You may not know his name yet, but Jordan Hollywood has written for a lot of artists you do know, like French Montana, Jason Derulo, and K Michelle and he’s ghost written for many others rappers too. During the pandemic, the iconic hit maker Timbaland not only approved Jordan to sample one of his tracks (a feat rarely attained) but he jumped on Jordan’s record too, he not only got to use some of the legends beats but he also got to meet and work with him in person. Before all of this though, he started releasing his own music as a teenager in 2011, and has since collaborated with Lil Baby, Ronny J, Tory Lanez, Lil Durk, Yo Gotti, and Hitmaka, plus producers SkippOnDaBeat (G-Eazy, Kodak Black, A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie) and Smash David (Big Sean, Khalid, Chris Brown). His Quality Control Music debut was with his breakthrough record “Let Me Find Out” featuring labelmate Lil Baby who Jordan also toured with.

He later released his debut album FINALLY! followed by his single “Testament” off of QC’s Quality Control: Control The Streets Volume 2. Aside from being an artist Jordan also runs the record label The Wasted Youth and just launched his artist IV4 through a joint deal with Warner Records. Dr. Dre, Eminem, Lil Wayne, 50 Cent, Linkin Park, Blink 182, and Usher have all inspired Jordan’s work, and we learned from him that maybe overthinking is actually a good thing, the best advice he has for aspiring artists, his creative process ( weed is involved ), how we both love Lil’ Dicky and how he handles his panic attacks. Without question Jordan is a young star on the rise with no boundaries in site, he talks investing in yourself and it’s clear from all he’s done so far that investing in himself has paid off.

Check out the interview below…

Only the Paranoid Survive is your upcoming album, tell us about how this came to be and what you hope listeners will experience with it?
We wanted every song to hit as hard as possible. I wanted to make sure that with every song I used a different flow. I talked about things that are important to me. I hope that people get to enjoy this experience because that’s what it is. I put my blood sweat and tears into this.

What is your favorite song on this new album?
Each song does something different for me. It’s too early for me to decide which one I like the most. I can’t pick one. I’ve been working so hard on all of the records that I have to take time to listen to them from a different perspective. I’m too close to the music to be able to make that type of decision right now.

I read you believe overthinking, even paranoia, is integral to your success, why is that? How do you keep balance there?
I like to play out different scenarios in my mind before they happen by doing that I found I have a higher success rate when it comes to not taking losses. One example of this is being a CEO of a record label and management company. I used to invest in people off talent alone and not off of their loyalty and character traits. By doing so I took big financial losses in business. Now I overthink by doing extensive research on them and getting to know people before signing them to my company and spending money. Recently I achieved more success on that end of business. There’s plenty of other examples of how overthinking and being paranoid helps me but you’ll have to listen to Only The Paranoid Survive to find out.

Recently you said you’re learning how to thrive, can you explain more?
Everyday I become better I what I do. I just become a better smarter person and I learn from all of my mistakes. I turn them into lessons. The older I get the more it makes sense to me in this music industry. I don’t wanna say I have it all figured out but I feel like maybe I do.

You began writing songs with fellow native Floridian Jason Derulo, how did the two of you meet and what was that experience like?
We met through our mutual friend Frank Harris and the experience was dope. Jason has a really high pitched voice and he sings in a high tone. From working on music with him I learned to push my voice in ways I never did before. I learned to do things vocally that I never tried before. It made me realize I have a lot more range than I knew I had. Jason taught me a lot.

How did Florida impact you as an artist?
In Florida especially in Broward County we don’t give a fuck. We’re uncensored and we say whatever we want whenever we want. We have our own style. People like to listen to songs that are sped up. If you go to a party here the songs will be sped up almost to the point it sounds like a chipmunk. Floridians like the music to have a consistent pace and that affects me a lot. I’ll be making records and feel like afterwards they are too slow. It’s also very multicultural by me. Just being down here I was able to experience different cultures that inspired me that I probably wouldn’t have been exposed to if I grew up somewhere else.

Who were your favorite musicians growing up?
Dr. Dre, Eminem, Lil Wayne, 50 Cent, Linkin Park, Blink 182, and Usher to name a few.

Speaking of favorites, not only did you get approval to sample a Tmbaland track – a rarity – he also jumped on your record too, amazing, how did that come about? What did you learn from him?
That came about because my producer SkipOnDaBeat had a session with him and it facilitated the whole play. I learned from Timbaland before we had the song just from his records in the past. He has a special bounce and he finds pockets with his flows that the average producer artist doesn’t find. I’m always looking for that.

Your “Ugly Song” pays the ultimate homage to his Bubba Sparxxx’s “Ugly.” How does it feel?
It just happened. I remember being a little kid and loving the Bubba Sparxxx version. I always thought it was such a dope song. Shoutout to him for fully supporting me for flipping it and allowing me to take a beat that was his and make mine.

In addition to Timbaland, you collaborated with Yo Gotti, Lil Baby, Ronny J, Tory Lanez, Lil Durk, and Hitmaka, in addition to platinum producers SkippOnDaBeat (G-Eazy, Kodak Black, A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie) and Smash David (Big Sean, Khalid, Chris Brown). What has been your greatest take way form those experiences?
You learn something from everybody. Every time I get a chance to work with somebody, I try to get something from that experience knowledge wise. I’m always trying to learn. I’m a sponge. When I work with new producers I ask them what sounds they use. If I work with new artists if I like something they’re doing I’ll ask them how they’re doing it. I’m always trying to enhance my artistry.

Who else would you like to work?
Lil Dicky. The guy is a creative genius. The worst part about his show is that it’s always too short. I’m hooked on it. If you look past his comedic side, he’s an incredible rapper that doesn’t get the credit he deserves. Also I feel like I could relate to him when he talks about overthinking his craft.

What kind of studio do you create in?
I record in different places every time but I use the same vocal chain. The equipment I use is a BAE 1073 pre amp, tube-tech CL1B , nueman U-87 microphone, and Genelec speakers.

How is your process of writing songs?
In no order. I smoke a joint. I pick a beat doesn’t have to be a full beat it could be a melody. I’ll usually roll another joint. I freestyle my ass off in the booth. If I don’t come up with something in the first 5-10 minutes I scrap it and go to the next song. If it’s a more personal song I’ll sit down and write it before I go in the booth. When I record with my engineer Ash, I usually spend the first two hours venting to him about all the problems in my life and he just listens. I then go in the booth and normally freestyle about the same things we just talked about. Ash is like my therapist.

In 2016 you released a successful independent debut record Sorry for This, how was that process of self-releasing? Who helped you through that?
It was a hope and a prayer. I pressed upload and hoped for the best. I had zero recording budget and zero budget for music videos. The first video I shot was “Trill Shit” and it cost $400. I hate when artists say they don’t have the resources to make great stuff because that’s not true you’re just not working hard or smart enough. Shoutout to SmashDavid for producing that one. When we made the record we were both poor and struggling. Fast forward to today and we both own houses and have kids and are very successful. It’s crazy how things could change. I helped myself through it. Nobody was going to get me through those times but me.

Your Quality Control Music debut was with your breakthrough record “Let Me Find Out” featuring labelmate Lil Baby -who you also went on a national tour with, how did you two meet and what was touring with him like?
We were originally going to put someone else on that song and we decided Lil Baby was the perfect person. I just knew he was going to blow up and become the star he is today. I feel like I was the first person to have a feature with him that was on radio. Touring was always a dream of mine ever since I started making music. The fact that he invited me on that tour I will never take lightly. He’ll forever have my respect. He’s helped my career in so many ways that I’m just thankful.

What advice do you have for emerging artists? A lot!
Invest in yourself.I always say overanalysis causes paralysis. Find a producer and build with them even if they’re not good because chances are you’re not good either. Build a team. When you do any business that involves contracts make sure you have a lawyer. Be original. Don’t let other’s people’s success affect you. You shouldn’t be feeling like you’re not doing a good job because of someone else’s success. Content is key. When you start with nothing everything is a win. Be yourself and don’t lie!

Aside from being an artist you run the record label The Wasted Youth and just launched a artist IV4 through a joint deal with Warner Records, how did you come to run this label and how do you choose talent to invest in?
She’s just really cool and dope as fuck. She’s gonna be one of the biggest artists in the world. I started the Wasted Youth because I wanted to surround myself with similar minded people and also make money with my friends. I met IV4 through Edgar Esteves and we partnered up and became great friends. I started The Wasted Youth when I was a teenager. I wanted to have a collective of likeminded creators who were outcasts and obsessed with perfecting their art. IV4 fits that.

What is the best advice you’ve been given?
God comes first. I always say stay down till you come up.

Who are you currently listening to most and on what platforms? ( known and/or unknown)
I haven’t been listening to anyone but myself lately because I’m in album mode. But generally, I listen to everything.

Fashion and music go hand in hand, what are your favorite designers and who would you like to collaborate with?
For Those Who Sin is my favorite brand. The designer is Alex Miller and that would be my ultimate collab right now. I see it happening in the future for sure.

When faced with adversity what do you do to get you through it?
I think about how I’m closer to where I want to be compared to where I started.

What is your idea of your own personal Wonderland, like your vision of the most amazing day or experience?
(laughs) Having all my family and friends in a big ass house on the water with a studio, jet skis, basketball court, movie theaters, beautiful women, amazing food, weed, and Casa Migos.

Anything you’d like fans to know that you haven’t yet shared?
I have a lot of panic attacks. Sometimes more than others but I get them really bad sometimes. We’ll talk more about that another time. At the end of the day though everything is going to be okay and if any of my fans ever need to talk hit me up.