off into other different stuff. But basically, OTD hip-hop is just a platform and blog for other artists from all around the world to feature their music, their videos. I do track reviews, all types of different stuff, album reviews. I do full-length features. I write artist biographies. I do a lot of stuff. I mean, that's what I went to school for. I went to school for marketing. I interned with BAMP Project for a semester, so I learned a lot about the music and then just doing music in general. So I just always felt that Hawaii lacks a, what's it called, a platform for artists to put their music out just the way they want to. So, yeah. So you're busy creating music? You're busy promoting all the way to the music? Yes. So tell me about this year you got the Promoting Award from the SCM. Okay. Yeah, so the SCM awards I actually found out through my friend Alley Kat, who is another Hawaii-based rapper. But she actually lives back in the Bay Area now. But she's a really good friend of mine. She's actually part of the Morning Vibes video with YDP in the Bay Area. Anyway, she told me about the SCM awards and she actually, what's it called, sponsored me or voted for me for a promoter of the year. Actually, I think it was supposed to be like blogger of the year, but I guess somehow in the way it kind of turned into promoter of the year. So that was really cool because I'm like, wow, I don't even really consider myself a promoter. But because I guess I promote a lot of artists on my own and on my own platforms, that's why I was nominated and voted for. Super cool for that. There was a lot of other local artists too. SCM is a program in Tennessee, I believe. That is kind of similar to Team Backpack where they give artists a platform to get recognized for their work and stuff. So we had, I think, Rude Boy Radio, which is shango and Lamar Mac here. In Honolulu, they were voted for like best internet radio or something like that. We also had a bunch of other local artists from Hawaii. Alright, perfect. Well, I've seen that you very basic creative music and video. Let me show the video from the last six month video that you created a few songs. Let's watch that video. Way too lifted. Never gonna let go. Always do my potential. Always do my fate. Mama told me all them car rides home all you really need is faith. Faith in God. Faith in you. Faith in everything. How you like me now? Like woo. How you like me now? How you like me now? Like woo. How you like me now? How you like me now? Like woo. I've been up way too long writing these songs. They singin' along. Chiefin' the earth. Passin' the bomb. Keepin' it real. That's worse than my mama's. Another day, another argument. Honestly, it seemed to be what the problem is. So we fuckin' shit like a arsonist. Praying that it'll burn us out of this. Ain't got one clue how hard it is. Put my money in my life from a heart in this. Fuck all that. It's a business. 24-7 tryin' to get rich. Tryin' to buy a house in my hometown. Time to take my shit. Bro, now. Can't spend too long staying local. I'm tryin' to see the world global. I got this shit done to a science. Online cuz I'm always replying. Back to back. Even took a trip up to Team Backpack. L.A. That was 2015. 2016, I was gettin' high feet. 2017, time to see the Philippines. Isos. Like Isos. That Isis. That white man gon' guide us. Once again, my people be brainwashed. Turnin' the love got me hella rich. Making music effortless. Yeah, you stay with me through the whole damn thing. It was just a dream. We be watchin' Will of Fortune. Steady doin' our own thing. Cuz you gotta get to work. They askin' me to sing. I might just cash it all. So I could buy you anything you ever wanted. Here we go. Arguments. Real love challenges. I guess it's just the art of it. The heart of it. Lovin' me. Lovin' you. Yeah. Been waitin' my whole life for someone to get my heart too. Straight up. Why you be like that? Hey, baby, why you be like that? Just relax, relax. Why you be like that? Hey, baby, why you be like that? Just relax, relax. Why you be like that? Yeah, I never smoke cigarettes. Hella cloudy silhouettes. No, you got hella stress. Hope I still make it. But your eyes done cried too many times over me. I'm just tryin' to be everything she never was. Everything she didn't do. Fightin' every excuse. Can never ever lose you. What you sayin'? I love your videos. I love your production. Thank you. I wish I had more time to show every video that you created so far. But let me ask you the last question before we say goodbye. Okay. What is the future of you sayin'? Alright. Right now, I'm just really tryin' to continue building my brand as a performance and recording artist. You know, I record all my own music. I don't really produce my own beats or whatever. But like I said, you see on my videos, I record from my own home. My outsource, like videography and stuff like that. But I just do a lot of different things and really just tryin' to elevate my brand. Right now, I'm the owner of SkyLex Entertainment, which is kind of like the company that I'm using or music label that I'm using to push all of my music and entrepreneur endeavors. So from my music to my blog to my actual, my visuals company that I just recently opened to is Third Eye Films. So I do some head shots for small businesses and artists. So I'm just doing a lot of different things musically, with media, with marketing. Just tryin' to monetize all of my different skills. And I just continue to keep building on top of that. So really, that's what it's all about. So somebody wanted to get in contact with you how they can do that. Yep. So you can check me out. Pretty much all of my social media is Jazan Exclusive. And then on my website and blog, JazanExclusive.com, really everything is all on there. Yeah. Well, I want to say thank you so much for coming to Hispanic Hawaii and share with us, you know, your experience and your talent. Well, it's time for me to say goodbye. And thank you so much for being with Hispanic Hawaii. And don't forget, if you miss your show, you can go to Think Tech Hawaii and re-watch it there. Or you want to get in contact with me, write to me. I reach concept at gmail.com. And thank you so much. Aloha.