By William R. Toler
HAMLET — T.J. Williams has been rapping since he was 9 years old and recording since he was 15.
Now the 20-year-old Hamlet native is in the top 5 for an online contest through Coast2CoastMixTapes.com.
“I didn’t expect to make it,” he said.
Williams, who raps under the name Black Jesus — a nickname earned from his skills on the basketball court by Jalen Clark — writes and records his lyrics on his iPhone and produces his songs from his home computer.
“I don’t use cuss words, I don’t rap about gang violence, drugs or sex,” he said. “I just rap about where the street life will lead you, which is not a good place.”
He said the lyrics to his songs are all positive.
“I don’t want somebody that’s 9 or 10 to listen to me rapping about shooting somebody or doing drugs,” he said. “I want them to hear the right message.”
He says because he’s “going against the grain” is why he hasn’t received much publicity.
However, Williams added, “I think that’s what eventually will help me make it.”
WHAT MOTIVATES HIM
“My dad. He used to be a DJ here in Richmond County and other places. I always consider him my idol.”
He added that his father, Timothy Williams, minister at Paradise Kingdom Outreach Ministries in Cordova, has been very supportive.
PROUDEST MOMENT
Williams said his proudest moment, so far, is a toss-up between graduating from Richmond Senior High School in 2012 and winning a recreational basketball championship playing for Rockingham in 2011.
BIGGEST INFLUENCE
“I’d have to say my dad.”
Willams also cited rappers J. Cole and Tupac Shakur as influences on his music.
He named J. Cole “because he’s from North Carolina and what he raps about. He’s not about gang violence, he’s more about unity, doing the right thing.”
With Tupac, Williams said, “He seemed more like a poet than just a rapper.”
FUTURE GOALS
In addition to rapping, Williams said he would like to play in the NBA, by way of the UNC Tar Heels.
“My favorite team is the (Cleveland) Cavaliers,” he said, “but I’d rather play for my home team, the Charlotte Hornets.”
While he never played for RSHS, due to injuries and lack of motivation, Williams did play recreational basketball.
If he were to make it, he’d be the first Richmond County native to play in the NBA since Greg Wittman was drafted to the Seattle Supersonics in 1969.
“I’m just hoping for the best out of life,” he said. “I do what I do, not for myself, but for others. I just want to bless my parents and my little brother.”
Reach reporter William R. Toler at 910-817-2675 and follow him on Twitter @William_r_Toler. Notable Neighbors is a series of personality profiles featuring Richmond County residents from all walks of life. Stories will appear in the Daily Journal on Thursdays and online at YourDailyJournal.com. To nominate a Notable Neighbor, email Corey Friedman at [email protected].
