THE SOURCE . COM — Kanye described you as a total package , what do you think he was referring to ?

J NAN — I think he was referring to my musical ability and in terms of the future he sees in me. He saw a whole lot in me and that made him reach a consensus and describe me as a total package .

THE SOURCE . COM — You did a lot of commercials for big companies like FOX TELEVISION and KFC , how did you get that much market value as an underground artiste ?

J NAN — I had a lot of buzz on the airwaves and I guess somebody heard me and informed them . It was not something I actually bid for , I was like contacted and offered all those opportunities . I started with battling on the streets and when the chance popped out to be in all those commercials , I thought it was my moment and I just went for it , my voice was all over the media in a minute doing a lot of stuff for big companies .

THE SOURCE . COM – Working with an artiste CLARITA from London , is international recognition something you looking at ?

J NAN – The whole situation is we want to reach out to the whole world , the objective is to pass all the people that I have always looked up to , those legends who have always inspired and been role models to me . I am trying to be where nobody else has been . I am taking my music worldwide , reaching out to people all around and that’s the objective .

THE SOURCE . COM — Presently in the studio with KANYE for your next single yet to be released , do you think your fame is just around the corner ?

J NAN – I think right now I am at the stage where I am almost famous . As you know , there are hood superstars and there are superstars . I am extremely privileged to be in the studio with Kanye , but what I know is destiny is destiny and if I am really meant for this I would definitely reach it. But I am really feeling the fact that someone like Kanye is working with me . He provides a stepping stone for me to reach my maximum best .

THE SOURCE . COM – How did you win CHICAGO IDOL in 2004 ?

J NAN — CHICAGO IDOL was crazy , coming out of the hood , I had just been battling on the streets which was like how I made money in those times. I met the person who won in the previous year and had a little chat with him . The last moment before they closed down applications , my homeboy came up to me and asked me to get in it . Around 88,000 tapes were submitted , and they gave back calls to like 10,000 applicants who were placed in the event. Just like AMERICAN IDOL , we were lined up with numbers and stuff like that and when it got to my turn , they asked me to do what I do and I obliged .They put 16 of us in the grand finale and I won with the most points among all those amazing talents.

THE SOURCE . COM – Whose spot do you want to take in the music game right now ?

J NAN — I have no such ideas being new in the industry , I do not want to take anybody’s spot , I want to create J NAN’s spot . I don’t want to be just an artiste , I want to be a legend and that’s what I am working on . I am trying to reach the highest possible spot in the industry and not particularly anybody’s spot , just the best I can make out of myself .

THE SOURCE . COM – What does your project ALMOST FAMOUS series of mixtapes signify ?

J NAN – With the whole almost famous thing , I noticed after I won CHICAGO IDOL , J NAN’s name was ringing bells all around Chicago . Record labels and big people were reaching out to me , I stepped out to MIAMI in the process and realized I did not have as much people as I did in Chicago , so then I realized I was famous enough back home , but then almost famous elsewhere and that’s where I got the name of the project from.

THE SOURCE . COM – Do you think the current market here in the US is friendly enough for you as an up and coming artiste ?

J NAN – I mean we all know the economy is bad right now , though I am not the biggest fan of everybody out there , I respect everybody’s hustle but honestly we know where the goal is and we are aware it is very reachable . I just need to have that reach . I am at it right now trying to be my best and see what comes out of it , I know if I make the best out of the talent I have , I can reach the highest heights .

THE SOURCE . COM — What do you have to say to your fans and every music lover out there ?

J NAN — To music lovers out there , J NAN is different , and no less than any other legend , just as people see the JAY-Z’s and BIGGIE’s as different in the game . To my fans , I am not just coming out like any ordinary rookie , the album is named FRESHMAN ON VARSITY to depict the image of a new athlete coming straight out of high school but has the ability of the best players on the team . They should just keep supporting me and it wont be a minute before I take my desired spot .

Listen to J-Nan’s “Spit Bars”

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