The Breakfast Club INTERVIEW: James 'JJ'88' Jacobs, Contessa Gayles & Richie Reseda Talk 'Songs From The Hole,' Prison To Purpose
Dec 1, 2025
James 'JJ'88' Jacobs, a formerly incarcerated musician, shares his transformative journey through music in prison. He discusses the impact of youth trauma and the criminal justice system on his life. Contessa Gayles, co-director of the visual album, highlights the healing power of storytelling. Richie Reseda offers insights into the challenges of creating music in prison and the importance of humility in their work. Together, they explore themes of accountability, forgiveness, and the potential for personal redemption.
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Music Created Inside Prison
- James 'JJ'88' Jacobs wrote an album while incarcerated and helped produce and record it in prison.
- He also wrote the visuals and included his family in the project to tell his life story.
Youthful Decisions Have Lasting Weight
- At 15, Jacobs says he lacked the maturity to grasp the finality and impact of taking a life.
- Over time, music became his path to process guilt and find purpose.
System Rewards Retribution
- Jacobs argues charging minors as adults reflects a cultural commitment to revenge and retribution.
- He frames the punitive approach as a systemic choice rather than an inevitability.