After taking a hiatus from the music scene, Detroit rapper Jay Jullio is back and ready to make a powerful return with his upcoming project, I am not who I was. Through his musical journey, Jullio gives his fans a diverse experience, sharing his life’s ups, downs, and pivotal times. With Detroit holding a special place in his heart, Jullio uses his music to debunk misconceptions about the city, addressing stereotypes and celebrating the resilience of its residents.
Jullio spoke with rolling out about his music, and what people should expect from his upcoming project.
What did you learn about yourself while you took a break from music?
Honestly, that wasn’t the time when I had learned about myself because even though I wasn’t focusing on the music, I was always focused on being a provider for a lot of people. That wasn’t even the time when I just took to myself. The times I learn about myself are when I’m in a studio working on music. That’s the only time I get by myself. It taught me a lot, and it taught me more about how to avoid all of the bulls— and if you’re going to do something, do it all the way. There’s no such thing as being one foot in and one foot out. I had to go through that the hard way, and I learned from that.
What should people expect from the project?
This is my first time having a real choice and selection between songs, real songs. Not just stuff you can throw around. It explains why I’ve been missing, where I was, how I was, and where my mind and my heart were at with certain people, and how I was affected even by taking that break. I named the project “I am not who I was” because of the stuff I had to adapt to, come across, and everything that I got to do to this s— for. I’m a whole different person now.
What is the difference between your music five years ago and now?
When I used to do music back then, I used to go to the studio and rap about stuff that I had going on that day. I wouldn’t really put thought into it or take my time; I wanted somebody to think back and feel like they were there. I didn’t want them to be like, “Oh s— …. he bought a car today.” You don’t get anywhere with that. It’s the minor things, and people that make music probably notice, but other people don’t unless they start to feel that you’re different.
