Jackson Turner - FROM RAP OF CHINA - Representation for music.
Jackson Turner is a hip-hop artist from NYC. He is currently signed to Pantheon Elite Records and Taihe Music Group.
WELCOME TO ERA
Jackson is represented in China by Taihe Music Group. Having lived off-and-on in China for over a decade, he has built a significant fan base in Asia. Jackson speaks Chinese fluently and has even released songs written in Mandarin. His Chinese language song One Love received over 200 thousand views and his song Music Souljahs—together with MC Webber and Apex Zero—has over a million views on Chinese platforms. Jackson has appeared twice as a judge on the TV show China Hip-Hop Live and will be featured on the upcoming TV show Rap Of China (per episode views of 150 million).
Jackson has performed both in and outside the United States, including performances in the UK (London), South Africa (Capetown, Grahamstown), China (Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong), Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur, Penang) and Japan (Tokyo, Sapporo). He has toured alongside the acclaimed Boston hip-hop duo N.B.S. and received tour sponsorship from New Era.
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
What made you tryout for Rap of China?
The company that produces the show Iqiyi contacted me and personally invited to perform there in LA. They asked me to rap in both English and Chinese and so that’s what’s I did. A number of my close friends in China went on the show last year and have become super stars now. The same will most likely happen this year. I did not really want to or expect to make it very far in the show, so my goal was just to get on the first episode and raise my profile in China a bit. The whole thing was pretty chill too.
Who are some of your biggest influences in music?
As far as hiphop goes I’m a big fan of the classic New York sound. People like Nas, Big Pun and Rakim were huge influences on me. Kendrick, Cole, Anderson Pac, Royce have been more recent influences. Beyond that, I listen to all types of music. I’m particularly a fan of reggae, soul and blues music. People like Bob Marley, Damian and Stephen, Fantan Mojah, Capleton, Sizzla, Buju Banton, Chronixx, Bugle, Collie Budz, Kabaka, the Congos, the Abyssinians have all deeply moved me. And of course soul / R&B / blues artists like Aretha Franklin, Lauryn Hill, Jacob Banks, Otis Redding, Etta James, Sam Cooke, Al Green, Ray Charles, Rag N Bone Man, Howling Wolf, John Lee Hooker and Muddy Waters.
Jackson Turner: Welcome to ERA
Representation for music.
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW (CONT. BELOW)
What have been your biggest accomplishments (other than Rap of China)?
Recently my fellow label artist Donny Arcade got his album on four Billboard charts. Our song No Surrender, which is the lead single on the album, and features myself, 4Biddenknowledge and CrewZ is therefore now also on the Billboard charts. This has been a big accomplishment and honor for us all. I’m happy I could be a part of the project.
When do you plan to release new music?
I have a new album called Bare Knuckle Soul scheduled to be released this September. It is a completely new sound for me, combines boombap, trap, reggae and soul into a really dope fusion sound. I’m real excited about this project.
How did you get into music?
I first started responding to music and singing when I was in elementary school. Our music teacher would teach us a lot of African American gospel songs, as well as civil rights freedom songs. These formed the basis of my interest in music. Later when I was around 13 I started to learn to freestyle with my friends and got really deep into hiphop culture. From there, I didn’t look back.
If you were put in the emergency room what would it be for and why?
To get one of the nurses number, haha.
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