'Hip-hop saved me.' Jéan P says Canton rap scene has great talent

Editor's note: This is the first in a series of stories focusing on Black entertainers in Stark County.

CANTON − Sitting on a couch in the funkily-adorned upstairs of The Hub Art Factory, Jéan P the MC shifted into full rap mode.

"Tell my brothers it's OK to cry, life's so complicated to the point you want to die. It ain't no excuse, my mental got my heart triggering trauma and abuse. I had to face myself and tell the truth. Depression got me lacking on my common sense, neglecting progress of my accomplishments."

Word after word, rhyme after rhyme, he flowed effortlessly and both with verve and confidence. The verbal artistry made onlookers ponder a question: Why isn't Jéan P the MC (whose name is Jéan Pierre Johnson) a star in the rap and hip-hop world? Why aren't his songs streamed by millions of listeners?

The musical artist admits the same question has drifted through his head as he continues to craft rap songs while also holding a job delivering mail in Canton.

"So I kind of look at it as it just takes the right person to hear it ... but even though those numbers aren't where I would like them to be, I'm just happy that people listen," he said. "So to the tens of thousands that have listened to Jéan P songs and shared it, I appreciate it because it will put them on to more people."

But the 32-year-old rapper is far from an unknown.

Writing lyrics to hip-hop beats for years, he's garnered thousands of streams online for his songs, including nearly 100,000 on the SoundCloud platform for "Shining Bright." Following his first full release in 2016, Jéan P's newest album came out last year: "The Way Eye See It" featuring the single "4 Da Children."

Jéan P's music is available on various streaming and online distribution platforms, including Apple Music, SoundCloud, Spotify and Bandcamp. Also available is his podcast, "Say What You Mean w/ Jéan P the MC."

"It's like culture based," he said, noting podcast co-hosts are Chrishon White and Zack Worthy.

"We interview artists, musicians (in Canton or surrounding areas) that are just doing great things," he said. "We have conversations about creativity."

Athletes, doctors and community leaders also have been interviewed. Politicians might be invited onto the podcast in the future.

Later this month, Jéan P is scheduled to perform for students at Walsh University. For information about other upcoming performances, go to https://www.facebook.com/jeanpthemc.

More:Platinum beatmaker Franky Wahoo has worked with Machine Gun Kelly, LeBron

The roots of his rapping began when Johnson wrote poetry in his bedroom at age 6. And when he penned lyrics while sitting in a church pew at Greater Bethel Apostolic Church in Canton. Rapping in front of his teacher and classmates at Lehman Middle School was another moment.

"I just knew how to make creativity in my mind," he said.

"One of the goals of mine really is just to be an inspiration in the city for young Black kids and adults because being Black in Canton, they always tell us like, 'Oh, you're only limited to so much.' If you're not an athlete and you're not in sports, you ain't doing nothing, but it's like … you can make it out of this city, or even if you're still here, do something that can get you some attention and some exposure."

Here are five things to know about Jéan P the MC.

1. 'Hip-hop saved me.'

Rap music profoundly impacted Johnson's life. Lyrics and beats helped him cope with the loss of his dad at age 6 and with the death of his mother to cancer when he was 15.

"I feel like hip-hop is a tool for Black men, depending on who you listen to," he said. "It's like showing you the way. When I didn't have my mom or my dad around, I learned about life through hip-hop (while listening to The Roots, A Tribe Called Quest and Public Enemy) ... it stepped in when I needed it to.

"Hip-hop saved me, I mean other than God," he said with conviction belying his relaxed and amicable demeanor. "I thank God I had that outlet early."

2. 'Ode to Canton' calls out Monument Park, gas station chicken

Johnson was born in Canton and grew up on the southeast side before moving to Plain Township and later returning to the city. Graduating from McKinley High School in 2008, he studied creative writing at Ohio University.

And he pays tribute to his hometown in "Ode to Canton," with local references and name drops, including chicken from Hall of Fame Fuel Mart on Sherrick Road SE.

Verses include: "You know I love my city ... from every corner store to every avenue ... being their hometown hero is what I have to do ... we used to kick it at Monument in the old days ... can't forget Macy Gray and The O'Jays ..."

Asked why he wrote the song, Jéan P said: "Every time people talk about Canton, it's negative. And every city has that. Every city has good, every city has bad. 'Ode to Canton' was just my anthem for the city."

3. Kendrick Lamar and Lupe Fiasco are influences

"It's more about what I say and how I say it that's important to me," Johnson said, citing both '90s hip-hop and more recent influences like Kendrick Lamar and Lupe Fiasco. "I like a lot of samples in my music. I could do original, but I'm just a sucker for samples. I just love the fact that I can take an old record, rap over it and make it into what I can make it into."

"I like to approach every album as a book. … Every time you play a different Jéan P album, you're going to get a different story, a different experience and a different chapter of my life, but I try to make it relatable to other people."

4. Canton hip-hop scene has big city talent

"So I just hope that what I'm doing is inspiring those around me in this city, (and) that they can be seen elsewhere and we can put this city in a better light as far as hip-hop, because we do have a hip-hop scene here. They just kind of shun us off because we're Canton. We have some great artists here, some great MCs here who can (compete) with any major city.

"It's one of those things you have to find. (We) got artists like Black Gemini, (and) you have artists like Nicasso, a great lyricist being recognized by other great MCs, and he's done competitions and showcases. And then you have another engineer ... Conz, (and) he is somebody who's basically mixed and matched with everybody's music in the city, (and) you had groups that inspired us like the Money Gang."

More:How Trippie Redd Keeps The SoundCloud Rap Spirit Alive

5. Dream collaborations include Canton's Macy Gray, Trippie Redd

Dream collaborations for Johnson include Canton native and Grammy-winning singer Macy Gray and Trippie Redd, a former McKinley High School student and current star on the national rap and hip-hop scene.

"I don't know Trippie Redd personally, but he's dope. I have a huge respect for Trippie Redd. I would like to do a record with him. My (12-year-old) son likes him. I'm very fond of his material."

More:Trippie Redd’s ‘Mansion’ Sits Atop Rap Albums Chart With No. 1 Debut

Trippie Redd, whose name is Michael Lamar White II, first gained prominence in the SoundCloud rap scene; he's worked with some of the biggest stars in the hip-hop world, including Drake, Chief Keef, Machine Gun Kelly and Playboi Carti.

Of Gray, Johnson said: "She's inspiration. Now that's somebody who I would love to do a record with." Growing excited, he smiled as his voice spiked: "Please Macy Gray, be on one of Jéan P the MC's songs!"

Reach Ed at 330-580-8315 and ebalint@gannett.com

On Twitter @ebalintREP

Rapping with Jéan P

The Canton Repository asked the Canton area rapper and hip-hop artist about pop culture, sports, other fun stuff.

The first thing you would do if elected president of the United States.

"I would make hip-hop a national holiday. ... I would have a good curriculum in schools for hip-hop. Good hip-hop ... with subject matter, important music ... not (about) money, cars and girls and drugs and stuff."

Michael Jackson or Prince?

"I'm going to go with MJ. First of all, my mom was a big Michael Jackson fan. MJ was where we bonded."

LeBron James or Michael Jordan?

"Both ... but LeBron because he's from the turf − the 330. He got us a ring! LeBron is our Michael Jordan."

Tupac Shakur or The Notorious BIG?

"Both." He loves Tupac's poetry and said Biggie had "swag."

Favorite Canton restaurant or food

"I'm a sucker for Pizza Oven."

What people might not know about you

"I like Legos, I have a Beagle (named Lyric), and I don't like clowns."

Favorite movie

"The Warriors" (1979)

Favorite book

"Scorpions" by Walter Dean Myers

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Canton rapper Jéan P dreams of working with Macy Gray, Trippie Redd