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

SICK_MF_JAY, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Do you wish you had waited to pursue your creative career or do you wish you had started sooner?

I wish I had started my music career sooner, I’ve wanted to get serious about making music since the 7th grade.
Then in high school round 2013, I established Mutilated Music, followed by small shows I would throw on my grandmas’ driveway.
Not until 2016 when I would move to Scottsdale, AZ and begin doing shows in real venues.
… I would have started doing “real shows” and working with other artists a lot earlier if I was able to leave the rez whenever I wanted.

SICK_MF_JAY, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name’s SICK_MF_JAY. I’m from the Hopi Tribe of Northeast Arizona. Kinda in the middle of nowhere, with the nearest towns about a hundred miles away.
I’ve always been interested in music since I could remember, then around the age of ten my uncle showed me the movie Detroit Rock City. That was when I decided what I wanted to do.

Later around 7th grade I started learning to play guitar and jamming with some kids from the village who were trying to start a band. We then split up to different schools and by that time I had started writing poems and lyrics to non-existing songs.
In the first half of high school, I took guitar class knowing they do live showcase. I saw it as an opportunity to get used to playing on stage in front of a crowd.

A few of my friends who knew I wrote were trying to get me to join a poetry club around 11th grade. I didn’t agree to go at first but gave in when they told me they have contests every month with small cash prizes.
Once I won a few times, I figured I’d try putting my poems to music. Since I didn’t have a band, I turned to YouTube looking for instrumentals. I wasn’t into HipHop very much, and the kinda sounds I was into weren’t easy to find.

In 2013 started recording in my closet with my iPad playing an instrumental hooked up to an old stereo’s mic port. My vocal mic connected to a guitar amp and using my phone to record the audio.
The recordings had to be perfect, or I’d have to start all over again if one mistake was made because they were one takes.
That would be how I’d record the first three albums and around that time, I would label my style of music as Mutilated Music.

Since I’ve always wanted to play live shows, I’d need music to play. Once I got a few original songs done, I’d start having little shows on my grandma’s driveway, sometimes using a flatbed trailer as a stage with lights and fog machines collected from Spencers and Walmart.
Since I was still in high school, didn’t have a ride and was a hundred miles away from any town. I’d be stuck for a couple more years.

Once I moved to Scottsdale, Arizona around 2016, I didn’t waste any time.
Looking for events and other artists, I’d find a mentor by the name of Diva Deville. Who would introduce me to other artists in the area and help me get booked on my first few shows.

Since then, I’ve been on six national tours since 2019 with a company called The Underground Collective,
In 2021 I had a car accident but was in the middle of making an album. Once I was almost fully healed, I began to finish my project which would later turn out to be the self titled album. Which would mark the beginning of a new sound and persona.

Now in 2023 I’m working on a new album set for release October 31.
It’s also the ten-year anniversary of Mutilated Musics founding. We’re planning on some kind of event in November but times running out.
Every now and then I hit roadblocks and feel like what I’m doing doesn’t mean anything. But this is what I love to do, so I’m going to keep doing it and see where else music will take me.

– SICK_MF_JAY

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

I’ve felt like I wanted to give up or quit a few times. Sometimes it feels like I’m not making any progress or no one’s paying attention, or my family making me feel bad for choosing to do music over traditional stuff.
So I might take a break from anything music related for a few days but not very long because when I’m not doing anything besides wasting time.

I’ve always been a believer that you only get one life and shouldn’t live in fear.
My grandpa would say “You’re only young once, don’t get old and wish you would’ve done this or that because you can’t rewind time.”
I don’t want to waste any time or have any regrets that I haven’t done the most in my life.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

When I was younger, I was obsessed with Behind the Music Docs and any movie dealing with bands and their back story. Watching how kids turn into rockstars and unbelievable dreams became reality.

I didn’t want to be like everyone else and do the same old thing. Go to school, graduate, either have a family or go to more school and that would be it. That would be life.
I couldn’t see that for myself. I wanted more. I want to defy the odds and rise to greatness.

Contact Info:

• Website: linktr.ee/sick_mf_jay
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/sickk_mf_jayy?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002919628390
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/honwunu
• Merch Shop: https://mutilatedmusicshop.bigcartel.com
• SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.app.goo.gl/fx5nx

Image Credits
Mutilated Music Crew