The Boy Behind the Musik - Meet Mr KJ-52 + 4/6/2005  KJ-52 is one of Hip Hop's most prolific recording artists. Growing up in the state of Florida as white boy rapper had its challenges. But KJ-52 pursued his love of rap and Christ and now finds himself as one hip hops most popular, look at at his tour page and he's booked up big time. AM: Tell us a little about yourself KJ-52. KJ: KJ is just a regular guy that God happened to get hold of. I grew up with a real love for hip hop music and strangely wound up doing it. I've been writing rap since I've been twelve, gave my life to Christ at 15 so that changed everything and God gave me a different purpose and a different reason behind what I do now. AM: You've just released your latest album 'Behind the Music - A boy named Jonah' , across your discography you combine humour with pathos, is that fair enough? KJ: Honestly, that's just a reflection of more my personality. I mean there's a part of me that is extremely stupid, silly and then there's apart of me that's very serious at times. I think part of it too is, I used to be a youth pastor, so I always realise that doing something that is entertaining set up the time to get more serious. Plus I think it helps me stand apart from the average Hip Hop artist. AM: Tell us about the early days, influences and what got you into the scene? KJ: The first thing I ever had was the Beastie Boys 'Licence to ill' record, I think I was around 10 or something. It wasn't till I was 12 or 13 that I started getting like... I was always into the party stuff but then I liked the stuff with a message, stuff like Public Enemy, Boogie Down Productions, De La Soul and then party stuff like Kid n Play. I think that reflects in the music that I do now. That Golden era of Hip Hop. AM: It was very a much a light hearted style of Hip Hop wasn't it? KJ: Yeah, totally... because I think back then there were no rules, no set format, people were just making music because they wanted to make music. Now it's such a money maker, it's a lot more regimented. AM: You've grown up being a white rapper, the Beastie Boys went before you. Was it hard to earn credibility? KJ: Yeah...when I started it was really tough, but I guess on the other hand you gotta understand my background, the neighbourhood I grew up in, I was the only white guy. So being the minority wasn't anything new to me. But it was definitely hard, there were times when I got boo'ed off the stage or scewface looks. But never really copped an attitude about it because I could at least understand why... and I've always respected the artform to the point where the realisation is this is a black mans music and it's a priviledge to hold a microphone. So it made me push myself harder, meaning I had to be that much better to be able to do my thing. Remember this was before Eminem came out. So really the only artists were the Beastie Boys, Third Base and House of Pain. That was it.