Jubi Answers a Few Questions

The moment I met Jabari Gray I had a feeling he would surprise me. A gentleman you don’t meet every day, Jabari appeared at the restaurant a little bit before the scheduled interview. Very tall and handsome with a little bit of an edge about him, Jabari quickly started chatting away about his day and his auditions. I quickly found out he just finished a shoot for a commercial and had a quite busy day ahead of him so we jumped straight to the interview. Jabari told me that he has just released his first ever music video which he was working on for the past month and which also made him ready for holidays and some well-deserved break.

What’s your last couple of weeks been like?

I spent the last weeks on final editing of my first music video for the song called “Been Around The World”. It’s been an awesome experience for me learning about production, editing and the entire process of video making. People take what they see on TV for granted but there’s a lot of work that goes behind the scenes that needs to be done before you can see the final product.

Did you experience any particular problems during the production of the video?

(Jabari laughs) Everything that could go wrong went wrong - losing locations, freakish winter snow on the day we were supposed to be shooting in open convertible. But I am glad things worked out the way they did because I learned what it really takes to have a successful production and I know which people in my personal and professional circle always have my back.

How would you rate the whole process of making the music video? From what I heard you did the whole production on your own budget and own resources.

It was an independent film project just like the album it’s supporting that I produced, wrote and directed independently. I wrote the treatment and then I contacted friends of mine who were industry professionals and told them what my project was about and what i needed to make my vision come to life; models, actors, actresses, martial artists -all great people. I came up with an idea for having a martial arts movie within a video because I wanted to showcase as many talents as possible and make it funny and interesting for both viewers and the fans.

What’s your background with martial arts?

I have been training in Russian Martial Art of Sambo for about 10 years.  I have never been the best guy but I haven’t been the worst either. I even competed in grappling and other martial arts competitions.

Are you pleased with the initial reaction to your new single?

Yeah, I am. I think it’s a new a new style, something that people haven’t heard before but people have been receptive. Feedback has been flattering.

Do you have any crazy fans or groupies?

(Jabari laughs) No, probably my craziest fan is my mother. She is properly crazy about me.

What’s your favorite song on the record?

My favorite song on the record is the title track ‘Been Around The World’ because it speaks about my love of travel, love of making friends with people from other countries and cultures and beautiful girls.

There’s a lot of competition on the music market. How do you make yourself stand out?

I feel that the niche that I am in which is reggae, hip hop and pop mixed together is not as congested genre as just straight hip hop or reggae. I don’t feel like I am doing what many people are doing. I think I am different because I am able to mix those three genres together.

What are your songs about? Do you write your own songs?

I write all of my own lyrics and my songs are principally about partying and having a good time with friends and your loved ones.

What are your musical influences?

The reggae and hip hop artists in music. I have been involved in music for so long that there are  many people I could mention. I really loved Big Youth, Bob Marley, Mighty Diamonds and LL Cool j; and I loved dancehall/reggae artists like Super Cat or Bounty Killer. These days, however, I have been mostly influenced by people I have in my life.

What are your long-term career goals?

To continue making films and music till I am old and grey.

Why suddenly music, when you’ve been working as an actor and model?

It’s not sudden; I was a musician before I was an actor. I have been making my own music since I was in high school. Door of opportunity opened wider for me in TV first. But I am not new to music. I released mixtapes in the past but I wanted to do something more substantial, more professional. I was busy earlier, with work as an attorney, actor. This year in January when I relocated to LA with the pilot season I had a lot of free time and could write and listen to music. It was just the right time.

Which one is more important to you personally – music or film?

People ask me that all the time but firstly I don’t have to choose, and secondly they are both important to me, so I am thankful I don’t have to choose. I enjoy them both equally.

Are you looking for an independent label deal or major label deal?

It doesn’t matter. I am looking for a fair deal – deal that allows me to retain my own creative, artistic control over records that I put out and allows me to make money for myself.

Any artists you would dream of performing/recording with?

Right now I’d like to perform with Shaggy or Damien Marley.

Some people say you are a bad boy. Is that true?

I am not a bad boy or bad person. My parents raised me with certain values that I hope I can live up to and treat other people the way I want to be treated while striving to be the best person I want to be. If that makes me a bad boy so be it; if that makes me a good boy so be it.

Is there any special person in your life right now?

Right now I am single but I am looking for Mrs. Right. I have always been private about my family and relationships and won’t give you any names but I am single, and dating with an eye towards finding the woman of my dreams.

Woman of your dreams?

I am looking for a woman who is kind, generous and nurturing and supportive, yet independent; beautiful, intelligent and professional. I want to settle down with a good woman. She could be from Jamaica, Bermuda or Romania. Woman’s character is more important to me than her ethnicity or nationality. Good woman is a good woman. Period.

Thank you very much for your time Jabari and we hope to see another video soon.

The pleasure was all mine.

Jabari’s new music video can be viewed here:

His EP is available on iTunes under his artist name: JUBI. (http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/been-around-the-world-ep/id490352978?ign-mpt=uo%3D4)

Interview by: June Carter John