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Being Rhode Island’s biggest hip hop fan, Jon Hope is looking to put his home town of Providence, aka Prov City, on the map with his music. This Law & Order fanatic realizes that in order to succeed in the Music Industry you must first be a genuine fan of the music! As simple as that sounds, few people are able to keep a real fan’s perspective while pursuing their career.
Jon is using his fan’s perspective to create music that comments on the current state of hip hop without talking down on anyone or discrediting any particular artist’s career. He has a great deal of respect for the hard work that goes into creating any piece of art, whether it is southern snap rap, Hyphy Bay music, or East Coast hip hop. This attitude is refreshing to hear amidst the many rap artists who release tracks calling for an end to a particular artist’s style or region’s sound.
These views are especially apparent on “The Most Important Song of My Life” off of his latest mixtape Some Kind of Wonderful, where Jon states that no hip hop artist should be told how to act or sound with lines such as, “Lets not forget that Pac was a dancer.” (I must agree that self expression is art. If we are to censor even the worst hip hop artist, we take away from the game). This is also the only song I have ever heard that gives Soulja Boy, Nas, The Ghetto Boys, and 50 cent all shout outs!
Another standout track on Some Kind of Wonderful is the track “Better” seen below:
With “Better,” Jon motivates his listeners to stay focused while working toward their dreams. He doesn’t rap about driving nice cars or poppin champagne, rather he keeps his lyrics down to Earth so that his fans can relate to what he’s saying. For example, Jon spits:
“I’m sorry if I’m anti flossin,
But I know more hoopties than Lambos, Porches.”
Jon aims is to make your current day better by providing listeners with motivation and a little hope.
If you want to hear Jon Hope spit on a radio friendly track, check out his song “Forever” which was inspired by Keith Murray’s “The Most beautifullest Thing In The World.”
This song’s smooth beat compliments Jon Hope’s relaxed delivery and is arguably his best work. He is extremely confident with all of his rhymes on this track, which makes his flow infectious. Jon uses this tribute to Mr. Murray to speak about his own life and place in hip hop. A place that has not gone unnoticed, having worked with influential producers such as Statik Selektah and Devo springsteen.
I believe in Jon Hope’s music, and I look forward to hearing more from this artist. The hip hop community needs to embrace creativity and unite under our shared love for culture and music.
