Today we’d like to introduce you to Jon Black.
Hi Jon, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I started seriously doing music around 2007. I had already recorded songs in professional studios back home in San Diego but I didn’t have any outlets through which, to promote or sell the music so it just sat. When I got to Texas, I formed a group with some friends called The Payper Boyz. At this time, music was still being sold through CD so we did a mixtape which received some good feedback. Our first live show was at a venue called Late Night Pie. This show was the catalyst for me wanting to pursue music professionally. The crowd was showing a lot of love, the music sounded good when we performed it, and I had a blast so I was all in. The group didn’t last for too long after the initial mixtape as we all started pursuing different ventures in life but the music stuck with me. I started releasing mixtapes and EPs around 2009, which were well received. I’ve performed at SXSW a few times, and opened for other legendary artists like Rakim, Wu-Tang Clan, Slim Thug, Paul Wall, Large Professor, Dead Prez, and others. I’ve been on tour a few times and am trying to do more of that. Every city I have been to has embraced my music and shown me a lot of support. My feelings are that if I can get that response from the crowd in these cities I have to see just how far I can take it.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Not at all. Unless you have the type of connections to make the road smooth, the road for artists is rarely smooth. As an independent musician, you have to learn every facet of your industry to maximize your impact. You have to learn how to make flyers, record and edit video, book and promote shows, find radio stations to play your music, create content for social media, shoot and edit photos, record/mix/master music (or at least have a working knowledge of how to do it.) There’s also the allocation of finances that has to happen” and the rest of the answer is fine. If there has been any struggle, it’s in not having learned more earlier in my career when the opportunities were available and having to go back and learn later on. That struggle has also helped me to learn the importance of keeping an open ear for any useful information no matter how trivial it may seem at the time.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a Hip-Hop Artist as well as a Producer. I’m known for my songwriting and lyrical ability as well as my live shows. What I am most proud of in music is my live performances and the messages I convey in my music. What sets me apart from others is my ability to marry lyrics with good songwriting. I try to make music that has a meditative quality to it while still being engaging, I want every song to elicit a feeling.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Follow me on Instagram @MyRapLife my DM is always open. If you want to support, listen to my music on your streaming platform of choice or buy some merch from my webstore at jonblackthegreat.bandcamp.com, I am working on new designs that will be out very soon. You can even just tell a friend about me and that helps tremendously.
Contact Info:
- Website: jonblackthegreat.bandcamp.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/myraplife/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jonblackmusic
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/blacktherapper
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCu6ZSVuRNTCVXGITBtmLOxg
Image Credits
Khanista Diaz
