Meet DeAndre Jacob | Chef & Rap Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with DeAndre Jacob and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi DeAndre, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
Some things you may not be able to express in words.making music and being a chef is a different way for me to express myself.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
As a Chef and a Rapper I’m excited about watching my brand (Johnny Tough) grow. And seeing all the hard work paying off. Also being able to produce and write 19 albums as a rapper. Also Been in the food industry for twelves years since I was nineteen. I got to where I am today by just staying consistent, working hard always believing in me even if other people don’t. It definitely wasn’t easy cooking in New York City because New York City is very cutthroat in the food industry. I almost been homeless .many times I didn’t have food lost friends and family members. The lesson I learned is always stay creative work hard and believe in yourself ,because it’s going to be a lot of people who tell you your ideas doesn’t make sense. What I want the world to know about my brand . Me as a Chef and a music Artist I’m eager to learn more about the music business also learn more as a chef, both these careers are my dreams and I’m living it .so I just want to let people know don’t ever give up believe in yourself.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
It’s so much to do in New York City, as a Chef it’s so many places that I could choose to eat. I would definitely take my friends to the new Jay Z Book of Hov Exhibit in Brooklyn New York .The place that we will eat at is actor Chazz Palminteri italian restaurant in Manhattan New York. People may know him from the movie Bronx tale. If you ever come to New York the best place to come is Times square of course, it’s so active and it has the most interesting people New York itself has the most interesting people.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
The first person I want to give a shout out to is my brother Kenneth McClam . If it wasn’t for my oldest brother , I wouldn’t have the inspiration to cook. When I was 12 years old he made a grill shark. With spicy peppers. as a child it did something for my taste buds, I think that’s when my love for food began to start. Also a woman who worked at my school by the name of Shaunte Draper she wrote my first resume that I used for the first 5 years of my Culinary Career. A Man by the name of Joseph Khalil ,Aka Deejay Khalil , been a mentor also someone who’s been very supportive in my personal life and career .

Website: https://untd.io/a/johnnytough

Instagram: https://instagram.com/johnnytough_

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@chefjohnnytough

Image Credits
De’Andre Jacob