Local hip hop artist El Jefe Grande (Jeff Foley)
Jeff Foley, known as El Jefe Grande, is a local hip hop artist with a new album called “I’m Back.”
1
How did you first get into the music industry? “More than 20 years ago, I got into creating hip-hop music after being “discovered” dancing in a night club. I released two singles under the stage name ‘Kid Soul’ and performed lots of small club shows and got a little radio airplay. I had a passion for music growing up and it has since followed me to the careers I took on thereafter.”
2
When did you decide you wanted to get back into making music and why?
“There’s a twofold answer here. When I was in my early 20s, I released the two singles, but never really “made it” – there was no big record contract, no national tour or big break. Additionally, I’ve always wished I’d recorded an album – something a little more complete in scope than a single. Also, I now have three kids (15, 14 and 1), and they were not born when I was making music back in the 90s. I had not yet met my wife.
“So, I wanted my family to enjoy the creative process with me, and I wanted to set an example for my children. I wanted to show them that you should always chase your dreams.
“Ironically, I went into the studio thinking I’d just record one song and have something fun to share with my family (several years ago we played one of my old songs on repeat in the car and had family singalongs – it was more fun than any show I’d ever done). But the reaction to the new song was encouraging – from my family and beyond — and I decided to keep going and record a 7-song EP. Why not see what we can do with it?”
3
You have worn many hats, professionally. What do those include?
“I’ve always held creative jobs. At one time, I was a freelance sports writer and photojournalist, and I also worked in public relations. Another job I once had was an offensive specialist/participatory journalist for the Albany Firebirds. I published a book about it. Now I am a full-time and award-winning wedding photographer, which is something I have always been passionate about. What has stayed consistent with all of my jobs is a passion for music, and I’ve always tried to keep that alive. So now, returning to my roots now seems only natural.”
4
What do you want your music to focus on? “This record is definitely inspired by my life. The song “I’m Back” features the following lyrics: “I was hanging with my boys, now I’m buying kids toys. I was hanging in the club, now it’s baths in the tub. I went from ‘what up, Kid?’ to ‘time for bed, kids’ … But I wouldn’t change a thing. My family is why I do this thing. Why I continue to sing.” I’m having a blast making songs that tell the stories of where I’ve been and where I am. I mean, I’m a married dad of three. I think I’m making music that’s relatable for a lot of people.
“Additionally, having two teens, I hear a lot of what kids listen to today and I don’t always enjoy it. I am routinely searching for artists who sound like the rappers I grew up with (Rakim, EPMD, Big Daddy Kane), or I’m just listening to 90s music. So, I figured there must be other middleaged people out there who’d like to hear new music with a 90s vibe to it. More of an emphasis on story telling …”
5
How are you making the dive back into the music industry?
“‘I’m Back’ will officially be released on September 29 at an album release party which is being hosted at Wicked in Clifton Park where I’ll be performing the album live in between sets by The Accents (I go on stage at 4:30 p.m.). You can find the video for ‘I’m Back’ on YouTube now, my album will be available for purchase at the release party, and you can also find it on Amazon, Google Music, etc.”