Today we’d like to introduce you to Vintage Jay.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I started writing poetry when I was in high school. Slowly that transitioned into rapping after one of my homies told me I should try to rap. He gave me that push to try something new because he seen people was really into my pen and emotion I was giving in those poems I would post on Tumblr and Facebook. One of my producer homies “KLUTCH” had a small home studio in the Northside and 2016 we started to lock in and try to make music everyday.
I had a lot of trouble writing in the beginning because I didn’t know nothing about how to write or record a song. I made about 100 shitty songs before I made one good one song. It’s part of the process of you growing as an artist.
In 2016 I was also throwing party events with other event curators and promoters all over Austin. We did parties on 6th street bar and venues, the famous Illmore, and at the UT Co-op. I would also host and curate private events for a company in Dublin, Ireland. They would pay me 2k per event, it was a really good hustle for a kid that was barely 18. I was just living and learning everything that was being exposed to me.
You have to really know and understand the experience of the nightlife to curate and demonstrate the correct vibes for the people.
2018 is started taking music a lot more seriously, I was consistently in the studio every week. I wasn’t partying much, I didn’t want to do anything that wasn’t involving music. I lost a lot of my friends that year, was I too focused, maybe. But I was doing something that I loved so I didn’t care who stayed or not.
Summer of 2018, I dropped a mixtape called “Too North”.
Was expanding my music discography with old school Japanese samples and hard knock drums.
I was voted by the people to perform at the Smoke Out 2 music showcase curated by JSoulja & Dj Napalm.
That was the first time I ever performed in front of a real hiphop/rap crowd. I’ve done open mics but it wasn’t nothing close to that Smoke Out vibe. Forever grateful for that opportunity, I met a lot of creative talented people showing up to those shows.
I knew I wasn’t going to get respected if I wasn’t original and lyrical. I came in the game repping my hood, I was gonna put “Rundberg” in front of you whether you knew what it was or not. 2019 I dropped my first studio project called “A Kid From Rundberg”. A good number of melodic records mixed with real-life struggles coming out of a dark place. I want to say I started catching people’s ears with that project. The feedback was great and it’s one of my highest streamed projects till this day. Recorded and mixed by Track Majors, Bomani Ray Borton, MixedByCrook and Soundshed Studios.
Rundberg:
Rundberg is a street located in the Northside 78758/78753 of Austin. It’s poverty level income on the west and east side of the street. So that just lets you know that there’s crime, violence, prostitution, and gangs up and down the block. Like many hoods all over the world, it’s not meant for us to make it past 25. A lot of my friends are dead or in jail serving double-digit sentences. And that’s nothing to be proud of because growing up everything seemed so normal. When it truly wasn’t, but as kids you aren’t really thinking that way. All you know is the experiences and tools you get when you go outside. Not knowing that it’s really hell out here and it’s gonna take a lot from you to make it out of here. The Northside has a majority population of Hispanic people, a lot which are immigrant families looking for a better life.
2019 I started my community foundation, I collaborated with my old high school “Juan Navarro HS” and began to do Turkey drives and Food pantry’s all over the Northside. Around the same time, I started my company “Norf Norf Way“.
I started the company based of mentally and courage, basically finding determination in every aspect in order to move forward in life. Being absolutely fearless of what stands in the way. The Norf Norf Way.
Top of 2020, I dropped my first clothing drop under Norf Norf Way. All hoodies were sold out under two weeks. I was very proud of that for myself and the team.
2020 was a very good year for me, besides the whole COVID stuff. I was hustling hard 2020.
I performed at the Vibes Tx music showcase curated by Romiire.
I also curated and hosted The Love Jam music show that took place at the Magik store Domain.
I dropped Begotten Son EP, one of my favorite projects. Recorded and mixed by CIO.
July 4th, 2020 I organized a protest at the Texas Capitol for all the kids and families that were stuck in the detention center cages. Was one of the best moments of my life. We had over 200 people marching and protesting with us. I definitely saved my soul that day.
September 2020 I was selected to perform at the KUTX Summer Jam powered by The Breaks and The Hakone Agency. Alongside other top artists in the city. The show was streamed on PBS and YouTube. Was a great moment for a kid that really came out the ghetto. I ain’t never seen no real production like that in my life.
2020 I did three apparel drops under Norf Norf Way. From booking models, creating the aesthetics, and directing the shoots.
Top of 2021, I dropped When Thugs Cry, my 3rd studio project. Features by Sorté, Amirah Tye, Bomani Ray Borton, and Sabrina. Recorded and mixed by CIO.
Sorté was introduced to the people in that project. One of the artists under Norf Norf Way. We had been in the studio all 2020 just making records. Be on the lookout for Sorté’s project coming soon.
Been featured on podcast platforms:
MercyMe, IDK THATS PERFECT, AUSTINWEUP, 2HR Lunch Break, WMB RADIO, International Plug, Over500.
Summer 2021, Norf Norf Way & IDK THAT’S PERFECT collaborated on the first-ever Hip-Hop & Corridos music showcase in Texas. We threw three shows in less than five months. Put over 30 artists on the main stage of Mala Vida. Our goal was to highlight local artists and bring them to higher audiences. And give the people a true experience of the culture.
As a CEO and artist, I wear a lot of hats. You are in control of everything and you might have to do more than one thing as you continue on your journey.
You might be doing the work of 30 people, but it’s part of the process. Embrace it and take advantage of every opportunity given.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Some of the struggles along the road were definitely trying to find media outlets in the city and surrounding that support and feature local artists. I had to do my digging.
It ain’t been a super rough road but definitely a bumpy one.
Finding genuine people that actually believe in me.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a songwriter, I executive compose music. I’m a businessman CEO. I’m an activist for my community. Director and clothing designer.
The most proudest moments has to be performing at KUTX SUMMER JAM & organizing the protest.
The zone I was in during those two moments is just monumental. Never in my life did I imagine I’ll be in those shoes.
I feel like my courage and ambition separates me from a lot of people. My voice is never silent. My spirit is always high. You gonna feel me when I’m in the room. I’m a hustler, my grind is impeccable.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
All my life, it’s been about risks. Every win for me and the team has been about risks. Not afraid of taking risks. Pressure creates diamonds remember. It’s scary of course, but it’s prettier once you get to the other side. And don’t get me wrong, I’ve taken risks and failed plenty of times. But not once did I stay down. I got up every damn time I failed. And you should too.
Contact Info:
- Email: Norfnorfway@gmail.com
- Website: NORFNORFWAY.com
- Instagram: @VintageJayyy
- Twitter: @VintageJayyy
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCaF8Ytqd0Mcku7Q4C-_mqig
Image Credits
Photos credits: Eye.93 Morty Zapata PeteLaFlame Dan2TheL Jodoe
