“I’VE been through some pretty dark times, hip-hop is a release for me.”
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Channelling his heroes Eminem, Royce Da 5’9” and Dr. Dre, Jake Balzan is set to take the hip-hop world by storm.
Balzan is currently putting the finishing touches on his first EP - a cut-down album normally consisting of four to seven songs - The Jakey J EP, with one eye on a release date later this year.
“I’m working on seven or eight songs for the EP, I produce it all myself, too,” he said.
“The first single will be out soon once I master it, and I’m also looking at booking a gig at the function centre, hopefully in November.”
Studying a certificate IV in music at TAFE, Balzan decided to pursue a career in rap music in early 2013.
He has since recorded and produced several songs, and founded his own record label Skitzomitzo Recordzs.
“I’ve always loved rap music, and, to be honest, I found life through music,” Balzan explained.
“I had a tough upbringing and music, not just hip-hop, helped me through those times.
“Drugs and domestic violence have played a role in my life, but I’m back on my feet now and throwing myself into my music has been so positive for me.”
Balzan says his EP, which features his first single Crystal Blue Shard, is a dark story that he hopes people can relate to and gain inspiration from.
“There will be a mixture of messages, a mixture of themes,” he said.
“Hip-hop music isn’t huge in Australia, let alone Orange, so it is tough.
“But I’m not just hip-hop you know, I’m a mixture of grunge rock, rap, electronic music and a few other genres.”
Balzan said aspiring rappers got into the hip-hop game for several reasons, money and fame top the list, but explained his reasons were much closer to his heart.
“End goal is just to give my future family a better upbringing than the one I had, hopefully through music,” he said.
“And to send the message that you can do anything if you put you mind to it.
“No matter what someone goes through you can always bounce back, I always have.”