JASANI jacobs @shotbyjessica 2016
Jasani Jacobs, DJ, chef and culinary enthusiast, one fourth and the brains behind the Shutdown Boyz, the group of 20-something black boys taking the New York City party scene by storm. My first experience with Jasani was at a Shutdown Boyz party at a popular "venue" affectionately referred to by its address: 568 Washington avenue. I stepped into the familiar brownstone expecting a normal party experience. Top 20 trap songs, a little soca and reggae, and lots of people jumping all over me. I saw a spot over by Jasani and the DJ table and made my way over to say hello. I didn't stay long though because Jasani's next string of song choices sent me running to the dance floor and holding my phone over my head to Shazam what was coming out of the speakers. He played a bit of UK Grime (Section Boyz and Skepta), introduced me to the greatness that is Goldlink, and even brought me back to my middle school days with Paper Planes by M.I.A. Needless to say I danced my ass off and went home feeling like I'd witnessed the beginning of a major storm in the party/DJ scene. I knew I needed to shine some light on Jasani, you're welcome.
What is your name or, name that you go by? If you do go by a different name, how did you pick it and what does it mean to you?
My name is Jasani Anthony Jacobs. I go by Jasani Jacobs. I like my name a lot, my mother chose the perfect two words to put together.
What is your passion/talent?
I’m passionate about working with young people in the entertainment industry, or just like, any creative space. Before I was throwing parties and shit I was doing like, art shows. I used to help people out with their magazines and stuff like that. I guess I just like pop culture, I wanna work in pop culture. That’s what I’m passionate about. I can do multiple things, but I want to put all those things together, for the betterment of pop culture.
I started off with DJ’ing first. I used to DJ my high school parties at Erasmus. Then I got introduced to the camera sophomore year, and then I started going hard with that up until a little after I graduated high school. But then I got bored with it [photography] and DJ’ing came back into mind.
"When I die, I want my name to be lit."
What motivates you on a daily basis?
When I die, I want my name to be lit. I want niggas to be like “yo that nigga was the shit,” and if I have kids, before I die I want them to know their dad was really out here, like “yeah my dad was awesome.” I want to use the powers I have to help people. I want to have fun while I make money.
Jasani and the Shutdownboyz have already been able to use their influence and events to help people in need. In December 2015, they hosted a Christmas party that offered a reduced price for anyone that brought a spare coat. The turn up/coat drive was able to provide a pretty respectable amount of coats, some brand new even, that ended up being donated and dispersed at Jasani's mother's church.
What went into your decision to go or not go to college?
I like learning, but I like hands on learning. For the most part, you sit in class listening to lectures and that shit is boring. I was enrolled at BMCC when I got an opportunity to intern for Smokers Club, and I was shooting footage for a bunch of people, like I shot some stuff for Joey’s (Joey Bada$$) album before it was released. I got to go to some of the studio sessions, so I was like “yo, fuck class I’m about to go do this!” It was way cooler. I mean, I didn’t really get a lot of money but, it was just cooler. I feel like I just learned a lot more just seeing people from that lifestyle.
Where are you from?
I’m from Georgetown, Guyana. South America. It’s mad hot down there.
What makes you happy?
That’s a good question…I don’t know if I have an answer for that question really. Damn…I don’t know. Like, things make me happy, I just feel like I haven’t acquired true happiness, I’ve just had bursts of it.
How does being a young African American influence your life and your art?
I feel like I got more flavor than other niggas, but because I’m black or whatever I’m gonna have to do something really, really out there to get noticed.
What artists or music styles influence or inspire you?
I love grime, house, disco and trap. Reggae lives within me but these other genres I'm still exploring and looking for new sounds I haven't heard of yet. I grew up on reggae and hip hop though, so I know a lot about it.
Who is included in your support system and how does that support manifest itself?
My support system, the first person I would say is my mom. Even though she really don’t be with nothing she’s still there and that’s important. And then like, Shutdown Boyz and other friends from different walks of life.
"I guess I’m kind of in the limbo of litness right now, haha. That’s where I’m at, it’s a good place to be but you don’t wanna be there forever."
What are your thoughts on the community of young, black, underground artists in New York, and how do you see yourself in it and benefit from it?
They’re too egotistical, they need to take a fucking chill pill ‘cause nobody making bands yet. I think we got some really good people out there who could really make a difference if they were given a shot. I think I fit in okay, I’m in between the people I wanna be like and coming out of this shell, where I was kind of wack. I guess I’m kind of in the limbo of litness right now, haha. That’s where I’m at, it’s a good place to be but you don’t wanna be there forever.
Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
Touring the world, doing cool shit, not having to work for nobody, but working with people and making money like that. Everybody wants that shit. I want happiness and financial freedom in whatever way it comes, hopefully not with a 9 to 5.
Upcoming projects?
Look forward to our second residency date on August 12th, 2016 at Space Ibiza.
Recently, Shutdown Boyz were able to lock down a residency at Space Ibiza, a huge club in midtown Manhattan. This new venue offers an even bigger audience and endless opportunities for Jasani and the Shutdown Boyz (@thelevarshow, @spongethejawn, @upmagteddy) to grow and expand. I don't know about ya'll, but I'm pretty hype for a Jasani Jacobs dominated party scene, pushing the boundaries of music, DJ'ing, and what's "acceptable" for a black party. Follow him on soundcloud @jasanianthonyjacobs for his incredible mixes and music choices, and like Shutdown Boyz (@shutdownboyznyc) on Facebook for updates on events and parties.
What is your name or, name that you go by? If you do go by a different name, how did you pick it and what does it mean to you?
My name is Jasani Anthony Jacobs. I go by Jasani Jacobs. I like my name a lot, my mother chose the perfect two words to put together.
What is your passion/talent?
I’m passionate about working with young people in the entertainment industry, or just like, any creative space. Before I was throwing parties and shit I was doing like, art shows. I used to help people out with their magazines and stuff like that. I guess I just like pop culture, I wanna work in pop culture. That’s what I’m passionate about. I can do multiple things, but I want to put all those things together, for the betterment of pop culture.
I started off with DJ’ing first. I used to DJ my high school parties at Erasmus. Then I got introduced to the camera sophomore year, and then I started going hard with that up until a little after I graduated high school. But then I got bored with it [photography] and DJ’ing came back into mind.
"When I die, I want my name to be lit."
What motivates you on a daily basis?
When I die, I want my name to be lit. I want niggas to be like “yo that nigga was the shit,” and if I have kids, before I die I want them to know their dad was really out here, like “yeah my dad was awesome.” I want to use the powers I have to help people. I want to have fun while I make money.
Jasani and the Shutdownboyz have already been able to use their influence and events to help people in need. In December 2015, they hosted a Christmas party that offered a reduced price for anyone that brought a spare coat. The turn up/coat drive was able to provide a pretty respectable amount of coats, some brand new even, that ended up being donated and dispersed at Jasani's mother's church.
What went into your decision to go or not go to college?
I like learning, but I like hands on learning. For the most part, you sit in class listening to lectures and that shit is boring. I was enrolled at BMCC when I got an opportunity to intern for Smokers Club, and I was shooting footage for a bunch of people, like I shot some stuff for Joey’s (Joey Bada$$) album before it was released. I got to go to some of the studio sessions, so I was like “yo, fuck class I’m about to go do this!” It was way cooler. I mean, I didn’t really get a lot of money but, it was just cooler. I feel like I just learned a lot more just seeing people from that lifestyle.
Where are you from?
I’m from Georgetown, Guyana. South America. It’s mad hot down there.
What makes you happy?
That’s a good question…I don’t know if I have an answer for that question really. Damn…I don’t know. Like, things make me happy, I just feel like I haven’t acquired true happiness, I’ve just had bursts of it.
How does being a young African American influence your life and your art?
I feel like I got more flavor than other niggas, but because I’m black or whatever I’m gonna have to do something really, really out there to get noticed.
What artists or music styles influence or inspire you?
I love grime, house, disco and trap. Reggae lives within me but these other genres I'm still exploring and looking for new sounds I haven't heard of yet. I grew up on reggae and hip hop though, so I know a lot about it.
Who is included in your support system and how does that support manifest itself?
My support system, the first person I would say is my mom. Even though she really don’t be with nothing she’s still there and that’s important. And then like, Shutdown Boyz and other friends from different walks of life.
"I guess I’m kind of in the limbo of litness right now, haha. That’s where I’m at, it’s a good place to be but you don’t wanna be there forever."
What are your thoughts on the community of young, black, underground artists in New York, and how do you see yourself in it and benefit from it?
They’re too egotistical, they need to take a fucking chill pill ‘cause nobody making bands yet. I think we got some really good people out there who could really make a difference if they were given a shot. I think I fit in okay, I’m in between the people I wanna be like and coming out of this shell, where I was kind of wack. I guess I’m kind of in the limbo of litness right now, haha. That’s where I’m at, it’s a good place to be but you don’t wanna be there forever.
Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
Touring the world, doing cool shit, not having to work for nobody, but working with people and making money like that. Everybody wants that shit. I want happiness and financial freedom in whatever way it comes, hopefully not with a 9 to 5.
Upcoming projects?
Look forward to our second residency date on August 12th, 2016 at Space Ibiza.
Recently, Shutdown Boyz were able to lock down a residency at Space Ibiza, a huge club in midtown Manhattan. This new venue offers an even bigger audience and endless opportunities for Jasani and the Shutdown Boyz (@thelevarshow, @spongethejawn, @upmagteddy) to grow and expand. I don't know about ya'll, but I'm pretty hype for a Jasani Jacobs dominated party scene, pushing the boundaries of music, DJ'ing, and what's "acceptable" for a black party. Follow him on soundcloud @jasanianthonyjacobs for his incredible mixes and music choices, and like Shutdown Boyz (@shutdownboyznyc) on Facebook for updates on events and parties.