mynameisntjmack (Artists To Watch)
There’s a different kind of pride that comes when an artist from your area starts telling the truth in a way that feels like it’s yours, too. When you listen to Virginia native mynameisntjmack, it feels like he’s processing in real time, and we’re all flies on the wall in the therapy session of a man trying to make sense of everything he’s been carrying. His words don’t chase your attention, they earn your trust. There’s something sacred about the way he shares. And if you’ve ever wrestled with grief, doubt, isolation, or the feeling of holding yourself together in a world that doesn’t always make sense, you’ll feel him instantly.
His latest project, BOOKMARK 2, feels like the deepest breath he’s taken so far
and some of the most intentional music he’s made to date. As a sequel to 2023’s BOOKMARK, the mixtape peels back even more layers, leaving space for emotion to linger between honest journal-entry verses and soul-stitched production.
On “american spirit,” he floats over the beat with raw reflection: “tryna figure out what I’m tryna feel / tryna turn my hurt into something that heals.” That’s the pulse of the whole project, identifying feelings and letting them out. He carries that same energy into “lemon/ginger,” where he spits, “healing ain’t linear, but I’m still showing up.” Then there’s “cavalier,” where he flips between detached and delicate, admitting, “I’m scared I’ll get better and still feel the same.” It’s moments like this that show how Jmack has mastered the art of saying the hard, honest things out loud.
His flows are conversational but sharp. His voice moves between rap, melody, and memory, always keeping the emotion front and center. One theme that shows up in everything he makes is his home state, Virginia. For Jmack, VA isn’t just home, it’s the lens he sees the world through. The stillness, the pressure, and the pride are all embedded in the music. And if you’re from here, you recognize the way he carries the 757 with both care and conviction, representing such a sonically rich region with depth and heart.
Lately, he’s been taking that sound on the road, touring alongside fellow VA artist Tommy Richman. The two have built something special over the years as collaborators, having featured on each other’s projects with songs like “BUNKER/PREROLL” and “CHASE”.
As someone from the 757, it’s exciting to see Jmack continue to grow and bring his world to bigger stages without ever losing the heart that makes his music so personal. There’s intention in everything he puts out, and from the sound of BOOKMARK 2, he’s only getting sharper and more self-assured as an artist.
mynameisntjmack is the kind of artist who reminds us that rap can still be rooted in vulnerability. That it can still be soft and healing without losing its edge. And sometimes, just being honest with yourself is more than enough.
If you’re a fan of artist like MIKE, Earl Sweatshirt, or Mick Jenkins, and ready to tap into mynameisntjmack, here’s a 10-track playlist to get you started: