Jay Sremm: Turning Passion Into Profession
At 35 years old, Jermarcus “Jay Sremm” Jackson has carved out his own lane in hip-hop as the official DJ for Rae Sremmurd. What started as a teenage hobby on FruityLoops in Mississippi has turned into a career that has taken him across the globe, performing in front of thousands while still staying deeply connected to his roots in Tupelo. His story is equal parts small-town grit, global success, and unwavering loyalty to family and community.
Early Experiments With Sound
Jay first dipped into music at just sixteen. “I used to make beats… me, my homeboy, and my brother. We didn’t know what we was doing, we just had FruityLoops,” he said, reflecting on those early days of trial and error. Though he set music aside for a few years, a cousin in Atlanta — part of the powerhouse production team EarDrummers — drew him back in around age 22. That connection would prove pivotal in shaping his future.
A Tupelo Connection That Changed Everything
Before his name was on tour posters, Jay was simply a Shannon High School graduate who liked music. It was after high school when fate stepped in. “I met them at the skating rink in Tupelo. They already had the song ‘Party Animals.’ That’s when we all linked up.”
“They,” of course, were Swae Lee and Slim Jxmmi — two brothers from the rival Tupelo school who would later become Rae Sremmurd. That small-town bond set the stage for a partnership that would change Jay’s life forever.
From Factory Floors to Festivals and Stages
When Rae Sremmurd was recording their breakout debut SremmLife, Jay wasn’t producing yet. At the time, he was still clocking in long shifts at Ashley Furniture. But his mind was already elsewhere. “I would hear them and start telling coworkers, ‘I ain’t finna be working here for too long.’ I started acting weird at work because I didn’t care about that job at that point. They didn’t believe me.”
He was right. Within a few years, Jay had left behind the factory floors for festivals and stages, joining Rae Sremmurd as their official DJ.
Touring the World, Staying Grounded
Life on the road has taken Jay places he never expected. Just recently, he came back from Kazakhstan. “That sht was different, bro. Never been there and didn’t even know it was a place.”
And yet, despite traveling across continents, Jay insists on keeping Tupelo as his home base. “Everybody always ask me that and I don’t see why not. I could be anywhere, but I don’t get tired of Tupelo anymore.”
The Influences That Shaped Him
Growing up, Jay was heavily inspired by Nelly, whose style and success left a lasting impression. That influence is still felt in the way Jay approaches his own role in hip-hop — confident, charismatic, and always pushing for more.
But Jay also emphasizes the challenges that come with his career. “Just really tryna get somebody else on, you know,” he said. Beyond his own success, he’s driven by a desire to give others the same opportunities he had.
Defining His Craft
Being Rae Sremmurd’s DJ means more than just spinning records. “People don’t realize how much music you’ve got in your head. You gotta be prepared to walk in the club and know what to play.” Jay describes his style as “old DJ Khaled style” — high energy, curated for the moment, and rooted in knowing how to move the crowd.
His proudest moment so far? No hesitation: “Doing the SremmFest.” The annual festival, hosted in Tupelo, celebrates the city that raised them — a reminder of how far they’ve come while giving back to the community that made them.
Looking Toward the Future
For now, Jay’s eyes are on new projects with Rae Sremmurd, including Swae Lee’s upcoming album. “He’s not releasing what I produced yet,” Jay teased, leaving fans eager to hear what’s in the vault.
But whether it’s unreleased tracks, world tours, or homegrown festivals, one thing is clear: Jay Sremm is proof that Tupelo talent can reach the world without ever losing touch with home.
Follow Jay Sremm:
Facebook: Jay Sremm
Instagram: @d_jaysremm
YouTube: D-JaySremm
Spotify/Apple Music: Search D-JaySremm
