The path from trauma to triumph is rarely simple. For rapper MixEZ, it was brutal, personal, and earned the hard way. Born Jake Colongione in Brooklyn, New York, his life began in chaos and instability. His latest album, Sunrise, doesn’t just tell that story. It proves what’s possible on the other side of it.
Jake grew up in an abusive household shaped by addiction and mental illness. His father struggled with alcoholism and violence. His mother battled bipolar disorder and drug addiction. That environment left deep marks, ones that followed him into adulthood through two destructive relationships defined by emotional abuse. Those experiences became the foundation for his breakout song, “Two for Two,” a raw reflection of repeated cycles he fought to escape.
Instead of letting that history define him, Jake built something new. MixEZ emerged as a truth-telling lyricist, pairing poetry-level writing with beats that leave room for honesty to breathe. His music doesn’t soften the pain, but it doesn’t glorify it either. It documents survival, growth, and the decision to keep moving forward.
That mission sits at the center of Sunrise. The album represents a turning point in his life, the moment where stability and peace finally stop feeling temporary. Nowhere is that more clear than on the fan-favorite track “Angel Arrived.”
Written for his wife, “Angel Arrived” is deeply personal and emotionally open. The verses trace his journey out of darkness, detailing the calm, safety, and consistency she brought into his life. It’s a sharp contrast to the instability he once believed was unavoidable. The chorus hits with relief and joy, a full-body acknowledgment of finding love after giving up on the idea that it could exist.
The song isn’t just about romance. It’s about trust, healing, and learning that healthy love doesn’t have to hurt. Every line carries gratitude, and every note points toward a future built on respect and stability.
MixEZ has become more than a rapper. He’s a voice for people who grew up in survival mode and are still figuring out how to live without armor. That connection shows. Sunrise has already passed 1.2 million streams on Apple Music, but the numbers only tell part of the story. Messages of gratitude and support pour into his Instagram (@djmixez) daily from listeners who see their own lives reflected in his music.
Sunrise isn’t just an album. It’s proof that resilience can be learned, peace can be earned, and light can exist after years of darkness. MixEZ isn’t chasing trends or pretending pain disappears overnight. He’s documenting what happens when someone refuses to stay broken.
And with Sunrise, he’s only getting started.
