Meet Curtis Jones, professionally known as “Big40.” When the phone conversation first started, I was thinking he’s going to reminisce on a situation involving a large, 40oz of booze but the 17-year-old break-out star isn’t hipped to inebriation just yet. The Cleveland native raps about his experiences in the rough areas of his neighborhood. He references himself to be a sponge with a lot going on around him, as a typical kid, it caused him to pick up on everything happening. Everyone has their vices, some people may be using smoking or even binge eating as an escape but Big40 uses music to mask his reality.
The World Star Hip Hop premiered single “Motivation” is dedicated to his mom, Chavon Smith, whom he wants to make proud while she’s looking down on him from Heaven.
“I was gone buy you a crib in Jamaica, I was gone buy you a foreign from Jamaica…Mama baby I told you we gone get it. Told my brothers we gone make it I ain’t trippin,” as the hook quotes in the single.
Big40 knows all to well how adversity can be a lightning rod for change as he has suffered major losses in the past with the passing of his father as a result of suicide in 2011 and then 5 years later his mother was murdered as a result of a failed armed robbery while he was working in a recording studio. The determined lyricist used these tragedies to write music that addressed the things he has dealt with.
He’s set to perform alongside Kash Doll on June 2nd at Medusa’s Restaurant and Lounge in Cleveland. Lil Baby, Gunna, and Lucci are just a few of the big names he hopes to work with during his journey. Southside 808 is one of the few producers we can expect him to work with.
The aspiring 17-year old recently signed with White Boy Entertainment, an independent label also in Cleveland which is headed by former rap star H-Flo who signed to Philthy Rich Records which is owned by boxing legend Floyd “Money” Mayweather. Flo knew off the rip that Big40 possessed the star-power for success.
Big40 acknowledges that he writes the lyrics to his own chapters as he continues to turn the pages of his life. His studio sessions are usually conducted with a producer throwing on a beat and his pen moving from there. He wasn’t afraid to admit that he’s still learning his sound and his voice. He understands success doesn’t come overnight and is willing to put in the hard work to reach new plateaus in his career.
The “Motivation” rapper is looking forward to the different phases of life post-adolescence, acknowledging to not having experienced real life. Until then, he mentions having listeners lit in the club, motivated to grind, and a little in their feelings. Cleveland has shaped the story but the youngster describes the sound to be mixed with an Atlanta sound and a bit of Miami bounce to it which makes his sound different.
Be sure to check out the latest visual out now and let us know what you think.
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