Jewlz, born
Justin Merino, inhaled his first breath on
October 21st, 1991. Growing up as a toddler, music somewhat sparked his curiosity. Listening to some classics, such as
Alvin & The Chipmunks, even some
Michael Jackson. Although, his ears had never heard a rap song at such a young age. Nor does he recall any of it. Although he only remembers rap songs from a Soundtrack,
Space Jams. But nothing mainstream back in the 90's, such as
Tupac Shakur,
The Notorious B.I.G., or of the like. Some thought he wouldn't even have an interest into rap, expected to listen to mostly Spanish music. They were wrong.
Near his 7th grade year, he had begun watching music channels, such as MTV & BET. He saw videos such as "Drop It Like It's Hot," by Snoop Dogg, "How We Do," by The Game, as well as "Hate It Or Love It," also by The Game. By that time he had learned some of these songs by heart. He also learned about Limewire, and used the program to get these songs. He started watching BET & MTV more and more everyday, learning more and more songs. In 8th grade, the spark of rap was at its highest, and that was the only genre he listened to. With some R&B on the side.
In his 8th grade year, his final year as a middle school student, he was known on his team as a young, wild, fun-loving kid. Always reciting rap songs he learned and loved. It was a wide variety of the type. He remembers the song, "Kick, Push," by Lupe Fiasco, "What You Know," by T.I., and "Holla At Me," by DJ Khaled to be some of his favorite tracks. Also a big Ne-Yo fan, from his songs such as "So Sick," & "Sexy Love". Yet, he didn't know everything about it. He had never heard about Tupac until 7th grade, and hadn't heard about Biggie Smalls until 8th. He had found some of Tupac's old songs, such as "California Love," but that was mainly it. But everything changed in the 9th grade.
As a freshmen, he began to study more into Tupac & Biggie. He learned about their music, their history, and the biggest buzz, their beef between one another. Listening to songs such as "Changes," and "Dear Mama," showedJewlz the deep side of Tupac, while other songs such as "Ambitionz Az A Ridah," showed him the more street side. He also became a big fan of Biggie's work, such as "Juicy," & "Hypnotize," as well as "Who Shot Ya". He took a lot of time studying the infamous, "East Coast-West Coast" beef, and heard the well known diss track, "Hit 'Em Up," by Tupac. Jewlz kept a neutral side, and decided to enjoy both Tupac's and Biggie's work equally. He began writing his own lyrics, for fun. Learning that his peers had enjoyed his writing style, he continued. But he was just a lyrical notebook rapper. Nothing more.
In his Sophomore year, he had stopped writing. But during some tough struggles, making the beginning of his new school year stressful, he began writing again. It took some stress off his mind, knowing that he didn't lose much of his lyrical talent. When his homeboy, for many years, Swagg, hooked him up with a mic, he knew he could finally do what he's been wanting to for a long time: put out his first, real track. Having no real rap name, he remembered in his 9th grade year, some friends he hung out with called him "J Weezy," so he rolled with it, not knowing the controversy coming with it. He had to put up with much negative remarks as him as a rapper, and his tracks, hearing things such as him trying to copy Lil' Wayne, stealing his lyrics, everything. No matter what he did, no matter what song he made, it's as if Lil' Wayne's shadow was haunting him. Releasing 2 mixtapes under the alias "J Weezy," known as Glorification Volume 1, & Volume 1.5, the young rapper decided that he needs a change. To stop all the controversy around his name.
The name Jewlz was brought up in a complicated fashion, but unique. Using his full name, Justin Eric Merino, the first letters in each of his name, spelled out: JEM. Using that, he pronounced it like "gem." Going deeper into it, he realized that a gem, is a jewel. Adding his own twist in it, the young rapper was from that point on, dawned: "Jewlz." Feeling like the ghosts of Lil' Wayne are off his shoulders, as well as everyone who would bother him about the name, the young rapper feels fresher than ever, now having his own unique swag, lyrics, and flow. The self-proclaimed "Best Rapper in Point," has no care whether people doubt him on that statement, nor does he care if they agree. In his mind, he feels that he's the best, and that's all that matters to him. Also known as "Da King of Instrumentals," and "Lyrically Homicidal," Da Kid Jewlz has a lot ahead of him. With his second mixtape coming out this December 11th, "Glorification 2," this young rapper will stop at nothing, till he's bigger than life itself.
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