The Dynamic Duo, Jake&Papa

“Young brothers, old souls. Old school mentality, new school approach. Music is in our blood..."

Papa & Jacob Harrell were simply born to sing. Growing up in a home threaded with the love of music and a mother who encouraged their dreams, they entered their first talent show at the tender ages of 4 and 5 performing “Jump” by Kriss Kross. It is safe to say that that day the path to tread had been chosen. Jake&Papa continued to hone their talents through adolescence creating original music and tuning their voices into true instruments. Joining forces with their older brothers they created the R&B group Brutha and with the guidance of their Uncle Drano landed an audition with Def Jam executive Shakir Stewart who signed them on the spot.

Immediately, work began on their self-titled debut album, which held hits such as “I Can’t Hear the Music” and “She’s Gone.” As they prepared for the debut, the brothers shared their life with the world as stars of one of the top rated reality shows on BET's Brothers to Brutha. With a hit TV show and an album that definitely held its own, it would seem as if the goal had been reached. That is, until the untimely death of Shakir Stewart shifted the course. Though the brotherly love was present, creative differences pulled the brothers in different directions making it time to move on.

Realizing that the dream started as Jake&Papa, that’s where the siblings decided it should return. Relentless in their pursuit of musical success and weathering the storms of countless life changing situations, Jake&Papa arrived like a phoenix to deliver their debut project: Destination Short Stay II. The duo chose to work with a close-knit musical team to create and brand a style that is indeed all their own. Taking you away with erotic rhythmic tunes like “African Drum,” serenading you with the beautiful “Pretty Heartbeat,” enchanting you with the harmonious and melodic blends on “Realm,” and then taunting you sexily with “Still Mine” the brothers definitely unveiled the perfect getaway.

Now they are back with amazing new sounds! If the guys have proved anything, it’s that they will not be stopped!

Tell me a little bit about the men behind the music. Who are "Jake&Papa?"

“Young brothers, old souls. Old school mentality, new school approach. Music is in our blood, but that doesn't mean this game should be handed to us, so we work our asses off to carve our space in this game.”

Jake, how would you identify yourself as an individual and entity in the duo?

“I'm naturally a laid back individual, so I bring smooth singing along with calm coolness on stage. But even though I'm laid back, I make sure to let it all bare. Musically and on stage.”

How about you Papa?

“I'm basically the opposite of Jake. We balance each other out well. My voice is more raspy and deep. While I can be laid back as well, I'm more of the in your face, wild, smack it, flip it, pull a track out type.”

A few years ago you were introduced to the world in BET's hit show Brothers to Brutha.  How was that experience?

“The show had its pros and cons. Definitely was great bringing over a million people a week into our home and having so many people relate to our story. It was also stressful, a lot of family issues that were brought to the forefront for the world to see. Cameras in your face at all times it was a bit frustrating. But all in all, it served its purpose and we wouldn't trade that experience for the world.”

How has the transition been going from Brutha to where you are now as Jake&Papa?

“It's definitely a process. We kinda started from ground zero in a sense. Branding ourselves all over again. But we ain’t ever been scared of a challenge. If it goes over smoothly, that's cool. If we have to lace up, line up and fight for it, then that's cool too. Because THIS is what's in our souls.”

The growth is evident!  I recently took a listen to your latest mixtape, "Somethin' Soulful" and I LOVE the energy behind it!  Where did the idea stem from?

“It basically stemmed from us feeling like our generation is being robbed of that good ol’ fashioned feeling that R&B/Soul used to have in it. Donny Hathaway gave it to us, so did Stevie Wonder, Sam Cooke, Jodeci and R. Kelly. Now, it's Jake&Papa's turn.”

I would have to say that my favorites from the project would have to be 'My Baby,' 'Kiss Em Off,' 'Trill Love,' and 'Pretty Black Bird!'  What are your favorites?

Papa: “My favorite is ‘Kiss Em Off.’ Definitely has special meaning to me.”

Jake: “My personal favorite would have to be ‘Ashes.’ It was written from a very special place in my soul.”

Do you write and/or produce your own material?  If so, which songs from this project?

“We do write. Actually, every song written on ‘Somethin' Soulful’ was written by us. And 80% of our first mixtape ‘DSSII’ was written by us. We love writing our own material, but we leave the producing to the producers on our team.”

Are you still signed with Def Jam or are you all an independent duo?

“Yes, we're still signed to Def Jam, but we grind like we don't have a deal at all. We try to handle as much as we can on our own; on some independent major type ish.”

Who would you guys like to work with in the future?

“Anybody who is trying to put the "soul" back in R&B/Soul. We're supporters of Dubb, Phenom, Problem, Jhene Aiko, BJ the Chicago Kid, Frank Ocean, ASAP Rocky…So many great artists and a lot of them coming out of LA. Shout out everybody putting on for the West! And just everybody in general putting on for their city trying to make it all make sense the best way they know how.”

What's next for Jake&Papa?

“Somethin' Soulful is still brand new so we're beating the streets with that. Rehearsing every day, getting our show right. Hitting a city near you real soon! Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for more updates. Team JP we Love y’all!”

Well, there you have it folks! Be on the lookout for Jake&Papa and make sure to grab "Destination Short Stay II" and "Somethin' Soulful!"