GET TO KNOW: J.R.Clark

A decade deep into his independent grind, Virginia-based rapper, songwriter, and engineer J.R.Clark isn’t slowing down, he’s sharpening his vision. With the release of his new album '10 Years Later', Clark returns to form while pushing further into the sound and self he’s been crafting since day one. Known for blending vivid storytelling with sleek, hard-hitting production, his latest project is a reflective yet forward-facing body of work that marks both a milestone and a mission.

Anchored by the magnetic lead single 'I Just Wanna Know', the album taps into the emotional immediacy of golden-era 2010s hip-hop, delivered with the polish, hunger, and perspective that only a decade of lived experience can bring. From past collaborations with the likes of Smoke DZA and Curren$y’s Fendi P, to earning stripes alongside Travis Scott and 50 Cent on the Shaggfest stage, Clark’s journey through the independent circuit is as textured as it is tireless.

'10 Years Later' is the sound of an artist who has lived through the highs, the heartbreak, and the hustle, and come back sharper, stronger, and more self-assured. We caught up with J.R.Clark to talk about his creative process and his evolution as an artist.

What was the first band or artist you fell in love with?

 The first artist who really inspired me to shift from being a studio engineer to becoming a full-time rapper—I’d say my biggest influences came from legends like Rick Ross, Pusha T, Kanye West, Jay-Z, Jeezy, and T.I. Looking back at that mid-2000s to around the 2015 era, their production had this rich, musical feel—everything was crafted to perfection. On top of that, their lyricism and delivery were always sharp. As an up-and-coming artist, I knew I had to study the craft—learn song structure, how to count bars, how to rhyme properly. The technical side of recording and mixing was already second nature to me; what I needed was to really tap into my creative side and develop that inner artistry over time

Did you ever form a band when you were younger and if so, what did they sound like?

I never actually formed a band, but on the flip side, I was deep into engineering. Back in the early 2000s, I was recording just about every rapper and musician in the Tidewater region of Virginia. My pops owned a construction office building, and in the back of that building, I set up my first recording studio. This was around 2005 — I was running a Windows PC with Pro Tools, a first-generation MBox interface, a pair of 5-inch KRK Rokit monitors, a Focusrite mic preamp, and a Samson condenser mic. That setup was humble, but it taught me a lot. Recording different artists helped me learn how to structure songs and really understand the foundation of creating music

What has been your primary inspiration in writing music?

Music writing for me is all about the feeling. A lot of fans assume that just because I have a high-end studio at home, I’m in there cranking out songs every day — but that’s not the case. Honestly, it might take me a month to write one song and another month just to record it. I move off emotion and inspiration; I don’t like to rush art because real music takes time to make. Most of my writing comes from real-life situations — my own experiences, things other people go through, and what I see or hear on a daily basis, whether it’s in real life or online.

What is a song you wish you had written yourself?

I’d say about 95% of my music is written and recorded by me. Every now and then, though, I might have a friend throw me a few reference bars or suggest a word change to help the flow hit better on certain tracks. I’m always open to creative input if it makes the record stronger, but for the most part, I handle everything myself.

If there was any moment in your career you could relive, what would it be?

I remember one time being at the legendary Quad Studios in Manhattan for a session with Smoke DZA. He ended up inviting a few other rappers to the session, and I didn’t realize at the time that two of them were Westside Gunn and Benny the Butcher — who are now some of my favorite artists. Back then, I wasn’t familiar with their catalog, but looking back, I definitely wish I would’ve locked in and done a record with them while I had the chance.

Which artist would you most love to share a stage with?

I would definitely like to share the stage with Future, Rick Ross, Kanye West, Yo Gotti and T.I.

And is there an artist you would love to collaborate with as well?

If I had a major label budget, I’d be ecstatic to collaborate with artists like John Legend, Summer Walker, Jazmine Sullivan, Rick Ross, Future, and Pusha T. From the production side, I’d love to have beats crafted by Southside, Bink, DJ Toomp, Don Cannon, Kanye West, NO I.D., Boi-1da, London onda Track, and Pharrell Williams. That combination of voices and producers would really bring out the full vision of the sound I’m aiming for.

Where do you see yourself in five years time?

Within the next five years, I plan to partner with a major record label — something that’s already in the works — while still maintaining my independence and creative control.

Listen to J.R.Clark's new album '10 Years Later' below.