Exclusive Interview: J. Irja The Sexy Psycho Delves on Her Creative Tastes, His Inspirations & New EP “All Bangerz”

It’s an honor to speak with you today. Why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.

I’m Blessed to be here in the position I’m in honestly. My whole life has been insane setbacks, I got Brain Damage Twice, went through traumatic abuse which I got PTSD from, battled severe addiction, narrowly escaped trafficking, and so much more that I can barely talk about out loud. I overcame all these setbacks that no one believed I would. Born into poverty in Canada, I started hustling at a young age and never stopped. At just 16 I left to pursue my music career and self funded everything through trapping and exotic dancing, my family thought I was crazy and maybe I was honestly. Everyone saw my pure ambition to make it and took advantage of the little white girl that wouldn’t take no for an answer, especially my old “manager” who was one of the pimps who took everything I had, inside and out. The Game beat lessons into me, but every time I got knocked down I always came back stronger. I adapted and navigated through some of the worst hoods in Milwaukee, Chicago, Detroit and even ran my own radio show in ATL.

I’ve been Finally really leveling up in the past few years, traveling all over the US even during covid and performing at sold out shows, in front of thousands, alongside legends like Tech N9ne even headlining in different states. It’s definitely surreal listening to my voice on collabs with Majors like Twista, Paul Wall, Bubba Sparxxx, Lil Wyte, Lil Flip and more. My growth has been insane with the help of my new manager Kinfolk The Plug, who pushed me to get sober and help me manifest the artist and person I’m truly supposed to be.
My brand Sexy Psycho isn’t a gimmick, it’s really ME. Sexy means ‘attractive’ & Psycho means ‘strange or different than society’s standards’ our Motto is ‘Be You, Do You, NO Apologies!’ I’m here for female empowerment and to inspire independents and people who have been through the struggle that they can truly do anything they put their mind to!

How did you get to where you are today?

By the Grace of my Higher Power and an insane amount of work I got here. I never took no fir an answer and every time I got knocked down I hit back up swinging even harder!

Congratulations on your latest track “Poppin Chips”, how do you feel about the newfound success?

Thank you! I feel really good about this track, there’s just a new level of relaxed confidence I’ve got while riding this beat. Grip Gunz did an awesome job making this beat perfect for a lyrical club banger.

What was the inspiration behind the track?

Like I said this track is really a lyrical club banger, I want to make something the strippers could move to & the hustler’s could ride out to while having a catchy beat with No Profanity. I made it radio ready and appropriate for younger age categories while still appealing to a grown audience.

What single off the project “All Bangerz” do you anticipate itstaking off both on charts and with listeners/fans?

Right now POPPIN CHIPS is definitely the chart leader, I think partially because that’s the video we’re pushing too. I guess we’ll let the listeners decide once the other 2 videos drop.

What were the biggest initial hurdles to pursuing your musical dreams and how did you overcome them?

Being a white female in a heavily male urban dominated genre when I have actual bars has been a huge obstacle. I’ve had to be 10 times better just to receive half the recognition. People have steady wanted to claim ownership over me & put me in a box. It’s been insane. But I’m still pushing through and keeping true to myself, paving a new lane. It’s different than a lot of other females too because all the female rappers I know at my level have signed to a label or given a percentage of themselves to a manager and I haven’t. So it’s really uncharted territory.

Are there any specific artists or albums that have influenced you through your musical journey?

I listened to Eminem a lot coming up, I just connected to how Em was so headstrong and set on being himself regardless of the backlash he got. Tech N9ne, E-40 & Twista were always playing in my car too.

Where do you see your career headed in the following year?
This next year is all about elevating in every way & building my Entertainment Empire. More Music, bigger shows and hopefully these show restrictions will lift so I can finally go on tour…

What’s your motto or the advice you live by?
Be You, Do You, NO Apologies. ​

Never Surrender 

Thank you for speaking with us! For our final question, is there anything else you would like to add?

Thank you to everyone who supports me and listens to my music. This is more than just Music, it’s a Movement.

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