Jason V. Bonner II / Jay.Quest / 22 / Goose Creek, S.C.
Q.) What is your name/stage name?
A.) “My name is Jason V. Bonner II, but my stage name is
‘ Jay.Quest ‘.“
Q.) Where are you located?
A.) “I’m currently moving and making music in the Goose Creek area, but plan to start branching out to the Charlotte and Atlanta area very soon.“
Q.) What is the meaning behind your name?
A.) “Lil Jay was a childhood nickname, and quest cause the life I live, and the fulfillment of my purpose is a journey, and I think it will be quite an entertaining one for myself, and anyone else of pure intentions who joins the ride.“
Q.) What are your roles within the music industry?
A.) “I consider myself to be a renaissance man in the industry simply because I make it my clear intention to sound like myself in my music, and really convey what I consider to be my pure vision for my art and the influence and energy I wanna spread to the people through my brand. I also want to be a source of pride for the culture, considering I take my time and put my full effort into producing a solid body of work, and consistently satisfying pieces of content in a timely manner. In the end, I intend to be an influencer of the culture, a marker of great music and genuine, cooperative work, and an artist that’s solidified as one the greats, that can usher in the new generation as they come into the game.“
Q.) What got you into music?
A.) “I got into rap music because my dad attempted to have a music career, but then chose to properly raise me instead, so I always thank him for that, plus his taste in music helped me find my own, and through listening to nonstop rap, learning my favorite songs, and being someone who naturally liked to write and create art and stories, makin music was the obvious next step.“
Q.) What type of music do you make?
A.) “I make rap more than hip hop, but I definitely do both, as well as some R&B. I definitely want to collaborate more with and feel out how I can be a cohesive part of other genres and experiment with the ones I contribute to now. “
Q.) How long have you been making music?
A.) “I have been interested in, and building up my skills to participate in the industry since I was 14, but I didn’t start taking myself seriously and creating my own pieces of music until early 2018. So, I’ve been making music for four years now.“
Q.) What are you making music for?
A.) “I started out just making music for myself, then felt myself transition into a mindset of building my music for whom I would want to consume it, and now I would say I just create what comes naturally to me as I listen to the beat over and over and construct flows and hooks, I can really be happy with and proud to share with the world. And in doing so, I only hope that the genuine nature of my work brings the people in.“
Q.) What’s driving you?
A.) “I am driven by my amazing family, my very supportive partner, and by the idea that I am meant to entertain the masses of people put here on this Earth with me in as many ways as possible for as long as I can. I want to be able to bless hundreds of thousands of people with a great service, with a great product, and with unforgettable experiences.“
Q.) Who are your biggest supporters?
A.) “A lot of my biggest supporters are inner circle family, and a few connections I’ve made along the way, but I definitely think that most who experience my music will end up being my next big supporters.“
Q.) Are you signed to a label?
A.) “No, and the only labels I would consider signing to right now are Dreamville, TDE, or Shady Records. Other than those, there would have to be some serious talks and combing over of the details before anything got signed. I’m primarily looking to sign myself, then use a distribution deal through my own label to get the snowball going.“
Q.) Do you want a record deal, a distribution deal, or none?
A.) “Ideally I just want a distribution deal, that way I could run everything through my own label and really start my career off on more of a self-owned foundation. But I also understand how strategy can be put in play in the industry, and would not block a blessing as long as things worked out mutually well for all parties involved.“
Q.) Who are some features that you have?
A.) “I haven’t had many features yet, but I don’t feel I suffer because of it. I enjoy the time I’ve had to better myself and my pen, and really manage a track on my own before I introduce more artists to cooperate with. I have had the pleasure of putting a few tracks together with No Comparison, a rapper/producer I linked up with in North Carolina.“
Q.) What was it like working with No Comparison?
A.) “It was truly a blessing, he’s such a humble and skilled artist, and is definitely someone I would credit with helping me find my sound and really lock into my brand and who I am as a rap artist. On top of that, his bars are one of a kind.“
Q.) Who are some features you want to get?
A.) “Some target features I’m tryna secure would for sure be Future, Denzel Curry, Lil Wayne, J. Cole, Kendrick, Baby Keem, IDK, Bas, JID, EarthGang, and Andre 3000 just to name a handful.“
Q.) Who’s one person dead or alive that you’d want to work with?
A.) “One person alive right now I definitely want to work with is J. Cole. I am fully inspired by the man and his truly stellar discography, and would be twice blessed to get time in the studio with him or any of the artists in the Dreamville umbrella. Being on the Dreamville roster is a major dream of mine. One person dead that I really wanted to work with was Prince for sure, I would have very much enjoyed putting something together with him that would have truly shocked and awed the masses.“
Q.) Is there anybody else you want to shout out for any reason?
A.) “ Shouts out to my girl Chyna Wallace. She always keeps me focused on the hustle and makes sure I remember who and what I’m doing all this for. “
Q.) What are you currently working on?
A.) “Well I’m always working on bettering my influence and the size and profits of my music career, but I also intend to branch out into acting, comedy, and write some books ranging from a psychology journal to a children’s book effectively simplifying the complexities of the emotional level so it’s easier and more exciting to comprehend at a younger age.“
Q.) What is your latest release?
A.) “I released three new singles in December of 2022, ‘Pretty Lady‘ was what I would consider my first real step towards a more smooth and rich R&B sound, but it still had a very rap foundation, especially when coming to the second verse of the song. ‘RAW‘ and ‘Target‘ were released later in the month, and were two singles I was very proud of, cause I felt they best expressed my talent and the passion I have for my craft and the art of the music industry.“
Q.) When is your next release?
A.) “Well as far as new releases, I say that I’m always working, whether I’m putting down verses in my phone or brainstorming new concepts and stories to build upon in my music. But I know I got three new singles coming in the next month or so. The tracks are ‘Source Code’, ‘D. K.‘, and ‘The Journey‘, so stay tuned for those.“
Social Media Links
Music Streaming Links
More from interview
Exclusive GenzHipHop interview with Rodofftrip
What 3 things does anyone starting in your industry need to know? If you don't believe in yourself, nobody will. Have …
ScHoolboy Q Shares Blue Lips Album with Jay-Z, Top Dawg Family Reacts
ScHoolboy Q, the West Coast rap sensation, is gearing up to drop his highly anticipated album, Blue Lips. But before …
KILLY’s Atmospheric Aura in “GLEE”
In the ever-evolving landscape of hip-hop, KILLY stands tall as a master of crafting atmospheric bangers that transport listeners to …