Wiseboy Jeremy Talks Growing Up in Jersey, “Still Chldrn” & More

modrNation: Where are you originally from?

Wiseboy Jeremy: I was born in Woodbury New Jersey, I lived in Philadelphia when I was like five to thirteen then in 2017 I moved back to Jersey.

modrNation: How do you feel growing up between Philly and Jersey led to you wanting to make music?

Wiseboy Jeremy: Growing up me and my friends were just always into creative shit, we wanted to make films and all that. We also were hooping a lot, and over time we started rapping and I was kind of the only one who kept it going. Over time I met more creative people who were into photography and videography in high school, so I feel Jersey especially has surrounded me with the right people.

modrNation: How involved would you say you are on the visual side?

Wiseboy Jeremy: A lot of times I’m very hands on, if I’m not directing it myself I’ll have my homie Mac of 8thWorld doing it so we can bounce ideas off each other. There’s always a specific way I want them to come across so I’m very involved in the process. 

modrNation: What is the intention behind your music?

Wiseboy Jeremy: I just want people to feel something, I want to capture whatever feeling I had while making the song and deliver it to the people listening. 

modrNation: Take me through your writing process, where does your inspiration typically stem from?

Wiseboy Jeremy: Definitely emotion is the driving force. Being inspired is very important to me, nine times out of ten I’d say I am inspired no matter what’s happening in my life I feel like I can translate that into a song. I’m a product of my environment, so anything like taking a drive or just living will give me something to write about. 

modrNation: You put out your most recent single “Live 2 See” with Kirti Pandey a few months ago, is that someone you think you’ll continue working with?

Wiseboy Jeremy: Me and Kirtey got a few projects coming. The first one should drop in March and it’s almost finished. I’d say we started working on that in July.

modrNation: Do you like to keep a close circle of producers or is it more widespread?

Wiseboy Jeremy: For sure, I feel like that’s the best way to get out what you want to come across. Outsourcing is an amazing thing, like if I’ve got a friend that’s good with drums and maybe one that’s better at chopping samples we can all just work together. 

modrNation: Who are some of your favorite producers you’d like to work with in the future?

Wiseboy Jeremy: Kaytranada definitely, Knxwledge and The Alchemist too. Cole’s production too, I think my style would really mesh well with his beats. 

modrNation: Earlier this year you dropped your debut album “Still Chldrn”, what was the creative process like behind that?

Wiseboy Jeremy: I feel like I was at a turning point with what I wanted to be creating. Musically I wasn’t where I wanted to be at the end of 2021, I kind of just wanted to put more into it and that’s when I made “Jade”. That song was a turning point and I feel like I fell in love with rapping again, that was at the beginning of 2022 and by that point I was making a new beat or song for the project every day. “Travelin’ local” was made when me and a homie went upstate, once that song was made I really knew the direction I wanted to take the project in. I was just reflecting on why I wanted to pursue music and looking back on the reasons I made the choices I had. 

modrNation: Reflecting back on this year, what would you say is the biggest lesson you’ve learned?

Wiseboy Jeremy: I kind of just learned that putting myself out there was the best thing I could do. Not being scared or second guessing and always putting that song out there I might have been unsure about. That was the best thing I could’ve ever done for my music and I’ll continue to do so.

modrNation: What would you say is the importance of finding your own identity and individuality as an artist and a person in a time where so many people are making music?

Wiseboy Jeremy: I feel like it should be the main thing that everybody focuses on. There’s so many things being shared every day, so originality is what everybody should be striving for. I always try to focus on what I’m bringing to the table and why people should care about what I’m offering. 

modrNation: Where do you see yourself five years from now?

Wiseboy Jeremy: I see myself doing the same thing, still putting out music when it feels right and reflecting on everything between now and the next five years. The music will definitely be in a better place too.