I got to catch up with the multitalented artist and producer Jak Da Mak! Peep his story and the jewels he dropped during our conversation.

Achickwitbeatz: Who is Jak Da Mak?

Jak Da Mak: Jak Da Mak is the flyest dude in the country ya digg?! Lol j/k Jak is a real hard working resilient soulful dude! Who is extremely in love with music! Jak Da Mak is a spin off of "Jak Da Mak Frozt" which was given to me by a guy I called my big brother, who I grew up with, Terance "Nigga Nile Flo" Anthony back in the day who actually taught me how to MC back in the day in da Zoo...but when I lived in the studio in Detroit, Michigan on East Outer Drive is when I acquired that name.

Achickwitbeatz: When did you discover that you needed music to be a part of your life?

Jak Da Mak: When I started to hear music, melodies, song structures and beats in my head constantly, and probably one of the first times I had to be away from my equipment for a substantial amount time and I was taping on everything that I touched! LOL then I was sold!! I'm sure you're familiar! LOL 

Achickwitbeatz: What's the most valuable thing you've learned since you became an artist?

Jak Da Mak: I've watched a lot of levels of this art in the last 20 yrs I've been involved and even prior to that just being a huge fan of the culture...but I would have to say, just be true to yourself and who you are and represent as a human being first and foremost! Don't follow the trend, set the trend! When I first heard KRS ONE, Rakim, LL Cool J, Big Daddy Kane, Kool G Rap, Chuck D, and Ice Cube just to name a few, who must I say all had different styles, I didn't want to be them I just respected there approach and how it worked for them. But that didn't mean follow suit!! So to me the most valuable lesson I've learned is to just stay original and one day you will get tour shot and when you do it will have staying power!! It wont just be pub music!! LOL 

Achickwitbeatz: What are 5 attributes/skills that would place an artist on your top 10 list?

Jak Da Mak: Storytelling, cadence, delivery, originality, and word play in no particular order 

Achickwitbeatz: Conversely, what are 5 attributes that would place an artist at the very bottom of your list?

Jak Da Mak: No originality, no substance, no social commentary, no mic clarity, and being fake! gotta keep it real...period!!! 

Achickwitbeatz: What's next on the horizon for Jak Da Mak?

Jak Da Mak: Just to be the best I can be as a human being in life first and foremost, and just follow the path the Lord has etched in stone and that was written personally for me! I'm a puppet I follow God's moves!!

Achickwitbeatz: How can people connect with you and stay current with what you have in the works?

Jak Da Mak: Google me is the easy route but true fans go to JAK DA MAK or CALVIN JAK WINFIELD for Facebook interaction, www.reverbnation/jakdamak , or www.soundcloud.com/Jak-da-mak-frozt for the latest of current and throwback Jak Da Mak creations !  ;-) God bless and thanx again for reaching out Achickwitbeatz!! And just for the record im a huge fan of urs! Keep working!! Hopefully we can build soon!! Mak!!!!