"IAR" Interview: J-Hood

J-Hood IS the streets.  While complacency seems to set in among select hip-hop artists after a certain level of notoriety is attained, J-Hood has yet to lose his drive and ambition for perfection.  As a true, respected, and often times outspoken rap vet, Joshua Hood has been persevering for years.  The Yonkers spitter is a lyricist of the highest order.  In regards to punch-lines, very few have the ability and stamina to step in the proverbial "ring" with him, much less match him bar for bar, and that's where the intrigue sets in.  After leaving D-Block and with no major label backing, J-Hood's music continuously evolves, his punch-lines get stronger, and with such an array of mixtapes and features, originality is reinvigorated through his rhymes.  The authentic essence of hip-hop is the competitive nature in the words and J-Hood competes with every line.  He's fearless, raw, thought-provoking, inquisitive, and most importantly, credible.  The NC native speaks truth of street- life experience, aspiration, and the grind it takes to become a formidable fixture in the rap game.  While he's been in hip-hop for a while, he continues to approach his hustle like a new artist on the rise.  He keeps his ear to the streets, refines his talents, and makes dope music for true RAP fans.  Above all else, his journey and music is what the entire hip-hop culture was based on.  He came in the business when it took more than a gimmick or a catchy hook to make it and he intends on raising the standard of rhyming, making other rappers refine their individual crafts and prepare for battle.  It's A Rap had the privilege of catching up with the ODG ENT. repper and with an unparalleled work ethic, his new mixtape "One Love," and an assortment of new projects dropping, J-Hood is taking rap back to the streets and making competition an integral aspect of the art form.  Artists beware.  


IAR: When did you get your start in Hip-Hop?
JH: "When I was 16."


IAR: How have you been able to transition and stay relevant as the rap game has evolved?
JH: "By the grace of God and workin' hard."


IAR: Being a lyrical rapper, where do you think Hip-Hop is now?
JH: "Confused and mislead."


IAR: What was the concept behind "One Love?"
JH: "Just to attempt to open the eyes of some consumers to the deception and illusions that these artist they praise are feeding them."


IAR: How has being independent benefitted you as an artist?
JH: "You get to handle things first hand, no middle men, and you actually witness the hard work that goes into pushing an artist without a machine behind them, so you have to act as your own machine."


IAR: What's the best project you've been a part of?
JH: "Book Of Joshua 2."


IAR: Any artists you want to work with?
JH: "Jay-Z and Kanye.  Nipsey Hussle is pretty dope as well."


IAR: Any producers you want to work with?
JH: "Hi-Tek, Kanye, and Dre."


IAR: Do you have any artists coming out on ODG?
JH: "Yes sir, stay tuned."


IAR: You've been in the game for a minute, what knowledge and wisdom have you picked up that you would give to a new-comer?
JH: "Be thick skinned, except constructive criticism, and work hard no matter what the situation you may be placed in appears to be."


IAR: Future plans/projects?
JH: "Me and Yukmouth have a EP on the way, and I also Co-Directed my first short film which we begin shooting top of June called "Perseverance."


IAR: Being such a dope lyricist, how do you approach your writing?
JH: "I just listen to the beat and try my best to be original and creative as possible."


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