The Hype Magazine Interviews Jason Innocent

Jason Innocent was born on January 7, 1995, in Flatbush, Brooklyn, New York. He first attracted fame for writing enigmatic, poetic graffiti New York City. Innocent is known for his raw style of painting with graffiti-like images and scrawling text with emotional depth, use of unique symbols and imagery, and formal strengths in vivid color, composition, and drawing.

A poet as well as an artist, Innocent blend language in his drawings and paintings, with direct references to racism, slavery, black historical figures, musicians, social issues, black nationalism, egalitarianism, pop culture, sports stars, and Afrocentrism. Innocent is the first African American artist to have more than one notable works. Those include the Egomaniac Donald Trump poster, 39 Drawing, American Flag 2017 and Car Play(animation video). In 2017, Black Art Story’s included Innocent in “The 20 Greatest African-American Artist of All-Time.

As you see your self as an artist and person, who is Jason Innocent?

I would describe myself as someone who thinks positively, hard-working and consistently setting goals for myself. Consistently growing and taking time to learn. Nevertheless, trying to avoid the life of crime and incarceration. Trying to make a difference where I’m from and where you live. A good kid in a bad environment. However, you want to look at it. Being from Flatbush I could have easily said I did a lot of bad things but that’s not me. I’m trying to show these kids that don’t have anything that art can be their escape.

What brought you to the entertainment industry and music specifically?

I don’t see it as an industry. I see it as art. The world is changing. I got a degree in business. Bringing these different worlds together will change things. I’m creating new and different rules. It’s about challenging yourself to do something new. I see the world as art. This is performance art. I’m like Marina Abramović

What and/or who influenced the sound you bring today?

I got a lot of influences. I got relevant influences today. I got influences that you wouldn’t even think of. Artist such as Jay-Z, Kanye West, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, A Tribe Called Quest, Childish Gambino and many more. But the artists that inspired me during the time I was working on Car Play was Toro y Moi and Steve Lacy and the Chillwave genre.

What did you last listen to?

Paramedic by SOB X RBE from the Black Panther Soundtrack.

How do you work?

It all depends on how to inspire I feel. I usually go through all of the books in my studio in Vinegar Hill/Dumbo. History books, literature and African art book. Just a lot of books.

Describe a real situation that inspires you?

When I walk around New York City. I see a lot of stuff that speaks to me. Like dumpster’s, street signs, lights, car, just everything about New York City.

What’s your strongest memory of your childhood?

Drawing with my brother Wilson when I was younger. Early 2000’s watching cartoon network.

Why is art important?

Art is very important, depending on the type of art you do. You have tools that can help you tell a story. They are very powerful. .D.W Griffith film The Birth of a Nation Resurrected the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) to start lynching black people. But there was no discussing about the social impact of the film. I felt uncomfortable watching Gone With the Wind. No one talks about the imagery of the film. Ingrained stereotypes in the viewer’s mind.

How does your work comment on current social or political issues?

That’s the theme all my works involve around in. As an artist, it’s our duty to promote social change. Artists should address politics more directly in their works. The time we live in is so horrible. It bugs me out that no contemporary artist deals with shocking imagery. We need more pieces like Picasso’s Guernica, it helps bring attention to the Spanish civil war.

What your Favorite artwork?

Michael Stein a Painting by Henri Matisse

Cy Twombly Untitled 1

What is your Artistic Background?

I study art for a brief time than dropping out to pursue Business and accounting. I taught myself how to be an artist going to museums, Reading and studying other artists. Watching cartoons with my brother. I didn’t want to intern for a gallery and working my way up. That rarely happens for black artists. Just being real.

Where did you grow up?

I was born in Flatbush, Brooklyn NY along with my brother and sisters. I had a rough childhood, my dad was a heavy drinker. Because of that we had a lot of dysfunctional families. That’s a part of being black in America. Till this day I’m still dealing with the aftermath of that. Dealing with depression and anxiety and other issues.

What the hardest part about your success?

Dealing with survivor guilt one of the biggest mental issues I suffer with. It’s a feeling I get when good things are happening to me. Like the fame and success. My friends and close people around me are not obtaining as much or not as successful as me. Cutting people off when builds a relationship with them. Everybody can come with you. It’s your blessing, not theirs.

What’s happened in your career that makes you feel this is the industry for you?

Nothing happened. Art and music correlate with each other to go back to The Renaissance and Harlem Renaissance. It’s a form of expression. Andy Warhol and Basquiat was both artists but also, produce a song like Beat Bop with Rammellzee or Warhol with The Velvet Underground. Graffiti is one of the elements of hip hop. Music and art always had a relationship.

What was the biggest obstacle to getting to your current career phase Jason, and why?

Working hard and being black and good is not going to cut it. I know it’s not fair, but being black you have to work 10 times harder. Furthermore, learning from your mistake and keep on going. You have to have tough skin. I remember one my professor told me I didn’t have the skill or the knowledge to work in an important environment. I love that. I thrive off no’s. Finally, everybody needs help. You can’t do it by yourself.

What do you want people to get from your music?

Whatever feeling people get from it. People interpret music differently. Personally, I want people to get a chill vibe from it.

I do both. I want people to see my versatility as an artist, music artist and creator. Similar to Donald Glover aka Childish Gambino.

Tell us about your current project Jason, musically or otherwise?

What I accomplish doesn’t mean anything to me. It’s a plus but there is more to life than achievement. Being constantly and working hard means more. Nobody can take that away from me.

If you could collaborate with one artist, living or dead, who would it be and why?

If I could work with a music artist right now it will be Kendrick Lamar. He’s a genius man. The power of his music. We the same in a lot of ways. The power of his music focuses on the black experience. The same with my drawings and painting do.

Last but not least, HYPE wants to know…What’s your CRAZIEST “Where they do that at?!” moment…

Eating a hot dog without no buns. Where they do that at.

Connect with Jason Innocent:

www.jasoninnocent.com

twitter.com/_jasoninnocent

instagram.com/jasoninnocent

SHARE ON FACEBOOK SHARE ON TWITTER