Few people know how to curate good vibes like Jaewar King. The hip-hop artist is getting ready to drop his seventh annual Vibe Fest, a lively celebration with good music and good people. This year’s fest pays homage to 50 years of hip-hop, and celebrates music as a powerful force for change and connection. Lupe Fiasco and Talib Kweli headline, with a special set from Jaewar & Vibe Riot, King’s acid jazz collective. viberiot.com/vibe-riot
Name: “JAEWAR” King.
Age: 288 in human years.
Pronouns: He.
Hometown: It’s complicated: Born in Brooklyn, New York; raised in Virginia Beach, 10 years married to C’ville, but also in an ethically open relationship with RVA.
Jobs: Artist, emcee, program manager, entrepreneur, engineer.
Worst thing about living here: The income disparity across demographics, and the resulting void of a variety of diverse cultural experiences.
Best thing: The beautiful mountain views and the farm fresh foods!
Favorite restaurant: MarieBette or maybe Pearl Island … but Common House is so good too. There are so many!
Where do you start and end a night out: It depends on the day, but THIS Thursday, August 10, I’ll start with Vibe Riot, Talib Kweli, and Lupe Fiasco at The Jefferson Theater and let the vibes take us where they may!
Where are the best vibes in C’ville: With Vibe Riot at Vibe Fest duhhh! Also at The Bridge PAI, The Jefferson School, Ix Art Park, and with the Tonsler League. Honestly, it’s wherever our community gathers. We have great fantastic natural and human-made spaces in and outside our beautiful city, and when those spaces open up to our brilliant community leaders, creative directors, and artists it’s a good funking vibe.
Who is your hero: My parents, Nikki Giovanni, my mentors, my partners, my fantastic friends, Malcom X, Black Thought, Quest Love, Nas, and Jay-Z.
Best advice you ever got: To thyself, be true—Momma King.
Proudest accomplishment: Simultaneously being a part of an award-winning team working to support and inspire our community, being a part of a team that’s about to bring low-cost insulin to our country, and being a part of the supremely talented Vibe Riot crew that’s rocking the stage with two hip-hop legends during the 50th year of hip-hop in Lupe Fiasco and Talib Kweli. When I look at my life in the proper perspective, my biggest problems seem a little smaller.
Describe a perfect day: Acki and salt fish, plus banana for breakfast, powerlifting or football (“soccer”), meditation time, organic farm-fresh foods for lunch, studio session with some jazzy azz musicians, organic farm-fresh food for dinner, then ending the night with an afro beat-reggae-disco-funk dance party with water involved (pools, hot tub, beach), dancing until we drop—all with my favorite people and their favorite people.
What’s something about yourself that people would be surprised to learn: Hmmm… then it wouldn’t be a surprise.
If you could be reincarnated as a person or thing, what would you be: A warlock.
If you had three wishes, what would you wish for: Time travel,
a life-sized undo button, the ability to see 80 hours into the future.
Do you have any pets: No, but I fostered a hound pit named Symbah, and I visit.
Most embarrassing moment: I forgot.
Favorite movie/show: Too many good ones, but “Beef” and
“Copenhagen Cowboy” are on my list to check out.
Favorite book: I just started The Creative Act: A Way of Being
by Rick Rubin.
What is music to you: Music is poetry in motion. It’s all around me at all times.
Favorite musician: Bob Marley, Black Thought, Mos Def, Outkast, Prince, Lauryn Hill, Nas.
What are you listening to right now: The Roots.
Go-to karaoke song: “Peace of Mind”—Vibe Riot.
First concert: Nas & Damian Marley.
Who’d play you in a movie: Snoop Dogg.
Celebrity crush: Erykah Badu.
Most used app on your phone: Spotify.
Last text you sent: “True”
Most used emoji:
Subject that causes you to rant: The “normal” and toxic frameworks that we still operate within and haven’t eliminated.
Best journey you ever went on: Colombia, Jamaica, Italy, and L.A.
Next journey: One of the above or maybe France, Spain, or Puerto Rico.
Favorite word: “True.”
Hottest take: You are 100 percent responsible for how you feel,
even though others may be accountable at times.
What have you forgotten today: To do laundry; thank you!