Jonathan Owusu is a 21-year-old up and coming rapper from Dagenham, East London, known by the rap name JJ 4DP (4 Da Pain). I was able to interview the artist over the phone and ask him a few questions in regards to the start of his music career and what his plans are for the future.
JJ: ‘My nickname is JJ and 4DP is something that I like to say. It means 4 Da Pain, so it’s like you’re doing something for a reason.’
What motivated you to start making music?
‘To be honest, I’ve always listened to music since I was at a young age. Especially during the lockdown, I would listen to music a lot more as it kept me going during those rough times. Also, a lot of my friends have always done music and I started going [into the] studio with them and because I already had a hobby for music, so I just started making my own.’
How long has music been a part of your life?
From when I was 5 years old. I’ve been attending studio sessions for around about 2 years now, but I’ve been rapping for about 2 years and a half.’
How did you come to realise that music was the way forward for you?
‘My friends have motivated me to start making more songs, so that has kind of pushed me to keep on going and hopefully make it.’
What are your top 3 favourite rap genres?
‘My top 3 are probably Melodic Rap, Trap and R&B. Melodic Rap kind of covers the main music that I like to listen to, I also like to listen to Trap to catch a vibe and R&B is just classical for me.’
Who is your favourite rapper?
‘Toosii. When he raps, I feel like I can relate to what he is speaking about and that’s very important in music because if an artist makes you feel a type of way through their music. It means that you have a special bond with them.’
If you had a chance to do a feature with any two famous artists, who would it be?
‘My first famous artist that I’d have featured on my song would have to be Lil Baby. Whenever he gets on a verse, he always knows how to do his thing and I like that. The second artist that I’d include would be Toosii, just because he’s my favourite rapper.’
Where do you see yourself with your music in 5 years’ time?
‘That’s a tough question, because I don’t really know where I’ll be with my music in 5 year’s time. Hopefully I’ll still be doing work that involves music, I wouldn’t mind owning a studio.’
What is the shortest time it’s taken you to make a song?
‘I managed to make a whole song within 1 hour and 30 minutes, whilst being on FaceTime.’
Do you have any projects coming up?
‘I planned to release my mixtape on a specific date, however every day I seem to change my mind. I’d like to release it, but I’m just not sure when I will.’
