June 06, 2019
Jimmy October, whose real name is L’shun Emmanuel, is a 24-year-old singer, songwriter, rapper, poet and creative director from Trinidad & Tobago who explores his musical talents in transcendental ways that have redefined how we perceive the sounds we call our own.
Along with childhood friend Nicholas Subero, October formed the ‘OverDose Music Group’, a collective for like-minded creatives in Trinidad & Tobago, in which he acts as creative director overseeing the design and other projects.
His artistic versatility and experimental curiosity surely give him a unique edge as a multidimensional artist. The sort of edge that allows you to fit perfectly on a Steve Aoki album (“Kolony”) and at the same time sculpt this very tropical, melody-driven sound that he coined “New Calypso.” His first solo EP “Vacation” which was released in 2017 was the beginning of this sound. This EP is a clear representation of how he connects the dots between the things he appreciates about his native genres “Soca” & “Calypso” while blending with his “Hip Hop” and “R&B” flavours.
He partnered with Protoje’s Record Label, “In.Digg.Nation Collective”, on the release of his 2018 release entitled “Remember The Days” (Produced by “Tano & Precision Productions). Some weeks ago, I took a much-needed vacation in Maracas Bay and met up with Jimmy to remember the days and recall some aspects of the man, the music and the complexities that is Jimmy October.
Ok firstly to start off, I read and view a lot of interviews online and I realize people never ask the artistes how they’re feeling, so genuinely speaking, how are you?
JIMMY: How am I? You want the honest answer, right?
I feel misunderstood. That’s how I feel at this exact moment. I’m not gonna say it’s a bad feeling because there’s always some sort of positive that you can pull from those emotions … But right now … Misunderstood …
Who is Jimmy October and where does he come from?
JIMMY: Jimmy October came from this boy who felt like he knew he had a purpose but felt like he was so different from everybody else around. I think Jimmy October gives L’shun the confidence to show the world who he is … who he wants to be and how much he’s going to try his best to really see his purpose through.
“It’s a blessing to be able to connect to people in that way. Through your artistry.”
What made you want to pursue music?
JIMMY: I say this all the time but, music has always been the thing I’ve been in love with from the jump. As a kid, I spent a lot of time just singing songs with my mom. Like she would play her favourite songs and we would sing together all the time. Writing was how I would clear my head and get things out. It’s the first thing I ever turned to in terms of expressing myself, so I’ve held on to that ever since and well this is where I’m at now.
I can see that music is your flesh and blood however from your Instagram, I can see you take an interest in photography and fashion etc. Have you ever done work in any other art forms?
JIMMY: At some point, you start allowing yourself to really open up to other things.
There was a point when I realized that there’s so much more than just music that I can use to express myself. That’s when I started putting more energy into other aspects around the music as well – The way it’s presented to the people – you know, the art direction. I’ve helped out other artists with their creative direction as well and I would really like to do more of that type of work in the future. Helping people bring their vision to life. It’s something I’m as passionate about as my music.
What would you say inspires you to create?
“There’s this voice in me that gets me excited man. There’s a voice there right now telling me to keep creating.”
You recently released a couple of songs from the latter half of 2018 to now, how would you describe the sound of those releases as well as what you have planned?
JIMMY: The idea of this sub-genre that I call “New-Calypso” came from the moment I put the Vacation EP together in 2017. My 2018 releases “Good Love” and “Remember The Days” are a development of that sound. The next step is to evolve that even more. Not just staying in that lane but thinking forward from that sound and seeing where I can take it sonically from there. You’re definitely about to hear more genre-bending music coming from Jimmy October.
What’s your writing process like?
JIMMY: When I get a beat from a producer my next step is really to listen to it continuously until something clicks – Until I find the right groove – the right melodies – the right feeling. I usually try to get the hook (chorus) first because then it’s easier for me to figure out what else I’m gonna build around it. The process isn’t always gonna be the same but that’s usually how I try to start off. If a verse comes first, then sure I’ll run with that too. If nothing comes then I’ll hold out. I’m not into forcing music out of myself.
Was it hard finding producers that fit the sound you were looking for?
JIMMY: I wouldn’t say it was hard.
When I met my in-house producer Tano a couple of years ago I wasn’t in the space that I am right now, so this wasn’t the sound that I was chasing then. I was working with more hip-hop producers from Trinidad and I was making the music that I wanted to make at that point, but I got bored and felt like I needed to try something different. I needed a challenge and Tano was the person that was really sending beats and trying to get me to understand where I could take my sound and push the sound of whatever people think music from our country is supposed to sound like and that’s the mission we been on since. We also have another young producer working closely by the name of Brooklyn Decent who is such a super talent. I always have my ears out for new producers though. Depends on where I’m trying to go with the sound. There’s a lot of dope producers out there it’s just about timing and where my mind is at really.
As an independent artist, do you release your songs by yourself or do you have a team behind you to help with your roll-outs?
JIMMY: I’m very hands-on with my music and everything else that it encompasses. From the moment I even lay a demo down, there’s already a bunch of ideas floating around my head for the artwork, a video, how I want to bring this across to people. Every great artist has people around them helping put things together so yep, of course, I’m not doing this alone. I’m just very strong on the way I feel so mainly I’m then bringing ideas to the table and showing the vision and seeing if whoever I’m working alongside can also match up with some ideas and truly feel the project the way that I do and as I like to call it “build a world” around whatever project is at hand. Special mention goes out to my assistant for sure and much love to everyone that I’ve had the opportunity to work with thus far and that I’m going to work with, in the future – whether its graphic designers, producers, engineers, photographers, clothing brands, fashion designers and anyone that I forgot to mention. It’s all love!
Is there anything to look forward to this year from Jimmy October?
JIMMY: I wish I could but I’m not really able to speak much on anything in detail but yep music will be out as soon as I feel like it’s right and ready for the rest of the world to hear it.
INTERVIEWER: Jerel Ramsey PHOTOGRAPHER: OLAJUWON SCOTT
