For J.Solo, Lost Son is more than just a debut album-it's the soundtrack to a life marked by heartbreak, failure, restoration, and grace. The Harrisburg, Pennsylvania-based rapper has traveled a long road from performing T-Bone and DC Talk songs in church as a child to becoming a member of The Chosen Ones, stepping away from music for nearly a decade, and ultimately signing with Rapzilla in 2025.
Throughout Lost Son, J.Solo doesn't shy away from the painful chapters of his story. From navigating divorce and addiction to walking through his son's battle with leukemia, the album offers an unfiltered look at life's darkest moments while consistently pointing listeners toward hope and redemption. Songs like "Years Ago" revisit his inner-city upbringing, while the album as a whole reflects on God's ability to restore what seems irreparably broken.
In this exclusive interview, J.Solo opens up about his journey from The Chosen Ones to Rapzilla, the personal experiences that shaped Lost Son, the lessons learned during his years away from music, and why sharing his testimony has become central to his ministry.
Listen to the new album here.
Q: For readers who may be discovering your music for the first time, can you share your journey from The Chosen Ones to launching a solo career and ultimately signing with Rapzilla?
I started rapping in 1994 as part of a children's choir at my church. The choir director approached me one day, handed me a few cassette tapes, and told me to memorize the songs. Those tapes featured artists like T-Bone and DC Talk. I learned songs such as "Lyrical Assassin" by T-Bone and "Free At Last" by DC Talk, and I performed them during special church services and community outreaches.
Eventually, I was invited to join a rap group called The Chosen Ones, which consisted of older, more established artists. They played a huge role in my development, helping me improve my songwriting, stage presence, and confidence as an emcee. After several years, the group disbanded, and I began pursuing music as a solo artist.
Trying to navigate the music industry on my own wasn't easy. In 2003, I submitted my first written and recorded song to C.A.T.S. (Christian Artist Talent Search) and ended up finishing as a regional runner-up in Ohio. That was a very encouraging moment and gave me confidence to keep pushing forward.
I continued making music until 2012, when life circumstances led me to step away for a little over nine years. When I returned in 2022, I began working closely alongside my cousin, Knaladeus. He produced most of my songs, provided valuable insight into the current state of the industry, and helped me build relationships with other artists. There were still plenty of ups and downs, but in 2025 I was blessed with the opportunity to sign with Rapzilla, which was a major milestone in my journey.
Q: Your debut album Lost Son is deeply personal, touching on loss, divorce, and your son's battle with leukemia. What inspired you to be so transparent with these experiences in your music?
I felt led to be transparent and share my life experiences in hopes of helping someone else who may be going through similar situations. I also wanted people to know that even when you fall, you can get back up. God can restore what you think has been lost, and that's a message I wanted listeners to hear throughout this project.
Q: "Years Ago" reflects on growing up in the inner city and the lessons that environment taught you. Looking back, how did those early experiences shape both the artist and the man you are today?
Growing up in the inner city shaped me in many ways, both good and bad. Being surrounded by drugs, violence, and difficult circumstances showed me the life I didn't want for myself. I wanted a way out. Looking back, those experiences taught me to be wiser, make better decisions, and appreciate where God has brought me today. They also gave me a perspective that influences my music and how I relate to people.
Q: Despite addressing difficult subjects, Lost Son ultimately points toward hope and redemption. Why was it important for you to make that message the foundation of the album?
Lost Son is the best representation of my personal journey. I wanted people to see how God took a broken life and transformed it. While the album deals with pain, loss, and failure, the central message is redemption. God changed my life, and that became the foundation of the entire project.
Q: After stepping away from music for nearly a decade, what did that season teach you, and how did it influence the songs that ended up on this project?
When I stepped away from music, I entered one of the darkest seasons of my life. I walked away from a lot of things, went through a divorce, and lived recklessly and without direction for a period of time. I became involved with drugs and lived a lifestyle that was separate from Christ.
When I returned to my faith, I realized that my testimony could resonate with many people because it was real. The struggles, failures, and restoration I experienced are things that countless others have faced or may still be facing today. That honesty heavily influenced the songs on Lost Son and helped shape the message behind the album.
Q: With Lost Son now released and a new chapter underway with Rapzilla, what can fans expect from J.Solo in terms of future music, ministry, and creative vision?
Going forward, I plan to continue working closely with Knaladeus. We already have a new project and concept in development, and we'll be sharing more details as things progress. The goal is to remain consistent, continue growing creatively, and most importantly, keep sharing the Gospel through music and ministry.
