Fan Mail with Jake St Ange

The Kent-based rapper and singer-songwriter answers DMs from fans about his musical inspirations, flow state and future plans.

Jake St Ange's story began behind the counter of his dad's Kent seaside café, where he traded in spoken word before ever picking up a mic; a background that still shapes the unfiltered, diaristic style he's become known for.

After years spent writing for other artists, Jake stepped into his own spotlight with breakout single '?', and now returns with 'i used to sleep through maths', a track that captures the restlessness of chasing a dream everyone else told you to let go of.

With a headline show at Camden's Barfly on the horizon and a growing legion of fans who've watched his rise unfold via social media in real time, it felt only right to hand the mic over. For DMY's inaugural edition of Fan Mail With..., we asked Jake's fans to send in the questions - about the music, the message, and the making of an artist who refuses to compromise. Here's what he had to say...

@dc.36777: What's your main inspiration for making your songs?

Songwriting is my compass. I’ve used it to navigate life for as long as I can remember and I would probably be very lost without it. So I suppose I’m not sure what my inspiration is. Writing is just all I’ve ever known. In terms of actual writing topics, I write about my family a lot because I love them very much. My dad has a project in which he paints stones from the beach with words, and he’s been doing that for 10 years. My mum is an extremely articulate and used to play drums. I do think these things helped to spawn in my affinity with words.

@ro7an.singh: Love the music. When you make songs and sing, is it sort of freestyle or do you have lyrics?

Often when I write in the cafe, I will play some chords, let some words fall from the sky and write down the first thing I think of on one of the paper bags which are used to serve cakes most of the time. I do this until the first verse and chorus are finished and this usually doesn’t take more than 20 minutes or so. Sometimes I won’t write any lyrics because I will quickly remember what I’m writing and I’ll write the song in my mind. This has been my process for a while now - and the volume of songs has been possible because I’ve been conscious to avoid overthinking at all costs - even if that means many days I know a song is not destined to be viral. I just try to stay honest, put it out and trust the process.

@lucieee.ruel: What inspired you to make music, and what are your goals moving forward?

My goals moving forward are staying honest in my creativity, having fun, and seeing where that takes me. I’ve got a headline show at Barfly Camden on the 30th of October which will be great, so I wanna play an amazing gig. I’ve also got some amazing opportunities writing for other people - I’m looking forward to building on that.

@amb.finley: When or what do you do to get into flow state?

I started writing only from a place of complete authenticity. If you’re just speaking different versions of your truths, I feel as though it should flow, because it’s natural. The hard part is figuring out what those truths are - and they change as we grow, move and evolve.

@_is_that_o3tsh0: Dream collaboration?

It’s either Dijon, Jon Bellion or Labrinth. They’re all people I really admire creatively. Each of them have a way of creating where you can tell they’re not even thinking how it will be perceived. I love that. That’s something I try to incorporate into my music. Or maybe a better description would be “I try to not try” lol. Because I believe that’s what they all have common in a certain way - fully letting go whilst creating.

@samgiblin75: What's the 4 most important life lessons you are taking forward in your life so far?

“The power of life and death is in the tongue.” This is a bible quote but can be applied in so many ways for sure. I truly believe if you want to achieve something, or improve at something, it’s important to be willing say it out loud and be unapologetic about it. If you do that, take active steps towards your goals and show up when nobody’s watching - God will reward you. Or just random chance. Whatever you believe in, God and random chance are both things more powerful than us. And both things you want on your side. I fear that can also work the other way round.

Audacity is rewarded when it’s paired with competence and hard work. This is something I see alot from my friend BLISSFOOL - he works so hard at his craft that when he asks the world for something huge, it tends to give, because of the amount of work he does behind the scenes when nobody’s watching. If you can make yourself worthy, and know that you are, your audacity will certainly be rewarded. This is something I strive to incorporate into my life all the time.

You are the sum of the people you surround yourself with. This is a classic for a reason and probably doesn’t need much elaboration.

⁠If you want to convey a message, don’t just preach it - live it. I learned this from a wise old man not so long ago when I asked him how best I can use my voice to positively affect people. He urged me to focus less on finding the words, and challenged me to focus on my actions. He assured me the words would follow. This has definitely helped me as a writer and human - and I think it can be applied to anyone.

DISCLAIMER: I’m 22 and still figuring things out, lol.

@ill_jaja: When will we see a Jake tape or EP or album project or piece of art??

As soon as it makes sense, it will happen. I think after 3 or 4 or more singles, the context will be there to go for an EP.

@rayasiantwink: What's your dream?

I want everyone who I love to be as care free as possible. I feel a deep responsibility. Probably because my family and friends have been good to me in so many ways - even at times where I have been pretty much down and out. I’d like to one day be able to give back infinitely. Emotionally, spiritually, financially. That’s my dream. If I could buy the cafe from the landlords, get the correct permissions and put on a giant festival on the south coast right outside the family business…that would be insane. I think my dad would die a happy man. These are some of the things I’ll do when I find myself in the position to do so.

'i used to sleep through maths' is out now via 6AM COLLECTIVE.

Submit music to DMY here.