Introducing, Jabee for the Wu-Tang Clan x Nike Dunk High. He has just launched his latest album "The Spirit is Willing But The Flesh Is Weak". We caught up with Jabee to find out what's next for this Oklahoma legend.
Caitlyn: How did you get into music?
Jabee: I just started, you know, freestyling in school with the homies, banging on the cafeteria table, and going to the studio with my friends growing up.
Caitlyn: You mentioned the last Wu-Tang album you got in ’99- ‘00. Which one was that?
Jabee: Yeah, I don't remember what year it came out, but it was Wu Tang Forever album. The double disc and the single was “Triumph”. But that's the last one I remember; I bought the CD.
Caitlyn: Looking back, what’s the impact Wu-Tang has had on you in your career or your music in general?
Jabee: Fashion wise, I was wearing fatigues, Timberland boots, with a big old Wu-Tang necklace on. And i'm from the east side of Oklahoma City walking around looking like that. So, fashion wise, they had a really big impact on me. Music wise, it was just good to listen to something different than what most of my homies was listening to. Regionally we listen to like west coast or like down south music. I never forget watching the Triumph video for the first time and I was just hooked after that.
Caitlyn: You brought up their influence on your fashion and style. When it comes to sneaker culture, how has that played a role in your career and style?
Jabee: It’s always important to have a fresh pair of shoes on. Even my mom always told me, you can tell a lot about a person by their shoes. The most I’ve ever spent on sneakers was probably $800. I used to really be into sneaker culture and collecting. I was dating this girl back in the day and she scooped up all my shoes and threw them in the dumpster. Ever since then I stopped collecting and just buy the shoes like and wear them.
Caitlyn: If you were to have your own collab with Nike, what shoe do you think you would mess around with and why?
Jabee: I would probably do a Nike SB Low. Just because those are my favorite Nikes.
Caitlyn: Do you have a colorway in mind?
Jabee: I like Dark Black and Dark Blue, something like that. And add some Gum soles.
Caitlyn: If you could collab with any member of Wu Tang, who would it be?
Jabee: My favorite member of Wu-Tang of all time is ODB. I got ODB tagged on my chest. I just really liked his spirit, what he was about, and I don't think there's ever been an artist in music like him since.
Caitlyn: Is there anything you see yourself taking from Wu-Tang’s performance styles and implementing it into your own?
Jabee: I saw them when they were on tour in Nas in Dallas a year or two ago. I love the way their stage was built their set. The set was like New York, and I felt like I was in New York. That’s how I got the idea to do what I did for my release shows. I want to bring the audience to a place.
Caitlyn: So, you just had the album release. What’s next for you as an artist?
Jabee: I have some tour stuff I have to do. Then I'm ready for the next album. The cool thing is now that I'm on this label. I get to just like rap and then send it off. In the past, I had to do all the other things in between and afterwards. Now I have the luxury of just rapping, so I’m excited about that. Plus, what I’m doing in the community, like Livefree, and the restaurant stuff and keeping everything moving. I’m having fun.