Jay “Ice Pick” Jackson Revealed
jay "ice-pick" jackson
PROFILE
Passion: Music
Occupation: Music Taste-Maker
Hometown: Harlem
Current Address: Harlem
Favorite Book: Forty Million Dollar Slaves
Favorite Movie: The Unusual Suspect
Favorite Quote: Yes, we can!
Favorite Song: Give It To Me Baby
Favorite Artist: Rick James
Favorite restaurant in Harlem: Londel’s and dish: Grilled chicken with the mustard wine sauce, sautéed spinach, and yams!
Favorite place to hangout in Harlem: 17 Below
Favorite thing to do in Harlem? Play basketball with my friends every Sunday in the park. It’s like a tradition. My boys go back to elementary school.
So I called up my long time colleague, Jay “Ice Pick” Jackson and asked him for an interview for my web site www.harlemtastemakers.com. I gave him the run down about the site, and as expected, he agreed. But I knew I would have to corner him for the interview because the life of a music exec is hectic: home today, another state tomorrow, different country the day after.
Initially, we agreed that the interview would be conducted via email. I would email him the questions and he would reply via email. After emailing him the questions, several times, I managed to pin him down and he agreed to reply immediately. He took one look at the emailed questions, hit reply, typed “Call me now!” and then he hit the send button! He let me know, too many questions, but he agreed to a phone interview at that very moment! Yes–finally!
I’ve known Jay for over 10 years and he is one of the humblest people I know in the music industry. He is extremely hard working, always positive, and doesn’t accept no as an answer. He is also very low-key, preferring to keep a low profile while working hard behind the scenes to help deliver hit records to the world. When I told him I would need a picture for the interview, he moaned and groaned. I warned him that I had a back in the day picture and it might not feature his good side. He said he would send me something… still haven’t received it {that’s the back in the day pic)! So, like any other savvy millennial baby, I googled his name and did a search for images. To my surprise, there are no flickrs of Jay on the net!! His discography popped up and his name filled up many google pages but no images. So who is this Jay “Ice Pick” Jackson?
Interview:
MW: What do you love about Harlem?
JJ: I love the history, the style, and the arrogance. People from Harlem, think they are the shit! They think they are a cut above the rest! People from Harlem think and believe that they know everything. Even though they maybe wrong, if they believe something to be true—you can’t tell them anything! You can’t argue with someone who believes something to be true! — When we speak, people listen! When you say, “I’m from Harlem,” that means something. That phrase demands your attention. There is a certain air about us. People respect us. I know when I was in high school and college and I said that to people it meant something! I didn’t really know what it meant, but people reacted, they showed me respect! —- Life in Harlem is immediate, urgent, competitive! It ages you. When you go someplace else life is slow. I just came back from Utah; there is not much to do out there. It’s not like life in Harlem, no place compares.
MW: So, you where born and raised in Harlem. Many music industry folks like yourself, who have made it in the game have moved out and gone onto the suburbs. You’re still here; tell me about your choice to be here?
JJ: I choose to live here because it is home. It is also conveniently located – a 20 minute ride from any place you want to go to. — I also told myself I would never leave if I didn’t own anything here. I want to own some property here. — The history here is so rich. I live in the mix of it all. 125th Street! Strivers Row had the uppity black lawyers and doctors. The people, the arrogance. Harlem is like a cultural Mecca. A lot of what you see today in terms of style and music comes out of Harlem. — Harlem built my character. I grew up watching hustlers who showed me that there are no limits to doing anything I wanted. They lived life like it was their last day. 10 Days of balling out for them, they experienced more than some people do their whole lives. I know I just did not want to end up in jail or murdered! I wanted to strive for more. —– It amazes me, I’m in my 30s and when I think back to when I was about 7 years, I was all over Harlem. I would travel all over, I was only seven! It was like a big neighborhood. Wherever I went in Harlem I saw people I knew, either from my building, my school, family, it was a community. It’s not like that today. As a matter of fact, I don’t even really know the people in my building. Maybe that’s my fault. Maybe I disassociated myself. I travel a lot and I am a loner. I keep to myself. I come and I go. I’m older now, my views are different. I’m more private. But there is not that much of a community feel though.
MW: What do you think of Harlem today?
JJ: Gentrification! Harlem is a beautiful place. Harlem is more diversified than when I was growing up. In 10 years, it will be even more different.
MW: How do you give back to the Harlem community?
JJ: I’m working on that. I do a lot of public speaking, but I’m still thinking of ways to make a great contribution. I travel a lot. I want to do something with the elderly.
MW: As a child, what did you dream you’d grow up to be?
JJ: WHen I was young I wanted to be a lawyer. I know if I still wanted too, I would be a great lawyer! But it was in junior high school I knew I wanted to be in the music industry. I was in a rap group. I was a rapper. So was everyone else. That was the thing! But I noticed that when I rapped I did not take myself seriously, like the others in my group! But I knew I wanted to be involved with the music, I wanted to influence the music somehow.
MW: What’s with Ice Pick?
JJ: That name comes from when I was in jewelry. I use to pick “ice” – diamonds. The name just stuck.
MW: How did you enter the game?
JJ: After graduating from college, I couldn’t find a job. I ended up working for a cleaning company. The person who owned the company was a friend of my grandmother’s. I was not happy there. I could not see myself there doing that, cleaning for the rest of my life. I just graduated from college. I was supposed to be doing better. That’s why I went to college. So, I moved on and started interning then working full-time for a party promoter who owned a jewelry store in Harlem. I was designing a ring for a “D” who is the CEO of Ruff Ryders, he was just starting out at that time. I spoke to him about working for him and the rest is history! That’s how I ended up in the mix of everything.
MW: What did you start out doing?
JJ: I started out as D’s assistant. I did everything. I did a lot of driving. This was a time when Ruff Ryders was starting out. So, I had the luxury of being in the mix of everything. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity. No one at that level would get that opportunity that I had with an established label. You don’t see that. There was a lot going on. I saw everything. I was sitting in executive meetings. Our philosophy, no excuses, let’s get it done! Nothing else.
MW: How did you find your niche?
JJ: As D’s assistant, for a business that was just starting out, I did everything. But I was always in the studio. I knew coming in what I wanted to do – influence the music. I was always in the studio. I had to get the album done. I came up with concepts for songs and helped to find beats. I wore many hats it felt like I was a partner instead of an assistant.
MW: What was your biggest obstacle to overcome?
JJ: Working with the different artists personalities. You have to know how to work with them in a non-structured environment.
MW: What was your sweetest surprise?
JJ: Album sales! Seeing the magnitude of the sales and how the world gravitated toward what we were doing.
MW: Who was the first artist that you worked with?
JJ: DMX.
MW: What was that like?
JJ: Crazy! It was a crazy time. It was a roller coaster ride — the ups and downs of making the album. It was a great experience. Very inspirational to see him evolve into a star.
MW: Are you professionally where you want to be?
JJ: Put it this way, I am where I have allowed myself to be. Everything I said I wanted to do, I did it! I believe I have chosen loyalty over monetary advancement. I am comfortable in my skin. I have not regrets.
MW: What is the ultimate destination for you in the music industry?
JJ: I want to get into radio, either hosting my own show where I can voice my own opinion about the industry or I’d like to make regular guest appearances on a show, where I can voice my opinion. I don’t want to deal with the semantics and politics of the music industry. I just want voice my opinion about the industry.
MW: Are you living your dream?
JJ: Yes! I influence the music!
MW: Who are some of the artists you’ve worked with?
JJ: Who haven’t I worked? I’ve worked with pretty much everyone in the rap game today. I also worked with Patti La Belle, Mariah Carey, Shakira, the list goes on.
MW: Can I get a copy of your discography?
JJ: I don’t do paperwork. My work and name is out there.
MW: Who are you currently working with?
JJ: Jada Kiss, Pharrell, Tiana Taylor, Deevy–he is new from Cali; he is a producer/artist and Brandon Beal — also new from Texas.
MW: Has your education and or work experience prepared you for being a music industry executive?
JJ: Yes it has, it taught me to think outside the box.
MW: What do you try to accomplish in your work?
JJ: I try to draw out of the artist that raw, uncut truth about the pain or pleasure of life, their life. A great artist is able to connect with their audience. We are humans and we connect through out feelings. This makes great music.
MW: What do you think of the music industry today?
JJ: The music today, we are disconnected from it. There is no real focus on the artist connecting with the audience. The music is not original. We live in a society that tags along with everything. It does not encourage originality. A lot of people get caught up in the mix. Everything ain’t for everybody. It’s sad because there use to be so much energy back in the day and when I started out. The music was a movement, when the underdogs got a shot and they made it we felt like we made it with them. The people inspired the music and the music inspired the people.
MW: What do you think of the future of the music industry?
JJ: Do you want me to tell you what I think, or the reality of it? (The Harlem coming out!) The industry was run by old Jewish gangsters who monopolized the distribution. The internet twisted their game. They did not embrace that change. They can’t control it, they don’t know how. Piracy is crazy, you can’t stop it. It’s crazy! There is no more money in retail for records. Virgin Mega on 42nd Street is closing in April. Many people who were working at major labels for years have lost their jobs. There will always be good music. Now is actually a great time for small entrepreneurs, online labels, and independents. Not now but RIGHT NOW! The smart will survive.
MW: How long have you been in the industry?
JJ: 10 Years.
MW: What do you enjoy most about what you do?
JJ: The creative aspect of making the song. To make a record that affects other people — it touches them. To see something that you thought about that makes people feel a certain way.
MW: Who is the biggest influence in your career?
JJ: It was really the love of the music that influenced my career not a person. I remember when I was just starting out, Bad Boy would come out with a hit, then Rockafella, then Murder Inc, then Def Row and Ruff Ryders. When one label would come out with a hit another would come back with a banger and another label would come out with another joint to top that. The music influenced me. I have to say that I was moved by Quincy Jones story when I read his autobiography. His passion for the music and his struggle to make it. It is inspirational!
MW: What is the most important lesson you learned along your career path?
JJ: Know your surroundings, know who you are dealing with and what you’re getting into.
MW: What do you consider your single most important professional achievement accomplished?
JJ: My loyalty and work ethic. The music industry is a big circle. I really believe in what I do. I stay close to the music, no gimmicks! It’s not about the check for me, my name is on the work.
MW: What is your business philosophy?
JJ: Make it happen! No excuses! By any means necessary!
MW: The biggest challenge you face today?
JJ: To stay creative and not get caught up in the politics of the industry. The hardest thing to do today in the industry is to stay sucker free.
MW: What are you doing these days?
JJ: I have my own consultant business. I offer my music development expertise and services to record labels, artists, management companies… whoever needs it. If you’re a new artist and you want to get an album made, come talk to me. If you’re a management company and you want to expand your company beyond music to other media outlets come see me. If you’re a label and you want to know what’s hot and what’s not, you definitely need to come talk to me!
MW: How is that going?
JJ: It is great! I have no complaints!
MW: What do you think of Barack Obama as the new president of the USA?
JJ: He’s got a hell of a job to ahead of him! I believe he shows kids anything is possible. He’s got a great wife to help him, which is just what he needs.
MW: What do you like doing in your free time?
JJ: Playing basketball! Of late, the past 8 months I’ve been playing a lot video games.
MW: Like?
JJ: The Call of Duty, basketball, PS3 games. They are addictive. Adults get to live out their fantasy in video games, we don’t want to let go.
MW: What book are you reading now?
JJ: The Celestine Prophecy.
MW: What are your beliefs about life in one sentence?
JJ: Do onto others as you want done to you.
MW: What major mistake from your past you do not regret?
JJ: Not taking that internship at NBC.
MW: What do you know for sure about life?
JJ: The move you make today will determine where you will be tomorrow.
MW: What do you consider your single most important personal achievement?
JJ: My daughter, being an active part of her life.
MW: Who do you admire most?
JJ: My grandmother.
MW: Why?
JJ: Throughout her life she struggled, but she kept going! She made a lot of sacrifices for her family, she was very giving!
MW: What’s the best feeling?
JJ: To know that I’ve done what I was suppose too and it had the desired effect I wanted.
MW: Elaborate?
JJ: Like when I worked with X (DMX) on either his second or 3rd album. From the ground up: picking the beats, the music, watching him work hard on the album, then watching him perform the music on stage for 20,000 people and watching them respond to the music they way we wanted them too. That is the best feeling!
MW: The worst?
JJ: Realizing that I could not make my family work, the time I lost, not having my daughter in the same household with me -— knowing I had to move on!
MW: Where do you find inspiration?
JJ: I have a picture at home of an angel that is a silhouette. He is looking over slaves picking cotton in a cotton field. I look at that picture and think if we could make it through slavery, we could make it thru anything! That picture inspires me.
MW: If you could meet one person dead or alive who would it be?
JJ: Marvin Gaye.
MW: Why?
JJ: We would have made some killer joints! I’d want to know how he did what he did, soak up his energy. He lived in a time when people inspired the music and music inspired the people.
MW: What advice would you give to someone trying to enter the music world, either as an exec or and artist?
JJ: Don’t do it for the money or fame, do it for the love.
MW: Finish this sentence: in 2020 Jay Jackson will be…….
JJ: Giving my opinion to the masses from a remote location.