Ascending producer, Juse Dayne, is gaining his footing this year with NoCap‘s breakout track, “Ghetto Angels,” but the producer’s journey is far from developmental.
Dayne, 33, born Julius Dayne McCormack, credits his roots in Hampton, VA by way of Camden, NJ as the unusual trek which sonically fostered much of what his listeners’ press play on today. “Seeing millions of streams on my songs means a lot, but I have been at this for years. Also, I credit my daughter, Juliana, because she has given me more to live for — Juliana is truly my muse musically,” the producer affirmed of his recent success.
While an artist’s gift undeniably propels a track to the top of the charts, there are many unsung heroes behind the scenes of our favorite records. The digital landscape of how we enjoy music is evolving. 2018 marked the first time hip-hop consumption surpassed that of rock, validating it as the most popular music genre, by Nielsen. This genre reign continues, numerically making hip-hop producers the most in demand, and Juse Dayne is one of them.
The Knockturnal caught up the indie giant to discuss NoCap’s, “Ghetto Angels,” Noah James Shebib’s musical influence, and why betting on your dreams is the wave. Check out Juse Dayne in his words now.
The Knockturnal: For those unfamiliar, please describe your sound.
Juse Dayne: I like to think my sound is multi-generational. I grew up admiring music legends like Timbaland, Pharrell, RZA, Swizz Beatz, and Dr. Dre, to name a few. These catalogs lead to a real love for samples, orchestration, unique sounds, and instrumentation. To add, I appreciate percussion, so, that includes hard ass drum patterns — simple or complex. [Laughs]
That’s my foundation, but I also love where music is at now. While I do believe there should be sub-genres, the sounds, vibes, and expression within the genre is all hip-hop, at its core. I believe this, regardless of what purist try to say. This past year at the Grammy’s we had Travis Scott and the late, and great Nipsey Hussle in the same Rap Album of the Year category. That speaks to where the culture is. So, not to be facetious, but my sound tends to cross into both of those lanes!
The Knockturnal: What do you want listeners to know about you and your music?
Juse Dayne: I produce because I love it, and I genuinely believe that’s the only thing that’s gotten me this far. I have gained momentum this year. Music is truly my passion and the only thing I want to do for the rest of my life. To be honest, if nobody ever requested another one of my beats, I would still make them until I could not anymore.
I’ve attempted to walk away from making music a few times, but it never worked out that way. I always found myself coming back to it one way or another. So, you cannot tell me I’m not destined for this. When there was doubt, God has shown me differently. The only reason it took me so long is because I was paying more attention to bullshit distractions. When you are on your path, you cannot let doubt, and other people’s negative energy ruin your vision.
The Knockturnal: What is your mantra?
Juse Dayne: My mantra is to always bet on yourself. Life tends to get complicated and cumbersome at times. I have experienced my own highs and lows, which interfered with my consistency. Many times people dismiss their dreams, and most of those people are left feeling as if they caused a self-inflicted wound. Outsiders are going to project their fears onto you, and you shouldn’t give up on pursuing your passion because of them or their make-believe excuses. I know because I lived it, that was me.
After putting some numbers on the board, I had to realize what was in my heart and double-down on that. Nobody has ever become great at anything by accident. This 2019 streaming momentum started with new-found dedication. You have to bet a bulk of your time, faith, and resources on the fact that you’re going to make it, no matter what.
The Knockturnal: Who are your contemporaries?
Juse Dayne: It is hard to say, at present. There are plenty of producers I listen to. Respectfully, some of the inspirations I want to collaborate with are Key Wane, Teddy Walton, Vinylz, Allen Ritter, Boi-1da, Metro Boomin, and many more. All those record producers are on a higher tier. Still, those names are a few of the producers that set a benchmark for me to work toward sonically.
The Knockturnal: NoCap’s “Ghetto Angels” surpassed 6 million views on YouTube. How does that feel?
Juse Dayne: It’s really a blessing to be a part of it, especially as someone who contemplated giving up on production a few times. It is crazy to see the response, and how many people have gravitated to the record. I am beside myself; NoCap expressed what the song, “Ghetto Angels” means to him. This triumph is truly humbling.
People are saying it is their favorite song, or that “Ghetto Angels” makes them think about their loved ones who are no longer with them. That is what this is all about, impact. So, producing this song spoke a grander compliment than I could ever ask for. For me, as a creative, the ultimate prize is having your work touch people’s lives.
I’m just thankful that NoCap did what he did to it. He made the song bigger than music, for real. I ran the song back on repeat the whole 40-minute drive home after work. I knew we had created something special.
The Knockturnal: Who are your dream collaborations?
Juse Dayne: Truthfully, I would love to work with anyone I’ve mentioned so far, but my dream collaboration would be with Noah James Shebib, aka 40. He is one of the best there is for me. 40 is a big inspiration and someone whose work I’ve studied to elevate my craft. I don’t care if nobody ever used or heard the beats. [Laughs]
I want to create with 40 and soak up game. I feel as if his ears have a brain. He has an extraordinary approach to what he does. His production has this sophisticated simplicity. The music seems effortlessly detailed. As a producer, you know 40 puts so much into a song, because you can feel it. We all love Drake, anyone, including myself, would love to work with him, but 40 lays that foundation!
As far as artists collabs go, I can’t fail to mention Jay-Z. He’s always going to be the holy grail, no pun intended. [Laughs] I can’t even begin to articulate how much Hov means to me, or hip-hop properly. He is a pillar in the culture. So, maybe the universe will hear me. It’s a natural, no-brainer response, but Jigga is necessary to acknowledge.
The Knockturnal: Tell listeners what you are working on.
Juse Dayne: Wow! There will be much more, God willing. My bro, Jayre, and I are continually cookin’ up stuff all the time. I cannot give away too much, but I have plenty in the stash after “Ghetto Angels.” Seeing Juse Dayne in the production credits matters to me. So, this is when the real grind starts.
The hope is to keep building, creating, and reaching people musically. I appreciate all types of vibes. So, I want to get into everything, hip-Hop, R&B, pop, reggaeton, afrobeat, TV, movies, and beyond. Music is a universal language, and I don’t plan on boxing myself into just one lane.
