j-dawg - reaching the masses

photo by steed media service

Starting his career as an artist on independent, Houston-based record label Swisha House, J-Dawg and fellow Swisha House artist Slim Thug came together and branched off to develop Boss Hogg Outlawz. The collective includes Slim Thug, J-Dawg, PJ, Sir Daily, Chris Ward, Rob Smallz, Young Black and Killa Kyleon.

J-Dawg believes Boss Hogg Outlawz is unique because each artist has his own style. When describing Boss Hogg Outlawz's overall style of music, J-Dawg combines two worlds many would consider on opposite ends of the spectrum.

"If I could describe it, it's more gansta and spiritual than anything," he says.

Describing his personal style as "ghetto gospel," it's not surprising that J-Dawg considers artists who speak candidly about spirituality and the joys and pains of ghetto life as some of his major influences.

"As far as music that touches me in my heart, I have to give [much respect] to TuPac, Scarface, DMX, and Lauryn Hill; those are the people I look up to," he says.

J-Dawg also credits Beanie Sigel, Lil Keke, Big Pokey and Paul Wall for having an influence on his music.

With a mix of music he says is a combination of street, political and spiritual, J-Dawg says his fans are a major motivation to him.

"I love the fact that I can touch people's hearts through my music," he reveals. "I love the fact that people can really get motivated to want to have something [better in life] through my music." -cherice e. norman

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