The Big Apple seems to be the mecca for go-getters. Upon stepping foot in New York, I almost instanteously felt this sudden urge to sell somebody something. Between the piss and pizza aroma, there's this aire [pun intended] about New York that brings out the inner hustler in all those who venture out on its streets. Look at what NY has given birth to. Hiphop. That in itself should allude to the fact that nothing but greatness can come from a place that created something as great as this culture. True to his hometown and himself, rapper/emcee Jumz (pronounced Juh ms)  has been paying homage through his music. He's been shinning since his the inception of his first project Sign Jumz-The Mixtape  and on "Shine All Day"  a collaboration w/ both ATCQ's frontsmen Q-Tip and the legendary Grandmaster Flash .He makes claims that he is, not the average indie artist. Indeed. Here's Jumz stats: Countless interviews and features for both hardcopy and in-print publications.Close to 2 millions plays on his Myspace page. A blogspot that attracts more traffic than SoHo. Good looks. Clever cadence. So in a time where "wack" seems to be the new black, him being undeniably good is making a bigger statement. Arize was fortunate enough to chop it up with Jumz and get the word from the Dominican dapper rapper himself. 

[arize] Introduce yourself homie!

JUMZ::What it do this is your boy Jumz from Washington Heights, born and raised.I am on my way to put Dominicans on the map.

[arize]I have no idea where the hell Washington Heights is...I only know about the borroughs.

JUMZ:Washington Heights in the borrough Manhattan and it sits right above Harlem, where all the Dominicans live...we just own that whole little area there.

[arize] Aiight, I got it. Okay...so I'mma jump around alot. Got some stuff I need to ask you...

JUMZ:: Cool, go 'head.

[arize] I read where you were basically giving your retirement speech, you  seemed uncertain about the industry, had some bad happenins happening.Has anything changed as far as your sentiments towards the game now that you have a bigger buzz?

JUMZ:: I mean, I am definitely not retiring now. Just when you think shit aint going right, something very good happens.I was excited about hiphop itself again.But, as far as the business is concerned, the stuff you see go down, the record deal is going to the highest bidder.When you are in, you see it and it leaves you dumb founded...you dont even wanna be in it...especially out here in NY it's like a whole different other chest match.

[arize] I see you were a bit of a party boy a minute ago.You got alot of popularity from your club promotions, throwin' some pretty big events...like how Diddy did it before he got on the music business side.

JUMZ::I used to throw parties in the city for awhile, my business savvy, me being an indie artist, I really understood the streets. The fliers, the posters, if people see you constantly they are eventually gonna wanna know what you are about...everything you see comes from me...it's me grinding it out...me perfecting my craft, drawing attention to myself

[arize] It's dope to see you get 2 million plays as a newcomer, an indie artist...

[arize]I happen to like "I am a problem" I like the west-indian feel...like how you represented...what's your favorite tracks?

JUMZ:: I am a big fan of the "Pressure" at a time where everything is so bubblegum and cheesy for me to even do a song and a video like that (it didnt get the feedback that Id like it get ) but for me to put myself out there like 100 percent, I mean...the beats all cinematic...its staccato...its poetic in a way. For the people who want to know me, "Pressure" is your best bet.

"Lookin' at myself, I feel like there's something there that is supposed to put me at the next level but I just can't find what it is right now" 

[arize] But what track represents you best at this point in your career? You know,cause you definitely made it over the I-wanna-retire hump, so what song defines JUMZ now?

JUMZ:: The track "What I do for a living" this is what I came from and this is what I do..I just wanted to drop it like boom! I'm here, I do this. This is all or nothin'

"WHAT I DO FOR A LIVING"

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[arize]:: Was rapping your first choice as a career move?

JUMZ::I was auditioning for a highschool talent show or something like that...the first time I did it live in front of people, when they heard it they wanted to hear me over and over again,but back then It was like I chose it as a career. I went to college for awhile, I couldnt even focus on class...I was in class writing raps and that was alllll I used to do. When I finally left school , i just I just cannot do like a job. I gotta be happy going to work. I cant be miserable. I wanted to pursue my dream to the fullest like if I ever look back I can say yo, I did a song with Q-tip, got friends in different states across  the country,  like...I can honestly say I can't be mad, I tried. 

"I respect the craft, very respectful of the craft, I went back and listened to all the old stuff, went back and studied it...what made those that were hot, hot and those that werent hot, what they were...feel me? " -Jumz

[arize] Is it really important to you to push the fact that you are Dominican though? You mentioned it at the top of our conversation, but in another interview you say you didn't want to be known for that...

JUMZ:: I want people to know rapper/emcee first. Then Dominican,cause it comes along with it. When you think Dominican rapper you thinkin' on some other shit...you thinkin' flag all over...colorful...real stickin' out. That's not the view I want to give people. I want people to respect me for what I do in this craft.  I don't want people to think I am hiding that.Cause I could easily show no flag and tell people Im black...and infiltrate through there. But if this game aint gonna accept me as I am then ya'll just gonna have to take it like this.

[arize] Whatchu workin' on now? What's cracckin with the STONEWATER EP? I seen the finished cover for it but...where is it?

JUMZ:: What happened with Stonewater is that it's done. I just keep changing the material...changing the songs because I feel like what's on there isn't timeless enough. I have a few tracks that im still deciding on...shit that I am working on...real picky and choosy. Like I don't even really release singles, you just caught me at a good time. But, I definitely wanna put out the StoneWater Ep out by the end of the summer or beginning of the fall.

[arize] Who makes up the bulk of your fanbase? Who's your main demographic?

JUMZ::I think right now...alot chicks hit me up [laughs] But I don't even have those types of songs yet! You know when the ladies like something, the guys usually follow. But I am surprised sometime, cause my shit is so gritty so street sometime...and they be feelin' that shit. 

"The times are a little bit better...so all the stories have already been told...the new generation can't relate to that older shit...that crack selling shit. Realistically, the kids just wanna jerk, and crank dat...that's where hiphop is at right now."

 

[arize] How many projects in all have you put out?

JUMZ:: I have actually only put out one mixtape. One ep. I am not too big on the mixtape thing. Like, if niggas don't know me they aint gonna wanna hear a 12,000 songs on one tape. Niggas aint tryin' to hear that shit. Like...why I gotta hit you with a song a day!? I aint a slave! l [laughs]

[arize] :: Damn...lol...for real.

"WHAT ABOUT YOU"

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JUMZ:: Like, don't just rap over some shit cause it's hot. Doing so much music...and for free? Spending 10g's in studio time to put it out online for free download? That's hustlin' backwards.

[arize] What's next? Shows? Tours? Deals?

JUMZ:: As far as deals go I don't wanna talk about it cause I feel like it's gonna jinx the hell outta me...haha.But I am doing alot of traveling around going to different states. I am very big on people. Like, I just want people to meet me. Its like one big research study.I go to there states, to their parties, see what they like. See what it is that they are relating to...what a massive market relates to. Right now I have a dilemna within myself because I feel like my music is a little too Eastcoast at times. I have a couple of new songs I wanna test out right here in New York city. I should be doing shows in New York, Jersey, and Boston...you know, the northeast.

[arize] Whatchu want to say to our Arize audience? Last words/shoutouts?

JUMZ:: I am not hard to reach. I am real with it.Yo if you are in a town and think your town would appreciate me.Secondary markets, third world markets, whatever...you feel like you aren't gettin' enough hiphop real shit in your town? I'm there! Calamazoo, Michigan. Omaha Nebraska...all that. Hit me up on the Myspace & Twitter. I'm real...no Hollywood shit. Cause at the end of the day it comes down to ya'll...what ya'll like. If people can't connect with you, it's like, what's the point? I just want people to know come at me! I got time for you!

[arize] Well thanks sir, you kept it 100 as always. Preciate you getting with me.

JUMZ:: It's cool. Thank ya'll. Thank you Millie. -peace

www.twitter.com/JUMZ

www.myspace.com/JUMZ

www.JUMZ.com