“Jackboy couches stouthearted streetisms in his minihooks, stuff that doesn’t really apply to your life, but feels fun to sing aloud, and seems primed for Instagram captions.” – The Ringer
“One thing is for certain: Jackboy is on his way.” – XXL
In three years of rapping, 22-year-old Jackboy has already achieved nearly 100 million YouTube views, 30 million at Soundcloud, and eight figure-streaming at Spotify. Born in Haiti and raised in Pompano Beach, Florida, the rapper beams with captivating personality and charisma. He emphasizes the important words, both in conversation and melodic rapping. Although spirited and youthful, the artist heard on “G To The A,” “Grimace,” and “Not A Clone,” appears wise beyond his years. Best friends with Kodak Black for over a decade, the Sniper Gang/EMPIRE artist just released two albums, JackNDaBox and Lost In My Head. Jackboy has plenty to say.
Born in Haiti, Jackboy remembers deeper community values such as empathy, charity, and food-filled gatherings. “People from the islands have different beliefs,” he states. “Family means something more there.” He immigrated to South Florida with his mother when he was entering grade school. “When we came into this country, it was illegally. We actually just got our stuff right recently,” he explains. Jackboy’s mother took backbreaking cleaning jobs for little money as her only option. “A lot of people do bad things to be cool or to fit in; I did them for a whole ‘nother reason.” At adolescence, Jackboy began burglaries and snatching purses. It earned him the moniker that he now uses to rap. However, trouble followed. Although his likable personality first convinced judges that he was merely misguided, recurring incidents soon landed him a three-year sentence at the age of 13. “That’s too much time,” he reflects. “Now you’re just making me so institutionalized at a young age.” He admits that incarceration was hardening, but it did not reform him. Instead, he kept engaging in theft and robbery. He recalls being out on the streets for less than a year altogether in his teens, creating distance from his mom and siblings.
Although separated from his family, Jackboy established a friendship with Kodak Black. “I was with Kodak before he was big, the super struggle days. When I got locked up, he just got big. That’s my best friend, my right-hand-man.” The two became close in the street at 11. At one point, they were locked up together. Jackboy says loyalty has kept the bond strong. The days of sharing two-dollar corner-store meals built a trust. After helping with legal fees, In 2016, the booming Rap star suggested his ace rap as a straight path. “I was getting tired of always going in. Really, that was my only way out,” he explains. He put Jackboy on a series of songs and platinum and gold projects, signing him to Sniper Gang. “At first I was playing around and just saying anything. But I saw people liking it, so decided I’m gonna take music seriously,” he admits. “This could potentially change my life the way I always wanted.” From mixing and mastering to hiring professional videographers, Jackboy says he refuses to block his blessing. He also praises EMPIRE, who he says has been honorable and educational during the journey.
“Grimace” was a breakout 2017 single that pulled from the rapper’s Haitian heritage. Its title uses the slang term for “going stupid.” However, Jackboy is thoughtful about his art. “I’m all over the place; there’s no one flow or direction to my music,” he says, explaining recent album title Lost In My Head. He enjoys making love songs side-by-side with turnt-up street tracks. “I just want to be different,” the “Not A Clone” artist stresses. With more projects in the works, Jackboy is doing just that. He went from taking to support his family, to snatching Rap’s spotlight.
Press Releases
Jackboy Marvels at How Far He’s Come in a Melodic New Single
Jackboy Stands Up For His Hometown in His Heartfelt New Single
Jackboy Taunts The Law In “Bring The SWAT” Video
Jackboy Connects With YFN Lucci for “Critical Condition” Video
Jackboy Celebrates Haitian Flag Day with “Spittin Facts” Video 🇭🇹
Jackboy Continues to Build Momentum with the Luxurious “1K” Video
Jackboy Goes on a Speedboat Joyride in the “Pack A Punch” Video
Jackboy Wilds Out in the Intense “Won’t Understand” Video
Jackboy Shines on His Self-Titled Album, With Appearances from Kodak Black, YFN Lucci, and More
Jackboy Plots a Very Sanitary Heist in the “Cleaning Crew” Video
Jackboy Connects with Close Friend Kodak Black Atop a Tay Keith Beat
Jackboy Announces 4/24 Self-Titled Project, Applies “Pressure” With His Latest Single
Jackboy’s “Cleaning Crew” Comes Equipped With Sticks Not Mops
Sniper 2X: Jackboy Connects with Casanova for the “Murda” Video
Hello From Pompano Beach: Jackboy Samples Adele in an Emotional New Single
Jackboy Takes Down a Cartel in the Neon-Lit “No Cap” Video
Jackboy Shares a Charming New Clip for the Jetson Made-Produced “Bipolar”
Sniper Gang’s Jackboy Recruits Yella Beezy, Shy Glizzy, and More for Lost In My Head Mixtape
Press Photos
