JTVION is a young, influential rapper from Sandusky, Ohio. His music melds together different musical influences, from metal to punk rock, into his unique Hip Hop style. Although JTVION is still on his sprint up the mountain, his music is close to any professional caliber. Recently, he’s been strolling through Twitter and collecting believers. His music and his message are so good, they’re hard to ignore. After seeing his work as an outsider, I wanted to know what’s behind his discography and enthusiasm. He’s one of those artists that make everything seem a bit too easy.
Where did your musical career begin, what materials were at your disposal and what kind of person were you?
JTVION: When I first started making music I had got really into pursuing it as a hobby after X passed away. It hurt losing an artist that helped me through so much so I wanted to step up to the plate and be somebody others could look up to. At the beginning I didn’t have any equipment except GarageBand on my iPhone, some Apple headphones and a scrap car that I recorded in. So because of only being able to record with low quality equipment I made loud aggressive screamo style music
Did you ever dabble in music before XXXTentacion’s passing? How did it change after he passed?
JTVION: Yeah I would rap in freestyle everyday when I would walk around when i was little up until I wanted to start taking it serious
How do you think you’ve evolved or improved since then?
JTVION: Since then I think I’ve improved drastically. To the point where if I showed you an old song you wouldn’t even believe it was me lmao
How has you faith helped you as a person and an artist?
JTVION: My faith in god carries my career and my ability to prevail. If it wasn’t for the strength god gave me I would’ve stopped pursuing music a long time ago! As a person I’ve completely changed my life around. My whole life used to revolve around drugs and getting High off pills, weed, coke basically whatever except the crazy stuff, if it wasn’t for god and music idk who or where I’d be
How do you approach song concepts and the message you convey now? Is it hard to stick to a style or overall image?
JTVION: I don’t really have a certain way I approach song concepts I just create what I’m feeling at the time. I think sticking to a style is easy once you’ve landed how you you want to sound I guess, I wouldn’t say I have a singular style but you could hear anyone of my songs and go “oh, that’s JTVION”
It’s hard being an independent artist. Who or what motivates you the most?
JTVION: Some things that motivate me the most are having an impact on those I come across. Allowing people to see my journey in music and my faith as an example that anything is possible through hard work and faith. I’m also motivated by how far I can go with my music and the life I can create for myself! I really just want to prove to myself that I can change my life. Oh and I want to prove people who thought little of me that I’m more than what they thought o ever could be.
If you could pick 2 of your own songs and 1-2 of your favorites to direct to people that went through a similar situation as you, what would they be?
JTVION: LoveUAlways and Midnight off my album Young Lost Soul. Bounce Back by 17dreams, Fire by Seji, Change the Climate by Lil Xavy and Runaway by 6VIB3Z.
Although COVID is still a factor, do you have plans for more immersive audience experiences?
JTVION: Yeah totally, I wanna do some sort of “virtual” concert this year and put on a show for my fans through a livestream of some sort! I think that’d be pretty cool
What are your plans for this year? Are more collaborations in the future?
JTVION: Some of my plans for this year are to drop another album/project toward the summer! Along with getting the Seji x JTVION tape out. I also wanna work with some more artists I’ve connected with here on twitter. Like Yung Gosse and Babyface, etc. there’s really so much I want to get done!
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