Jon Crawford is easily one of the best artists we’ve heard from New Jersey.
Hailing from Camden, Jon Crawford has been making music for over six years now. He has figured out his sound and he’s been meticulous about his approach. Nothing about his records or creative process is rushed. Crawford is someone who is confident in his talent and knows his time is close. The Camden, New Jersey artist told us that making music was “something that just felt natural” since he was a child. After listening to his latest EP It Is What It Is (I.I.W.II), we believe him.
Jon Crawford’s best trait is his overall rapping ability. It sounds like this Jersey talent can make any song he wants. Crawford combines Hip-Hop, Rap, and R&B with the best of them. When you can easily make a song that ‘sounds good’, someone has to hold you accountable to pack your music with substance. In a world of short-lived microwave rap, it takes an extra amount of care and intention to even attempt to make something that will stick to your ribs. Crawford effortlessly accomplished this feat by simply speaking from his heart, being vulnerable with his fans, and sharing his truth.
Crawford’s lyrics sound like something between a journal entry, therapy session transcript, or movie soundtrack. Jon paints vivid pictures with his words, probably because he’s telling the truth (interesting concept right?). His lyrics and metaphors are written in a way where you had to actually be there to make that kind of observation. Every song on the I.I.W.II Pack EP will remind you of a deep feeling that you’ve felt at a pivotal moment in your life. We can’t tell you what that feeling will be. You’ll have to figure that part out yourself. If you haven’t taken the time to listen to these four tracks, what are you doing?
If we had to compare Jon Crawford to an artist, Drake and Dave East are the first two that come to mind. Dave East’s smooth but assertive tone is underrated along with his storytelling ability. And don’t let ‘new’ Drake distract you from what got him to the level he’s at today; candid and emotional lyrics that connect with pieces of you that you didn’t even know were still there. Crawford’s catalog exhibit these characteristics at a professional level. Crawford’s last project was coined New Jersey’s best Hip-Hop album by many. This EP proves that that was not a fluke. Take a listen to the It Is What It Is Pack then scroll down to the interview below. We got to know more about Jon’s story and his plans for the future. The takeover is definitely coming.
What inspired you to start making music?
Jon Crawford “There was no specific inspiration, it was always kind of something that just felt and came naturally to me as a child. I would listen to my cousins rap in their cyphers, as a kid, and they would tell me to rap, but I would be too nervous to try. Eventually, I began learning the history of hip-hop on my own time & I started writing in my basement and I got better and better, then finally I felt confident enough to do a cypher. Once I got in and everyone heard my voice for the first time, life changed. I, then, started to focus on poetry, and continued to help fuel my passion for writing and becoming an artist.”
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How long have you been an artist?
Jon Crawford “Professionally, since my first EP — “University,” which was released in 2016, so 6.5 years.”
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Where are you from?
Jon Crawford “I can’t say I’m specifically from anywhere. I’ve lived all over Jersey, from South to North. Born in Vineland N.J. I’ve lived in Salem, Pennsgrove, Bridgeton, Blackwood, Clementon, Pine Hill, Glassboro, Camden, Montclair (MSU), & Newark. This was partially because of my adolescence spent in foster care. I say, Camden, NJ, because some of my most traumatic events happened there as a child. It’s where I know and where people know me best.”
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What does I.I.W.I.I. stand for?
Jon Crawford “IT IS WHAT IT IS. One of the most known phrases to man. Think about how many times you say ‘It is what it is..’. It could be in reference to anything. A bad break-up? ‘It is what it is.’ You lost your job? ‘It is what it is.’ So many times we often have to chalk things up or ‘charge it to the game’ and that’s basically what this project is about for me. Self-growth and maturity, in both penmanship and emotions. Being honest with myself in others and realizing that not everything encountered or endured is meant to last. Moving onto the next chapter, charging it to the game, and ultimately saying ‘It Is What It is.’
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What’s your favorite track on the EP and why?
Jon Crawford “Honestly, I don’t have a favorite track. They were all special when I wrote them at significant points of my life and artistry. Personally, the one that was the most fun to make was, ‘TRAP.’ Getting sent a record from a 5x multi-platinum producer isn’t something that happens everyday. It also tells a detailed and very intimate story of my youth, my friend dying, and some of the struggles I endured in my childhood up until now as an adult.”
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What gets you most excited about this project?
Jon Crawford “What gets me most excited about this project is trying to out-do myself from the last album FOR WHAT ITS WORTH. Currently at 432K+ streams, with co-signs globally now from Drake’s producer Boi-1da, Hot 97’s Drewski, Power 99 Dj Cosmic Kev, etc. The difference is that this album has a lot more R&B components. Perfecting my craft and voice, I’ve now fine-tuned and trained my voice to do things on records that my immediate fan-base will be happy to hear. I always try to bring something refreshing and new. The bars will always be there, because I’m an EMCEE first. But this album is a lot more laid back, easily marketable, and consumable for new ears, radio, and my beloved fanbase.”
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What’s one thing that you want listeners to take away from this project?
Jon Crawford “It would be ‘this too shall pass’ . Nothing lasts forever; the good, the bad, none of it. This album is simply saying ‘It Is What It Is,’ charging it to the game, and moving on to that next chapter in life. Through the making of this album, there were a lot of tears, heart-break, happiness, new beginnings, new discoveries of self. Diving even deeper into the depths of my artistry, talents, mental, spiritual, and emotional repertoire. I had to forgive myself and allow myself that grace, for who I was, the things I’ve done, damage I caused. Really just be completely honest with myself about the mistakes, who I am, what I want, and dissecting my relationships from an objective standpoint, not a victimized one. My main focus for this album is making quality records for people who still love good music.”
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When it comes to creating, are you always writing day to day? Or do you allow yourself time to experience life a little building up for the next song/project?
Jon Crawford “Well, for me, it’s split. I may not “write” everyday, but I do listen to new sounds, genre’s, and look for things that inspire me, seeing where I can draw new inspiration from, everyday. In the same breath, I do also take breaks from music, for the simple fact, you need to experience life to have new material to speak about, but I’m never away for too long. Sometimes, it might take me 4 months to write a song, other times, it could only take me 2 hours – depending upon the song or feeling I get. Depending on the intended purpose of the release, albums usually take about 1.5-3 years to make, gathering the right production/sounds, video-shoots, roll-out, promotional line-ups, shows, etc. so it seems like it takes forever, but I’m always working. Right now, I’m working on 2 projects at once, “I.I.W.I.I” the album, and then a follow up mixtape for the fall, so I’m always working.”
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What’s one thing people don’t know about you?
Jon Crawford “Some things people don’t know about me, hm… well, I graduated Glassboro Highschool with a 3.8 GPA and got a full academic scholarship to Montclair State University. I have 3 state football championships playing with/alongside previous Philadelphia Eagles Superbowl Superstar, and current Dallas Cowboy RB, Corey Clement, and New Orleans Saints’ Tight End Juwan Johnson.”
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Where can people follow you?
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