by jELACEE is a true trap legend. As half of Stööki Sound he helped to define the genre with iconic tracks like ‘UPPERS,’ ‘Ball So Hard’ & ‘W2L (Welcome To London).’ After 7 years of touring the world and releasing countless incredible songs, the duo decided to part ways in 2019. Taking nearly two years away, the producer allowed the time off to mentally reset, relax and map out the plans for his reinvigorated solo project. In 2021 we’ve seen his diversity as an artist with the release of the wave-leaning ‘fEEL,’ the trappy ‘tROUBLE,’ and the house banger ‘tIMBER.’ Providing a deeper showcase into what jELACEE has to offer, we linked with the artist for an exclusive guest mix + interview. The mix spans genres and sounds and features a ton of FUXWITHIT favorites, while the interview dives into his time off, what to expect next, being an introverted artist, and more.
What should fans expect from the mix? What do you want listeners to take away from this one?
i’VE ALWAYS TRIED TO MAKE MIXES THAT TAKE YOU ON A JOURNEY SO I HOPE THIS ATTEMPT SUCCEEDED AT THAT. I ALSO ENJOY SHOWCASING AND REIMAGINING MUSIC FROM OTHER ARTISTS THAT I’M FEELING RIGHT NOW RATHER THAN FOCUSING ON MY OWN MUSIC.
i WAS DOING MUSIC AND TOURING FOR NEARLY 8 YEARS STRAIGHT SO I NEEDED A HARD EARNED REST.
You took over a year off before fully relaunching the jELACEE project. Why the extended period of time? What were you up to during this time?
i WAS DOING MUSIC AND TOURING FOR NEARLY 8 YEARS STRAIGHT SO I NEEDED A HARD EARNED REST. IN THAT TIME I JUST FOCUSED ON LIVING LIFE, MY MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH AND FIGURING OUT WHAT MY PLANS WE’RE FOR THE FUTURE OF MY SOLO ENDEAVOURS.
Your first three releases have all been solo works. Can we expect any collaborations from you in the near future?
yES.
IT’S A DIFFERENT EXPERIENCE WHEN YOU’RE ALONE, BUT A WELCOMED ONE.
How has the transition to becoming a solo artist been? What positives have you experienced? Any challenges that you didn’t expect?
i TRANSITIONED FROM A SOLO ARTIST, TO A DUO AND BACK TO SOLO. IT’S A DIFFERENT EXPERIENCE WHEN YOU’RE ALONE, BUT A WELCOMED ONE.
What’s the best thing you’ve done this year outside of music?
sTAYED HEALTHY.
You recently tweeted that you’re “SITTIN ON ONE OF THE HARDEST TRAP SONGS EVER MADE…” when can fans expect to hear it? What makes it so hard?
i’M NOT SURE YET. I DON’T WANT TO COMMIT TO A DATE AT THE MOMENT. BUT IT WILL COME. AND IT WILL BE WORTH THE WAIT. I’M NOT SURE HOW TO ANSWER WHAT MAKES IT SO HARD, BUT A SCREWFACE GETS ACTIVATED WHEN IT DROPS.
When we last spoke you said that the most difficult thing about touring was traveling. After a year plus of lockdowns do you miss traveling?
i DO AND I DON’T. I’VE QUITE ENJOYED BEING IN ONE PLACE, SEEING MY FAMILY REGULARLY AND HAVING SOME STABILITY IN MY LIFE. ON THE OTHER HAND, NOTHING BEATS THE EXCITEMENT OF GOING TO ANOTHER COUNTRY TO PLAY MUSIC, EAT NEW FOODS AND EXPLORE NEW LANDS.
In your most recent interview you mentioned being introverted but your persona as a rapper feels a lot more outgoing, confident and braggadocious. Is this a difficult balance to find?
nOT REALLY. I’M NATURALLY CONFIDENT. I JUST ENJOY MY OWN COMPANY ALOT AND FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE WHEN I’M LOCKED IN BY MYSELF. HOWEVER, I CAN FLICK THE SWITCH PRETTY EASILY.
nOT ON THIS PROJECT. BUT THIS ISN’T MY ONLY PROJECT.
You’ve been dropping a wide range of sounds from wave to trap and bass house. Can we expect any grime from you?
nOT ON THIS PROJECT. BUT THIS ISN’T MY ONLY PROJECT.
Wiley, Stormzy or P Money?
p MONEY
Is a jELACEE tour on the horizon?
wE SHALL SEE WHERE THE ROAD TAKES ME. LITERALLY.
What do you have planned for the rest of the year?
i’M STILL IN THE PHASE OF MY SOLO CAREER OF FINDING MY SOUND AND FIGURING OUT HOW I WANT TO PRESENT IT. I’LL BE CONTINUING TO DO SO AND KEEP RELEASING MUSIC/MIXES.
Tracklist:
Chee – Turn Up
EPROM – Dangerous Sound
Tsuruda – Migi
Visages – NIBIRU
Trampa (ft Killa P & Vulgatron) – Generals
Lab Group, Charlesthefirst & Potions – Banshee
Abstrakt Sonance (ft D Double E) – Lunatic
LYNY – Take Back
ANTI. – BREAKER
Marshmello & PEEAKABOO – Pushin Stacks
Baauer & Holly – Just Enough
Juelz – High Octane
ISOXO – Aarena
Getter – Blood Harvest
G Jones – Immortal Light
Vluarr – Let Me
Sumthin Sumthin – Nightmares
Skrillex, Noisia, josh pan & Dylan Brady – Supersonic (My Existence)
Imanu – Taste Of Hope
