Curators: Star Jit
“I’m just a teen but I’m living’ R-rated”
-Star Jit on “Fun of That”
Where does rap music go from here? For about the last 5 years, we’ve been bombarded with much of the same stuff. Minimalist beats, 808 high hats, and mumbled lyrics have defined this trap-era of commercial rap. But what’s next? The answer could reside with 16-year old Floridian rapper, Star Jit. He proclaims his sound as the “future of trap”, and he’s wasting no time in making that prediction come true.
To understand his path, you should probably begin with his name, which could be confusing if you aren’t from his region. We know what a star is, but the term “jit” is very specific to South Florida, where he was raised. On one hand, it means youth or kid. It’s a term you can use endearingly to somebody younger than yourself. For this guy, it doubles as an acronym. “Jamil is truth”, he says, as he explains the nickname his father gave him.
The name is appropriate because his music is filled with his truths, but his introduction to music was anything but typical. In fact, he didn’t get into rap until he was nine. “When I was little, I did not like rap”, Star Jit says. Fortunately for him, his love for films evolved into a love for rap. “I was 9 years old, and I watched the Biggie movie. I just started seeing him freestyling from when he was little to when he was a teenager and all the juice he had.” Star Jit was blown away by Biggie’s passion for the music at a young age. Still, it was another rap picture that truly sparked his interest.
“I always had a thing for film, the 8 Mile movie made me like Eminem. He was the only person that made me ever tolerate rap. All the stuff I was listening to on the radio and I could not connect to any of it. They talk about money, hoes, bitches, but I was only 6 years old. As I grew, his (Eminem’s) way of thinking was so out of this world. Then the movie brought the visual to me. I decided to just write my first raps at 9 years old. “
He stares into the distance with his mind at work and recites the rap that he wrote so long ago. You can hear the pride and confidence in the delivery, and its hard not to be impressed by the memory.
Besides the legends of Eminem and Biggie, Star Jit mentions Kendrick Lamar, Vince Staples, Logic, Earl Sweatshirt, and Humble Haitian as big influences of his. They helped him to develop the style that he describes as “different”. He knows this sounds cliché, so he offers explanation where many other artists turn to more generic phrases. “If you listen, from the vocals to the kind of beats I use, I plan it out. It’s more planned out than people understand and choose to believe”. His measured words signify a ton of thought and preparation for this moment.
You can feel the difference in his most recent EP, “Lean, Dreams, and Palm Trees” which dropped in November. He created much of the music while on a fast during the summer. He describes the choice being his mother’s and that “she made my whole family go on a fast, I would smoke, make music, and that’s it”. He’d record ideas and references at home, then bring them to the studio to perfect. The spiritual commitment birthed some of his best work yet.
You can hear his vision for the future, a developing flow, and an attitude that ties it all together. On “Pick Up the Pace” he rhymes, “I’m tryna make it to see 99, so I’m stealin’ your soul if you try to take mine”. The energy he brings in shouting family and friends is undeniable, and you can tell he’ll never forget any of them on his journey. In addition to the EP, he currently has a music video out for the track “Stick Up”. He and a huge group of friends all skipped school to make the video happen, a sacrifice that cannot go unnoticed. “Me and my friends have a whole network of music just through email”. That collective includes former curator NAASH, and a graphic artist that he trades ideas with from the UK.
For now, Star Jit’s mind is on the future and seeing just how far his music can take him. He has a new video coming in a few days, and a promise to continue bringing good tunes throughout the new year. Until then, you can follow him here and check out his newest EP below.
