The interview with J. Wells

Ivaylo Jechkov: All starts for you with the Likwit crew in 2001. Before that you had some rough times in your life, what helps you then to deal with troubles?

J. Wells: I just stayed focused on music. When things was going on in my life crazy around me, I just over worked my self to not think about the negative. I locked my self in my room and made music. And that's where I probably prone my skills.

Is it Pacoima the right place in the right time for you?

Yup! Who would of thought when I moved from Chicago at 12 that I'd move right outside of LA to the San Fernando valley and hook up with J-Ro in Pacoima around the age of 16. Everything happens for a reason. I used to hit J-Ro up everyday and give him beats. One day he hit me for my beats. I'll never forget that call. We been working every since. J-Ro pulled me in the game. Much respect to J-Ro and Tha Liks.

As a youngster with the Likwit crew you toured with Snoop Dogg. What you learned from that great experience?

When I went on tour with Snoop, I was invited by Tha Liks whom was on tour opening for him. When I walked on the bus at 19 years old. To the left of me was Kurupt and right was Daz and Tha Liks. It changed my life. That's where I met everybody and became friends with all the west coast greats. That was an experience of a life time.

You make a song like a producer for Goodie Mob, a mixtape and an album – "Digital Master". Is this a part from plan?

It all just came together, you know. I put mix albums together based on the records I do and I just go with the flow. Working with Goodie Mob was amazing. I grew up listening to the Dungeon Family so to get a chance to produce Goodie was great. I put my all in to it. Live instruments - flute, guitar, rhodes. It was my way of saying thanks to them for giving me the opportunity. I try to go the extra mile as a producer.

To have own label is not easy, but when you reach some success, then all is in your hands. Is it a challenge for you to work with a rap legend like Kurupt?

Yes, sometimes Kurupt really gets on me hard, but it only teaches me. He only wants me to be the best. He always says - I want you to do better than me. Now thats pressure. But I just keep focused as a business man and label owner and strive for the top.

Your album with Kurupt “Digital Smoke” was one of the best of 2007. It’s like refresh for the West Coast style. How the album looks through your eyes?

I loved the album. I learned a lot on that album as a business man. It taught me a lot in business. Creatively it was great in my eyes, some of our best work. I wish the marketing was bigger but hey - it was an indy project and I'm okay with that.

What’s the feeling when your songs sound out of cars from coast to coast and from north to south?

That's the best feeling in the world. Better than money or anything. That's what I live for and make music for people to enjoy. It's like, I recently produced a song for Keyshia Cole called "Work It Out" and I saw on Youtube a fan made a fake video, it had like 100, 000 views. That's hot to me to see people say I love this song and sing your song, that's the best feeling.

You’re 25 years old now, what’s the biggest goal in your career for the near future?

I want to be an executive and oversea projects. That's the ultimate goal. To grow my label Bonzi Records to the level of an Interscope or something like that. And that's the direction we are going. We are looking to release a Rah Digga project, some rock projects, Dead Prez album, and many more.