J.R. Get Money
The Opening Act
Unquestionably the hip-hop game has undergone a major transition over the past few years. Today the South has become rap’s newest mecca, with the metro, Atlanta area being designated as its undisputed headquarters. Now, in the wake of multi-platinum artists like Lil’ Jon and T.I., comes the city’s next star in the form of 20 year old J.R. Get Money, whose Universal/Motown debut album entitled The Opening Act will ensure that “the future” of hip-hop will be even brighter in the years to come.
J.R. Get Money was born Johnathan Keith Brown in New Orleans, Louisiana in 1988. When he was five years old his mother graduated from LSU and, seeking a change of pace, decided to move to Atlanta’s infamous Zone 3 area to start a new life. For J.R. Get Money, growing up in Zone 3 proved to be especially troubling. “Zone 3 was kinda different,” recalls J.R. “It was real street, people got shot, while others, were selling dope. I was five when I left N.O. so I kinda missed the street stuff. But when I got to Zone 3 the violence and drug dealing was up close and personal.”
By the time J.R. had reached junior high his mother had moved to Marietta, located in Cobb County, Georgia. Moving there proved to be another culture shock for the teen. “It was much more quiet. I like to say I brought the hood to Cobb County.” Fortunately, some family members saw his potential and began steering him in the right direction.
In an effort to curb the influences of the streets on JR’s life, his mother did not allow any rap music to be played in her house. She also made him sing in the church choir. But once he hit the streets his ears soaked up a myriad of street music ranging from Rap to R&B, from Lauryn Hill to R. Kelly to T.I., closely studying the artists he would pattern his career after. “I used to think I was Usher or somebody,” recalls the 20 year old rapper/singer. “As I got older I started listening to rap music. By the time I was 15 I went from just listening to rap music to actually rapping.” His first break would come when Bilal, a neighborhood friend arranged for JR Get Money to audition for Moodswing Productions’ CEO Gary “Gizzo” Smith.
Moodswing Productions and J.R. Get Money collaborated and flooded the streets with a series of blazing mix tapes such as DJ Cloud’s Straight Drop, DJ Clark Sheppard’s Ridin’ High. And DJ Don Cannon of the Affiliates The new breed tour. Soon, Moodswing Productions released a five song EP that featured J.R. Get Money called Cookin’ in the Kitchen. With his street buzz solidly intact (collectively, J.R. Get Money has sold over 65,000 mix tapes to date), it wasn’t long before major labels started calling. Soon, a bidding war ensued with powerhouses like Def Jam, Sony and Universal/ Motown Records all vying to sign J.R. Ultimately, Universal/Motown snagged the rapper/singer/songwriter and offered him a deal.
Six months out of high school, J.R. Get Money had not only landed a production contract with one Atlanta’s hottest music companies, he also had a lucrative record deal with Universal/Motown. He also formed an association with superstar T.I.’s Grand Hustle’s extended family. “T.I. is one of those rappers that I did actually study and learn from, so it was a great experience to gain that added insight into the game.” Fully schooled in a diverse and eye-opening array of hip hop perspectives, J.R. Get Money completed his much anticipated debut album, The Opening Act, and was ready to enter another phase of his career.
“I feel I’m coming into the game now, already at 100%. From the shows to the music to the business to the attitude, I’m the opening act that shuts it down and I make you forget about who you came to see. I am the headliner,” says the young star.
Produced by Jim Johnson (Lil Wayne) T-Mix (Cash Money), Play-N- Skills (Chamillionaire), Ike Dirty (50 Cent), Ghost (Nelly), Gary “Gizzo” Smith (Moodswing Productions) as well as stellar guest appearances by Young Dro, Lil Wayne, Bobby Valentino and Moodswing Productions recording artist Kalenna, The Opening Act contains a bevy of blazing songs that make it one of the most remarkable albums to come out this year.
The fist single, “Nobody but you,” Produced by Jim Johnson. This is a smooth mid-tempo track with a booming 808 driven beat. “Trap all day” is another mid tempo joint Although the term is often synonymous with illegal activity, J.R. insists the track is really all about the day-to-day struggle for survival. “It’s not intended to glorify the hood,” says J.R. “There’s more to that world than people really understand. It’s about anybody’s struggle and manning up to get yourself on top. If whatever you’re doing is a means to an end, then you’re trapping. It’s way bigger than what it seems and with my song, I’m inspiring hope strength, letting you know that only the strong survive.”
J.R. Get Money showcases his motivational side on the inspirational “Keep Your Head Up,” with an assist by ATLien crooner Bobby Valentino, J.R. spits some of his sharpest lyrics, professing: “It’s not just for radio or the streets, it’s for the people. I want people to know that it’s never as bad as it seems but it’s never as good as it seems either.” That same conviction is also felt on the T-Mix produced “I Shine,” where he sends a thought provoking wake up call to his brothers still caught in the struggle. “For me, the streets symbolize more than just drugs and money,” says J.R. “They symbolize all the kids that don’t have parents, all the parents that are on drugs. I talk about the drugs too but that’s not going to be my ticket out of the ghetto. I’m more talented than that. I’m trying to get them out the hood too, not set them back. I represent the underdog. My goal is to leave something for the people to hold on to.”
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