Meet Jonathan Riley | Hip Hop/Rap Artist and Producer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jonathan Riley and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jonathan, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Financial freedom, through creativity, and pushing the boundaries of art in hip-hop. I knew that if I could achieve long term wealth through something I am passionate about, then the money and happiness would flow in.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My music is a reflection of me and everything I have endured since I started creating music; It’s this amalgamation of video games, anime, comic books, and references to other rappers/artist that I want to work with or am inspired by. The creative part of it is, taking a page out of Marvel’s book, that each project is connected by the infinity stones and each stone dictates the thought process behind each project. Some days creating is as effortless as breathing and other days it can feel like I’m fighting tooth and nail to execute certain ideas. But, for those days, It just means that I’m lacking a bit of inspiration or perspective on a topic I want to explore. The biggest lesson I’ve learned along the way was to remember who I am at my core when I’m creating music and that the music is for me; But the brand I want to create is that this based on the principle of being “Spider-man,” in the sense that while audience is experiencing my story they can understand and relate because they also deal with the human experience. I like to call anyone who I can relate to “Twinfolk” because when I look at you, I see me. So that is what will connect us all together.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I am such a go-with-the-flow, that hanging out with me will always be an adventure; Even if it’s just staying in and watching anime or playing video games. So, If my best friend was visiting, each day I would set a theme for the day and just get lost. Each day would show them a different side of the side and the true variety that Atlanta has to offer, from the food, to the public sights, to the night life. The first day is driving around and visiting all of the tour sights and the low-key spots. The second day is about food and the LARGE spectrum of cultures that comes with. The third day is all about adventuring and having fun; we’re visiting different parks, state fairs, different museums, and finding amazing views of the city. The fourth day is going all out in the Night life, and just club hopping to make memories we’ll probably forget from being too lit, and finally the fifth day is winding down and just relishing in the memories made and planning the future; this probably includes just going down memory lane and visiting nostalgic places.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to dedicate this shoutout to all of my family and friends who have pushed me to be the best me I can be, to all of the random people who come across my music and share it with their family and friends, to hip hop/ for being one of my first loves and being the spark that lead me to finding myself and my passion of music, and most importantly to God for giving me this purpose and entrusting that I will deliver from the heart and blessing me with my musical talent to pursue this dream of mine.

Website: https://linktr.ee/98jeminii

Instagram: @98jeminii

Twitter: @_Jr98_

Image Credits
DeNaisha Robinson