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

Rapper JPhilippe represents Jersey with as much chirpiness as the state bird American Goldfinch. She also represents womanhood and individuality. “I’m not following any crowd,” she raps during a live stage performance at the First Republic Lounge in Elizabeth, New Jersey. “I’m just trying to make my parents proud/They think I got my heads up in the clouds,” she continues in what are the opening lines in her aptly-titled track “Clones”.

It’s clear from her stage presence that she’s no clone. She’s a prototype, actually. Dressed in a glittery, body-hugging gown that an R&B singer singing at Madison Square Garden would don, and with her hair up in a bun, the MC spits lyrical truth after lyrical truth.

But that’s just JPhilippe on stage. When listening to one of her tracks, it’s hard not to picture her grasping her mic, with an unperturbed expression on her face.

On JPhilippe’s latest song “Bad Apple”, every other line sounds like a personal development book chapter on its own. “Don’t ask for a good girl just to do her dirty”, she says giving a mini-sermon on romantic relationships. Next, she tackles colorism: “You want a red-bone/but I’m black everyday.” Oh, and gender equality too: “I’m from Adam’s rib/But I deserve a bigger plate/…To keep you on your toes/I keep dancing ballet.” And she even has some psychological self-evaluation too: “I got a good heart/Sometimes I wear on my sleeves/When I’m too kind/Too kind/They turn around and punish me.”

In Part One of the interview with JPhilippe, we discussed her latest tracks, and the so-called Jersey sound. This time around, we talk about the land of her parents, and the correlation between personal pain and creativity.

Kreyolicious: And regionally speaking…what do you think of the music scene?
The music scene is ever evolving. It is spontaneous so you never know what direction it will go in or what will be the new popular wave. Regionally, I have made a name for myself and I am proud of that. I am proud of all the artists around me who are carving they own lane and being true to their art.

Above: Rapper J. Philippe in a moment of reflection. Photo Credit: Jefly Joubert Photography. Make up by Chile.

Kreyolicious: As the daughter of Haitian immigrants, do you feel inspired by Haitian music at all?
Absolutely. My sister loves konpa, so she is always playing it around the house. I grew up listening to Haitian music in my household all the time.

Kreyolicious: You’ve been to Haiti?
Yes. I’ve gone twice this year alone. Haiti is where my heart is. Whenever I am there, I feel like this is truly where my home is because that is where my heart is. I feel connected to my roots. The beautiful views, rich culture, and delicious food keeps me coming back.

Kreyolicious: Marvin Gaye reportedly made an album when he was going through a painful divorce. Hip-hop lore has it that The Fugees created their classic The Score in a hot studio, with all the members being next to broke. And the rapper Kanye West endured a bear fatal accident before his breakthrough. When you think about all the EPs you’ve released, which was created under the most strenuous circumstances?
I would say my album The Philosophy of Philippe was created under the most strenuous circumstances. I had just came back from visiting family in Haiti. It was 2012 and I was at a crossroads in my music career and personal life. I came back from Haiti being frustrated about my relationship with my father…how strained it was—and some things he did while I was in Haiti with him that I did not like. I was not receiving the kind of support and backing I needed from the NJ music crew I was associated with at the time. I made a decision on a whim to move to ATL a few months after coming back from Haiti. I released that project two weeks before I moved. It was a hectic time in my life, but it made for great music. That time really helped me build my character.

Kreyolicious: Getting out of your comfort zone always reaps fruit. What’s next for you?
I just released a new single called “Bad Apple” on SoundCloud and I will continue to release singles until one of them catches on to a major audience! I am revamping my logo, website, and shooting music videos for “Great” and “Syrup” within the next month or two. Staying productive and creative!

This concludes PART TWO of my interview with JPhilippe. CLICK HERE if you missed PART 1.

CLICK HERE TO VISIT JPhilippe’s YOUTUBE CHANNEL | J. PHILIPPE ON SOUNDCLOUD | VISIT J. PHILIPPE’S WEBSITE