Jac Ross: The Voice That Provides Hope for the Future

Check out Jac Ross’ new single/video “Questions”

No one has an ear for music like, Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins, which explains why he was able to secure the talents of Florida’s, Jac Ross. One listen and Jerkins was sold. Since, they have created magic in the studio together that only seems to get better and better. Ross brings a different sound and energy to the game which desperately needs a talent like his. Ross self-titles his music as the, “truth” genre because there is a message to be heard in every lyric he provides. Sensitive yet aware of today’s happenings, Ross shines a light on the issues while offering hope and a light at the end of the tunnel for rectification. Three singles into his career and it’s clear that, Jac Ross belongs. With guidance from, Jerkins and Ross’ amazing talent, the future appears to be bright and it’s shining out of Florida. His hit single, “Saved” was featured on an episode of FOX hit show, “Empire.”

Jac talks us through his journey, from how he linked up with, “Darkchild,” the new EP he’s working on and what makes him unique as an artist.

How are you doing?

Jac Ross: I’m great, man. How about you?

Doing great. I would be better if I had your voice.

Jac Ross: (Laughing) Ah man, I appreciate that. Thank you.

Definitely! We are in some crazy times right now, but I have really been enjoying and appreciate, you and a lot of other artists providing music for us on Instagram Live. Is that a release for you as well?

Jac Ross: Man honestly, it’s been quite a release for me. It keeps me at ease a little bit. It brings some normality to my life while hopefully bringing normality to other people’s lives. So, it’s actually been a breath of fresh air for me to do those. It’s not even like work at all.

I’m sure it’s therapeutic and at the same time, you are providing a level of hope while getting your voice out there to be heard.

Jac Ross: Most definitely! Also, for me, it kind of takes me back to my roots because I used to just sit in my home and be inspired by life and situations around. It’s kind of taken me back to my grass roots with everything that’s happening not just to my people, but the entire globe. It’s everywhere and that’s given me inspiration to be able to write universally for everyone.

I know “Saved,” wasn’t created overnight. How long ago did you complete that song because the timing of its arrival couldn’t have been better?

Jac Ross: Honestly, the song was completed really about a year ago. It was released a couple of weeks ago and before the pandemic really got out there. It just kind of seems like the pandemic met the song so to speak. It’s been luckily a savior for so many people. I get so many messages via Instagram and my other DM’s about how that song has provided people with so much hope and a reason to hold on. So, I’m glad we decided to go with “Saved” as our second single release. And it worked out perfectly with the timing because people really do need that song right now.

“Saved” truly showed your diversity because your first single, “It’s Okay To Be Black,” is completely different from, “Saved.” I actually looked up if it was by the same artist. During times where a lot sounds the same, that’s a great compliment. How important is it for you to display your diversity?

Jac Ross: It’s very important because I believe with a voice like mine, people are going to think that it’s going to stay in one lane. But I’m excited to surprise people with our upcoming EP and even more songs to come. You guys are really going to be surprised by what you get from Jac Ross and my team. It’s going to be amazing. So, it’s very important to stay diversified and show people that I’m not in a box. I want to show people that I can do anything with my voice and musically we can go in any direction that we choose to go.

With everything going on, is May still the goal to drop your EP or can we expect it to be pushed back a little bit?

Jac Ross: It’s definitely going to probably be pushed back. What I have been redirecting people to, whenever the pandemic ends, whenever Covid-19 ends, I’ll be able to give people a better picture. So, for now, I’m going to say, “No” to May, and whenever Covid-19 kind of vanishes, we’ll pick up and get ready to go on the road and release a full EP.

You are working with, Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins. Anyone who doesn’t know who that is have been stuck under a rock. He lights up when he talks about you. How did you link up with such a prominent industry figure?

Jac Ross: Man… so, long story, I have a friend by the name of, Mezzo and he worked at Bloomingdale’s down in Orlando, Florida. I live in a small town called, Live Oak, Florida; that’s east of Tallahassee. While working, I was teaching school and while teaching school, on my birthday, Mezzo calls me, Rodney’s down in Florida and he says, “Hey, I got you something for your birthday,” I said, “What you got, man?” He said, “I got you, Rodney Jerkins,” and I tell him, “Man, don’t even play with me.” I didn’t believe him at all. He had been talking to, Rodney and he’s sending Rodney all his songs. For some odd reason Rodney decides… maybe it was the spirit of the holidays to give him his email address. He sends Rodney all of his songs and he says, “Oh, by the way I have a friend with a legendary voice.” Rodney stops him and he goes, “Hey, don’t ever use those words again. That does not exist anymore.” He sent him my song which was the last song on the email chain. He gets in his car to leave with his son and luckily, he played the last song first. And that was the only song of mine he sent. And that song was called, “Gotta Be Mine.” I actually wrote that song with my friend, Mezzo. He played it, and as he’s pulling out, he stops his car, looks at his son and says, “We gotta go back in and find this guy.” Once he finds him, we link up and he says, “I gotta get this kid up here as soon as possible.” I drive up to Orlando, 2 ½ hours, meet him at his home and I sing, “A Change Is Going To Come.” And from that moment forward, we have never not talked. I believe we have talked every single day since that moment. It’s just been great to create with him since then. I really appreciate his work and he appreciates my work as well.

You have your own unique sound, but I actually sent your song, “Saved,” to my niece and said, “He has a little Sam Cooke going on,” so it’s ironic you chose, “A Change Is Going To Come.”

Jac Ross: Well you know, Sam Cooke growing up was my favorite singer and is to this day. And the reason why, my dad would introduce me to artist that he called legendary artist. The people who he deemed would be singers who would stand the test of time. And Sam Cooke’s voice just cut through to me. And I begin to study his videos, everything that he had done, the way he would move his mouth… everything. And then I developed my own sound through his techniques.

You sound like Sam Cooke, but you resemble a young, Billy Paul. Do you ever get that?

Jac Ross: I really don’t get that too much. Honestly, people don’t really say who I look like too much because they are always commenting on the mystique of it all. I’m always hidden behind shades and my hat. So, I don’t really get too much of that at all.

We lost Bill Withers. You did an amazing tribute to him on Instagram. I definitely want to give you a minute to comment on his influence as well as his legacy.

Jac Ross: Definitely! One of the things that I loved the most about Bill Withers, he kind of reminds me of myself in terms of being resilient on his way to the top. Because Bill wasn’t the youngest guy when he got into music. But he was resilient. He had such a great voice. And knowing his background, I believe he was discovered by Mr. Clarence Avant. His songs meant so much to people in general. It gave us inspiration; it gave us hope and it brought people together. And they are timeless in my opinion. My children will one day listen to, “Ain’t No Sunshine,” “Lean On Me,” and so forth. The work that he has done is impeccable and I believe that there was none other like Bill. He was on his own lane. God rest his soul. And we appreciate everything he has done for music, everything.

Your music always seems to have a message. Is that by design?

Jac Ross: I believe music with a message is what’s going to define me as an artist for the rest of my life. That’s definitely what you can expect going forward. There will be plenty more songs to come. You will find songs about romance, love and things of that nature, but you’re going to always find music with a message. And the reason for that is because the artists that inspired me where always artists that stood up for something. Whether it was, Marvin Gaye saying, “What’s Going On,” Sam Cooke, “A Change Is Going To Come,” James Brown, “I’m Black and I’m Proud.” Artists that stood up for something really got my attention. Now I want to be the artist of this generation to get people’s attention and try to invoke some change as well.

Your diversity makes it difficult to put you into a genre. Again, that’s a compliment. What would you call your style of music and your sound?

Jac Ross: You know what, first, I will say, I’m so excited to be signed to Island Records because Island has such a history of having a diverse range of music. If I could put a genre to my music, I would simply just call it, music of truth. I don’t feel like my songs are R&B or Soul. I just feel like they are songs of truth. And they are songs of hope, healing and transformation. I’m just here to try to help the next man.

Was that an important part of you signing with Island Records, the fact that they let you, be you?

Jac Ross: That was very important, but the biggest thing to me about Island, it just felt like home. Everybody there makes it feel like home from the head all the way down to the bottom. It felt right, the connection was right and of course being myself played a part in it as well. So, just the fit, it was perfect from day one. I hope that we can remain partners for a very long time. I know we will. Everything about Island I love.

It’s an honor speaking to you, I usually don’t make predictions, but within 3-years, I think you will be one of the biggest artists out there. Thanks for your time, tell us about the new single and your social handles, my man.

Jac Ross: We are going to continue to release singles before we release the EP. The next single that we are releasing is called, “Questions.” “Questions” is one of my favorite tracks that we’ve done. And the reason why, again, it has a message. So many people in the world has questions about, “What’s going on?” “Why are my loved ones dying?” “Where’s God?” What’s really going on? And, “Questions” is the song that is really going to provoke your mind to think during this critical time. I believe this is a song that’s transformative at this time. It is what it is. It’s asking the tough questions that so many people don’t want to be confronted with, but this song is going to confront all of those questions. And they can find me on Instagram at jacross, Jac Ross on Facebook, Jac Ross on YouTube and @JacRoss on Twitter as well. Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule just to talk to me. I look forward to doing this again in the future. Be safe out here.

Be sure to check out Jac Ross’ video for “Saved” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SENcPavW5s8

Also find Jac’s music at https://lnk.to/JRQuestions

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