Rapper Jon George is Placing Buffalo on The Radar
With two major albums under his belt, 2016’s Just Dedicated: The Album and this year’s recently released I Woke Up, rapper Jon George is growing with his confidence with his rhyming skills and gaining exposure all while living in the suburbs of Buffalo, NY.
Jon George has been running the hip hop circuit in Buffalo by building a studio in his own house. The rapper takes full advantage of social media, garnering a following of 15.3 K on Twitter alone. His sound is classic, his style is laid back, and he spits fierce so fierce that Buffalo rapper Conway the Machine took notice of his skills and added a verse to George’s latest single “716 Shit”.
I recently sat down with budding rapper to talk his latest album, growing up in the social media age, and how his confidence and skills will get him to be one of the GOATs the rap scene has scene in a while.
How did you start rapping in the suburbs in Buffalo?
I’ve always been involved and active in the community and the city of Buffalo.
I Woke Up is your latest project. What does this album mean to you?
It means a lot. It’s my most confident and most comfortable body of work I’ve ever had. I took my time with it and slowed down. I really honed in and wanted to make it high quality. Basically, I’m three months sober now. I was battling some addictions; so this is the reborn me.
How did you get Buffalo rapper Conway the Machine on “716 Shit”?
He’s from Buffalo. I rep the 716. Buffalo is prevalent in my music. With Conway being from my city, I look up to Conway the Machine and Benny the Butcher. They are in my top 10 of all time. The two are very consistent and put out two, three albums a year. They put it on for the city of Buffalo. I connected and chatted it up with Conway on Instagram. We started talking and he ended up on my track. They are a big deal in Buffalo and are very influential to what I’m doing.
Do you think it’s easier to get a following today with social media versus the 90s?
A million percent. That’s one of the things that kept me going. I’ve been doing this for eight years now. It’s taken a long time for me to get here. I think it’s way easier today. You’d have to take to the streets and sell your CDs back in the 90s. Nowadays, you can do it digitally on your phone sitting on your recliner in your living room. I think it’s easier to get a brand built nowadays. You really had to be lucky back in the day to get signed with a record label. There are multiple avenues you can take today with selling your merchandise. Griselda Records built an empire from just selling hoodies and sweatshirts.
You seem to know a good deal about the business side too, then?
Yes, but it’s tough. It’s kind of cool thing to recognize that your favorite song is different from someone else’s favorite song. It might be two different audiences. Keeping it mind while trying to create and promote is key. It’s an insane business and see which angle you can tackle it from.
Do you think Caucasian rappers can be taken seriously now that Eminem helped pave the way?
Why not? I really don’t view myself as an outlier just based on the color of my skin. It is one of those things that’s in the back of your head but it’s not an important thing. Eminem has been around for a really long time. This may come to a surprise, but I really don’t listen to Eminem. I respect for what he has done and what he did for the game. I’d rather look to Mac Miller as far as what they’ve done for Caucasian rappers. Eminem is the GOAT but there aren’t any other rappers that would have given Mac Miller a chance.
How do you think hip hop culture is changing?
It goes back to an earlier question about selling your music on social media. It is very realistic to push and perfect your craft. It’s likely an opportunity will present itself. If you’re consistent, there’s always room for improvement.
Speaking of improvement, your bars have become really tight.
Thanks! I actually never really liked rap. I grew up playing guitar and drums. I grew up on Led Zeppelin, Rush, and Metallica. The first rapper I liked was Lil Wayne since he was in my era. When I put a beat on, I do it with intent. I do it with the intent to shake someone’s mind. You can tell the improvement since my high school days. It takes the love and patience and never giving up.
Your beats are amazing. How involved are you on the production side of things?
I’ve come in contact across the country that I’ve collaborated with over the years that share the love for the game that share similar visions with me. Producers now send me beats. I record, mix, and master all of my vocals in my bedroom. I’m sure there have been samples on some of my music. I like that hard grimy sound now.
What will keep you motivated to keep your career going?
The love for the music keeps me motivated. In the last two years I’ve really enjoyed listening to how I’ve progressed. Just knowing that I could be one of the greatest rappers of all the time keeps me motivated. I know what I have in the tank, and I know with this last album I haven’t touched the potential I possess.
