Jaboukie Young-White, the Chicago-bred, New York-based actor and writer has a distinct aura. It's bright, warm, and its color is definitely in the orange-yellow family. The 29 year-old performer brings his bright disposition to his career, which has taken off at lightning speed over the past three years. He was in in Joaquin Phoenix's "C'mon C'mon," has performed twice on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon," he worked as a correspondent on "The Daily Show," and he even released his debut album "All who can't hear must feel," last August.

On a sunny afternoon in Austin in March — a day that mirrored Jaboukie's aura — we met with him to talk upcoming projects, the balancing act of being a multi-medium artist, today's comedy world, and even star signs (he's a leo sun sign, to no surprise).

ON THE NOW

I’ve been doing a lot more acting, so I'm mostly working on that. Acting-wise, there’s not too much stuff I can talk about yet, but this Rom-Com, 'The Threesome,' was just announced, and I’m really excited about that one. I had a lot of fun on that set. I saw some early-early stage footage and it was visually gorgeous, which really stood out for a Rom-Com.

In my free time here and there, I’ve been making dance music inspired by what I grew up around: a lot of juke, house, and footwork music. Pretty much just lo-fi EDM Chicago music from the Nineties and 00s.

ON MAKING MUSIC

I first started messing around with logic in like 2013. I took a film scoring class and found it really fun, almost meditative. It was something I did casually until the pandemic, when I finally had enough time to sit down and make something. When I look back on that project, it feels like I was fulfilling the wish of the different versions of myself over the years who wished he had more time to make music.

I definitely see myself continuing to make music, but in terms of a release timeline, I’m not so sure. A lot of the first project was a huge burst inspired by a lot of free time, which I haven’t had much of recently. I’m back to just making little songs here and there and then putting a pin in it until I have more time.

ON VIRALITY

What has viral potential today isn’t the thing that had potential a year ago, sometimes even a week ago. I think one of the most important parts of going viral is unemployment. Logged on and locked in with no money to go do anything else.

If you’re looking to go viral and are (un)fortunately gainfully employed, then just think of it like surfing. Waves come and go, and with every wave you have a chance to do your own little move on the wave until it crashes. I’ve never been surfing.

ON WORKING IN TELEVISION

I always imagined it this way. I feel I have a few lifetimes’ worth of dreams or aspirations. Luckily, TV & Film are such multifaceted art forms that I never really feel like I’m going too far away from home base. This is kind of a pretentious example, but after having worked on an album, I have an entirely different relationship with sound. I have such a deep appreciation for how much information a single sound can convey.

Now I’m leaving films like, “Wow, the sound design was amazing.” Sometimes, I hear a sound and just savor it for a second and try to figure how they did that. Sound is one of my favorite aspects of TV/film because it’s so subtle, but it’s all engrossing. It’s one of the most visceral parts of the art form.

In general, I think life imitates art because they’re both made of countless little choices that add up. The more hats I wear, the more experience I gain and the more confident I feel about making well-informed little choices.

ON THE MULTI-HYPHENATE BOOM

To keep it 1000, people would prefer not to pay three different people, so being a swiss army knife will just get you further.

ON MEDIA DEMOCRATIZATION

The internet has really democratized the comedy field at this point. It feels like the tradition that started with Donald Glover and Issa Rae continues now, like looking at Quinta Brunson, Ayo Edebiri, Rachel Sennott… These people had a strong online presence alongside their early forays into TV/Film. It wasn’t the sole reason they got where they are but it played a huge part. The internet can be the wind in the sail, but it’ll never be the ship. I’ve never been on a ship. Actually, do ferries count? If so, that’s a lie.

ON TODAY’S COMEDY WORLD

The internet has simultaneously raised the bar for comedy and increased the demand for comedy. It’s also created this interesting disconnect, where certain sensibilities that flourish online don’t necessarily to other mediums. Sometimes, even other social media platforms. Never in human history have people come across so many jokes on a daily basis. (Maybe the Neanderthals were hilarious though, I dunno. Hitting someone on the head with a club is kind of peak physical comedy.)

ON THE POINT OF IT ALL

I just really like making things. I’m so insanely lucky to be creative for a living. That being said, I could afford to chase fame more. It’s useful if you want to keep making things.

ON WORDS FOR HIS YOUNGER SELF

Don’t postpone joy for something that might never come. You gotta find something at every stage and every milestone that excites you. If you develop that muscle, you’re kind of unstoppable. I’m still working on it, but the better I get, the better things get.