Rising Stars: Meet Jay The Rarest

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jay The Rarest. 

Hi Jay, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers?
My name is Jay The Rarest (F.K.A. RhymeSight), an Indigenous MC and record producer from Denver, Colorado. Aside from my solo career, I’m a member of Michigan based Hip-Hop group, the Almighty Foot Clan. Rare Society is my independent label/brand. I represent passion, honesty, and dedication through my music. 

I started rapping at the tender age of nine turning my written poems into rhymes. I started making beats just a year later and finally begun recording at the age of 13. Hip-Hop music was around me, instilled in me, and a part of my life literally since the day I was born. My mother was an avid Hip-Hop head who exposed me to a lot of the music and artist that inspired me to pursue a music career of my own. I grew up listening to music mainly from the golden age of Hip-Hop some of my influences include legends such as Nas, 2Pac, Wu-Tang Clan, Big L, Snoop Dogg, MF DOOM, and Ras Kass just to name a few. I started making a name for myself when I was 14 years old performing at venues all around Colorado, as well as releasing 10+ projects independently, majority of them under my former stage name RhymeSight before officially changing it in 2019 to what it is now, Jay The Rarest. I’ve been regarded as a staple as well as a pillar in the Colorado Hip-Hop scene although my brand, music, and influence has expanded to even more parts of the world. 

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It hasn’t been a smooth road for me as an independent Indigenous Hip-Hop artist from Denver, Colorado which most don’t usually look to for Hip-Hop as much as places such as Atlanta, New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Texas, etc. My journey has been a constant grind and struggle to prove myself, my worth, and my talent as an artist. Throughout my journey, I’ve consistently applied my passion as an artist to drive me to go against all odds because my whole journey I’ve been against all odds regardless. Dealing with poverty, violence, racism, death, my family and friends getting incarcerated, witnessing drug use/abuse as well as drug dealing, supporting multiple chronically ill family members, and even being homeless, it’s fair to say many would of gave up in my shoes but it is my love and passion for music that has kept me going, it is my love and passion for music that has helped me embrace the pressures and struggles of life. Music was the only thing that kept me level-headed through anything I ever went through. Knowing that one day my music/art can and will do the same for somebody out there who’s going through what I went through has kept me striving and creating. Throughout my pursuit, I’ve learned that it is mandatory to discipline yourself and to be patient in order to achieve anything truly worth having, which in my case is my dream to become an established, respected, and beloved artist/musician. 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Although I wear many hats, I’m an MC before anything. I’m not really a fan of the term ‘rapper’ I believe I’m more than that. MC (Master of Ceremonies) is a term that I believe has been lost in Hip-Hop and when you listen to my music, I’m confident you will be able to acknowledge the difference in my craft opposed to a ‘rappers’ craft, it’s honestly just a different texture hence the name and theme of my latest project ‘The Difference’. I take my music very seriously not just the production of my music but all components of my music heavily including the lyrical component of it. I’d say I have a pure and unorthodox but versatile style, a style that is difficult to put in a box which is the overall theme of my brand. I’m also a music producer as well as an executive producer. I engineer majority of my own work and produce a large amount of my own work as well as many other artists. As far as my resume, I have worked and performed alongside a countless amount of established and legendary acts such as Devin The Dude, Too $hort, Scarface, Warren G, KRS-One, Montana of 300, RITTZ, Maxo Kream, Pro Era, Nappy Roots, and many more. I also have been recognized by and appeared in many major Hip-Hop blogs, magazines, and music/media outlets including Sway In The Morning on Shade 45, 5280 Magazine, Westword Magazine, UndergroundHipHopBlog, World Viral TV, and more. I’ve had spins on online and satellite radio stations both in the states and overseas. In 2016 I won Goodwill’s annual “Bright Future” award. I’ve also been co-signed by LA’s own King Lil G, a mentor of mine in the industry who I’ve also had the honor to work with and perform alongside multiple times. 

What matters most to you? Why?
Making a positive impact is what matters most to me. Not just my impact in Hip-Hop culture, impact in music, or even my impact on my city but my impact on the world and everyone in it. Your impact is your legacy, your legacy will outlive even you. My music/art is a vessel I use to make my impact. 

Contact Info:

• Email: jaytherarest@gmail.com
• Website: jaytherarest.bandcamp.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/jaytherarest
• Facebook: facebook.com/jaytherarest
• Twitter: twitter.com/jaytherarest
• Youtube: youtube.com/rhymesightmusic
• SoundCloud: soundcloud.com/jaytherarestfkarhymesight