Christian Rap / Hip Hop / Rap

The South has a new leader in the Christian Hip-Hop Movement. Born & Raised on the North side of Houston Texas, JPI is taking his love for Jesus and Hip-Hop to a new level. JPI is proving that being a Christian in today's world is ok. Moreover, he is proving that Hip-Hop and God can go in the same sentence. He graduated from his hometown of Houston at Westfield High School in 2000. But, life was not easy for JPI.

He became seduced by the hard streets of his hometown as drugs and a life of partying became his everyday theme. It was not until one pivotal moment when he was arrested and charged for possession that while in jail he turned his life over to GOD. Now, he comes into the music business a Christians and a man of God with a mission to spread the word of his love for our Savior in Jesus Christ through his music. This is his story.

Isaac-Joseph: Thanks for talking the time to do this interview for the magazine. I wanted to first wish you and your family a Happy Holiday.

JPI: I appreciate you reaching out!

Isaac-Joseph: I read your bio, and it is most interesting. You took what could have been a life of in and out of jail into something that has brought you to were you are at now. Describe that moment in jail that you decided to give your life to the Lord:

JPI: I’ll never forget how desperate I felt sitting in a Harris County jail cell. When you’re locked up, ALL your rights are taken away & basic everyday actions become privileges. I was only 20yrs old & had been rapping off & on for about 3yrs. I went into jail thinking I would use the time to write some lyrics. Even though there’s nothing to do in jail it’s extremely hard to concentrate! All I could think about was my mom…my little sister…my grandparents …close friends …everyone who ever did something positive for me & always kept my best interest in mind. I couldn’t help but to think about how I was letting them down…& how I got myself in that position. I knew my life was circling the drain…sin was destroying me. Every Sunday they had a minister come into the jail and offer a church service for the people who wanted to attend. I figured sure why not….it gave me something to do for a few minutes & it got me out the cell. It seemed like everything he was preaching was speaking directly to me. The rest of the day I just sat around reading The Bible. For the first time in a long time, I said a prayer that night & it came straight from the heart. My spirit was alive again…I felt like I had a new start…even though I was locked up with convicts & concrete all around me…. I knew God loved me & had a plan for my life!

Isaac-Joseph: Music can be therapeutic. How has your music helped you to fight off demons in your own life?

JPI: Well my father passed away when I was only 9yrs old…so music was always an escape for me. I tend to write about real-life situations and different trials & tribulations that I’ve faced. That’s why music is a huge release for me! I’m able to voice my opinions and share my beliefs while doing something I love doing…it’s very therapeutic! When I write music, I never forget about the time I served in jail & the comfort God had given me. That’s why I refuse to compromise my faith when I’m writing.

Isaac-Joseph: You are extremely talented artist. You have been noted to say that you are not doing your music for the fame & fortune. Elaborate of what is the real reason why you are making your music?

JPI: I make music because I want to help people look past the hate in this world & be happy. I’m not telling people what to do & what not to do. I’m trying to show them what I did & what I’m doing. Life can be overwhelming if you don’t give your problems over to God. My messages aren’t sitting on your butt & expect God to pay your light bill…but trust in him to get you over any obstacle. Fame & fortune are both temporary & neither one can guarantee you happiness. The only way to truly be happy on this planet is to have a relationship with the one who created you…& I’m not talking about your parents either…GOD! Once you start praying on a daily basis you’ll leave some of the stress in this world behind!

Isaac-Joseph: Sometimes it is hard to get away from the bad influences that surround a person. Explain how you were able to overcome this and what advice do you have for those who may be in the same situation like you were in?

JPI: Getting rid of the bad influences in your life is the toughest part of getting your life on track. In many cases, I was the bad influence. I had to first look at myself and see who I really was & who I was becoming. The only thing I cared about anymore was pleasing my friends, being cool, & fitting in. Once I started being real with myself everything fell right into place. I didn’t want to do the things I was doing anymore, so those friends I was rollin with didn’t wanna hang with me no more!

Isaac-Joseph: Where do you feel Christian Hip-Hop music is heading?

JPI: It’s heading in the right direction, but there is a lot of room for improvement. The more I become involved in Holy Hip Hop the more talent I see within the industry. When I was living wicked….lost in the world…I couldn’t name one single Christian rapper….I didn’t even know they existed! Now I could name several Christian emcees that could knock some mainstream rappers right of the charts if given the same amount of exposure!

Isaac-Joseph: Do you feel that there are some negative cats out there doing Hip-Hop music that truly do not represent the movement?

JPI: Fasho!…there’s plenty of negative cats in the industry! I just take it for what its worth. There’s gonna be negative people in every line of entertainment. I look past the rappers who talk about murdering & all that…..b/c they are obviously lying b/c if you committed those kinds of crimes you wouldn’t be making records about it. ITS ALL LIES….we need to wake up & quit dropping our hard earned money on these actors b/c they influence the kids like it or not!!!

Isaac-Joseph: When you are making/producing a track, where do you draw most of your lyrics from?

JPI: I like to let the music come…I try not to force it. When I’ve got an idea, I won’t hesitate to stop what I’m doing & start sketching out a verse. I like to put myself in the listener’s shoes and imagine… how I would want to hear the message I’m trying to display! The rhymes come natural…when I start a verse…I finish the verse so I don’t have to pick up where I left off. It’s not hard to find inspiration…I’m a very emotional person & get inspired by the smallest things!

Isaac-Joseph: How important is it for you to maintain a clean wholesome image to your fans?

JPI: It’s very important! It’s discouraging when someone you look up to falls from grace. It’s hard to tell someone “do as I say, not as I do”….the second you slip up you lose all your credibility. However, I do feel like people are forgiving & understanding….we are all battling the same demons & dealing with similar struggles….no one on this earth is safe from sin & we all need to look out for each other.

Isaac-Joseph: What have been some of the feedbacks that you have received from your family and friends about your music?

JPI: My fiancée Stephanie is my #1 fan….no questions asked!!! She allows me to have the free time I need to write my songs & is with me at all my shows!!! I consider Stephanie my “partner in rhyme” since she is also my P.A. in charge of T-shirts / The Street Team / & many other task. My friends give me a lot of encourament & constantly push me to be the best. As far as the feedback from the fam….its never accurate! They would tell me I’m great no matter what! My mom has always had my back & making her proud is the best feeling in the world! It feels good making positive music & having my family support me 100%

Isaac-Joseph: Let's talk about new releases, tour dates, new announcements, or anything else that you would like to share with us:

JPI: I’ve been working on an album for a couple of months now & it should be ready for release early 2008! I’m constantly adding new songs & information to my myspace page (www.myspace.com/JPIMCP) & I’m doing several local shows here and around Houston TX…my next show booked is in Porter, TX @ “THE EMBASSY CLUB” Saturday…January 19th. The Embassy Club is one of only two Christian Nightclubs in The United States. If you would like to purchase tickets to the event visit (www.myspace.com/embassy_club)

Isaac-Joseph: Shout out time: Give props to anyone and everyone that matters to you.....

JPI: I gotta thank Jesus Christ my Lord & Savior for giving me the opportunity to use my gifts for good & not evil! My fiancée Stephanie who is my rock! My Mom…my Sister…my Grandma…my Uncle & most definitely my Dad & Grandpa who have both passed away. Thanks go out to my patna B to the H for being my brother from another. My boy Double T for hunt’n down the hottest beats. Shayne P for freestyling with me for so many years in high school! Props to my two mentors Casper & CY …they both took me under their wings & showed me the ropes.

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