Jaff Daniels winner of Jack Daniel’s inaugural Supporting Act music initiative
Jack Daniel’s inaugural Supporting Act music initiative wrapped late last month, affording nine Canadian music lovers the opportunity to realize their sound ambitions.
Born out of a partnership with Live Nation, the Jack Daniel’s Supporting Act program began with over 65 musically-driven entry stories about what they needed to make pursue their craft. Finalists were selected by a panel of judges and voted on by the public.
Cailin Jaffray, musically known as Jaff Daniels (perfectly apt name—we know), was the winner of the Fan Choice Award –Jaff wins $7K that will go towards studio time, production costs, in-house equipment upgrades, travel and accommodations for an upcoming college campus tour.
TheSceneinTO had the opportunity to sit down with Jaff after his triumphant win to get into his head and see where he’s headed next.
TheSceneinTO: What made you decide that now was the time to apply for Jack Daniel’s Supporting Act?
Jaff Daniels: When I heard about the contest it was a no brainer. Already being an enthusiast of Jack Daniels and an emcee, combined with the nature of the contest, an opportunity for musicians or music lovers to gain funding to put towards their passion or craft—it just seemed like a win/win situation for me. It was the perfect scenario to take my music goals to the next level.
TheSceneinTO: How do you think winning this competition will change your life? What’s your biggest dream coming out of this?
JD: Winning the JD Supporting Act Fan’s Choice award is MEGA. It’s a definite game changer in the sense that I’ve had the vision and a plan for a long time now and to have that backing and the funds to really get things moving, it’s incredible. The biggest dream coming out of this is taking the MEGAPOWERS movement to a worldwide audience. My cohorts and I have been building for a while now and having these finances will allow us to elevate our platform.
TheSceneinTO: If you could perform in one music festival at all, no matter where it’s held in the world, which would you choose?
JD: Which music festival would I want to perform in? If I could hop in the DeLorean I would have loved to be the only hip-hop act to perform at the original Woodstock with the legends. But, without the flux capacitor I’d say SXSW, Coachella, or Rock the Bells here in North America. Now if I could pick one anywhere in the world it would have to be one of the UK festivals like Glastonbury or T in the Park in Scotland.
TheSceneinTO: How would you describe your sound to someone who’s never heard your music, and who are some of your influences?
JD: My music is a smorgasbord of the classic hip hop I grew up on, mixed with some fresh sounds and concepts, seasoned with wrestling entrance themes for good measure. Everything I do with the music, I want it to have that sense of grandeur and pageantry. Overall I just want to deliver my own brand of hip hop that transcends time and space. As far as some of my influences I’d say Wu-Tang is a big one, Biggie, Nas, OutKast, UGK, Eminem, Jay-Z, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Green Day, Nirvana, Hulk Hogan, Macho Man Randy Savage, Ric Flair, Shawn Michaels, Bret Hart etc. I’m inspired and influenced by great performers from all avenues.
TheSceneinTO: What does your Soundcloud (or iPod) track list look like right now?
JD: Aside from the MEGAPOWERS music my brothers are making, Wu-Tang and all the other legends I mentioned earlier. Recently I’m listening to Action Bronson, Freddie Gibbs, Joey Badass etc. I really like what all those guys are doing right now, their content, their hustle; they’re all artists I want to work with in the near future.
JAFF DANIELS from LNJDSA on Vimeo.
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