Patiently Waiting
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f you ask rap fans in Atlanta, (not an average rap fan, but a true A-Town rap fan), who are the hottest rappers on the streets right now, they’d probably be quick to answer that question with these three names: Gucci Mane, OJ Da Juiceman and J Money. The first two names are familiar by now. But the latter, J-Money? Who the hell is…? You’d probably get an answer like, “J-Money. First name, last name!” J-Money is the newest rapper from Atlanta to have the streets behind him, thanks to numerous hood anthems like “Trapper of the Year,” “1st Name Last Name,” “Do It Big,” “This Is How We Play,” and “Smashin’,” along with a number of mixtapes with DJs like Durrty Laundry and Scream. His buzz has grown exponentially over the last few months to the point where people are already calling him the “(T)rapper of the Year.” ““It ain’t just [about] drugs,” he says of his given title. “’Trapper of the Year’ means you’re the #1 hustler or #1 grinder. Trappin’ can be so many situations. Even if you’re working a job, you’re [trappin’]. When people see me, they see a hustler. They see someone that knows what he’s doing, and can believe what he’s talking about.” J. Money’s path into the rap world began when he set out managing a group called Da Truth, who had a local hit called “Aw, Man” featuring Gucci Mane. Having seen the game from behind the scenes, Money decided he was better suited to be on the mic. “I saw the ins and outs of it, and I basi-
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cally saw that things [rappers] were talking about, I actually was doing,” he recalls. “[I said] if I get in and do this, as someone that knows how to grind and work hard, it’s going to be easy for me.” He formed a group called the Black Amigos with Grand Hustle signee Yung L.A. and fellow Atlanta rapper Young Woo, but when L.A.’s demanding schedule started to slow the group’s progress, the only thing that came of the collective was a couple songs. J-Money decided that taking his act solo would be an better option. Going solo has proved to be the right move. His single “1st Name, Last Name” featuring Shawty Lo has started picking up spins in Atlanta and radio stations across the South, and while he’s still independent, his buzz and movement has started to catch the attention of major labels like Def Jam, Warner Bros, Universal Motown and Atlantic. “People have actually seen me. They’ve known me before rapping, and they seen that I used to do the same things these rappers were doing. They love that realness. And they see a whole movement going on. It’s not one song and then [I’m] out of here. I’m coming through the door to let them know, I ain’t going nowhere.” Words by Randy Roper Photo by Ms. Rivercity