The Making of a Rap Superstar (True Mag. October 2006)

The Making of a Rap Superstar
By, N’neka Hite


Who knew shopping for a pair of sneakers one day would get up and coming rapper J. Peso off of the streets, and placed on one of hip hop’s largest selling tours along side Jay Z. The Queens Bridge lyricist bumped into rap icon DMX and the rest is history. “(We met) In Harlem a shoe store, I was just politicking and told him [DMX] that his music touched my life. He snatched me up and every since than its been pop’n.”

From hanging with the Ruff Ryders on the Hard Knocks Life Tour, to starring in his own reality show, The Making of a Rap Superstar, “John” J Peso is coming to a hood near you to resurrect hip hop and explode into the world of entertainment. “I don’t see myself as an regular artist. 50's at the top so I want that. I’m not going to be no Bleek,” Peso promises.

When he was young, both parents abandoned him leaving him with no place to sleep but park benches. While most kids were complaining about eating their broccoli, Peso was on the streets fending for himself. His struggle to survive on his own and pain from rejection are what he says inspires his lyrics. Songs like “Feel the Pain” reveal tales of love vengeance, and deceit. “Everything you go through is about power from negative and positive energy,” he says. The losses he’s suffered influenced the title of his debut album From Nothing to Something, soon to be released on Def Jam. He has hooked up with Grammy Award Winning Producer David Foster who brought much success to artists like Macy Gray and Smokey Robinson.

In an attempt to bless the game with a not-soon-forgotten album, J Peso spits rhymes that he believes will transcend hip-poppy verses and recycled hooks. “I don’t give you a punch line every six bars.” If success is based on looks he may just have something. The emcee is a huge hit on myspace with the girls dropping messages asking for autographed paraphernalia vying to re-up on eBay. But does he have what it takes, or will he just be another rapper singing to the ladies, and pushing jewelry? “I don’t like that bubble gum stuff,” he says. “I’d rather speak about real shit. I got songs that say I have it. I haven’t borrowed stuff.”

J Pesos versatility appears to be as much of a blessing as his rags to riches life story. Heavy hitters in the rap game have welcomed him with open arms, and Hollywood has also taken interest. He has worked with artists like Method Man and the Pussycat Dolls. During his stay in Los Angeles he landed a role on the television show Princess of Malibu that was initially scripted for Lil Wayne.

Rising from the bottom to the top has been a constant struggle in his life. But J Peso looks forward to the long hike on the way to the top of the rap game. Even with his confidence, he is not afraid to return to his roots and like one of his inspirations, the late Tupac, New York’s golden child doesn’t see himself staying too far away from where he came from. “I’m in love the streets, I love the hood. I can care less where I go in the next two years, I will love the streets and always come back to the streets.”