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ew Corporate Thugz Entertainment signee JW has already made an impression on both his co-workers and even some of his fans.
“They think I’m crazy,” says the Ft. Lauderdale, Florida native, with an intensity in his eyes rivaling 2Pac’s “I am crazy” scene from Juice. “But I’m blessed. They think I’m crazy when I talk like this, about God all the time. But I have to talk like this. If I don’t I’m not being true to who I am. God gave me this vision, and I’d be wrong if I don’t mention that. I know what it is. I’ve only been rapping a year and a half. I’d be wrong to say my name is buzzing in Florida only because of me. Big up to God.” Powered by his street single “Baik At It” and his guest appearance on Young Jeezy’s “Biggest Movie Ever,” JW’s current mixtape series Get It From the Muscle is more chest-pounding than bible-thumping, but he makes sure his music is as honest as possible. So yes, you will hear him talk legal problems he had a decade ago and the lavish lifestyle he lives now. But you will also hear him talk about earning a football scholarship to Auburn University and graduating from Illinois State University with a degree in business. “When you see people’s mixtape or album covers, they’re standing there with money, dope, guns and scales,” JW sighs. “Mine is just me. You’re gonna hear my life situations. I’m from the hood and I’ve been through good and hard things like everybody else. I just want to be a voice and relate to the people.” While his speaking voice may remind you of Trick Daddy, JW’s fiery vocal inflection on his records immediately kill any impending comparisons. The excitement may stem from the fact that JW has only been rapping for a short time, leaving him with plenty of untapped energy to get out when in the booth. In fact, the entire first volume of Get It From the Muscle were comprised of the first recordings he’d ever made. Every song he’s done up to this point is the soundtrack of his life. “No disrespect to any rappers and I hope no one takes this the wrong way, but I’m not a rapper,” he says. “I’m more like a preacher. This shit comes from my heart. I’m not one to say ‘Give me a beat and I’ma kill it.’ I’m confident that I could, but my shit has to make sense. It has to be something the people can relate to. The beats tell me what to say.” He adds, “Don’t get me wrong, I respect the Hip Hop culture. I have to. I can’t lie and say that I indulged in it for years, because I haven’t. But I am growing with it.” Words by Maurice G. Garland Photo by Terrence Tyson
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