That's Hip-Hop
We're 3 high school friends who share a common passion for Hip Hop. Each of us have created our own albums, performed or started our own channels, but this time, we are collaborating together to share our common bond over our love for hip hop. We are taking a journey into the music. Going album by album to dissect and share our experiences with the tracks. We release a new episode every Monday. Check us out and let us know what albums we should review next!
That's Hip-Hop
#134 JAY KASAI INTERVIEW: THE IE MUSIC SCENE, KASAI'S CATALOG & RAPPING WITH CHARLES HAMILTON
Check out @jaykasai 's Work!
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCi8pwWh3LvuXu9Q8H4l99Ag
WEBSITE: jaykasai.com
Audius: @Jaykasai
Spotify: @jaykasai
Bandamp: jaykasai.bandcamp.com
Imagine tuning in from the 909 where Nesquik and Jay Kasai effortlessly embody the Inland Empire’s heart and hustle—introducing listeners to a scene once stagnant, now pulsing with fresh energy. Jay’s introspective lyricism—delving into mental health, vulnerability, ambition, resilience—stands out amid West Coast bravado. He’s not just an artist but a bridge‑builder: elevating IE hip‑hop from basement shows to full‑blown festivals like Junth and local award stages, lifting up others even as he rises. His conversational flow echoes genuine intent: “I just want to give people a platform I wish I had,” he says earnestly, and you can feel the community-rooted passion behind those words.
The second half of the talk deep-dives into Jay’s creative process—writing song-by-song to match storyboards, spontaneous YouTube-live hour‑by‑hour creation on Save the City, and curating samples of friends’ first reactions on Volume One. He laughs about “God Complex” aging like fine wine since 2013, and grins recounting studio magic with Oh Gosh and Charles Hamilton: “He makes a beat in 15 minutes, walks away—it’s a hit.” With nods to Lupe Fiasco’s technical genius and wordplay, Jay paints himself as both meticulous and visionary. Whether crafting dark, wintry boom-bap or remixing trap beats, he’s shaping a rich, cohesive Inland Empire sound—unified, vibrant, and proud.