My name is Quincy. I go by SPACEJXM. I'm an avid lover of music. I feel like with the weight and the output of my music you can definitely hear that I'm a student of the game, student of the arts. So ultimately, I do this because not only am I a huge listener of music, but I'm a huge enthusiast for it. I have been making music for about four years now, five years now, give or take, and I've been loving the process the whole way.

MBS: What’s your favourite song you made and walk us through the process?

SPACE: That's such a hard question because I have so many songs. But I would say the song I enjoy the most right now is "Six Side." I made that song right after I came back from L.A. It was my first time going out there this year. I was just inspired by the weather, the good vibes, and honestly, the people. I didn’t know what to expect, and I had some misconceptions about how people would receive us out there but we got so much love. The energy was amazing. Coming back to the city, I had this fresh perspective. That’s when I made “Six Side.” It’s also the first track where I’d say I gave myself producer credits. I didn’t produce the whole beat from scratch, but I did reproduce it, making changes while adding my own spin. One of my producer homies told me, “Yo, that’s a producer tag right there,” so I ran with it. The lyrics in that song are really a reflection of how much I love the city I’m from, Toronto. It’s about being back home and realizing that everything I left is still here. It’s like a refresher. A reminder that yes, I want to explore and grow, but everything I pick up out there, I’m bringing back home to elevate what we have here.

MBS: If you could use one one word to describe your art form what would it be and why?

SPACE: If I had to choose one word to describe my music, it would be freedom. For me, music is what liberated me. It gave me purpose, something that I could keep building toward. And I think that’s something a lot of people are still searching for, regardless of age. True freedom comes from doing what you love without limits. That’s what music is for me. I don’t create based on rules, trends, or what I’m “supposed” to sound like. I make whatever I want, however I feel, and I hope people feel that when they listen. My music isn’t meant to fit in a box; it’s meant to break you out of one. More than anything, I want that freedom to extend to everyone, my friends, my listeners, anyone who presses play. Whether it’s 30 minutes or something that stays with you for months, I just want my music to give you a sense of freedom. Even if just for a moment.

MBS: What’s one word you’d use to describe a cheff beat?

SPACE: Goat, straight up. I won’t lie, it's crazy, because I couldn’t even tell you exactly when me and Cheff first locked in. It feels like we’ve just always known each other. From the first beat I heard from him to now, it’s been consistent greatness. If I had to get more technical, I’d say his sound fits perfectly with what I’m trying to put out; freedom. But if I had to choose one word that really captures Cheff’s essence, it would be bravado. His beats have this unshakable confidence. They reflect who he is as a person, bold, unique, and intentional. You can tell he’s developed his own sound over time. Nothing ever feels random; every beat tells you something about him. That’s what I admire most. Even though I’m not a producer (yet), I hope that when I do get into that space, I can express myself the way he does, with every beat carrying a piece of your spirit. Cheff’s music always has that extra oomph. You feel him in every sound.

MBS: Who are you listening to right now?

SPACE: Man, this is always such a hard question for me because I’m a really passionate music listener, I’m tapped into so many different sounds at once. But to keep it simple, I’ll give you a couple from each genre I’ve been into lately.  For hip-hop, it’s always Future and Carti, those two stay in rotation. For rock, I’ve been deep into Blue Öyster Cult, especially Don’t Fear the Reaper, and also ZZ Top. Honestly, I’ve been running through all kinds of rock lately, AC/DC, and more. At the end of the day, the best way to know what I’m listening to is to check my story. It’s all there, whatever I’m spinning at the moment. It's too hard to pick just a few but those are some in my current rotation. Honourable mentions to the weekend, Aaliyah and honestly SZA her album CTRL will never leave my rotation when it comes to my R & B.

MBS: Would you say your music matches or influences your sense of style

SPACE: I’d say no, my look doesn’t really match my sound, and that’s kind of the point. I like throwing people off a bit, giving them that curveball between how I look and how I sound. Especially coming from Scarborough, we’re not boxed into one style or vibe. You’ll see all kinds of people expressing themselves in different ways, whether it’s fashion, music, or energy. That diversity is what makes the east end special, and it’s definitely something I carry with me in how I present myself and create. Scarborough is layered, man. People try to box in Toronto like it’s one thing, but if you’ve been to Scarborough, you know it’s different. I grew up in the hood, but you wouldn’t always be able to tell, that’s intentional. I’ve always wanted to break the stereotype. I might dress like your favorite trapper, but my music? It’s about love, peace, connection. I want people to see me and not be able to guess what I sound like. Same way Young Thug wore a dress and shocked people, but if you knew his music, it made sense. That’s the kind of freedom I want in how I express myself.

"First off, they straight up lied to us. I say that because I grew up in the same city as these guys around me. My first job was in the community housing I lived in. For me, making money meant way more than just standing on the corner. No disrespect to anyone who did, but there are so many other ways to hustle and be self-sufficient, and I’m living proof of that. I want kids to be smarter and more proactive about how they earn their money instead of giving their lives over to the system. There’s so much opportunity out there if you’re willing to look for it. I’ve made plenty of money without ever having to sit in a jail cell. That’s why I always say, they lied to us. The way we’re living now is a direct result of those lies. A lot of kids who grew up like me have seen way too much pain and loss, pain that could’ve been avoided. It’s crucial to find real role models you can look up to, not just the ones outsiders put in front of you. And to the elders in the community: please give the younger generation a real chance to build their own name. Stop putting them in traps that rob them of true freedom. That’s why I always talk about freedom. It’s more than just being able to walk outside freely; it’s about mental freedom too. I had a chance, and I took it. The young ones need that chance too, seriously."

-SPACEJXM