Based out of Arizona, multitalented rapper and artist JASESAW’s latest project, I WAS THERE, I AM HERE NOW, carries a deep message: perhaps it doesn’t always have to be that way.

A beast on the mic, JASESAW started rapping when he was 13, putting random words together with such incredible finesse that it left those around him mesmerized and raving about his talent. Hailing from Fresno, California, the street lifestyle did not elude him; he flirted with danger on multiple occasions, joining gangs and, as you can imagine, escaped death many times. His relocation to Phoenix, Arizona, was the break he needed, using this transformative journey to soar creatively and entrepreneurially. When we talk about rap music, many are quick to assume its braggadocious demeanor, street, and drug-related content, judging it harshly, but there are so many elements to this style of music that are as entertaining as they are educative and impactful.

For JASESAW, it is much more than his first-rate rapping skills that separate him from the fold. No, he harnesses his creative prowess to create unforgettable and meaningful hip-hop and rap songs about difficult topics that others are thinking but are afraid to talk about.

Take, for example, his latest project, I WAS THERE, I AM HERE, a 7-track EP inspired by the trajectory of life—today you can be in the lowest of lows, and tomorrow the highest of highs. What really matters when you find yourself in rock-bottom or an undesirable situation is how you bounce back…because look here, it is possible to bounce back from whichever sh*t- not unless it’s death. Like real death!

I would place this album in the same league as Nothing Was the Same or even I Am > I Was. And while you may feel like I am exaggerating, I feel that the lyrical content here, the collaborations, and the variety offered stand out and deserve fanfare.

The variety and range offered here, not only in terms of melodies but also lyrics and themes, makes this a bona fide standout that is expected to stand the test of time. The opener “STILL A USER” is metaphorical in its intuition and speaks volumes about the lyrical awareness of JASESAW. It also helps that the jam has been laden with mantra-like, go-to memorable hooks that make it an anthem with an outstanding driving beat that perfectly fits into the contemporary world.

So many people spend their entire lives chasing three pleasures: sex, money, and drugs. The jam “DRUGS, SEX, MONEY” affirms this reality and this repetitive cycle of wanting either or all of them in the cases of moguls, drug traffickers, rappers like JASESAW, politicians, or ordinary folks with the capability, you know. JASESAW’s intention was to communicate the complete opposite, if you catch the underlying message.

“OUT OF TOWN” is a feel-good banger that you can blast out loud as you drive around the streets in your new whip. It is the kind of happy-go-lucky jam that you can always expect in any collection, to at least take away from the aggressiveness, sorrowfulness, or emotiveness of an album’s core theme!

As an Arizona resident, you can’t help but sense his perspective in NIGGAZ IN MEXICO as he delves into the complexities of illegal migration through Arizona and its implications for both his community and the immigrants. For a fact, his delivery does not tip-toe around the subject matter and the news-cut interludes elevate the track’s appeal to new heights.

Featuring Juicy J, JASESAW delivers the explicit anthem THE BUSINESS, unashamedly expressing sexual desire. Juicy J doesn’t hold back in his longing for a supermodel with ‘big tiies,’ stating, ‘That’s the business, man.’**

The last track “WHY LOOK BACK” is a personal favorite of mine and a brilliant showcase of music with extensive appeal. Featuring the vocally gifted Breana Marin and the multifaceted rapper and producer Jinxed, they go on to make a killing and hit the bull’s eye in a masterpiece that brings the best of R&B, Hip-hop, and that punk-rock energy, especially with the unmistakably captivating riffs!

There you go, folks; music for days. Try this EP out and let us know how you feel about it.

In the meantime, follow JASESAW on Instagram to stay updated.

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