Ja’king The Divine
Peace I’m Ja’king the Divine I’m from New York but was raised between Bed-Stuy Brooklyn and Uniondale Long Island. I established a creative collective/brand back in 2018 called DIV7NE. I represent black culture, the pure essence hip -hop, and anything nerdy you can think of lol. Some of my interests include film, comics, philosophy, gaming, art, fashion, and poetic literature.
Q: What does the word art mean to you?
Art to me is subjective and touchy subject. But to me, art is anything that sparks thought and tackles ideals, systems, and existential longing we all go through each and every day. Art is not only a physical thing but also spiritual … art is what we feel internally.
Q: What is some of the merchandise that you offer? What makes this merchandise unique?
As of now … I sell quality embroidered hoodies, with my recent album artwork, sweatpants; T-shirts, Hats, digital album downloads, and Vinyl. My merchandise is unique because with DIV7NE you get a complete cultured experience within the music and clothing. Meaning our albums are jam-packed with so much knowledge, history, pop culture favorites (film, comics, books), and conceptual writing that you can’t get from every label or brand. We represent everything culture in many different mediums and worlds of art
Q: Where can people stream your music?
All platforms.
Q: What is something you want to experiment with?
Actually learning how to play instruments or use machines to further immerse in the curation of the look of the brand and what we/I stand for.
Q: What is a goal that you have set for this year?
To go on my first tour, and continue to build my cult following.
Would you like to be featured?
Q: What is your favorite and least favorite part about performing?
My favorite part is the intersection with the crowd after you killed a set/song. My least favorite is the preparation... I be nervous and in my head the whole fucking day.
Q: Have you ever thought about getting involved in the rap battle scene?
Eh... I mean I feel like I’m one of those dudes that whatever I want to do I can do it & master it if given the time. I’m not too huge on the battle rap scene... I love making music and curating albums.
Q: How would you describe your music and flow?
I’m a melting pot of emcees and sound. Take a Kool G rap, Percee P flow/scheme patterns with a GZA approach to knowledge and science, with a Jay electronica/KA poetic touch with a Boot Camp Clik type delivery over KA’s production but just sped up.. sounds crazy but listen to my last album and tell me I’m lying. I’m a student.
Q: How do you push to get your name out there?
Studying who’s who in the culture.. building a brand and theme instead of just hopping on random beats and spitting, understanding my lane and sticking to what I know and have control over, replying back to fans to build relationships and trust cause they’re mad cool people out there and making my first few vinyl deals, etc... Instead of screaming all that I’m versatile bullshit I just stick to what I like and master who I am and my sound. Everyone paints their canvas differently Basquiat couldn’t do what Leanardo does. Beethoven didn’t compose like Bach. Focus on what you do and stop trying to please everyone. We’re told in life to please everyone is impossible.. apply that to your music. I know that I’m just not for everyone and that’s ok. Doesn’t mean what you create is irrelevant. It’s an extension of YOU so let it be that.
Q: What are you most excited about with your show in February? Is there a specific song you want to perform? Why?
Honestly getting on stage with my guy Javi Darko, he’s so good in the booth, and on stage, I just love seeing him at work and in his element. No specific songs tho .. just w.e space I’m feeling the day of or not before… there are sides to me where I’m extremely strategic and the other side of me to where I’m super lax and free-flowing. It goes back to what I and my guys represent tho. The Yin and Yang. Balance.