Always a homie, though, a swamped datebook didn't stop Sir Jimmy from taking some time to sit down with the Kids for our latest exclusive interview. Hit the jump to read up on Jimmy and Twaan's time wasting session, where the two discuss matters ranging from his unique sound, THC as inspiration, interracial pornography, and, of course, how he wastes his time.
Twaan:
We just received Time Flys, a short EP you did with production handled by
yourself and California producer MVIAB. I think it's dope that you'd use
original production from an up and coming producer when it could be more
convenient for you to just hop on popular instrumentals. Is working with
on-the-rise producers something you aim to do?
Jimmy: Uhh… Mos def. I try to seek out new producers so my sound doesn’t stay redundant. Ain’t nothing worse than niggas who produce they own shit and everything sounds the same. I think myself a year ago.
Twaan: One thing I really enjoy about your music is that, like I said, you seem to prefer original production versus already used beats. You have your fair share of freestyles over other artists' beats, but would you say you thrive on production that was made solely for you (Reese Jones, MVIAB, yourself)?
Jimmy: Hell yeah, fam. I know when I make a beat for myself it’s more than likely gonna be a stellar song. However, with people such as MVIAB and Reese… They just get me musically so they already know what type of shit to send a nigga and we just swag from there. As far as other peoples’ beats, I feel I do just as good as the original for the fact that I know upon first listen of a song if I’d freestyle over that beat.
Twaan: When I bump a Sir Jimmy track, the main thing that sets you apart is your uniqueness. When creating music, do you try to be different, or does your distinct, unusual style come naturally?
Jimmy: I’ll say this. I don’t like making songs that sound like other people. If I did that, I might as well tell folks to listen to that music instead of my shit. But yah… it’s mostly natural. All the references, sounds, and shit y’all hear from me… Is just shit constructed out of my weirdness.
Jimmy: Uhh… Mos def. I try to seek out new producers so my sound doesn’t stay redundant. Ain’t nothing worse than niggas who produce they own shit and everything sounds the same. I think myself a year ago.
Twaan: One thing I really enjoy about your music is that, like I said, you seem to prefer original production versus already used beats. You have your fair share of freestyles over other artists' beats, but would you say you thrive on production that was made solely for you (Reese Jones, MVIAB, yourself)?
Jimmy: Hell yeah, fam. I know when I make a beat for myself it’s more than likely gonna be a stellar song. However, with people such as MVIAB and Reese… They just get me musically so they already know what type of shit to send a nigga and we just swag from there. As far as other peoples’ beats, I feel I do just as good as the original for the fact that I know upon first listen of a song if I’d freestyle over that beat.
Twaan: When I bump a Sir Jimmy track, the main thing that sets you apart is your uniqueness. When creating music, do you try to be different, or does your distinct, unusual style come naturally?
Jimmy: I’ll say this. I don’t like making songs that sound like other people. If I did that, I might as well tell folks to listen to that music instead of my shit. But yah… it’s mostly natural. All the references, sounds, and shit y’all hear from me… Is just shit constructed out of my weirdness.
Twaan: I know you don't like to limit your music
to one definition or genre, but if you could pick any one word to describe the
sound of Jimmy Astro, what would it be?
Jimmy: Awesome. I let friends and people who come over hear unreleased shit and all they can say is, “awesome.” So I’m gonna rock with that word haha.
Twaan: It seems that you're always working on the next project, and that you never take time off from music. Do you take pride in your impressive work ethic?
Jimmy: I do indeed take pride in my work ethic. I often have to remind myself to chill and enjoy other things outside of music. I probably have a good two albums worth of solo material sitting on my computer that not too many people have heard.
Twaan: This year alone, we've heard you and Fredd do VICE, you do Time Flys, and a bunch of loose tracks and features. With project names like Fairytales, Conquistador and more floating around, what's next for you? And do you plan on releasing multiple projects before year's end?
Jimmy: Honestly, the next big thing is the VICE re-release with the Black Tongue and Sequence. The former brand is out of NYC, and the second brand is from Cali. We all got coast to coast and even international inspirations and similar creeds so it was natural that we partnered up to bring folks this tape. Expect some next level shit. And Fairytales will be nothing short of wicked. Quote me.
Twaan: How does working on a solo project like Jimmy or French Fries compare to collaborating with another artist throughout an entire project like what you did with Fredd on VICE? Do you push each other to write better lyrics, make better beats, etc.?
Jimmy: Working with Fredd, he challenges me to write in a different style than what I typically write in. I enjoy it because at the end of the day, it’s fun as fuck. So yah… I would say it pushes me. As far as solo shit, I do all types of weird shit that I probably wouldn’t expose Fredd to haha.
Jimmy: Awesome. I let friends and people who come over hear unreleased shit and all they can say is, “awesome.” So I’m gonna rock with that word haha.
Twaan: It seems that you're always working on the next project, and that you never take time off from music. Do you take pride in your impressive work ethic?
Jimmy: I do indeed take pride in my work ethic. I often have to remind myself to chill and enjoy other things outside of music. I probably have a good two albums worth of solo material sitting on my computer that not too many people have heard.
Twaan: This year alone, we've heard you and Fredd do VICE, you do Time Flys, and a bunch of loose tracks and features. With project names like Fairytales, Conquistador and more floating around, what's next for you? And do you plan on releasing multiple projects before year's end?
Jimmy: Honestly, the next big thing is the VICE re-release with the Black Tongue and Sequence. The former brand is out of NYC, and the second brand is from Cali. We all got coast to coast and even international inspirations and similar creeds so it was natural that we partnered up to bring folks this tape. Expect some next level shit. And Fairytales will be nothing short of wicked. Quote me.
Twaan: How does working on a solo project like Jimmy or French Fries compare to collaborating with another artist throughout an entire project like what you did with Fredd on VICE? Do you push each other to write better lyrics, make better beats, etc.?
Jimmy: Working with Fredd, he challenges me to write in a different style than what I typically write in. I enjoy it because at the end of the day, it’s fun as fuck. So yah… I would say it pushes me. As far as solo shit, I do all types of weird shit that I probably wouldn’t expose Fredd to haha.
Twaan: Through your music and tweets, it's not hard to conclude that you're big on smoking. Are you an artist who needs to get high to complete a record, or is smoking just more of a hobby of yours?
Jimmy: Smoking has mos def become a daily habit in my life over the past year. I used to hate writing high as fuck, then I could only write high, and now it’s just whatever. I write whenever I think I have something important or dope to say….
Twaan: Until your recent decision to drop out, you previously attended the University of Tennessee. What was it like being a rapper in a college atmosphere? For us at KWT, being surrounded by college students only helps us spread the name. Did you find the campus environment beneficial in marketing your music?
Jimmy: Uhh I shall say it was helpful to a degree because on many occasions I’ve been out and about town and motherfuckers know a nigga because of my music and I have no earthly idea who these niggas are. At the same time, a lot of muhfuggers don’t know me. So I just say when I can walk around campus and get more hoes than the athletes, then I know I’ve done my campus marketing effectively.
Twaan: Did you quit school to focus more on music? Or did other factors like family, friends, etc. play a bigger role in your decision?
Jimmy: The primary reason for dropping out of school was to focus more on music. But fuck…. Things got crazy as shit from there. This past year has been the hardest and also the most rewarding year of my life and I’m only 21. I will say this though… muhfuggers treat you differently when they find out you dropped out. I be like, “Bitch ass nigga, I’m willing to bet my ACT score was higher and I averaged better grades.” Ultimately, school just wasn’t for me.
Twaan: Jimmy Astro is always on steady rotation in the KWTemple, with my personal favorite track being "Othello." If you were put in the national spotlight and were asked to perform only one song, which would you choose and why?
Jimmy: I would choose “Weed {Lungs} Pussy {Tongue}” It’s gonna be the second video from the VICE re-release and easily my favorite track. It’s Fredd goin’ ham, talking about our vices over some spaced out hype shit and it samples 2 Chainz and Beach House. Everyone that has heard it has lost their shit soooooooooooo yeah…
Twaan: I've got a few more hypothetical situations for you, so let's hear some creativity. Jimmy Astro blows up as a rapper. He's invited to the BET Awards to perform in one of their infamous group cyphers. You and five other emcees kickin' bars over a Premo beat. Which five rappers, dead or alive, do you want going in with you?
Jimmy: Cassidy, Kanye, Meech, Mikey Rocks, and Gucci Mane. Those are my choices. Love it or leave it.
Twaan: You killed the cypher. Everyone's raving about the new dude from Memphis. You score a $5 milli record deal. How do you spend the cash? Be honest.
Jimmy: Honestly, I’d just buy a comfortable apartment and pay the whole year or two. I’d give my mother and my niggas some cheddar. Then spend some money on clothes and music shit. The rest would be put toward bonds and certificates of deposit. Nigga tryna forever make money.
Twaan: 2012 is gonna be a huge year for hip hop, with big names like Rick Ross, Lupe Fiasco, Kendrick Lamar, and the G.O.O.D. Music roster all putting finishing touches on their respective projects. What 2012 album are you most looking forward to hearing?
Jimmy: Uhh…. The Kendrick one and the G.O.O.D. Music one. My fav thus far has been the Flatbush Zombies tape.
Twaan: Do you see a project like this one giving you a lot of inspiration for your own records, or are you more influenced by life and experiences?
Jimmy: I’m influenced by a lot of shit. Excellent music inspires me just as memories and situations from my past influence me. Hell, fictional stories and hypotheticals inspire me fam. I just like to make music homie!!!
Twaan: You've recently started to finally get some much deserved love for your music, showing up on popular sites like Hypetrak and even gaining international respect through a Japanese magazine. We know you're a hardworking dude, so what's it like for some big names to notice you after all that effort?
Jimmy: Uhh…. I’m thankful as fuck, but it just means I gotta work harder. I ain’t on all the blogs, radio, or all over your TV screens. The music I’m making and planning on making… I truly think it’s some positive, different sounding shit. I try to teach people the basic truths on this earth with my music.
Twaan: Do you see yourself putting out a retail project in the near future, or do you prefer to give your fans free music? If so, would your creative process or approach differ from that of your free projects or would you advance with the same mindset as a mixtape?
Jimmy: I’ll probably continue putting out free music until I’m in a position in which I know my fans would support me enough to make a monetary purchase on me. As far as project processes, I treat every tape as an album.
Twaan: Let's say you meet a person who is not a fan of your music. What do you say to them? Are you okay with their outlook or do you try to persuade them otherwise?
Jimmy: I still feel weird every time someone doesn’t like my music, but eventually I’m like whatever. There are enough people who do like my music, and plenty more that will like my music. I will never be that nigga trying to persuade someone to fuck with me. You either do or you don’t, and that’s cool with me.
Twaan: Being the Kids Wasting Time, this question was a no brainer for us: what are some things you do, on your own time, to, well, waste time?
Jimmy: I workout like fuckin’ crazy to I suppose pass time. I hate doing that but I feel so much better afterwards. I also make beats and listen to music. I watch interracial porn from time to time, and I chill with my niggas.
Twaan: Three things you can't live without on a daily basis, go.
Jimmy: Weed, music, and cleanliness.
Twaan: You seem to be a "silver lining," "always find the happy" kinda guy when it comes to your personality. What advice would you have for upcoming musicians or those who are trying to make it in the arts?
Jimmy: The most important thing is having the support of your friends and family, and separating the real from the fake. Also, never give up. I’m far from famous and that thought keeps me hella motivated to succeed.
Twaan: Jimmy Astro x KWT, always staying in touch. Until next time, a closing word for the Kids at home?
Jimmy: Much to love to all my homies over at KWT. I fuck with y’all the long way. Flight Crew and 5th Flo all fuckin’ day. Shout out to MVIAB, ICK, Wolf Pacific, and my other niggas from round the world. Also, shout out to the hipster women in the world. I do this for y’all.
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