Get to know the producer jba1k...

Author: Anjelica Morales

 "I go by the name JBA1K the first 3 letters are my initials. I was born in the bay but I grew up in a small city called Manteca. Just being around other artists and producers in the Central Valley has influenced me because we have a chip on our shoulder. We’re not the bay or LA. We got that independent hustle. Shout out to all my people in the 9." For independent artists hustling in the shadows of bigger cities, things are not easy. You have to work ten times harder and have ten times more talent. This is the current situation for JBA who started playing guitar at a young age and eventually moved on to making beats.

• Do you have anyone you consider a mentor? Who are your biggest inspirations and why?
"Yeah shoutout my boy Spiff. I get hella game from him like how to move in this music shit. He put me on to my first shows in the scene out here.  Right now I’m listening to Alexander Spit, old Pro Era, TDE, Rexx Life Raj, Sonder, Yeek and of course artists in the 209. 

I owe a lot to my parents too, knowing the struggles and sacrifices they had to go through for a better life when they moved to America makes me go hard at what I do."
Every musician has a goal for there music. JBA1K says his is to build with other artists and help develop their sound. "I’m producing an album right now for Spiff and Pyro at the Sanctuary and I’m also working on a project with my boys Eli and Drew, we’re in a group called By Any Means. 

I want to open a recording studio down the line and do shows maybe go on tour one day." 

• What do you hope to convey with your music? A specific message or audience you’re trying to reach? 

"Just be yourself." 

• How have you developed thus far? What are somethings you want to change or improve? What are some things you’ve done right?

"I feel like there’s always room for improvement as a person and musician so Ima just keep it pushing and take every opportunity I can to get better. 

Networking and building relationships are a huge part of this shit and that’s something I just recently started to do. It’s not what you know it’s who you know. I think I’ve surrounded myself with the right people and everyone can add something to the table whether it be a bar, an instrumental or an idea." 
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JBA1K has a solo EP dropping before the end of the year. Check out his music below and follow him on IG!

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