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One of the best numbers to come down the musical highway in some time is a shiny piece of gold called This Life by hip hop maestro 2K Ponce Juno. Don’t believe me? Go ahead and give it a listen here. And when you get back to this little Meet and Greet this reviewer would be surprised if you’re not now and forevermore a card-carrying member of the 2K Ponce Juno Fan Club. Yes, he’s that good and that talented.
Vents was fortunate to sit down and talk with music artist 2K Ponce Juno recently about his recent gems, the singles Go Pretty Girl Remix and This Life and record his thoughts on everything from musical collaborations, fellow artist Beenie Man to what album haunts his cd player.
Vents: Hi 2K Ponce Juno, and welcome to Vents Magazine! Before we get the proverbial ball rolling, how has your 2021 been so far?
2K: So far, 2021 still feels like 2020. People are still dying, people still don’t have jobs, there are still riots in the street… whether they’re peaceful or not, it still feels the same! Thank God for TikTok. Every time I tune in, I die laughing.
Vents: Congratulations on the upcoming release of your most recent single, “Go Pretty Girl Remix!” What are your thoughts on the remix versus your original rendition, which dropped in 2019?
2K: The remix has more energy and two different voices on it. One of them is a female, Jamaican dancehall artist named Double K, whose voice is on fire! That song is all over the place but yet still in control of the rhythm and excitement.
Vents: You collaborated with Beenie Man and Double K for the remix of “Go Pretty Girl.” Can you talk a little bit about what that experience was like?
2K: It was both awesome and a learning lesson. I heard how Beenie Man arranged his verse; then Double K’s rhyming pattern just put the icing on the cake. It was a really good experience.
Vents: Are you the type of artist that welcomes collaboration? If so, who else would you be interested in working with one day?
2K: Yes, I love to collaborate. I think music is for the soul, and everybody brings something different to it. So when you put two different people together on a good beat, sometimes magic happens. I would love to do a track with Busta Rhymes — his energy and wordplay is on another planet. Or Method Man. I feel the same way about him.
Vents: For the unfortunate few in the world that aren’t yet hip to your music, how would you describe your style?
2K: I would describe my style as being exciting, energetic, fun… just the pure meaning of music when you’re trying to party or have a good time.
Vents: Who and what influences your music?
2K: My brother and my older sister first got me started loving music. I used to play it all the time in the apartment when we were living in Park Hill (on Staten Island). Then I found my own lane in music and started liking Jay-Z, Nas and Biggie. More recently, I heard Beenie Man, and my excitement about reggae grew. You can hear the fun that he’s having in his music.
Vents: Your music has been described as having “Caribbean New York” vibe. Would you agree with that? Or are there other musical styles also at work?
2K: I would agree with that statement. I’m originally from Antigua, but I was raised in New York with a West Indian family. So my roots are still tied to my culture, but I’m also a little Americanized.
Vents: Along with your mastery of putting down a mean lyric, you’re also a noted and respected connoisseur of style. Can you walk us through this other very meaningful facet of your persona and career?
2K: Over the years, I learned from people that I met during my travels to other countries that there are all different styles of dress and colors that you can put together with music. I’ve taken it all in, so when it’s time to get dressed or write a track, it just comes out effortlessly.
Vents: How does your family feel about your success?
2K: They love it, but they got tired of me walking around the house dancing and rapping to myself. Now I get to do what I love full time — just not so much in the house.
Vents: What’s coming up for you in the future? Can you drop any small hints to our readers as to what they might expect?
2K: I have another single out right now called “This Life.” You can find it on Spotify, Apple Music, and on other digital platforms. The video for it is on Roku TV. I’m also doing a song and video with a young Jamaican artist, and I have a few auditions coming up. You might see me in a movie real soon. I’m just working!
Vents: A lot of musicians have segued into the world of acting. Are there any plans on your part to explore that particular venue?
2K: My team put together a few auditions for me that I’m really excited about. I can’t wait! So yes, making it to the big screen is one of my main goals.
Vents: Final (silly) question: What is the one CD that is never far away from your player?
2K: Well when I was rocking CDs, it was always Nas’ Illmatic (1994). My brother played it for me when I was younger, and I couldn’t stop listening to it. Then when I was old enough to buy it myself, I had that CD in the car with me all the time.
