JACOB MED - DIMEMOND OF THE WEEK - NOVEMBER 23rd 2015

NAME: Jacob Med

AGE: 20

BACKGROUND: Born in Moscow, Russia but raised in Vancouver BC

OCCUPATION: Undergraduate student currently at University of British Columbia (UBC). Studying and majoring in International Relations. Also, an editior/author on Audio Frost, a music blog and platform. Recent experience also includes an internship with CiTR 101.9 FM, assisting on segments and teams, including Crimes and Treasons.

Dimemond Mentality first met Jacob Med in the Summer, when we were beginning our collaboration and feature with Crimes and Treasons (which airs every Tuesday night, 9:00PM - 11:00PM), at the CiTR 101.9 location, on the UBC campus. Jacob was their intern team member, and stuck out incredibly from the rest of the team. Being the youngest team member in the radio station studio at the time, and his eccentric fashion choices, we immediately struck up quality discussions about the current Vancouver culture, and what Dimemond is beginning to bring into Vancity.

Jacob fully supported the brand, and platform, and what the main purpose was. We knew he would definitely benefit from being featured on the DM brand and platform, and would also be a vital addition to our ongoing, growing Dimemond Roster of quality individuals.

Jacob Med is a great outspoken individual, who fuels off of education in any realm; his ability to be enthusiastic about learning, applying and also integrating his vast amount of knowledge into his lifestyle, outside of his school environment. 

As he is going into his 3rd year as an undergraduate student at UBC, he continues to expand his 'open mindedness' through various realms, which Jacob applies on the daily - fashion, music choice, writing and as well as growing as a professional.

Jacob being born into a very multi-cultural and diverse background, being 3/4 Russian and 1/4 Nigerian, he has been very proud to share his understanding about life and the enjoyment one can get, are done by understanding culture (personal and external), through traveling. He has built a great resume of his traveling experiences around the world, which include - Russia, Los Angeles, London, Paris, New York (to name a few). He very much remembers where he is, where he's been, and where he wants to go, and believes that's how one truly appreciates the culture they are surrounded by.

With Jacob's vast appreciation for the Vancouver culture, especially the landscape, he explains that we are "subconciously influenced" by the culture we are brought up in. Being born in Russia, and moving to Vancouver at 2 years old,  Jacob has never forgotten about his stomping grounds of Russia. His background, while being mixed, he very much states that the Russian culture he has grown up in and surrounded by, influenced how he has perceived the sub-cultures of literature, music, and visual art.

Jacob Med doesn't only juggle his full time academic schedule, along with having interned with CiTR radio station, but he also is a published editor and author with the music platform and website, AudioFrost.Com. 

How did this opportunity make into Jacob life?

Easy. His aspirations and curiousity to continue to explore the various cultures in the world, as well as diversifying his language palette, in grade 11, Jacob applied for a French Speaking exchange program in France. That is where he met his colleague Jordan Williams, the creator and founder of Audio Frost, who now resides in New York.

Although the platform of AudioFrost heavily resides in the states, Jacob Med brings not only a Canadian touch to the writing and perspectives of the various artists he writes about, but he has also began to build an intergrated culture bridge between him, and the rest of his Audio Frost squad. This being a very unique, authentic and great move for Jacob, it has provided him the opportunity to expand his writing capabilities, and build with a very diverse, multi-cultural team, which again, heavily represents Jacob's outlook and appreciation for being very outgoing when it comes to experiencing life.

What does Dimemond Mentality mean to you? Do you think it'll be successful?

"To me, ‘Dimemond Mentality’ refers to an ambitious yet humble mindset. It is characterized by people who display perseverance and great effort in everything that they set out to do. I believe that the Dimemond Mentality showcase will be successful because highlighting the work and aspirations of people in the community will only encourage others to improve and strive for their goals. This will create a cycle of excellence."

What do you enjoy about Vancouver?

"Vancouver is a beautiful city. There is of course the natural beauty. Few places have panoramic views which include both contemporary architecture, snow capped mountains, looming coniferous trees and beautiful ocean waters. I also enjoy Vancouver’s diversity. This can be seen in the different cultural events, the kind of food we have access to, etc."

Do you feel that the city of Vancouver is missing a music and/or an art scene and culture? If so, what is missing? What does Vancity do well within these realms?

"I think it is important to remember that Vancouver is a young city. There has been great  development in the arts and culture scene in Vancouver over the last several decades. There is however, always room for more growth. I believe that Vancouver is predisposed for greatness. It is a hub/growing metropolis on the Pacific coast (at the intersection of Asian and North American cultures). This key location allows for the interchange of cultures, and through this, the diversification of the art scene. It comes with no surprise then that Vancouver does have a fairly diverse arts and culture scene. There are African festivals. There are Chinese celebrations Greek Days. Italian Days. Jazz Festivals. European Impressionist painting exhibitions. Hip-Hop Shows. House Shows. Indigenous art installations. Vancouver IS globalization. You can find anything you want here...you just have to know where to look."

If Audio Frost presented an opportunity to meet any artist to interview and collaborate with for a story, who would you appreciate to meet? What sort of questions would you ask them?

"If the AudioFrost team could meet anyone...I’m sure we all have different answers so I will only speak for myself. The list of artists that I would like to meet is endless...But let me try to answer this.

I would love to meet Oliver El-Khatib, who is one of the masterminds behind the now infamous OVO brand. I am interested in learning about the process of establishing such a powerful brand name. Everything from the timeliness of the music releases and the evolution of the OVO clothing line has been executed with precision and care. I want to understand how one manages an operation of that scale."

It is evident that music and fashion is becoming predominantly integrated with one another, especially with artists in the urban sound category. Why do you think this is becoming more and more common? Is it a good move for an artist to integrate fashion and their music together?

"I think that a lot of it has to do with how nowadays everything takes place on a multi-medium platform. We are connected with artists like never before: we are able to receive instant updates at our fingertips while multi tasking and looking at photos posted by the artists on social media. In this way, we get bombarded with not only the sound waves of the music we so love and anticipate, but we also get to see behind the scenes footage of what artists are and were wearing while recording. We get to see more intimate tour footage. We get to peer into the personal lives of artists and see how they dress. 

These people are famous and their fame gives them a platform to influence popular culture. Now is this mixing of music and fashion good or bad? I think that it is just another stage in art, which is characterized by the mixing of media on a level which has not been seen before. Fashion and design are becoming physical representations of music...and vice versa. This in itself is neither good or bad, it is just change. Like with anything else in art, this is subjective."

Do you have any aspiring role models you look up to? Why?

"I have many people that I look up to. Whether it’s authors who are able to weave together words to produce profound meanings that I could never have dreamt of, or whether it’s some thinker or scholar that I read in one of my many school assignments. Musicians, actors...Really, I look up to anyone who challenges the way we think and offers something new. I admire people who provide fresh perspectives on any topic. I look up to my mom and dad."

If you could potentially choose any career (if you were given the opportunity handed to you), what would it be?

"I have many interests and am still deciding on what career path to pursue. I have several ideas...but I like to keep my cards close to my chest :)."

With finding young, ambitious and incredibly driven individuals like Jacob Med, Dimemond Mentality only pushes even more to continue to showcase similar individuals. We are trying to and going to create a movement within Vancity, where we will notice and share these stories of the new and indifferent individuals from various generations of quality thinking. Shout out to Jacob who continues not only appreciate his educational career, but also pushes further outside of school, applying his skill set on various palettes. He will easily make moves within Vancity and represent the quality of creative individuals popping out of the real six!

JACOB'S ASPIRING AFFIRMATION:

"A few years ago a good friend of mine set out to set the record for most grouse grind climbs in a single day. He wanted to set the new record at 16 climbs. I looked at him in disbelief, and all he said was 'I'm going to do it'. And you know what? He did it."

Follow Jacob Med on social media:

Jacob Med on Instagram

Articles by Jacob Med on Audio Frost:

http://audiofrost.com/2015/02/18/not-like-they-used-to-drakes-statement-with-iyrtitl/

http://audiofrost.com/2015/07/27/collect-call-sanctuary/

http://audiofrost.com/2015/03/13/listen-closely-the-double-meaning-of-all-day/