Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ifjams. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Ifjams, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

This story starts some years back. In 2019, I had vinyl records pressed for one of my early singles ‘SIlver.’ I used an indie presser called Groove Family Records (s/o to Andrew) who specialized in custom shaped and colored vinyls, so I decided to go with a clear, square 7in. lathe-cut vinyl. I ordered 25 of them and sold out in a day. My first physical media product, gone just like that. Shortly after my release, the world shut down because of the covid virus.

Now, fast forward about a year to the end of 2020. I was approached by Andrew about a project he was working on. A tribute album to the late John Prine, a legendary country/folk singer-songwriter from my hometown of Chicago, IL. Prine passed early in 2020, unfortunately due to covid complications after his wife tested positive for the virus early into the onset of the pandemic. So Groove Family and a local Nashville label called Devil’s Tower Records, set out to make a tribute album to the late great John Prine.

The album basically was a collection of artists from around the country covering and/or remixing songs from Mr. Prine. I was approached because one, I’m from Chicago, and two, they wanted a variety of genres on the project and my hiphop/r&b sound was something different than the artists that they had already brought on. The plan was to press them to vinyl and donate the proceeds to a local Nashville charity. So I choose my song, made my remix and sent it off. A few months later I get a message on Instagram from Andrew that says we were possibly going to get an official release on Record Store Day the next year. Record Store Day is a “holiday” for vinyl collectors, created to support local record stores and the community around them. It’s a whole thing every year with exclusive and limited edition albums being released all in an effort to strengthen the record store community. As a record collector myself for almost a decade at the time, this was huge news for me. I was elated, I was really about to have a song on an album being released for Record Store Day.

We were able to work directly with Prine’s family and estate, making this about as official of a Prine album as it could get. Everything from the album artwork, to the vinyl pressing, to the distribution, the promotion was all donated by businesses that wanted to be apart of the vision Devil’s Tower & Groove Family were trying to bring to life. They planned a release party/concert for Record Store Day that year in Nashville. I flew down there, performed my song live, and got to meet the rest of the amazing and talented artists that were also on the record.

I flew back to Chicago, still feeling the vibes from such a great trip and show. Then it happened. A week later, I remember I was at a Chinese food place, waiting for my food when I got another message from Andrew. “We’ve made it on the Billboard charts!” Along with that message is a screenshot of the Billboard Compilation Album chart for the last week, and there we were. “Kiss My Ass Goodbye” #11. We almost broke top ten on the billboard charts after selling out our limited edition album! We would’ve probably went farther if it wasn’t a limited edition, though. We simply had no other units to sell because the album was only released on vinyl, no digital release at all. Again, I’m elated. Not only did I achieve a dream of mine releasing a record nationally for Record Store Day. I’m now a billboard charting producer and engineer.

This record will forever be near and dear to my heart. I had never heard of John Prine prior to being on this album. But throughout the process he’s become a very important artist to me. I see why he was beloved by his fans and contemporaries alike and I feel connected to him in a way, being the only artist on the record actually from Chicago like he was. His music, wholly authentic, sometimes a little rough, but always full of charisma will long be remembered by his family and fans around the world. I’m blessed to have had this opportunity, and the three copies of the album I was able to get will be framed and hanging on my wall one day. Thank you Mr. Prine.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’m a multifaceted recording artist, producer, and audio engineer hailing from Chicago. A lifelong musician with an innate passion for sound, I’ve made my mark on the music industry, earning a spot on the Billboard charts and being recognized as a proud alumni of the Remix Project. Drawing inspiration from the complexities of life, love, and loss, I infuse my work with a rich emotional resonance, blending introspective lyricism with innovative production. Whether collaborating with fellow artists or crafting music in solitude, my ultimate goal is to create pieces that connect deeply with listeners, stirring both heart and soul.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

I think to support artists and a thriving creative ecosystem, society needs to pour into communities. Shortly after I decided to leave college and take my music career seriously. I was accepted into The Remix Project. A Toronto based artist development program, designed to educate and facilitate young artists in their creative journeys. Apart of the Chicago chapter, we had a private loft space with a photography and recording studio. We had lawyers, label execs, & working creatives come speak with us in weekly seminars. We had standing weekly studio access, where we had 1 on 1 sessions with our mentors and the opportunity to work on our own music. From my cohort, to the alumni and mentors I’ve met there, it was the most invaluable experience of my career. I owe a lot to Remix, mainly validating my choice to quit school and pursue a career as an artist, it’s truly my passion and I wouldn’t dream of doing anything else. But as you can imagine, having to tell your parents that you’re planning on leaving college to be a musician, wasn’t something I was excited to do.

I say all that to say, without the community I built through Remix I would absolutely not be where I am today. It gave me confidence in the art I create. It pulled back the curtain on the music business and how to properly navigate it. It gave me lifelong connections and relationships that have directly contributed to my success. These type of programs can only exist with the proper infrastructure and leadership provided by society as a whole. That means elected officials who see the value in having physical spaces and real estate dedicated to the arts. Programs for the youth that show them its possible, now more than ever, to make money with your art. Dedicated and caring professionals & educators who aren’t struggling in their own right, and can effectively provide what’s needed to their students. Unfortunately it all comes down to funding, like most things. And while the benefits of having the arts around isn’t often tangible or quantifiable. Its been proven throughout history that societies with thriving art communities flourish. It makes the world a better place.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

I think the most rewarding aspect of being a creative is simple. For me, it’s the satisfaction of translating what’s in my mind into the physical world. I’m a musician, but I’m really just a creator at heart. I’ve worked in tons of more mediums than music and turning an idea into literal reality is just a feeling that can’t be topped. I believe artists have a duty to society to make sense of our collective experience in this world. There are confusing feelings and emotions that our favorite musicians are able to put into words and make relatable. Events around the world and from the past are captured by photographers and painters that illustrate and preserve our history. Art is so valuable to us as a people, I just feel blessed to be able to call myself an artist, it’s not something I take lightly. I just want to leave something behind, something truly myself.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ifthejam.com
• Instagram: ifjams
• Youtube: ifjams
• Soundcloud: ifjams

Image Credits

Ayden Reda
Rise Above & Prosper