NM : What is the name of your album and why was that your choice?
JR : The name of my album is "My Audition." I chose that name because this is my Audtion for the role that many applied for, as the next big thing to come out of Atlanta. I hope to make the cut, lol.
NM : What should we expect in this album?
JR : A lot of Diversity, real life and real life situations. Me being a 100% me, in the streets, in the club, in relationships and in the bedroom. Nothing but bangers track for track. Good music.
NM : In three words describe your music?
JR : Real, Commercial, Unique.
NM : What day is the album released or was released?
JR : August 29, 2008. . .
NM : How can everybody get a copy? what do we have to do?
JR : Itunes, Yahoo, AOL, My Myspace Page (MYSPACE. COM/JREAL100), or you can buy them off me personally.
NM : What is your favorite song on it and why?
JR : "I Go Hard" It pretty much sums up the struggle, the bull shit, and how I feel up to this point. A brief summary of my GRIND.
NM : Are there any songs written for or dedicated to anyone special?
JR : "Music and I" is a dedication to Hip-Hop and my Love for Music. "World of Fantasy" is dedicated to my father, who in the beginning thought I wouldn't make it this far.
NM : Do you write your own songs? if so what inspires you to write?
JR : I write everything. Hooks, Verses, Concepts, whether it's R&B or not. And you asked what inspires me is LIFE, my life, your life, A Life I one day dreamed to live. Life period is my biggest inspiration!
NM : Whats the story behind your name J-Real?
JR : My real name is Julian, and all I ever heard people tell me was "Julian, you so Real." "You keep it 100 my nigga, that's why I fuck with ya." And thats from both females and males. So it's J=Julian and Real because that's what I am.
NM : How can we all keep it "100"?
JR : "DO YOU" and keep it real with yourself, and then keep it real with everyone around you. Then you are well respected by yourself and others, which makes you 100.
NM : I noticed that on your display named you had "Praying for a good record deal". Are you under management and have you been signed yet?
JR : Yes I am under management. My manager's name is Auvil Gilcrist and the ADG Music Group. They don't just manage me, they manage my label, Heartless Ent. LLC. I'm not currently signed yet because I am doing as much as I can independently (getting all the money I can get, with the least amount of overhead) before signing a major deal.
NM : Once you make it into the big leagues what will happen to Heartless Ent?
JR : The beautiful thing about my position and power in the industry, I get to bring them with me. Some want to pursue music careers, some want to pursue dancing careers, and some are just great promoters all of whom I can use. So they will be the first employees and artist of Heartless Ent. So the answer to that question is, me and my team just do it bigger.
NM : On a more personal note ... describe your dating life. Is it hard to work as hard as you do and have time to date?
JR : I don't take relationships seriously, to keep it real with you. No one wants to be serious with an entertainer (with girls like Karrine Steffans floating around, lol). And those who think they want to be with an entertainer, change their mind in the middle of the relationship. It ain't easy being me or with me. So my dating life sucks.
NM : When you were a little kid did you always dream of being an artist?
JR : No, I wanted to be a basketball player until I got shot. My English Teacher and my boys "K" and "Slizzle" got me into rapping.
NM : What is your advice to others who are trying to follow your footsteps?
JR : Don't sleep. It's a 24 hour, 7 day a week grind. Surround yourself with good people, and Grind Hard, harder than you've grinded before. And read the book my manger wrote, "The Music Blueprint", (to show you the proper steps and to stop you from making uneeded steps to make it in the game). The industry is 90% Business and 10% Talent. And thats the realest shit I ever learned.