Jai Michele
How'd You Get In The Game?
I was always into reading as a child, so naturally I've always had a love for words. Soon after I'd read every book in my home library I picked up writing poetry. Poetry was always a good release for me. It allowed me to express my emotions through ink and paper, when often times I couldn't through normal conservation. I've always liked several types of music because I listen to lyrics, a lot more than sound. To me, rap is the illest form of lyrical expression, because it combines poetry with music. It's like combining my two favorite gifts in one : word and sound.
How'd you hook up with Raw Riddim?
I'm a firm believer that things happen for a reason. In the spring semester of 2003, I decided to take a break from school, and chill back home for awhile. When I was first looking for a job, I would spend countless hours in front of my computer trying to find chat rooms to battle on. It so happens that I found the Ms. Dynamite site, and began spittin' there. I can still remember the first post from Ekwal about my background…..the rest is musical history.
Who were your influences growing up?
I was brought up in the church as a young girl, and really didn't start listening to "secular" music until I was a teenager. Even before that however, I always enjoyed Whitney Houston, and Mariah Carey. Now being that I'm not a singer, I bet you're saying that doesn't make any sense! However, in the emcee world, I have always enjoyed 2-Pac, Nas, M.C. Lyte, Lauryn Hill, and my two biggest favorites Jigga Man himself, Jay-Z, and Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott.
What made you want to be a rapper?
Let me plug one of my own verses for this question…
"I discovered the power of the mic one day//picked it up, decided just what to say".
Basically, I saw how this type of music can touch people, how it can heal you, or put a smile on your face…I've experienced that myself, and I want to be a giver next time around.
What artist and/or producer would you like to work with?
Of course, number one draft pick is Missy. Since Jay-Z, recently retired, I've decided to write each track as one to draw him back into the game…Even if not b/c of me, I would love to work with that man! Other males..Ludacris, Nelly and Sean Paul. Eve, Beyonce, Mary J., and Christina Aguilera are some more females I would like to work with. As far as producers go, I would love to work with Rodney Jerkins, Da Pied Piper, Jus Blaze!, and Swizz Beatz!