In a new interview on the Jay Hill Network, rapper and singer Gashi opens up about his early attempts to get noticed by Jay-Z, how he eventually signed with Roc Nation, and the challenges artists face in a judgmental music industry.
Three Attempts to Reach Jay-Z
Gashi recalls three separate moments when he tried to connect with Jay-Z before ever being signed:
- Attempt One: Outside the Brooklyn Museum, Gashi spotted Jay-Z’s Maybach parked nearby. When the driver left to get food, Gashi threw his CD into the open window, placing it next to a folded Yankee cap in the backseat.
- Attempt Two: At a book signing, Gashi collected $1 from each person in line and slipped his CD into one of the books. When he finally reached Jay-Z and introduced himself, Jay signed the book—then tossed the CD in the trash.
- Attempt Three: After hitting what he described as “rock bottom,” Gashi released a track called “Disrespectful”. The song gained attention and eventually led to his signing with Roc Nation.
Although some artists describe working with Roc Nation as a “gift and a curse,” Gashi says signing with Jay-Z’s label was a personal milestone. He called Jay-Z his favorite rapper and someone he looked up to growing up. Even an awkward second meeting—where he nervously said “Nice to meet you” again—left a lasting impression when Jay-Z replied, “You can only meet me once.”
Gashi pushed back against online narratives that artists have “fallen off,” calling out people who make those claims without achieving anything themselves. He emphasized that even artists who face setbacks still have major accomplishments that critics can’t relate to.
Despite never having one defining hit, Gashi highlighted his long-term success:
- 10 Gold-certified singles
- 2 Platinum records
- 1 Triple Platinum
He said people recognize him for different songs—from “Roses” and “Disrespectful”, to “Safety” with Chris Brown, “Creep on Me” with DJ Snake and French Montana, and even a track with Sting. He sees this as an advantage, keeping him from being tied to just one song.
Gashi compared his career to that of other artists known for a single hit, expressing concern that fans often don’t allow artists to evolve past one song. He used J-Kwon’s “Tipsy” as an example of how a breakout hit can become both a blessing and a limitation.
