Sick Jacken Interview

Sick Jacken took some time out between touring and promoting his new album Stray Bullets to answer a few questions for LatinoHiphop.Org.

In awe of his longevity in the music business I focused on asking questions that may inspire and guide other fellow Latino Hip-Hop artist's.


LatinoHiphop.Org: With over 15 years in the music business and 8 albums under your belt, what advice would you give to independent Latino Hip-Hop artist's just starting out?

Sick Jacken: BE READY FOR A LONG, DIFFICULT ROAD OR GET A REGULAR JOB. WITH THE STATE OF THE BUSINESS RIGHT NOW, RECORD LABELS AREN'T HANDING OUT DEALS LIKE THEY USED TO. THEY'RE LOOKING FOR ARTISTS THAT HAVE SOMETHING GOING ON ALREADY. BUILD UP YOUR PROFILE BOTH ONLINE AND ON THE STREET, AND BRAND YOURSELF AS A COMPLETE PACKAGE. BE ORIGINAL.

LatinoHiphop.Org: What is your creative process in putting together a song, from start to finish?

Sick Jacken: I FIND A BEAT THAT MAKES MY BRAIN START GOING. ONCE THE CONCEPT IS THERE, I TRY TO FIND AN OPENING LINE THAT FITS BEST. ONCE I FIND THAT FIRST LINE, THE REST JUST FLOWS OUT. I ALWAYS LOOK FOR NEW RHYME PATTERNS AND MELODIES SO THAT IT DOESN'T SOUND THE SAME AS THE LAST SONG.

LatinoHiphop.Org: What 1 or 2 major changes do you see happening in the music industry within the next 5 years?

Sick Jacken: I SEE RECORD LABELS EITHER BEING OBSOLETE OR SURVIVING BY TAKING MORE FROM THE ARTIST THAN THEY DID BEFORE. I THINK THE BIG TOUR PROMOTERS WILL BE THE NEW HUB FOR ARTISTS, ALL THEY NEED TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN IS TO OFFER DISTRIBUTION. BECAUSE "SELLING OUT" DOESN'T GUARANTEE BIG MONEY ANYMORE, I THINK MUSIC WILL GO BACK TO BEING ORIGINAL AND CREATIVE.

Wishing you continued success!

Cristopolis Dieguez
latinohiphop.org
cristopolis.com