In the world of Hip Hop, versatility is key, and few artists embody this principle better than MC David J. With his upcoming instrumental Lofi album For The Times, set to release on October 15th, the Atlanta-based artist and producer is taking a bold step, letting his beats do the talking. Known for his sharp rhymes and dynamic MCing, MC David J now focuses on showcasing his production skills, blending elements of jazz, live instrumentation, and classic hip hop to create a soundscape that’s as much about vibes as it is about legacy. In this exclusive interview, he opens up about his creative process, musical influences, and the evolution of his sound.
I2R: Your new Lofi Hip Hop album For The Times is set to release on October 15th. What inspired you to create an instrumental album, and how does it differ from your previous projects?
MCDJ: What inspires me to create an instrumental album is that essentially I would like my sound to speak for itself. I have already proven I can rap well and MC but at this point I would like to prove that I can produce, make enjoyable beats, and provide to my listeners an enjoyable listening experience with my production. My rapping will continue of course but I wanted to solidify my mark within Hip Hop by being able to showcase my actual music creation skills as well.
I2R: You’ve been involved in music from a young age, learning multiple instruments and producing your own beats. How do those early musical experiences shape your sound today?
MCDJ: I am currently able to play the trumpet, guitar, and make beats on the drum machine. These are instruments that can be performed live and I wanted to mix these elements with the songs that I have produced. You will be able to hear a lot of those elements with my new release in For The Times and I am excited for listeners to enjoy these vibes.
I2R: Your last Lofi project, Midnight Library, was well-received by your listeners. How does For The Times build on the vibe and style of that album?
MCDJ: Midnight Library was also a lofi album consisting of 19 enjoyable Hip Hop instrumentals. The album For The Times is not necessarily a continuation of that but it is a continuation of me being able to showcase my lofi production skills. I have elements in this album that you can simply vibe and study too or if you’d like to dance and workout you can enjoy that way as well!
I2R: Two tracks from For The Times – “Mula” and “Zen” – are already available for streaming. Can you tell us a bit about the creative process behind these tracks and what listeners can expect from the rest of the album?
MCDJ: I think in today’s time Hip Hop has strayed away from the dancing element and it doesn’t capitalize on the roots of Jazz enough like it used to. For my track Mula it is up tempo and something you can dance too. For my track Zen it is simply a calm instrumental and dedicated to my son Zen who was born not too long ago. For me it simply marks a time period for myself and my fans where I have reached a point of purpose surrounding my creativity. Now I feel like for my creative process it is not just for me but also for the sake of the legacy that my son will carry for me. Zen is great and dedicated to my family and legacy.
I2R: Your music is deeply influenced by the various places and people you’ve encountered during your travels across the U.S. How do those experiences come through in your sound, especially in this new instrumental project?
MCDJ: I am based out of Atlanta where in my opinion this city is heavily influenced by a ‘boom’ of a beat. What I mean by this is that a lot of music that comes out of Atlanta is heavily influenced by sub-kicks and heavy drums. My listeners will experience this very much so within my Lofi Album For The Times.
I2R: You’ve drawn inspiration from classic hip-hop artists like Dr. Dre, The Notorious B.I.G, and Slick Rick. How do you balance those old-school influences with the modern Lofi sound in your production?
MCDJ: I believe that those artists are the core of Hip Hop and I think they will forever influence the Hip Hop Genre and its direction. The music that they crafted has influenced so many of today’s artists subconsciously whether it is the storytelling element or the style of the beat and production. With my album, I hope to capture those same elements through storytelling but through my sounds and not just by words.
I2R: In addition to hip-hop, jazz has played a significant role in your musical journey. How do jazz elements influence your Lofi beats, and can listeners expect to hear some of those influences in For The Times?
MCDJ: You are very much correct in the statement that Jazz has played a significant role in my musical journey but it has played a significant role in Hip Hop itself. You will hear Jazz influences throughout all 10 tracks of the Lofi album and they will not be hard to miss! Lofi is an extension of Jazz and that will be felt with this album.
I2R: You’ve built your career not only as an artist but also as a producer, with a fully self-produced album. What are the challenges and rewards of producing your own music compared to collaborating with other producers?
MCDJ: At the end of the day I want to be able to have my listeners state that MC David J was able to produce his own sound and direction with his art. I do believe in collaborating with other producers and expanding my sound but at the same time I must be able to drive my own sound direction as well. I was able to accomplish that with this album and showcase my ability to produce a instrument-only enjoyable record.
I2R: Your music video for “Zoomin” showcases your connection to Atlanta, specifically its West Side. How has Atlanta influenced your sound, and what role does the city play in your music?
MCDJ: I am based out of Atlanta where in my opinion this city is heavily influenced by a ‘boom’ of a beat. What I mean by this is that a lot of music that comes out of Atlanta is heavily influenced by sub kicks and heavy drums. My listeners will experience this very much so within my Lofi Album For The Times. The West Side of Atlanta has its Hip Hop roots and Zoomin is able to showcase this both visually and with the sound as well.
I2R: With your instrumental album, what are you hoping listeners will take away from For The Times? Is there a specific message or mood you’re trying to convey through the beats?
MCDJ: I simply hope that listeners can enjoy this lofi production for years to come. It is simply a soundscape and a calm vibe. I want listeners to be able to know these are my theme songs and to think of me of course when they hear.
I2R: You mentioned that For The Times is a showcase of your production skills. How do you approach production when creating an instrumental album versus working on a project with vocals and lyrics?
MCDJ: I tried my best not to rush the process and development of this album. I wanted listeners to be able to tell that this had to have time to be spent on this project due to the attention to detail and small details throughout the entire record. I do the exact same too with a project consisting of vocals and lyrics. But with this project, I wanted to be able to do that through instruments and samples and I believe I was able to accomplish that.
I2R: What advice would you give to aspiring producers who are trying to find their unique sound and make their mark in the music industry?
The only advice I have is to keep striving and painting as much as you can. But be able to paint with a statement in mind. Thousands of beats can be produced but if there is no story element to them then in my opinion it can be a waste.
I2R: You’ve been steadily building a fanbase but what strategies have you found most effective in growing your audience, and how are you approaching the promotion of For The Times?
The strategy I found most effective is being true and open with my fans and listeners of my music. With For The Times, I am being transparent and creative with my beats and production and this showcases my side of creativity and my ability to produce a clean record. Listeners will be able to appreciate the attention to detail and elements of production here.
I2R: You’ve been influenced by different genres and eras of music, from breakdancing hip-hop to jazz. How do you see the evolution of hip hop today, and where do you think Lofi Hip Hop fits into the broader music scene?
MCDJ: I believe Hip Hop has and is still expanding. There are so many different elements of Hip Hop whether it be rapping, dancing, singing melodies, the art of MCing and crowd control, trap rap, calm rap, podcasts, videos, instrumentals, and the list goes on. But I think that Lofi is one of the most golden pieces of Hip Hop because it is fresh and new and modern but still speaks to the core of Hip Hop when it comes to the “Boom Bap” style and elements.
I2R: As someone who started making music at a young age, what’s the most important lesson you’ve learned on your journey so far?
MCDJ: I have learned to continue to stay true to my creative direction and stay true, honest, and open to my fans. I will continue to do so as time goes on with more releases!
