25 April, 2025

My first encounter with Jaylen was when I was scrolling on Instagram last year and stumbled upon a video of someone moshing in a Burger King uniform. I watched it and thought “this man came to a show straight off work lol that’s funny as hell”, so I followed him. We had been mutuals ever since and first met during SPOT fest at the skatepark of Tampa. My first impression? Damn, he’s so tall, but also—has great energy. He was so warm and welcoming in just the few seconds it took to say hello.

Fast forward to just a few months ago, I was researching for this project and thinking about who I wanted to speak to, what I wanted to write about, and from there, Intercoastal started taking shape.

Touching on the hardcore scene in Florida was very important to me. It’s Florida, so obviously it’s not talked about enough, if at all. Plus, the average person (if they think about it at all) probably imagines hardcore as just screaming and dudes with long hair flailing their arms (well yes) but it’s so much more than that.

Jaylen was the first person I thought of. I genuinely felt he represents what the hardcore scene is about. Seeing his recent YouTube videos and reels only confirmed that. His passion for the scene and music is undeniable. I wanted to give him space to talk about it all.

Thank you a thousand times to such a cool person, Jaylen and to the employees at the skatepark of Tampa, for letting me bring my camera.

This was the first (planned) interview and I was incredibly nervous, but I think whoever kicked me in the stomach knocked that right out of me, you truly sent me to heaven.

May you enjoy this interview as much as I did.

Juju L.

Captions Available