Hidden Gem, in a Hidden Gym
Kendall Lewis
Music Analyst - Notoriety
Citizens scattered throughout the tough, blue-collared territory of Alabama finally have something besides college football to feel inspired about. For years, the weekly traditions held in Tuscaloosa and Toomer's Corner in Auburn have given the natives optimism. That only provides a huge spark for 6 months, and then life goes back to normal throughout the state for the rest of the year.
The rap scene isn't prominent in Alabama, but it's slowly taken off since the start of the decade.
Yelawolf is one of the first to get it started in recent memory. After releasing the highly acclaimed Trunk Muzik mixtape and becoming a XXL Freshman, the underground rapper signed to Shady/Interscope Records in 2011.
Doe-B was an MC from Montgomery, who used his skills behind the mic to make a way out. Word got out about him, and T.I. quickly took interest by signing him to a deal to Hustle Gang Music. Unfortunately he was tragically shot on stage during a performance, and passed away at age 22 on December 28, 2013.
Now Cinematic's Mick Jenkins is the prodigy that's the current artist holding it down. His work on tracks like Dehydration from the mixtape The Waters (2014), and latest project The Heading Component (2016) are making waves in the industry. The former football player from Huntsville is striving to pave a new way for real music to stay alive.
However, he isn't the only former athlete, living visionary, and current artist rapping from his hometown... IRONICALLY. There's another from Huntsville, waiting... and ready for whatever destination leads him towards the limelight.
His name is JWherry, and it's a name individuals may as well get used to hearing for the next couple of years.
Call everybody in the South crazy; but the route he's taking doesn't have people comparing him to Mick Jenkins. No, he has people comparing him to a living legend. The support he's been receiving lately has him shining a light over his area just like a former hooper/St. John's graduate and crew Dreamville are doing for Fayetteville, NC. Yes, we're talking J. Cole (respectively)... and here's why:
Jeffrey Wherry is a former Madison County standout who was a celebrated player throughout his time at Prairie View A&M University and Stillman University. He was a former athlete who decided to stop playing basketball overseas in Germany in order to come home, rejuvenate himself around loved ones and truly pursue a passion.
In 2016, the 25 year old virtue finally decided to share his insight of life to the world. Splading wasn't his true love anymore, a college education will only do so much these days but the pen swooped in and consumed his heart. The skills are on full display in the music, and his maturated knowledge fuels the craft. In order to derive a new sound, artists MUST find a way to use their voice to actually correlate past experiences, life lessons, pain and blessings to pass onto listeners. JWherry's doing that, and the results are demonstrating why he's one of the only real artists out here making quality music.
He decided to get his feet wet by initially linking up with those close to him, and forming a dignified group called Risk Squad. After collaborating with Jaquae Gram for their first official project called Just A Kid From Huntsville in February he kept working. The pair received plenty of positive feedback after airing out tracks such as Roommates, Work Mindset and After Hours for people to hear. The MC tested the waters once again, but he rode solo time. His hit single Truce hit SoundCloud on March 5th, and that showcased what's in store for the future.
In the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, the word Truce is defined as:
The soulful sample and distinctive production from NinetySevenBeats was a stellar addition to the outstanding artistry. The lyrics are unleashed throughout the track, and are jam packed in bars that have a hard time keeping them within proximity.
Society is filled with many outlets that are steering people's attention away from traditional values, and what's really important. These days it's ordinary to be a follower, especially while chillin' on the scene and adaptation in social media. It's unordinary to put in work, in order to become an ideal role model and person that people actually look up to.
He's in that remarkably small percentage because he's a leader. The legacy he's creating, and platform he's using with music is realistically reaching out to the people. A lot of artists are making it out of their hometowns and making millions, but they're forgetting the big picture while living in the industry's lost spectrum.
A lot of men crave money, cars, cribs and glorified attention from women. All of that stuff can easily be obtained, but people simply have to put the work in. It's easy to reach or crave for these desires while watching from the sidelines, but a lavish lifestyle becomes unattainable once they realize it takes hard work to get to that point. Reality sets in, and it becomes natural to give up on those endeavors.
That's not what he's about. it isn't represented in his music. The reason people love the craft and relate to him is because he displays what it's like to overcome distractions in order to reach another level towards personified success. He consistently preaches about ignoring the unnecessary encounters, and moving on in order to grasping better opportunities.
All the life lessons garnered from his family combined with trials and tribulations from becoming an elite point guard have the former floor general are finally leading Huntsville towards brighter days. Others in the game base success solely off of clout, and feel that their rank is what's most important. However; for him, it's all about dedication, time and effort. He's put in countless hours of work behind closed doors, and won't let any outside influence derail him off the track.
*Truce is exclusively available on SoundCloud. Stream through Risky Sound on the app or with the link: https://soundcloud.com/user-531949107/jwherry-truce
Music Analyst - Notoriety
"See that's exactly why I'm praying..."
JWherry - Truce (Produced by NinetySevenBeats)
Citizens scattered throughout the tough, blue-collared territory of Alabama finally have something besides college football to feel inspired about. For years, the weekly traditions held in Tuscaloosa and Toomer's Corner in Auburn have given the natives optimism. That only provides a huge spark for 6 months, and then life goes back to normal throughout the state for the rest of the year.
The rap scene isn't prominent in Alabama, but it's slowly taken off since the start of the decade.
Yelawolf is one of the first to get it started in recent memory. After releasing the highly acclaimed Trunk Muzik mixtape and becoming a XXL Freshman, the underground rapper signed to Shady/Interscope Records in 2011.
Doe-B was an MC from Montgomery, who used his skills behind the mic to make a way out. Word got out about him, and T.I. quickly took interest by signing him to a deal to Hustle Gang Music. Unfortunately he was tragically shot on stage during a performance, and passed away at age 22 on December 28, 2013.
Now Cinematic's Mick Jenkins is the prodigy that's the current artist holding it down. His work on tracks like Dehydration from the mixtape The Waters (2014), and latest project The Heading Component (2016) are making waves in the industry. The former football player from Huntsville is striving to pave a new way for real music to stay alive.
However, he isn't the only former athlete, living visionary, and current artist rapping from his hometown... IRONICALLY. There's another from Huntsville, waiting... and ready for whatever destination leads him towards the limelight.
His name is JWherry, and it's a name individuals may as well get used to hearing for the next couple of years.
Jeffrey Wherry is a former Madison County standout who was a celebrated player throughout his time at Prairie View A&M University and Stillman University. He was a former athlete who decided to stop playing basketball overseas in Germany in order to come home, rejuvenate himself around loved ones and truly pursue a passion.
In 2016, the 25 year old virtue finally decided to share his insight of life to the world. Splading wasn't his true love anymore, a college education will only do so much these days but the pen swooped in and consumed his heart. The skills are on full display in the music, and his maturated knowledge fuels the craft. In order to derive a new sound, artists MUST find a way to use their voice to actually correlate past experiences, life lessons, pain and blessings to pass onto listeners. JWherry's doing that, and the results are demonstrating why he's one of the only real artists out here making quality music.
He decided to get his feet wet by initially linking up with those close to him, and forming a dignified group called Risk Squad. After collaborating with Jaquae Gram for their first official project called Just A Kid From Huntsville in February he kept working. The pair received plenty of positive feedback after airing out tracks such as Roommates, Work Mindset and After Hours for people to hear. The MC tested the waters once again, but he rode solo time. His hit single Truce hit SoundCloud on March 5th, and that showcased what's in store for the future.
a suspension of fighting especially of considerable duration by agreement of opposing forces
and
a respite especially from a disagreeable or painful state of actionThat's a perfect description of what the song is essentially about. The theme is shaped exceptionally well in order to serve as a parallel distinction that connects him to different parties of people. JWherry is solely reaching out by depicting his juncture and place in life, while making strides on his way to the top with his music.
The soulful sample and distinctive production from NinetySevenBeats was a stellar addition to the outstanding artistry. The lyrics are unleashed throughout the track, and are jam packed in bars that have a hard time keeping them within proximity.
JWherry's delivery makes any individual a believer, and the introductory phases of success he faces on a daily basis are an exhibition for listeners to see from an image standout. Balancing pressure and expectations are a part of anyone's lives, but his voice gives people the courage needed to get through specific barriers."I just been grinding baby, my mind been all over these rhymes and I can't find it lately. My guys don't know a single line, and well that's kinda crazy. So many bars, it just remind me of the time they facing."
Loyalty is an uncommon trait in regards to friendships, partnerships, professions. People are lost living in the current dog eat, dog world. It's easy to use one another for advantages, and walk away whenever interests aren't mutually endearing anymore."These folks depending on me, I use my pen to pray. I never let my friends control me. I'm just caught up in seeing all the ends my friends can show me..."
Society is filled with many outlets that are steering people's attention away from traditional values, and what's really important. These days it's ordinary to be a follower, especially while chillin' on the scene and adaptation in social media. It's unordinary to put in work, in order to become an ideal role model and person that people actually look up to.
He's in that remarkably small percentage because he's a leader. The legacy he's creating, and platform he's using with music is realistically reaching out to the people. A lot of artists are making it out of their hometowns and making millions, but they're forgetting the big picture while living in the industry's lost spectrum.
That's not what he's about. it isn't represented in his music. The reason people love the craft and relate to him is because he displays what it's like to overcome distractions in order to reach another level towards personified success. He consistently preaches about ignoring the unnecessary encounters, and moving on in order to grasping better opportunities.
He's receiving a large quantity of praise and admiration from the city that's raised him, but he isn't buying into that. The material is magnificent and unlike others, he's dedicated towards setting an example to be greater than anything Alabama's witnessed in a while. There's a lot of work that needs to be done before he takes care of his people, and eventually puts the city on."I'm just trying to reach my goal from a side view. They got your back until they see what's all behind you. They say Damn he hoop, but I aint know that he could rhyme too? Shooting in a hidden gym, they like how he find you?"
All the life lessons garnered from his family combined with trials and tribulations from becoming an elite point guard have the former floor general are finally leading Huntsville towards brighter days. Others in the game base success solely off of clout, and feel that their rank is what's most important. However; for him, it's all about dedication, time and effort. He's put in countless hours of work behind closed doors, and won't let any outside influence derail him off the track.
*Truce is exclusively available on SoundCloud. Stream through Risky Sound on the app or with the link: https://soundcloud.com/user-531949107/jwherry-truce
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