Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with JVCK and North

JVCK and North are a dynamic duo who are creating magic in the studio. Their first single, “Move On,” took the industry by storm, and they’re back with yet another hit! This time teaming up with Yvng Rey. Pop Culturalist caught up with JVCK and North to learn more about this partnership and their latest collaboration, “Lexi.”

PC: How did you both discover your passion for music?
JVCK: I have had a passion for music for as long as I can remember. Neither of us started creating until we got to college.

North: Before I could even speak, I was singing. Also, being in choirs and theater really fueled my love for music.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your careers?
JVCK: Kanye [West] and [Lil] Wayne for sure, then definitely X and Juice WRLD.

North: Definitely Fall Out Boy and Panic! At The Disco; those are the bands that built the foundation for my music style. Then Lil Uzi and Young Thug for rap. Plus, my mom was a DJ/radio show host/rockstar in the ’80s and ’90s. She really influenced my ear.

PC: Tell us about your new single, “Lexi.” What inspired the song?
JVCK: Honestly, I was just trying to make a hit for [Yvng] Rey and North Most of my inspiration is from all the Juice WRLD and Internet Money I listen to. But with North and Rey, they really fuck with an alternative rock melody, so I just combined them.

North: Well, Yvng Rey is the one who wrote the hook and started the idea, so I’m gonna quote him, “’Lexi’ was inspired by my own personal struggles and growth through a toxic relationship. Expectations and a false sense of entitlement were suffocating me. I wanted to make a song that described the ‘high’ of cutting ties with the negativity in my life.”

PC: How did this collaboration form? What did you learn about each other as you worked on “Lexi?”
JVCK: I met North about five to six months ago. We have probably created fifty songs together. I heard Yvng Rey perform “Far from Home” and knew he was a talent that I had to work with asap, so I got Rey and North in the studio. I knew North and I had that special connection, and Rey just brought even more good vibes and shit just flowed from there.

North: I’ve known of JVCK since high school, but I didn’t meet him until like January 2020. I met Yvng Rey through JVCK, but I’ve known about his music since 2018 because of my homie in Orlando. I learned that Rey and I play off each other’s weaknesses. He’s an amazing writer and I come up with melodies and flows easily, so it just works.

PC: What’s one fact that fans would be surprised to learn about the other?
JVCK: I was a two-time state placer in wrestling and was on a National Champion wrestling team.

North: I was a French Honors student all throughout high school, but I can’t speak it anymore. I can somewhat understand French and Creole speakers, though.

PC: How is “Lexi” different from your most recent track, “Move On”?
JVCK: “Move On” was the first song North and I made. Now, between all the people I’ve met and North’s music IQ, I have a lot more inspiration, creativity, and knowledge to create sounds how I want them. It’s just better every time we create, and you can honestly hear that in the production.

North: “Lexi”, to me, is in a whole other world than “Move On”. I feel my verse is so much more memorable and meaningful. I really worked on my writing and storytelling in this song. Plus, the flow I went with and the backing vocals on the hook just make it for me. I really enjoy this one.

PC: As we look ahead to the rest of 2020, what does the year hold for each of you?
JVCK: I want to keep growing and evolving as a person and musician. I also want to work on an album with various artists that I have in mind. I’m moving out to LA soon with North and hopefully, we can sign a record deal and change our lives.

North: Hopefully a lot—I’ve been working on networking a lot and creating new sounds for features and placements. In a few months, I look to have a few production credits and maybe even an album out.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
JVCK: Mallrat and Kid Rock.

North: Pat Benetar—she’s the greatest of all time.

PC: First album you bought?
JvCK: Tha Carter II by Lil Wayne

North: Exile oon Mainstream by Matchbox Twenty

PC: First concert you attended?
JvCK: Rolling Loud 2017.

North: Jason Mraz in like 2007 at Mohegan Sun Casino.

PC: An album that changed your life and why?
JVCK: 17 by XXXTentacion—I was in a dark spot and it helped change the path I was on for the better.

North: In Return by ODESZA and Save Rock and Roll by FOB. In Return because it made music euphoric for me and Save Rock and Roll just made me fall in love with the idea of creating music.

PC: First concert you attended?
JVCK: MGM or MSG.

North: MSG

PC: A must-have on the road?
JVCK: Nicotine, weed, water, gum, and my laptop.

North: Nicotine, water, and a good aux.

Make sure to follow JVCK (Twitter/Instagram/Spotify) and North (Twitter/Instagram/Spotify).