Today we’d like to introduce you to Jonathan Harris
Hi Jonathan, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My name is Jonathan Harris. You can call me by my stage name Big Jon. I was born and raised in Baltimore, MD in 1993 and I’m 31 years old. I have a passion for writing songs, singing but mainly rapping. I’m an up and coming Hip Hop Artist and I have been rapping and writing my own songs since I was 16 years old. I first came to love Hip Hop when I was 12 years old in 2005, when I first entered Middle School. I grew up listening to Hip Hop Artist such as Tupac, Biggie Smalls, Eminem, Jay Z, Kanye West, Snoop Dog, Lauren Hill, Ludacris, Will.i.am and 50 Cent as their work inspired me to become a Hip Hop Artist. I got so in love with the genre that in 2010 when I was 16, I started writing my own rap songs.
I started by using beats from other popular Hip Hop Artist like Drake, 2 Chainz, Nicki Minaj and Lil Wayne to name a few when I started writing my own lyrics. I performed my songs in front of my school and even in front of my church and they loved my songwriting, rapping and performance. It was then I knew I had a talent and passion for writing and rapping as well as singing. I was actually on my church’s choir since I was a kid and even led the choir in some songs we’ve performed on stage at concerts. I wanted to carry on that passion by the time I graduated from High School and entered College.
I’ve put writing songs on hold for a few years to go to college where I majored in media production at Towson University, and graduated with a 3.5 GPA in 2019. I started working in broadcasting that same year, where initially I wanted a career in, but after 5 years of not getting much out of it and feeling unaccomplished I decided to go back to my passion and in the summer of 2024 I started writing songs again and began work on my debut EP titled “HERE I COME” The EP contains a total of 6 songs that were all written by me. The songs titled in the EP are called Rise Again, Sponsor, Spirits, Powers, No More and Don’t Judge Me. They were produced and recorded at SongBuilder Studios in Baltimore, MD, while Powers was recorded at Lounge Studios in New York City.
I want to make an impact on the music industry with my music as I feel that despite some good hip hop music here and there, I feel there is a lack of quality in the genre, where some only care about the money, where as for me, I care about the art, especially when it comes to lyrics, rapping, singing, flow and storytelling. I’m also doing this for my mom who died in 2021 due to pancreatic cancer, and I want to make her proud of me by impacting the world with my music. This journey is dedicated to her! I look forward to sharing my music and journey with everyone and would gratefully appreciate your support!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
While I’ve made some progress in promoting my music, the road hasn’t been exactly smooth, especially when it comes to managing my budget, dealing with personal matters that got in the way, finding a team of people to work with to help me get where I need and want to be, and overcoming toxic workplace culture. I’ve managed to reach out to some people to help me with PR Coverage only to be dropped unexpectedly, or never getting a response back all together.
Also working a minimum wage job while working hard on my music career, while good for where I am now, is not ideal for my future, since I work hard to save money as much as I can while chasing my dreams, especially since I want to perform and share my music in front of thousands of people. I think for me, the challenging part is when will I see the results I’m looking for, making the right choices without draining my wallet and who actually supports me and willing to help me take that next step in my career path in music.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a Hip Hop Artist, and I’m known for writing songs, rapping and performing in front of people. I am proud discovering this talent at a young age and finding out that I actually have a talent that is actually meaningful to me. I think what sets me apart from others is having my creativity when I comes to songs I want to make based on inspiration and what stories I want to tell, based on the title of the songs and what beats I want to be made for it.
I have a love for listening to video game music, and when I evolved my songwriting growing up, the more I listened to video game music over the years, it really drew me into wanting to use elements of the songs composed and create beats inspired by those tracks. I like to use a combination of Pop and Hip Hop for my songs to make them feel emotional, energetic and upbeat to really have each song I make feel unique and special.
What matters most to you? Why?
What matters to me the most is being successful. For years, I’ve been trying and working very hard to be successful in doing what I love without feeling burnt out and frustrated with dealing with lackluster jobs that effect my mental health. I’ve tried different methods throughout the years with little to no results. When I decided to go back to my true passion of songwriting, I felt a genuine satisfaction because it made me remember what my true calling was.
I’m not saving I care about fame and fortune, but I just want to do what means a lot to me, and be proud of what I do and make an impact on people’s lives with my music. I also strive to be successful for my family, as I want to make them proud for doing big things in my life with my music, and know that I can do big things if I work hard and believe in myself.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/big-jon/1766562027?ls
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetruebigjon
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-harris-893197167/
- Twitter: https://x.com/BigJon4ever
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/74uE7qS5BLQPiHpFras9Xl
