Hailing from the Westmont District of South Central LA, budding rapper K. Johns Tha General has always considered himself a hustler.
“I’m a natural-born hustler. My upbringing and environment, from the ups and downs to the wins and the losses, play a big role in that, and who I am today,” the rapper shared.
For most artists, hustling is a fundamental ingredient in the creation and success of their music. For K. Johns, the hustle represents more than just a pathway to success but also a much-needed outlet for his ambition.
“With music, I enjoy finding inspiration and creating what other people like, but also I’m passionate about it because I can hustle how I want, but in a legal way,” he shared. “My main goal of changing my family’s situation fuels that every day,” he added.
In his quest for success, the rapper has taken his career in an innovative and versatile direction, combining his knack for creativity with an innate talent for entrepreneurship. These traits are reminiscent of one of his musical influences–the late Nipsey Hussle.
“I can draw and paint, and I have an Instagram page where I do custom paintwork on anything I can touch, but also, I’m always trying to find new ways to invest or involve myself in business and tech,” the rapper shared.
Highlighting his unique approach to music, business, and technology, K. Johns is just one of the few musicians who’ve delved into the world of musical NFTs, pre-releasing his first, complete project, “Salute Me, or Shoot Me,” as a digital token.
While the tape’s official release was February 2nd, its early and unconventional release as an NFT has already been met with great reception. For K. Johns, though, the official release divulges a deeper purpose, to make his presence known to the world, while also leaving his fans with a message.
“The title of the tape is inspired by my frustrations with feeling like I’m not receiving the right amount of respect or coverage in my city or state,” the rapper shared.
“Outside of that, the project is about me displaying my talent and versatility as a rapper to my fans… If fans take anything away from my music, I want them to be the best version of themselves. Whatever it is that you wanna do in life, do it and make sure you’re doing it with 110% confidence.” he added.
The project is filled with standouts, including “Like This,” Ft. MCM Raymond, and “Him Not Them” among others!
Check out the full project below:
https://open.spotify.com/album/0L3xd6HizNmuBY6Z9xVUlY?si=ogSiBw2iSs-pUPwpWYKpng
