Jersey hip-hop MC JPhilippe has a single out called “Bad Apple”. Actually, she’s a pretty good apple, one as distinct as a Washington red apple in a basket of pears. From the clothes that she wears when she spits onstage to her earthy lyrics, to the rawness of her beats.
Let’s go back to that “earthy lyrics” stuff that’s so exemplified by a live stage performance that she had at New York’s Meridian 23 Lounge. “I do not chase after men/I operate at my own pace,” she raps, gesturing to the crowd griot-style, and drawing cheers from the females, in a crowd made-up of mostly 20-something couples. “I feel like Machiavelli, like Tupac/I got the juice/I got every drop.”
She got every drop, alright. Check out this interview I had with her…
Kreyolicious: Having been born and raised in Jersey, do you feel that there is such a thing as a Jersey sound?
No. I do not believe there is such thing as a Jersey sound. Jersey is well-known for certain genres of music such as dance and house music. We live in a world where music from all over the world is at our fingertips. Artists in Jersey can sound like they aren’t even from Jersey because they have been exposed to other forms of music that influence their sound—such as African hip-hop and dance hall music.
Kreyolicious: Girl, what inspired your last two singles?
My last two singles where “Great” and “The Waffle Dinner”. I would say becoming more comfortable with my style of music is what inspired those records. I have always been confident in myself but I found a new level of confidence and it shows in my delivery of those two records. I know I can make hit records, and it is starting to show!
Above: JPhilippe in action in Elizabeth, New Jersey. Photo Credit: Dean Crate.
Kreyolicious: There’s a big difference between flexibility, conformity and selling out in hip-hop. What’s the one thing you would never compromise…that’s so important that you would rather give up the rap game rather than compromise it…?
I was just having this conversation with a fellow artist! One thing I will not compromise is my look. I won’t get plastic surgery on my body, bleach my skin, or any other alteration to my appearance. I do not mind getting in the gym and toning up my body to be healthier and sexier, but I will not conform to mainstream America’s standard of beauty. I will not do anything unnatural to alter my look. I do not want to wear weaves. I like my natural hair. Like I said in my song “The Waffle Dinner”, “I’m black and beautiful/Black and beautiful like I’m Naomi”. I meant that with all my heart. I do not see enough black woman who look like me being displayed in the media. Women need to see other women who look like them in the media in order to feel beautiful and confident…In order to feel that there is beauty in their features.
Above: Representing the ladies. Photo Credit: Dean Crate.
Kreyolicious: Of all the tracks you’ve spit on, which do you feel exemplify you the person?
I would have to say “Great”. That record has so much confidence and swag. As well as humor and wittiness. It really showcases my personality in a nutshell.
Kreyolicious: Which Mcs are you feeling right now?
Right now I am loving the younger generation of rap artists. Artists like Kodak Black—who is also Haitian—Lil Yatchy, D.R.A.M., and this female rapper named Dreezy that is super dope.
This concludes PART 1 of the interview with the MC. Watch out for Part 2! Meanwhile, check J. Philippe in action below
CLICK HERE TO VISIT JPhilippe’s YOUTUBE CHANNEL | JPHILIPPE ON SOUNDCLOUD | VISIT JPHILIPPE’S WEBSITE
