Exron Exclusive Interview: Shawn Jackson

As we enter the new year, we took on the opportunity to chat with DJ and producer Shawn Jackson to reflect on the past 12 months of his career, dive into some of his favorite tracks, discuss revolutionary sounds and themes within the electronic dance music scope that defined 2023, and more. In this interview, he takes us through his top productions from other artists and reveals the creative process and inspiration that derived tracks from his own discography. Aside from being a well-respected artist, Shawn Jackson is also a proud owner of several record labels, making him an unstoppable force in the scene. Read on to learn more about Shawn Jackson and his musical endeavors as he continues to make his mark in the world of electronic music.

Exron Music: Can you share with us your personal top tracks or releases from this year, and what makes each of them special to you? 

James Hype, Vintage Culture – ‘You Give Me A Feeling’
Shawn Jackson – ‘It’s Your Fault’
Doc Brown – ‘Bass Drop’
John Summit – ‘Where You Are’

All the above tracks brought me personal pleasure and happiness and inspired me to test myself musically.

Exron Music: Reflecting on the past year, which track, either by your own production or by another artist, do you feel has had the biggest impact on your career, and why?

Without question, my release “The Pop Off” on my AFTRPRTY label, as it hit #1 for over a month and continues to be a staple among top artists around the globe.

Exron Music: Were there any unexpected or surprising moments related to the tracks on your list, whether they are your own or by other artists? Any unexpected fan reactions or collaborations that stood out?

They each stood out in their element, energizing fans on every dance floor I played to. The reactions were amazing; however, I feel the combination of an already great track and my connection to it allowed for an amazing musical experience.

Exron Music: Can you take us behind the scenes and describe the creative process or inspiration behind one of your personal releases that made it to your top list?

It just comes to me, there is no specific process, just expressing myself through music, completely true and pure. 

Exron Music: Can you share a track by another artist that you discovered this year and felt a deep connection to? What drew you to that particular piece of music?

James Hype and Vintage Culture’s “You Give Me A Feeling” – everything you need to know is in the title, such an amazing track!

Exron Music: Are there any particular musical influences or experiences from the year that you believe are reflected in your selection of top tracks, whether they are your own or by other artists?

I would say my level of energy and creation of unique chords is inspired by watching James Hype’s “Who Does This?” 

Exron Music: Can you share any memorable anecdotes or stories related to the creation or performance of one of your personal releases or a track by another artist on your top list?

“It’s Your Fault” on my AFTRPRTY label is a track I made as I was going through a difficult time, it lifted me up and got me through everything – it also topped the Dance/Electropop TOP 5 releases.

Exron Music: Looking back on the year, do you notice any common themes or motifs that run through your top tracks, or were they intentionally diverse in style and sound?

The most common theme was song structure and the use of unique samples, which I created for my own use in an effort to define the Shawn Jackson Muzik sound.

Exron Music: How do you feel your music has evolved or changed over the past year, and do your top tracks, whether they are your own or by other artists, represent this evolution in any way?

It’s evolved into more dancefloor-friendly vibes: high energy while retaining the structure I’ve come to be known for.

Exron Music: What message or emotions do you hope your audience takes away from your selection of top tracks, whether they are your own or by other artists, as they wrap up this year and move into the next?

The message is to be open to a variety of music, truly listen, and determine how it makes you feel and the experience it creates.

As our interview with Shawn Jackson comes to an end, we thank him for taking the time to speak with us and for sharing his favorite tunes and releases from the past year. With 2024 upon us, we’re looking forward to seeing what’s next to come from this talented DJ and producer. As a rising talent to keep watching, make sure to follow Shawn Jackson across social media to remain in the know about his upcoming releases, live shows, and projects.

Shawn Jackson Online:
Beatport | Soundcloud | Instagram