23 Feb BLVK JVCK Pushes Himself With His Creativity

BLVK JVCK Pushes Himself With His Creativity

By Danielle Ilag

*This interview is older and was in our Issue 65 magazine.

Jermaine “Mayne Zayne” Jackson, now better known as BLVK JVCK, is the Florida-based artist who was previously part of the production team, The Runners. After years of working with high-profile hip-hop and R&B artists, his creative vibe has now led him on his artist project making hoodstep music, a combination of hard bass music with hood music. While having experience with CDJs, he’s getting more confident in his skills after every show as it’s kind of like muscle memory.

Luckily for him, inspiration is found in all types of places. He loves working with songwriters as they come in with a theme or idea he can build on. He builds the production around that energy. BLVK JVCK has entered a new era in music and he’s continuing to create hit records alongside some of the biggest names in music. 

While he started 2020 on tour, he’s dropping new singles every month all year long. You don’t want to miss out on BLVK JVCK. His biggest year is yet to come!

How was music a part of your life growing up? 

I grew up in Vero Beach, Florida. My mom is a preacher and I learned a lot about music in the church. When I was 15 years old she bought me a Korg Triton and I learned to make beats on it.

How did you create the name BLVK JVCK?

When I decided to start an electronic music project I wanted to come up with a dope name. Nothing was coming to mind, but then one night the name came to me in my dream. I woke up and wrote it down.

How did you transition from hip-hop to EDM? Was there a turning point when you realized you wanted to start your current artist project?

I just love to push myself when it comes to my creativity. I started in hip-hop and then slowly was inspired to create music for different genres. I wanted to be able to perform my music and EDM was the perfect way for me to accomplish that.

Where was your setting for the Digital Mirage: Friendsgiving and how did you prepare for this set?

We shot it in my recording studio. We just finished construction on it and it has a dope vibe to it. When I put a set together I also try to bring as much energy as possible and I always keep hip-hop in the vibe.

Can you walk me through what it was like creating “TikTok?”

Riot Ten reached out to me for a collaboration and said he could reach out to $teven Cannon for a verse! So, I sent over some hip-hop tracks I felt Steve could rip down! We got two songs back from Steve and one song stood out to me and Chris (Riot Ten), but we both felt that the production behind it could be so much better so we stripped it down and started going back and forth until we got what you know as “TikTok!”

How do you choose which tracks you remix? Is there something specific that you’re looking for?

Ya fasho. The original has to make me feel something. It has to inspire me. I also tend to pick songs that have a hip-hop vibe to them or that I feel would sound super dope with a hip-hop vibe behind them.

What was the inspiration behind “WHVT?” What was your thought process behind this track?

I have a crazy story about this song. I just finished a performance in Atlanta, and as I’m walking away from the DJ booth my videographer, Preme, started chanting “WHAT WHAT WHAT WHAT!” We looked at each other and said this is a crazy idea. I came back to Miami and built the song around the vocal idea.

What has been your most enjoyable song to write and why?

I’m selfish when it comes to my music. I love all the songs!

How do you get yourself into the vibe to produce music?

By working in my studio because I set the vibe. I think being in my vibe brings out the best in me as a producer. I’ve been doing this for a minute and when it comes time for me to snap into the creative mode I can turn it on fast. It’s something I have perfected over the years.

What is your creative process like?

It varies. Sometimes I start with chords or sometimes I will start with drums. An entire song can be built around one vocal idea. I just find something that spurs creativity and then I build off of it.

What habits have you formed that have either directly or indirectly helped you become a better producer?

A healthy lifestyle. Good sleep and exercise go a long way. Early in my career, I would stay up for days in the studio, but it was counterproductive. It’s all about balance.

How has COVID-19 affected your life as a producer?

It definitely fucked up the touring element of my career, which sucks because that’s such an important part of this genre. As far as producing music, it definitely put me in heavy creative mode. Doing sessions with artists and writers has been more challenging because it’s risky being in small rooms with people and most people don’t want to travel down to Miami to work.

What is your day-to-day schedule like? What hobbies do you enjoy?

I wake up and work out. I have a home gym that I put in my garage because I’m not comfortable going to the gym. After I workout I spend time training my two dogs, Mango and Rambo. They are both Belgian Malinois. I have always loved dogs, but training them is something I really got into the last two years. Then I hit the studio and work till the evening.

You have a record with Trippie Redd and another one ft. Jordan Hollywood and Lil Baby. What can you tell us about these records that are going to shake the planet?

With these two songs, I really focused on making something that’s catchy and has the potential to be a hit record. My entire career has been built around making massive songs and that was my goal with these two songs.

Who are some EDM artists that you would like to collaborate with that you haven’t worked with yet?

Carnage would be dope. Skrillex would definitely be one of my top picks.

If you could change anything about the music industry, what would it be?

I think the most challenging part of the music business is dealing with people, but that’s something that can’t be changed.

How has producing changed the way you listen to music now?

When I listen to music now I kind of study it. I break down the song in my head. It’s harder to be a passive listener at this point in my career.

How do you as an artist make an impact on your fans now?

Keep giving them fire music and give them something to relate to. Everyone is going through tough times right now and music is a great way to help people stay in a healthy mental state.

What’s your dream festival you’re hoping to play one day, and why?

Coachella’s main stage because Coachella brings together so many different types of music fans. It’s not just EDM fans that attend.

Do you have any exciting projects you’re working on right now? What do you have coming up in the pipeline?

Besides the BLVK JVCK project, we started a new pub company and partnered with Warner Chappell. We are also looking to sign new artists and develop/break them.

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