Today’s rap music is at a tipping point. Since the latest technology allows anyone to make and promote music without leaving their bedroom, the music world is flooded with the oversaturation of social network solicitors and trendy blog videos. While most get lost in the huge crowd, the Hawaii-raised Sean J (born as Sean James) hopes to stands out with something that most people are afraid of doing, being himself.
Being raised in Sunset Beach, Hawaii, which was known for beautiful beaches, women in bikinis, and surfing communities, Sean J first fell in love with hip hop when his half-brother would visit his family, carrying the latest rap tapes. Once Sean heard “Scenario” by A Tribe Called Quest, he was hooked. Around the age of 12, Sean started writing raps and freestyling with some friends. After his father gave him his old computer, Sean started adventuring into the world of digital recording and the internet. Addicted to his “new toy”, Sean put together his own CDs, passing them out at hip hop shows in the city of Honolulu. He went from freestyling in ciphers to entering in battles to doing shows, one including opening up for one of his favorite MCs, Talib Kweli.
Wanting to learn more on the craft of mixing his music better, Sean J attended Full Sail University in Orlando, FL. Still practicing the same habits from home, he started jumping into small ciphers in school. Not only did the word get around school, but eventually the city. Sean began getting a few spins on the local stations, performing at several shows, and started putting out mixtapes. As he remained consistent, Sean had the opportunity to be on Van’s Warped Tour ’04, Sea World Grad Night opening for Black Eye Peas, rocking the Pepsi stage at Hot Import Nights, featured in Ozone Magazine, promotional tours to Hawaii, and the front cover Hawaii’s own Sassy Magazine. Slowly changing his music to be more appealing, Sean started receiving tons of attention he wasn’t used to, even from his home- Hawaii. That attention brought in a lifestyle of partying, which led Sean to get his feet wet in becoming a nightclub promoter. Life became hectic for him. With the stress from club promoting with a team, engineering other demanding artist’s music, receiving critical feedback from major record execs, and trying to figure out his next step in an oversaturated market… Sean had enough. He needed to get away.
For 3 years, Sean J thought he was done with making music. Still wanting to be artistic, Sean started to slowly develop a passion for web and graphic design. He would view at doing rap music like it was childish as he grew older. Even though he felt bitter about his past endeavors, he knew deep down inside that music is his passion. He was just scared… scared to put his all into something that isn’t promising in return. Eventually, he lost all fear…
In January 2010, Sean J started working on his first project in 3 years, A Tree By Itself. Since he learned his lesson of trying to appeal to the mainstream market by adapting with music that was hot at that moment, Sean wanted to truly bring everyone some good honest hip hop from now on. He wanted everything- the production, mixing, artwork, lyrics, and delivery- to be right. A Tree By Itself is presented with witty lyrics, detailed storytelling, sharp wordplay, and personal content- exactly how he wanted it to be. There are no lies; everything in this album is based on real moments in his life.
With having such a diverse experience, Sean J returns to bring back what is rarely seen in today’s rap music, honesty. Sean opens up the door to his audience and lets you see everything, no smoke and mirrors. While he prepares for his next projects and doing more shows, Sean wants to change the negative-dishonest look of rap music to something that is relatable, honest, and worthy of being passionate about.
Being raised in Sunset Beach, Hawaii, which was known for beautiful beaches, women in bikinis, and surfing communities, Sean J first fell in love with hip hop when his half-brother would visit his family, carrying the latest rap tapes. Once Sean heard “Scenario” by A Tribe Called Quest, he was hooked. Around the age of 12, Sean started writing raps and freestyling with some friends. After his father gave him his old computer, Sean started adventuring into the world of digital recording and the internet. Addicted to his “new toy”, Sean put together his own CDs, passing them out at hip hop shows in the city of Honolulu. He went from freestyling in ciphers to entering in battles to doing shows, one including opening up for one of his favorite MCs, Talib Kweli.
Wanting to learn more on the craft of mixing his music better, Sean J attended Full Sail University in Orlando, FL. Still practicing the same habits from home, he started jumping into small ciphers in school. Not only did the word get around school, but eventually the city. Sean began getting a few spins on the local stations, performing at several shows, and started putting out mixtapes. As he remained consistent, Sean had the opportunity to be on Van’s Warped Tour ’04, Sea World Grad Night opening for Black Eye Peas, rocking the Pepsi stage at Hot Import Nights, featured in Ozone Magazine, promotional tours to Hawaii, and the front cover Hawaii’s own Sassy Magazine. Slowly changing his music to be more appealing, Sean started receiving tons of attention he wasn’t used to, even from his home- Hawaii. That attention brought in a lifestyle of partying, which led Sean to get his feet wet in becoming a nightclub promoter. Life became hectic for him. With the stress from club promoting with a team, engineering other demanding artist’s music, receiving critical feedback from major record execs, and trying to figure out his next step in an oversaturated market… Sean had enough. He needed to get away.
For 3 years, Sean J thought he was done with making music. Still wanting to be artistic, Sean started to slowly develop a passion for web and graphic design. He would view at doing rap music like it was childish as he grew older. Even though he felt bitter about his past endeavors, he knew deep down inside that music is his passion. He was just scared… scared to put his all into something that isn’t promising in return. Eventually, he lost all fear…
In January 2010, Sean J started working on his first project in 3 years, A Tree By Itself. Since he learned his lesson of trying to appeal to the mainstream market by adapting with music that was hot at that moment, Sean wanted to truly bring everyone some good honest hip hop from now on. He wanted everything- the production, mixing, artwork, lyrics, and delivery- to be right. A Tree By Itself is presented with witty lyrics, detailed storytelling, sharp wordplay, and personal content- exactly how he wanted it to be. There are no lies; everything in this album is based on real moments in his life.
With having such a diverse experience, Sean J returns to bring back what is rarely seen in today’s rap music, honesty. Sean opens up the door to his audience and lets you see everything, no smoke and mirrors. While he prepares for his next projects and doing more shows, Sean wants to change the negative-dishonest look of rap music to something that is relatable, honest, and worthy of being passionate about.
Follow Sean J at @SEANJisSOMEAN and add his Facebook.
