PaxNj: A Journey Through Sound, Art, and Self-Discovery!
PaxNJ is an artist whose music reflects personal growth, struggle, and triumph. PaxNJ’s journey has been about staying true to himself and his craft.
Interview with PaxNJ
The story behind my musical journey…
I just remember a few moments from my childhood that when I look back on, I realize how early I really tied myself to this dream. Dress Up Karaoke at the pool when I was like 5 or 6, taking my little pocket notebook to school to write lyrics when I was 11… then my dad finding that and having me record it to an instrumental… I went by the name Young Yeezy 👀.
Inspiration for music
I really can’t even say… I feel like it’s been a part of me subconsciously…never inspired to begin 🤔.
The creative process
Hmmm okay so call me lazy but no not really, I heard a movie director explain his process and I can only relate… almost took the words right out of my mouth. He said he has the idea (which in my case idea is emotion) and then once the process begins it’s like you’re shaping it along the way but the creation is almost conscious itself… it creates itself! I’m no producer… purely a writer, recording/mixing engineer, and a vocalist… but my emotion definitely comes through. Lately, I’ve been punching in instead of writing too… very fun stuff.
Musical influences…
I’d say some old school G-Eazy like his song “Marilyn,” lowkey some Hoodie Allen… I loved those sounds from back in the day. Kanye West for sure. Something about his old school stuff was so fun when I was a kid. Taylor Swift interruption. “Stronger” type days. Haha, fun days.
My latest release
Hmm.. well officially I’d say the Taking The Game Back EP. The inspiration was simple… way back in 2019, I bought all those instrumentals exclusively… took them to Patchwerk in Atlanta and just long story short I went through a lot since then and decided to take those same instrumentals and make something new and refreshing with it. As a take-back kind of moment.PaxNJ
The visual aspect of my music
Yes! I love making the visual song cover arts… I just play the song in the background and go through my photos or think of whatever I see while listening… bring it to life with some photo editors and whatnot. Music is an art that can’t be seen… art traveling through sound waves… not to take anything away from it… but it’s always fun to put a visual to the unseen. I am a very visual arts indulging person haha… online virtual museums… in person… whatever. I love it. Can’t be an artist without indulging in all kinds of it.
Engaging with my audience…
Hmmm… Right now I’m still building an audience so engaging is usually just responding to comments and whatnot… but I hope they feel good listening to my music. A lot of music nowadays is just yelling at you, cursing at you, and negative. I don’t get how I ever enjoyed it when I was younger. I want them to feel inspired and uplifted.
Challenges faced
Hmm I’ve faced many challenges. Challenges that I’m glad I faced though… they made me stronger, hungrier, and more determined… cheesy enough… to name a few, I’ve lost just about everything, picked everything back up… lost it again… picked it up again… just now really finding myself again… and happy I am. I feel like my youth slipped right through my hands… I have 3 beautiful kids I’ve dedicated my life and time to, so there hasn’t been much room in my life to put myself head and center… but I’m finally taking care of myself the right way and have a plan here… so we good 💯🚀.
Future plans
Yes ma’am… I have a recipe I’m about to test out that’s for sure… a lot of engaging live performance-wise… while working on a music video to push out… hope to find an advertising agency… or marketing agency that knows their way around the web 😎😎😎.
Advice for emerging artists looking to establish themselves in the industry…
Hmmmmm… get yourself healthy… treat it like you’re trying to get recruited… there are definitely scouts… I’m sure they want to see you take yourself serious on and off the court.
Other interests
I like to play basketball… loosen up there. I’m trying to get into drawing/painting… and even writing poetry. I know it can seem lame but poetry can really help you lyric-wise… dive deep and take yourself serious 🚀 They influence my artistry simply by gaining confidence from achievements in those areas I feel like I need that… I definitely get imposter syndrome and need to challenge myself in those ways… to say I’m an artist at least, I think I should partake in those things… poetry, drawing, painting and whatnot. And it’s good expression… don’t even think just go… frees your subconscious.
Bonus questions
Historical figure you’d like to meet…
Oowwweeee… historical figure… this is interesting… Vincent Van Gogh. Crazy guy… good art… we’d get along just great🙌 That would be fun, wouldn’t it.
Most unexpected place you’ve heard your own music played?
Hmm… someone made a sport edit with it once🤔 that’s probably the more unexpected time.
Must-have gear…
Haha only three. Laptop, headphones, mic… that’s it 😎
If you could hang out with any historical figure…
Ooh… yeah, ima take a historical one because I don’t feel comfortable choosing someone alive😭😂 I’d pick Elvis and just go to Waffle House or something.
If your music were a flavor, what would it taste like?
It’d taste like green sherbert with an aftertaste of electricity 🤣😎
Follow PaxNJ.