Tiger-Cats running back Don Jackson continues to find success for himself both on and off the football field. Known by the stage name “Don Jayy,” Jackson is a rapper on the side of his football career.
Born in Sacramento, California, Jackson said he grew up in an area where everyone was into music, and many wanted to make a career out of it.
“My family didn’t have a lot of athletes, but a few musicians so that’s where it all started for me,” said Jackson.
Jackson discussed always wanting to be involved in the music industry, but not always having the means to do so. Between not having the right equipment and not having time on the side of high school football, he wanted to be able to produce music but wasn’t always able to do so the way he wanted to.
When it comes to comparing football and music, Jackson believes the two are comparable in some respects but also have their differences. He discussed how his nerves before performing in each situation are the same, but to be successful he needs to handle them differently.
“In football I’d be able to physically do stuff to get myself right, and I think when it’s the stage I just have to find the best way to be comfortable,” said Jackson. “On the field, I can be like ‘hey throw me the ball a couple of times to warm me up,’ with music, when you’re sitting behind that curtain, it’s like there’s nobody else here to save you, nobody else can step in to make a play for you, you got to perform the song and do it right.”
Jackson also discussed how both football and music compliment each other and how this allows him to excel in both industries. He loves the art of performing and believes he belongs in both industries. He described music as a way to get away from football for a little bit and enjoy something different.
“Music helps me with football because it’s my way of stepping out of football,” Jackson said. “I get to make my mistakes, take my time, and really just please myself.”
Jackson also says the same his true about football helping him in his music career.
“Without football I would never have been able to go to the places that I’ve been, from Canada, anywhere in the States, college, anything, I would never be able to do that stuff without football,” said Jackson. “I think football, what it does for my music, is give me a pipeline for experiences that I can talk about.”
Inspired by the likes of J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar, and other legends in the music industry, there is plenty more to come from Don Jackson both on the field and on the stage