Diandra Interviews Jac Ross: Music Is Truth & Truth Heals

There is no denying that music heals because, for Jac Ross, it speaks to truth. Throughout history, music has been able to both reflect humanity and cultivate it by calling it out on its flaws. Hence, Jac Ross’ music breathes a sense of hope that, through it all, humanity can rise above its worst. In our interview, we talk about music as his inspiration, passion, truth, and overall reflection on beauty.

Diandra: What is one truth, about love, music helped you discover?

Jac: Love is not always pretty. Sometimes, it is gritty and tough and requires different emotions, like music. Yet, it is the most rewarding thing.
Jac Ross – Questions (Live On That Grape Juice)

Diandra: You have said you are a fan of H.E.R and Kendrick Lamar because they speak to truth. How do you define truth?

Jac: For me, truth is universal. It is not my opinion. The truth will last through many questions and opinions because it is true. For me, my faith is my truth. I’m a Christian man, and I believe my savior is the truth. For me, it is, definitely, possible that there is truth.

Diandra: As someone who wants to give hope through their music, how has the pandemic inspired and made you feel responsible, as a person, to heal others through song?

Jac: It is a time when I can put the pen to the paper and give to people who need inspiration and need to be inspired to hope. It is a time for me to go on Youtube and Instagram, and show my performance style, which is already inspirationally driven. So this pandemic has motivated me creatively, in every way.

Diandra: Your music does confront social injustice and racism. Do you feel, for a song to become art, it has to have an element of activism or advocacy?

Jac: I think all music is a form of art, but I, definitely, think that more artists should become socially active in justice and speak up and help their communities that are suffering throughout the world. As artists, we have such major platforms and the world believes in art: our art. I think artists should become more vocal and be the voices for those in need so others can follow in suit.

Diandra: How do you feel music has been a historian, especially for black history?

Jac: Music is, definitely, apart of black history because, in our culture, it has always been a leader. During times of racial divide, Marvin Gaye asking “What’s Going On?” or James Brown singing, “Say It Loud! I’m Black And I’m Proud!” Music has given us the voices that have made us, culturally, have hope, feel empowered, and get up for another day.

Diandra: Do you feel music has played a role in defining black love and life?

Jac: Music has played a role in black love and black power. It has taught us to not be afraid, and that we can get up and make it out of systematic racism. I think music gives light to us.

Jac Ross – Saved (Live On That Grape Juice)

Diandra: You have said that we need to admire and protect more black beauty, particularly amongst women. How does singing to your daughter, redefine how you see black beauty?

Jac: Singing to her, gives me a fresh perspective. Writing for my daughter has allowed me to see black beauty in its most innocent form, as I am singing to my child. It helps me feel fuller, as an artist, by making me think of how, as she grows to be a woman, I want men to speak to her and treat her and see her. I think more artists should be careful about how they speak about women, especially as “sexual devices.” From my point of you, as a man with a daughter, she is precious, she is a diamond, she is rare, and cut in her own way, and I want her to be treated as such. I want black women to know that they are not all the same and that they are all beautiful in every, different way.

Diandra: Do you feel being a father has changed or redefined you as an artist?

Jac: I think having her there has made me see Love as a whole, and what it really means to love somebody. Having my daughter broke me down as a man, and helped me see the other side, which is women. It has helped me morally appreciate them. I have always believed you treat everybody the same and you treat them in love, just because of my upbringing, and having a daughter has furthered my belief in that truth.

Diandra: You gave up a basketball scholarship and a potential route of stability just to pursue music. What is it about music that made you love it enough to take such a risk?

Jac: The thing about music is that I would rather die than not play music. If its not in music, then life does not feel real. Music IS my stability. It keeps me grounded and sane and helps me reflect the love I, genuinely, have for people. It allows me to express that love better than any scholarship or anything could. Music means the WORLD to me and I live for music; to the point that I told my wife, if something happened to me while playing music, I would be fine with how I left. Music is my heart and feels embedded within me, even before I was born.

Jac Ross – It’s OK To Be Black (Visual)

Diandra: With that in mind, what is your favorite memory of music?

Jac: There are SO MANY! What comes back to me, and always stood out, is that every night my dad would come into the room and sing me a countless amount of songs. He would go to my siblings room and sing them two or three to put them to sleep, and I would need like 30. I would just tell him, “Sing to me more!”

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