Photo credit: Chris McCoy
Toronto is home to some of the most talented artists in the game, from Drake to all the talented up and comers doing their thing. Insert 26-year-old [Jahkoy](https://www.instagram.com/jahkoy/?hl=en), who is determined to put on for his city in the most positive light. Having made music since the young age of 11, it was actually Shakespeare that influenced his storytelling and songwriting.
Now, he premieres the official music video for his newest single titled “Firefighter.” The record is based on a true story of him and his struggle being in a long-distance relationship, wishing “there was touch between us right now.” With both parties feeling insecure, he took it upon himself to steer them in the right direction and fight for her love.
Jaykoy is adamant you pronounce his name right: “Juh-koy,” similar to “the boy.” With an unwavering passion for music and the creation of it, the singer-songwriter arrives very optimistic with a ton of energy—which directly spills into his records. He states, “I like to make the best out of every situation no matter how bad or how impossible the situation seems.”
Beyond his own artistry, he had the rare opportunity of writing on Lil Wayne’s “What About Me,” from _Carter V_. Plus, he has incredible cosigns from Drake to Pharell to Elton John. Flaunt caught up with Jahkoy via FaceTime to discuss his Toronto roots, new “Firefighter,” newfound independence, working with No I.D., and more!
**What sets you apart from other R&B singers?**
The style of R&B I’m influenced by, my music’s slightly left and not traditional R&B. I don't mean to make it sound negative, but it’s not your ordinary R&B. The records Pharell did with N.E.R.D are really cool, the alternative R&B. Or Syd from The Internet, her stuff isn’t very traditional but it’s got that uniqueness where it stands alone. You can hear that, my new music has developed a lot.
**Being from Toronto, what was the household like growing up?**
I moved around a lot. I was misguided growing up, influenced by the wrong crowds. I was into all the city stuff. I was the oldest of 9, there’s 9 of us. I moved around a bit from my mom to my dad, my grandma. It’s been a huge ride. To be completely fair, Toronto itself is my home. Growing up has been the best experience. I love Toronto, I love everything it’s taught me. I encourage people to go visit Toronto. A lot of homegrown talent are now being explored which I love. I get to be a part of the infant years of Toronto’s discovery.
10 years ago is when people started paying attention. Before that, people weren't even proud to be from Toronto because there’s no spotlight on it. With everything going on right now, people are embracing it more. Every year in Toronto we have this week-long festival called Caribana. People from all over the world would come and enjoy the city. People from Toronto would pretend they’re from New York so people think they’re cool or more interesting. Now more people embrace it, it’s cool to be from Toronto now. I love that part because I remember what it used to be like and what it is now.
**When’d you realize you could do music for a living?**
To be honest, I didn’t think I could. Nobody around me told me it was possible, I was wishing on a star. It crossed paths with me, it’s been the greatest. 5 years ago, I realized “this is what I’m going to do forever, I’m not doing anything else.”
**You were previously signed to Def Jam, what happened?**
Things happened at the office so the CEO stepped down. We ended up getting a new CEO, Paul Rosenberg which is Eminem’s manager. He had this vision for the label that wasn’t necessarily fitting for an R&B/pop act. They gave me the option to either stick around until they could get a team to manage my projects, or I could go. Everybody I had originally signed with was no longer at the label.
**How’s it been independent?**
Honestly, it‘s been great. A bit of a shock but now, I've become more hands-on. Before at the label, I had all the people doing the dirty work for me. Now I have to get my hands dirty and do it myself. I’m not mad, I’m learning more about the industry. I’m learning the ins and outs, the forefront and what happens behind the camera. It’s been the best. Creatively, I’m in a great space. I get to focus on my art and not feel like I have to impress anybody. At the label, I felt I had to make a song they liked or it wasn't working. Here, there’s no pressure. I make a song I like and put it out. I make music to get my feelings across.
**How’d it feel pouring your emotions in “Firefighter”?**
Putting “Firefighter” together was my most vulnerable state. It also shows the growth in my music. I went through some real feelings in this time of my life. I was in a relationship, we sparked a flame that ended up going wild. That left me with 2 options: I had to either try to tame the fire or walk away from it. I‘m trying really hard not to let go. I’m on the edge, you can tell I’m really weak at this point. I want the person to know “I’m still down to go through the fire with you, you gotta let me know you're with me.” I’ll endure the pain for the both of us.
**What’d you learn from working with No I.D.? How was it?**
No I.D. was awesome, one of my favorite people I’ve ever worked with. He’s so pro-do your thing and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. If you decide to go with someone else's plan than your own, if it doesn’t work, you only have to blame yourself. That stuck with me. No I.D. was actually part of my signing in the early stages of my career at Def Jam, I was working with No I.D. and his producers a lot. He put me in the studio with James Flaunteroy, DJ Dahi, quite a few people. It was awesome. The first studio session we ever had, No I.D. brought me to his personal studio.. We spent 7 to 8 hours talking, talked for hours straight. I told him my whole music journey from the time I was 13 up until that day, it was insane. I learned a lot from being around him, seeing how he works. Definitely good energy for me to absorb.
**How did you get to write for Lil Wayne's "What About Me" on _Carter V_?**
Back in 2015, I linked up with a good homie of mine Johnny Yukon. We linked up through Jaden (Will Smith’s son) and ended up forming a group. A collective full of producers, artists, graphic designers, photographers, you name it. Any kind of creative, we’re all in it. John and I worked on the record “What About Me.” Atlantic Records had reached out to us, they heard the record in some studio session and wanted to buy it from us. The following year 2016, we heard that Lil Wayne wanted the record. He’s really interested in it, wanted to cut the record. We didn't hear back from them until 2 months prior to it coming out. They hit me and said “we’re using this song, Lil Wayne cut the record. We got a feature on it, we need to sign off on your splits.” It happened spontaneously, that’s the power of music.
**How’s it feel to have Pharrell, Drake & Elton John cosign you?**
Honestly, I wish I could tell you how it happened. I was putting music out on SoundCloud and people were picking up my records. That’s how Jaden reached out to me, Def Jam, everyone. Everyone had found me through Soundcloud. Streaming wasn’t really big for me yet, I was still living on Soundcloud platform. I wasn’t even selling my music, I was putting out my music for free. I wanted people to hear me and get familiar about my music. My plan worked, I did it exactly how I had hoped for. Everything worked out. Good music travels, it’s a matter of when people get to hear it.
**How would you describe your fashion?**
I’m pretty basic. I’m more of a sneakerhead than clothes. I wear basic clothes: a vintage t-shirt, some jeans. I really like the Canadian tuxedo: all-denim. Denim top, denim jeans nb n n. I’m a pretty simple guy for the most part. I like my YSL boots. I can’t live without my YSL boots, they’re my favorite. And rings, I love my rings.
**What can we expect from your forthcoming EP?**
Expect the unexpected. I’m creating a lot of new sounds. I’m on a lot of the production on my new project. Not just the singing, I’m producing on the beats. I’ve only been singing for 5 years, now I’m in a comfortable place with my vocals. I’m going crazy, I’m at the prime. Expect new range, new styles, stuff that’ll get you jiggy for sure. That good stuff, some barbeque music. \[laughs\]. I’m super excited, it’s me in a new chapter in my life. I’m ready to get this music out and get everyone to hear all this goodness I’ve been working on.
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