Today we’d like to introduce you to Jhiakhana.
Hi Jhiakhana, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
So, I began embarking on my musical journey officially at age 12 years old. I started in a group called “Triple Threat.” It never made it out of the basement, though, lol. We did get to audition for a local Saginaw record company called ‘Ghetto Records.” They wanted to charge us USD 600 to record a demo that would be submitted to them, and that was the end of that. It was a challenge to get into a recording studio over the next couple of years, being I was still a kid, and the prices were astronomical at the time. I made a few sessions occasionally, but nothing gained any traction. I discovered home recording and eventually invested in my equipment. I recorded so much over the next couple of years, and I had a hard drive crash, which is still heartbreaking to this day. I was not experienced in the technical aspect of mixing and engineering, so I was not putting my songs out. In 2010, with the explosion of social media, I began to release music, and I did my best with the quality aspect. I got a good reception despite my insecurity in the song mixes. I released a majority of freestyles, which were rapping over other people’s tracks. I eventually linked up with Dj Whiteowl; may he rest in peace. We released my debut mixtape, “Never Die Alone,” under the name “Ramesses DBI, which had alot of production by Jahlil Beats before he and Meek Mill took off. The reception was better than I anticipated; Whiteowl wanted to submit the project for review at ‘Justo’s Mixtape Awards,” but I didn’t feel it was worthy then. I regret it. Justo died soon after that, and they no longer have the awards ceremony. The project did well overseas; I even saw them press and sell copies in Asia. In the next year, I met Astray & Sneak Beatz, whom I’m still working with presently, and I began traveling and being a hypeman for Stray. I learned the ropes of being an indie artist in terms of traveling and merchandise, amongst other things. So I cleaned my sound up and began releasing songs online more consistently like I was flooding the net. I met DJ Hood, BDOTLEE, Dj Grady, DYP, and Breezy Mateyo and began a mixtape run. My project ‘Surgical Gloves,” was released in 2011 and is my most critically acclaimed project. So I went 8 years without releasing a full project, but I kept dropping music non-stop.
I changed my name to “JhiaKhana’ which was already one of my aliases, and released “Nitreaux” in 2019. “Nitreaux” was a mixtape inspired by my appreciation of WCW Monday Nitro. I followed up the following year by releasing a weekly track with Sneak. This was during the pandemic, and I made incredible records. I had songs like “Mamba Mental,” “Heights,” & Mannie Beat” that would’ve been the biggest songs on earth if I had the right push.” Nitreaux” Dark dropped in September 2020, and at the top of 2021, I released my biggest record, “Sun Tzu,” featuring BDOTLEE. That song was picked up everywhere and is my highest streaming record. I took the only break I ever had from music and tapped into the underground rap resurgence. My music was always lyric-driven and East Coast street for the most part. I always tried to make everything show how diverse I was, but I realized I must hone in on my strong points. So, I returned to the drawing board and returned more focused than ever.
“Execution Te Excellence” is releasing this summer, and it is my biggest project to date. I have an all-star lineup of production. Wavy da Gawd is a part of “The Walkers,” which consists of Rome Streetz, Eddie Kane, Bub Rock, Ty Farris, Spoda, and more. I got production from Machacha, Crisis, godBLESSbeatz, and more. Mistaaa Simms is out now. The video just dropped, and Astray directs it. “Blissful Ignarance” has been picking up in a major way. Be on the lookout for that video. Sneak Beatz will produce my next single, Snotty, from “The Umbrella” collective.
It wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I’ve encountered plenty of adversity and hardships. I went through being completely broke and losing people. I recently lost my little sister, and I have been in a dark place. Being overlooked, people going out of their way to block me from progressing. I’ve been betrayed and had a relationship end recently; she stepped out on several occasions and was a horrible individual overall. I’ve had multiple bouts of depression and doubt, But I don’t give up; I don’t stay down.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
As an MC, I specialize in lyricism and rhyme patterns, wordplay, and creating creative ways to say things in a way you have never heard before. I’m most proud that I don’t compromise my art, and regardless of the lack of eyes on what I do, I always strive for quality when it comes to artwork, verses, hooks, whatever. What sets me apart from others is my upbringing. I was born in New Jersey while living in New York; my father is African. My Dad’s side of the family is all African and is very well off; he’s an engineer and lives in New York. Then my mom is from Saginaw and has a more rugged background. I put that into my music, all the culture I have absorbed, and my personality. I’m by myself most of the time; I’m not a typical person, and Finding people who understand me is complicated.
Before we go, can you tell us how people can collaborate with or support you?
Just reach out to me on my social media. You can go to my YouTube page, subscribe, and like everything. Also, check out my Bandcamp page; the album will be on sale there exclusively. You can also subscribe on Spotify and Apple Music.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jhiakhana.bandcamp.com/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/Jhiakhana
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ramgiancana
- Twitter: https://x.com/Giancanaram
- Tiktok: @jhiakhana
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ramjhiakhana8255
- soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/jhiakhana
Image Credits
Astray Dewayne Davis
