Jas Bell Music Jobs Interview
It could have taken SZA greater than 5 years to launch her second studio album, however for Jas Bell — a.ok.a. Leonardo Chop, her design lead and artwork director in addition to the founding father of streetwear model Hazelwood — the work by no means stopped.
There’s no denying that the hole between Ctrl, SZA’s debut album, and the recently-released SOS is prolonged, however Bell doesn’t see it that means. As a substitute, they utilized the TDE stalwart’s distinctive artistry to construct “large moments” sprinkled throughout that five-year interlude. “‘Good Days’ was a second. ‘I Hate U’ was a second. After we launched the Ctrl five-year anniversary stuff, that was a second,” Bell explains. “SZA’s a gem in a means that these moments she’s created carry us by eras. There’s at all times inspiration flowing, and we’re at all times creating.”
Via Bell’s tales, it’s evident that there’s quite a lot of chemistry and religion shared between him, SZA and her label, a lot in order that they entrusted him with the one artwork for her December 2020 monitor “Good Days” — although it was solely his second time creating cowl artwork. Discussing concepts and paintings ideas with SZA, MeLisa Heath and label president Terrence “Punch” Henderson till 4 within the morning would make anybody nervous, however Bell’s confidence moved the conversations alongside to ship probably the most memorable rollouts in current music historical past. “SZA poured a lot into me that my artistic thoughts was comfy to discover with hers, and we got here up with a historic piece of canopy artwork for the ‘Good Days’ single. That power flowed into the merch, and we dropped probably the greatest capsules an artist has ever launched,” he remembers.
“I believe the one factor that actually helped me is understanding that the sooner you fail, the sooner you’ll have time to choose your self again up and be even higher and determine it out.”
Being an artwork director wasn’t precisely on Bell’s thoughts to start with, nevertheless. He initially wished to be a musical artist, however finally he had an sincere dialog with himself and realized that making music wasn’t creatively fulfilling. Nevertheless, he remained in shut proximity with music throughout his time of soul-searching, and finally discovered himself getting increasingly more enamored with the creation of artwork, merch and visuals throughout a music rollout. It wasn’t till his stint as N.E.R.D.’s roadie for his or her 2008 “Glow within the Darkish” tour — which featured Ye, Rihanna, Lupe Fiasco, Santigold and Nas — did he start to slowly settle for {that a} profession change could also be so as, tremendously crediting Pharrell’s ingenuity. “I used to be at all times tremendously impressed by the whole lot that was occurring in vogue on the time. I used to be capable of see Pharrell up shut and all of the issues he had his hand in, and that impressed me man,” he remembers. “It allowed me to be okay with taking a distinct route, and that’s how I ended up right here.” Bell then went on to check audio engineering and ended up working as Drake’s roadie for 4 extra years earlier than bringing issues full circle.
After his stint with The Boy, Bell moved again to Atlanta and linked up with then-budding rapper Smino to design his merch assortment. Smino and Bell joined SZA on her Ctrl tour, the place Bell and SZA “clicked immediately on a artistic stage.” He started designing customized items for her and Sustainability Gang — her initiative that sends 100% of its proceeds to efforts defending our oceans — and their friendship grew from there. “It was scary to take a very totally different path that I had no formal coaching in,” he admits of becoming a member of SZA’s artistic staff. “I simply knew I had the vibe and the attention, and I needed to belief that I may determine it out.” He tells Hypebeast forward of SOS’ launch, “The one solution to overcome that’s to simply do it. I believe the one factor that actually helped me is understanding that the sooner you fail, the sooner you’ll have time to choose your self again up and be even higher and determine it out.”
In three phrases, how would you describe your job to somebody who isn’t acquainted with the music trade?
Inventive. Storyteller. Via clothes. That was 4, however it was too becoming to cross up. [laughs]
Are you able to run us by a day in your work life?
It modifications; no two days are alike. Proper now, we’re within the closing phases of this masterpiece of an album referred to as SOS, so for me that appears like finalizing sure items for our merch launch and coming again to the touch up on no matter artistic belongings we might have for the album roll out. We had over 30 items for the gathering, so we’re narrowing it right down to the most effective items, in addition to contemplating which items we might maintain for a later date or doable second merch launch!
Together with that, I’ve my very own model, Hazelwood, that I run every day, so there’s shifting components that should hold occurring that facet as properly. Which will appear to be ensuring orders for the week are shipped out by my staff and creating new items for this new drop. That there’s by no means a boring second.
“Generally the issues we predict are the ‘factor’ aren’t, however they lead us to what’s. Don’t be afraid to take heed to that nudge your instinct is supplying you with.”
Are you able to information us by your common course of and timeline of making one thing that’s vital and memorable, whether or not it’s merch or every other visible points?
This query is fascinating, as a result of as I stated earlier than, we’re at all times creating. However there are sometimes instances the place I’ve deadlines and typically it’s important to create on the spur of the second.
For instance, once we launched “I Hate U” on Soundcloud, none of us had any concept that it could blow up as quick because it did. It went viral and we would have liked paintings for the one in a matter of days. I believe in moments like these, having final belief in our staff is what will get us by. SZA had an idea of what she wished to do once we began creating the paintings collectively. We began off creating that artwork on the idea of writing a letter stating “I Hate U,” however then all of us had been like, “Nobody sends letters anymore.” So I urged a voicemail, and confirmed it as a visible voicemail on the duvet. Then it hit SZA, who urged a textual content message.
Once I went to execute it, I wished the artwork to virtually really feel such as you had been actually studying a textual content from her. So I integrated an excellent genuine digital camera cellphone image of her for the contact picture, and I wished it to be to the purpose. Like, if you happen to learn this from a lady, that is it. She hates you, it’s over. We did it, and it was superb. Individuals began creating their very own replies to the message and the whole lot. It was superior.
What would you say is essentially the most thrilling venture you’ve labored on to date?
If we’re speaking pleasure, then I’ve to say the second we’re in now which is SOS. That’s what I’m about proper now. This new period!
What are the required first steps a youngster ought to take to enter a profession in music as an artwork director?
Step one I’d inform a youngster leaping into something is that don’t be afraid to know your self. Your journey is your journey. Be taught to like it, embrace it, and don’t evaluate it to anybody else’s. Generally the issues we predict are the “factor” aren’t, however they lead us to what’s. Don’t be afraid to take heed to that nudge your instinct is supplying you with. The chances are infinite.
Dennis Eliott/Luis Cruz/Jas Bell/Tde
Dennis Eliott/Luis Cruz/Jas Bell/Tde
Dennis Eliott/Luis Cruz/Jas Bell/Tde
Dennis Eliott/Luis Cruz/Jas Bell/Tde
What’s one factor about your job that most individuals would discover sudden or stunning?
Half of the time, the stuff that finally ends up as the most effective artwork is the stuff we virtually throw away. It’s so ironic, it catches me off guard each time.
Is there a secret to profession longevity on this trade?
I’m unsure if there’s a secret, I’m nonetheless studying. I simply know that if you happen to’re on the best path, and you set the whole lot into it, it would present.
What are some habits you observe frequently to at all times preserve a very good headspace for work?
I pray and take time to myself. Studying from those earlier than me helps, and I’m an interview and documentary buff as properly. I believe interviews and documentaries assist me preserve a very good head house, whereas placing information in my head too. Better of each worlds.
What does a day without work appear to be for you?
I haven’t seen one shortly [laughs]. You by no means actually desire a day without work while you’re doing what you like. It’s uncommon after I’m not engaged on one thing, whether or not it’s with SZA or on my model; the machine is at all times going. However there’s quick breaks in between after I prefer to atone for sports activities and eat an oatmeal pancake from Flying Biscuit. All is correct with the world in these moments.
“Should you take a look at Tyler, the Creator and Travis Scott, they’re making this factor a way of life.. Issues are shifting to extra quality-based and properly thought out merch items, not simply two-dollar screenprinted shirts with an artist’s face on it.”
How do you see your job evolving with the music trade within the subsequent 5 years?
That’s a very good query. I see it evolving high quality smart and life-style smart. I believe merch is turning into extra like an announcement. It’s turning into extra like a bit to have in your closet, not simply one thing out of your favourite artist. Should you take a look at Tyler, the Creator and Travis Scott, they’re making this factor a way of life.. Issues are shifting to extra quality-based and properly thought out merch items, not simply two-dollar screenprinted shirts with an artist’s face on it.
On the visible asset facet, I’m unsure. Everybody has their very own style stage. We’ve this factor we do very well that I name complicated simplicity. I believe we do that actually properly, so I’m simply fearful about us and the way we get down in that regard. [laughs]
If not working in music, what would you be doing?
I’m unsure I’m on the level the place I need to even take into consideration that … We’ve nonetheless received stuff to make occur.
Keep tuned for extra features with music industry professionals — from managers to sound engineers, stagehands and others; the individuals who make the music world go spherical with out standing behind a microphone.
