Pauheikobe Putlang, popularly known as JPollnd of Zeliang tribe is a YouTuber, singer, rapper and dancer from Peren District, currently living in Dimapur.
With his 118k+ subscribers on YouTube, JP is known for his wit and sarcasm, his versatile talents and for being brutally honest among his fans.
Not only has his career as a Vlogger taken off to great heights but the song titled, ‘Die a Legend’, a production by Kohdi Jing Films, where he featured with Z-world, has received massive critical appreciation with close to a million views so far.
And just three weeks ago, JPollnd dropped a new featured single with a new artist on the rise, Kid Jingx’ titled ‘Grinding 0.2’ which has already received 128K views.
As JP continue to achieve great success, Mokokchung Times share an in-depth conversation with the versatile JPollnd.
MTNews: Thanks for the time, JP.
JP: First of all thank you for having me in this interview and I believe this will be interesting!
MTNews: Congratulations on your new collaborated single, Grinding 0.2. How was it working together with Kid Jingx?
JP: Grinding 0.2 is my latest project I’ve worked in as a featured artist. Like many other songs where I’ve been a featured artist, this particular project will also have a special place in my heart as many of you might know that my girlfriend is also a part of this MV. Kid Jingx is a new name in this field and it was fun working with a fresher, I’ve admired his sincerity and dedication he has towards his passion as an artist and I’m optimistic that he will soon turn out to be a big name if he keeps up with his consistency and sincerity.
MTNews: Many of your works are with Kohdi Jing Films. Why don’t you share a little more information about him with us?
JP: Kohdi Jing is someone who knows what his job really is. My first experience of working with him was with Z-World in our hit song ‘Die a Legend’ and I must say I have a huge amount of respect for Kohdi; he’s the best for me when it comes to video scripting, videography, etc. You always want to work with the best, especially when it comes to your profession and Kohdi delivers as promised; if Lights, Camera, Action had a face, it would be Kohdi for me, at least within Nagaland. Whenever I am approached by another artist for a music collab, I highly recommend Kohdi’s name for video shooting and if the other artist already has him in their mind then that’s something that makes me more excited and confident.
MTNews: Are you currently working on any music project of yours?
JP: Yes, indeed a number of projects which I feel would be better if I were low key about it for now just so that my viewers, fans and well wishers keep up with excitement.
MTNews: As your name suggests, you are quite “The entertainer”, while your wittiness is quite contagious. There’s always something very refreshing about your contents. What is your trick behind keeping it all creative?
JP: You see self description is a tough thing, I’m not sure but wanting to entertain others must be something I’ve been born with and sometimes I make myself wonder where do all these come from within me but I’m grateful to God for everything he has given. Apart from this, I’ve been very inquisitive as a kid and would grab all opportunities to learn new things that grab my interest. YouTube has offered me so much and all those hours of watching vloggers/content creators and influencers has paid off; I believe I’m still in the process of learning so much more and that’s what keeps me pushing harder.
MTNews: Apart from being a rapper, singer, dancer and a vlogger, do you have a different profession?
JP: Well these are the things that keep me caught up most of the day and although there are a few other things that need my attention and it is managed. I wouldn’t mind making my profession a full time thing as long as it helps pay the bill; besides who doesn’t want to do things they love to do? This is my circle of happiness and comfort, my mantra to living a small but contented life.
MTNews: Many of your fans want you to focus more on music rather than Vlogs. What do you have to say about it?
JP: This is something even some of my close friends say to me and I respect the opinion my friends and fans have for me and I’ve appreciated it. Like everything has a beginning, the beginning of my career was as a vlogger and I wouldn’t dare give this up because I’m still JP ‘The Entertainer’ and JP loves entertaining people through his vlogs regardless of the success I’ve had and will have as a music artist.
MTNews: As an artist, what has been the most impressive work of yours so far?
JP: With all hands up in my personal opinion, it would be ‘Die a Legend’ with Z-World and I’m sure many will agree with me here. This song will always be numero uno for me because this song not only has exposed me to the outside world as an artist but has been a major thing for me to set the bar higher when it comes to making music and MVs. I’ve performed in many shows and events and also at many of my personal gigs across the state, and ‘Die a Legend’ is one song my fans eagerly wait for me to sing. No performance of mine is complete without this song and indeed, this song will remain a legend for me and my fans.
MTNews: You’ve often mentioned that Eminem is one of your favorite artists. In what ways do you connect with his music?
JP: Everyone needs inspiration; everyone wants to be an inspiration but there are only a few who can do that. Eminem’s music got my eyes fixed towards him and with time, as I started to learn more about him, I started to relate my life with him with all the hardship and troubles he went through and despite all challenges he managed to be the best. Perhaps we know that there are millions of people out there who can relate to his life and have been inspired by his music and his life’s journey. I consider myself one among the millions who have been touched by his music and the positivity he has maintained in his life.
MTNews: Would you agree that Nagaland has changed their views towards local artists?
JP: Definitely. No society remains the same forever on either the good or bad side. Thanks to the pioneers of music industry in Nagaland who came up strong regardless of all the criticism and negativity. We can see now that Nagas are now more open towards promoting local artist; in fact we have learned it the hard way after seeing our neighboring state’s progress in this industry just for the fact that the locals there have always maintained their stand of support towards their artist. We as a community have accomplished to break the typical stereotype of considering everything to be a desperate imitation of the west, we now know the value of any form of art and I’m a 100% sure that we will excel in all aspects in days to come.
MTNews: You’ve gained a lot of love from your fans and subscribers. How do your parents feel about your success?
JP: In the initial stage no one believed in my work; they just considered it as wastage of time and resources and they wanted me to spend more time on things that were more productive which is understandable because no parents would want their child to do anything that they consider having no future at it? I was under constant criticism for spending money on things I needed for making videos and stuff but my dedication did pay off and gradually after they witnessed that I was receiving the love from people and also that I started to generate revenue through my work, my family now is more than happy I should say, and this is something more than I expected. Now family is my strength and though things might not be smooth all the time for me in my profession, they stand for me and encourage me to keep trying no matter what and that I believe is Hope in itself.
MTNews: Would you encourage more youths to pursue vlogging or a career in music?
JP: It’s simple! Do what you feel you’re better at. There’s no point putting oneself in a dilemma, if you feel you are doing the right thing, just do it.
