I definitely took advantage of this quarantine to link up with the busiest guy I know. Right after this interview he had to be in LA by 7. Time was of the essence. Nonetheless, I’m very excited to feature the Best Rapper in Charlotte for the May issue of Gothika. Jah-Monte continues to show us that hard work and focus pays off in the end.
From selling out vinyls around the world - to touring the country - to having his music spun on Hot 97 - all of these things are minor achievements to a larger than life Lord, with an ultimatum for the good of Charlotte. - .darkmaster
Describe a real-life situation that inspired you?
The morning ohbliv give thanks album released one of my mangers vonnie let me ride with her to Richmond VA. I went to this record store
where ohbliv was having his listening party/ meet & greet. I watched bliv single handily sell out 60 vinyl in his HOMETOWN. Very inspiring for me.
Also mutant academy had their own official section with their music in that record store blew my mind to see.
What memorable responses have you had to your work?
This engineer or Disc jockey or whatever he does told me my vinyl price of $50 for my album that sold out around the world was too much for a local artist.
Now I’m on my 5th vinyl in one year so I forgive him for being an untapped music lover who thought I was local.
What is the best advice you’ve been given?
I’ve been traveling the country these past 10 months meeting a lot of people with wisdom and experience, t
he advice that stood out and spoke to me the most is the owner of seulful pantry told me to always remember who I am and what my mission
is as an afrikan man, stand firm on my morals in this music business, and keep everything black owned.
Did Darkmaster really make you famous?
When I started releasing music consistently Darkmaster played a major role in my success of gaining my buzz out side of NC. He filmed over 55+
videos for me, performance recaps, photo shoots. He picked me up when I totaled my baby mama whip, he’s the god father to my daughter so needless
to say I’m hitting shit if someone ever play my mans. The hardest working videographer in Charlotte I think niggas need to start checking in
with him in my opinion but whatever we up now.
Is the artistic life lonely? What do you do to counteract it?
I feel alone because I do everything myself besides Miss Amy & DJ Ray lending helping hands. Even though I’m in a “collective” I promote my
product alone, I book my shows alone, I travel alone, I pay for my artwork, beats, features etc myself. I don’t know I just be in my feelings
sometimes that’s why I need to move away and isolate for a while and clear my mind.
