115Jai Turns Relationship Tension Into Perspective on “Malibu or Venice”

115Jai’s “Malibu or Venice” sits in that uncomfortable space where ambition and relationships start pulling in opposite directions. The Columbus-born artist, who describes his sound as Midwest Alternative Hip Hop, uses the track to reflect on what happens when someone wants the results of your ambition but struggles with the time and attention that ambition requires. Coming out of failed relationships and dealing with the same issue repeatedly, 115Jai turns that frustration into a song that feels more reflective than bitter.

That conflict shows up throughout the lyrics. He admits that money stays on his mind even while someone he cares about remains in his heart, repeating the central choice: “You can either cry in Malibu / Or you can cry in Venice.” For 115Jai, the two locations represent more than beaches. They symbolize two different versions of life and the idea that problems are unavoidable regardless of how successful you become. Instead of pretending ambition makes life perfect, “Malibu or Venice” asks whether the struggle is worth it if the work eventually gives you access to a life most people never experience.

Interview

For anyone finding your music for the first time, introduce yourself a little. Where are you from, how long have you been making music, and how would you describe your sound?

I was born in Columbus Ohio, ended up moving out of the city really young and bounced back and forth between central Ohio and North Carolina. I’ve been making music since I was in 4th grade. I played electric guitar and performed live a few times. I would describe my sound as Midwest Alternative Hip Hop.

What originally got you into making music? Was there a specific artist, song, or moment that made you want to start recording?

I would say my friends got me to take it serious on the recording side. I used to freestyle in the car in college after practice and class, and the homies told me to make a song when I went home.

Let’s talk about “Malibu or Venice.” What’s the story behind the song, and what were you trying to capture when you made it?

At the time I made this song, I was coming out of a failed relationship and failing in others. A consistent issue was how busy I am in life and how that keeps me from being fully present in my relationships at all times. I wanted to capture my perspective of this situation. Everyone swears they don’t want to deal with a bum, but when you’re a hard worker with real ambition and goals like me, now it’s “you don’t make enough time for me”.

Why the title “Malibu or Venice”? Is there a deeper meaning behind those two places, or was it more about the feeling and imagery they give off?

When I was spending more time in LA I had visited both beaches multiple times and while they are both awesome, they have a very different vibe and tax bracket. Basically what I was saying thru the song is there are always gonna be issues in life and something to cry over, but would you rather have to be upset in a normal life accesible to everyone or be upset in a life that took hard work and barely anyone gets to experience. It’s all perspective.

Who would you say are your biggest influences right now? And how have they shaped your sound without you feeling like you’re just copying what somebody else is doing?

Musically I would say my biggest influences are The Neighborhood, Nickleback, Don Toliver, and Future. They all bring something refreshing to the table that’s been able to last a good amount of time at the top of the charts and just makes you feel good. I like to say each all bring a different energy to their records that describes a different part of me or the way I think; I wouldn’t say look to emulate sound just the energy they bring to music.

What’s next for you after “Malibu or Venice”? Any new music, projects, shows, collaborations, or anything else people should be looking out for?

I’m actually doing to drop a tape with the single on it here in September. My team has a few more singles and another album ready for the fall, with a sound I’ve never done before so we are pretty excited. Also have a lot of collab projects on the way with my bro Swaun and the homie Cameron Airborne. This week we are heading to Indianapolis for my first out of state music festival performance at Chreece.

“Malibu or Venice” gives listeners a strong introduction to the way 115Jai approaches music, balancing personal situations with a bigger perspective on ambition, relationships and the life he is trying to build. With a tape arriving in September, another album planned for the fall, collaborations already in motion and his first out-of-state festival performance on the schedule, the single feels less like an isolated release and more like the beginning of a much busier stretch for him.