EQUATE Meets: Jim Legxacy
A self-described angsty teen, South-East London born and raised, 21-year-old Jim Legxacy is a highly experimental, creative and honest artist that isn’t afraid to be vulnerable and on his new single ‘4LeafClover’, never has this been more true. His first release since his widely supported 2019 debut EP Dynasty Program, this latest offering speaks volumes on talent and authenticity as this young rapper and producer who worked alongside Jay Mooncie in the studio to masterfully blend punchy, trap and African inspired percussion with electronic brooding synths. We caught up with this star-on -the-rise to talk about who he is, his culture, and the musical legacy he’s leaving.
Words by Antonia Küenzel
First of all, for those who don’t know you – who is Jim Legxacy?
Jim Legxacy, ahh, good question! I’m a 21-year-old producer, rapper & singer from SE London & I make music about my life. I thoroughly enjoy conceptualising my thoughts and illustrating them with my voice or beats that I make.
How did you come up with your add-on ‘Legxacy’?
To be honest, I actually can never remember why I called myself that, it felt good at the time. The word ‘legacy’ feels empowering when you hear it, I think something about the name reminds me that I’m here to leave something bigger, you know?
Have you always wanted to get a career in music or was it just a coincidence that you’re in this game now?
I used to want to be a fireman, then a game developer, then a graphic designer, I was fixated on graphic design till I turned 18 when I started to fall in love with rap! I then decided to start making my own stuff.
Your sound has a really interesting and refreshing influence of different vibes – who would you say are your biggest inspirations musically?
Biggest influences… this questions answers will always be different but the constants are JPEGMAFIA, MF DOOM, Bon Iver, Frank Ocean, SZA & Kendrick Lamar! All for different reasons.
Your debut EP found great acclaim and now you’re due to release a sophomore EP this year, can you already let us know what we can await? Will it differ any sonically from your previous one?
Dynasty was cool because it was like “ah fuck I’m such an emotional 18-year-old, I’m confused look at all these confusing emotions”! Whereas on the next project I’m kind of grasping how I view things now and really maturing with these emotions, having more precise and acute feelings with myself! From a sonic standpoint, I wanted to merge indie elements with trap music! I was listening to a lot of rock stuff & trap stuff so I wanted the energy and aesthetic of rock but with trap drums to offer listeners a bizarre experience.
How have your studies at art school helped you with your journey? Do you reckon you can navigate through your music career better because of your experience over there?
Art School is sick! A huge inspiration from art school was my lecturer Mark, (he’s off in Canada doing Canadian stuff now!) but he influenced me so much. He kept integrating politics & ethics into our art direction lectures and it was the first time I was challenged with presenting important topics in a way that would come off interesting for the consumers as well as interesting for me as a creator. So I would definitely say that has had a HUGE positive effect on how I write.
Instagram/@jim_legxacy
“My heritage has shown me a lot of good traits and values growing up such as sharing & overall kindness in general, but I think in a country like this it’s also led to a lot of mistreatment purely due to the deeply integrated ‘anti-blackness’…”
– JIM LEGACY
In your last EP, you’ve touched upon your heritage, especially your dad being an immigrant from Nigeria. Has your heritage shaped you in any way as an artist, and how?
My heritage has shown me a lot of good traits and values growing up such as sharing & overall kindness in general, but I think in a country like this it’s also led to a lot of mistreatment purely due to the deeply integrated ‘anti-blackness’ in the UK. The pain that comes from that will always be present in the sounds but also a lot of the positive traits like loyalty is something that’ll help me a lot on this journey I’ve embarked on.
What are your thoughts about the current music scene in the UK?
I think the UK scene is in a good place right now, lots of artists feeling more and more confident in their own sounds. I’m not too big on a lot of the mainstream stuff but there are still artists that I love and are making great music like Headie One & Skepta, they are CRAZY to me. But really I like the more underground scene because that’s where I feel I reside and just seeing young fresh minds fighting to get their foot in is much more interesting & inspiring to me.
We are now entering a new chapter of the year (post-lockdown) – what have you been looking forward to doing after lockdown the most?
I WANT TO PERFORM! I miss it soo much! The people that listen to my music always show put & it makes me soo happy because I get to embody my songs, that’s the thing I want the most after lockdown
Last but not least, if you could collaborate with one singer/rapper who would you choose?
One rapper, every time someone asks me this I’m gonna say something different but right now KATE BUSH! I’ve had ‘Running Up That Hill’ on repeat & I just want to do a ballad with her soo badly man, what a G.O.A.T!
YouTube/Jim Legxacy – Topic
Speaking on his new single, Jim says:
“I wanted to be able to remove any angst or pressure I felt from the outside world…This is a record where I freely pieced together a lot of my musical influences.”
Stream ‘4LeafClover’ HERE
Follow Jim Legxacy on socials
Instagram: @Jim_Legxacy
Twitter: @Jim_Legxacy