J. Irja

Song Review: “Made Me Crazy” by J. Irja ft. Twista

J. Irja and Twista have released the song “Made Me Crazy.” The Dallas and Chicago-based musicians team up to make a song dedicated to ending problems on the streets. It is a song that will surely be enjoyed by those who are fans of hip hop/rap music. Additionally, J. Irja and Twista have released a music video in support of “Made Me Crazy” to give it a visual representation.

When locating the music video on YouTube, one will first notice the thumbnail. In it, both J. Irja and Twista are staring into the camera with their mouths open, wearing gold chains and red hats. There are fences and ‘Caution’ tape surrounding both of them, and significant red lighting. It is a captivating image that entices viewers to press play and see how the video represents the song.

The first verse is handled by Twista, who tells his story of living in the streets. Getting the energy up, he raps that “I get it poppin’” and “I’m the lion and I’m here with the lioness.” With the latter lyric, he acknowledges, that both him and J. Irja come from a similar background. This theme is reinforced in the chorus, sung by J. Irja: “You better watch your mouth/When you talking to me/I’m tryna change how I get down/But you know that I came from the streets,” followed by multiple repetitions of the lyric “It made me crazy.” Given the chorus is sung, it gives the song more of a pop feel in between rapped verses. After two choruses, J. Irja comes in to rap a verse of her own. This will come as no surprise to her loyal listeners, but will shock new listeners who may have assumed she was solely a singer. In fact, some of the most memorable lyrics in the entire song are in the second verse. For example, J. Irja raps “If you push me then get ready for a tidal wave,” implying she is a force to be reckoned with. She goes on to rap “Don’t get fooled by my smiling face, I am insane.” This is a nod to how her prior life experiencesshaped her, as she reminds listeners that a smile on a face can be deceiving.

The music video was dedicated to J. Irja’s late sister, who had a say in picking out the outfits worn in the video. It is also dedicated to J. Irja’s other late family members, as well as “all of our loved ones lost to the streets.” Emotionally touching messages appear on the screen, such as “It is never too late to change,” “Sobriety is possible,” “Success is attainable,” and “You can do anything you put your mind to.” J. Irja then reveals she was both homeless and an alcoholic just six years ago, and she managed to turn her life around. By cultivating her talents for singing and rapping and tapping into her life experiences to write lyrics, J. Irja proves her pure abilities as an artist. - Street Wave Media

J. Irja shows out with her latest single “Goin Ghost”! This Club Banger showcases her powerful punchlines as she rides the beat with fluid precision! To top it off, the Music Video is off the chain! - Vintage Media Group

It’s always great to see a woman in hip hop who’s ‘doing it’, more than ‘shaking it’, and isn’t afraid to truly speak her mind (not what some label executive told her to say). Lyrically she is at the top of her game. - JamSphere

J. Irja shows of a high energy rap style. The crazy style of video and ill flow is reminiscent of Missy Elliot or a Busta Rhymes video!!! - Vancouver Bangerz

J Irja is back and better than ever! - Chicago Bangerz

J. Irja is poised to one-up herself with harder-hitting beats, increasingly intricate wordplay and gripping story-line visuals - Exposed Vocals

"The hip hop artist has shown so much growth in all aspects of her music, from her lyricism to her stage presence and performance" - Dennis Wilson

A lot of people clown or don’t take female rappers seriously and just straight up won’t give them a chance. And on hearing some of the lame rappers doing the rounds you cannot blame them. But one listen to the strength, depth and skill that J. Irja displays will almost certainly make you change your mind.

(more on the official soundlooks link above) - soundlooks.com

"It has been some time since I've seen this level of dedication. A perfect match for the future of hip-hop." - DJ Tre-hundered

"J. Irja shuts down the stage, every time." - DJ Pain 1

"The Music Industry better be prepared for this hurricane otherwise known as J. Irja." - Shah Evans "Mr. Get Your Buzz Up"

DJ ButterRock interviews J. Irja Live on Radio (4/13/17) - DJ ButterRock

Full interviews with artists on certified BDS station with J. Irja as the Host of her own radio show - AUMA Radio

Today we’d like to introduce you to J. Irja.

J., please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My first memory is me on stage with a microphone in my hand, its like I was destined to do music. Growing up in Canada, I was aware of the struggles my parents faced with a seven-person family struggling in poverty, it was tough. I used to write music and sing songs into my TalkGIrl recording system as a release, an escape from all the sadness.

All through my youth, music was the only thing that comforted me. I was the awkward loner chunky immigrant kid with acne who didn’t ever fit in once we moved to United States. I used to skip lunch and classes to go to the band rehearsal room to play my flute & piccolo and write original songs. I was also published for poetry at a young age, it was about a kid who wanted to commit suicide, I just never told anyone that imaginary kid I wrote about was me.

I was tired of being poor and an outcast, I wanted to show myself and everyone else that I was a Boss, that I was awesome, that I could be anyone. Eminem really inspired me, I knew if he could grow to tell his story, that I could too. I used to sneak and listen to Eminem and memorize all his lyrics. I used to fantasize that I was on stage rapping my own words to an audience and sharing my story. After I graduated early, I decided I was going to go for it, all in.

I needed money, so I started dancing and traveling all over the country, funny enough I ended up in Detroit and as a little white girl in a really bad area it was ironic that it was there I started freestyling. I think thats what kept me alive in such a bad area, they saw some kind of spark and fight in me, they used to say, ‘man you’re like a female Eminem or something”

After that, I was hooked on rapping. I would practice and write all night and day and bust a flow for anyone who would listen. I fell in love with major fire spitting legends and studied their craft. I would listen to Twista, Tech N9ne, Busta, E-40 on repeat and rap until it was perfect. Everyone who ran into me saw the fire in my eyes. which was a good and bad thing.

I ran into a few really janky managers, who saw I would do anything to make it and took advantage of me. They extorted me and were very abusive mentally, emotionally and even physically, one of them even sex trafficked me, it was a horrifying and terrible experience that I can barely talk about even to this day.

But I didn’t give up, I used it as motivation to continue independently making move across the U.S. until I finally found a Manager who believed in me and is truly behind me. It was a perfect fit, my manager Kenny ‘Kinfolk’ Adams is the Street Team Leader for Strange Music in DFW and we got together and been moving full steam ahead since we met.

Together, as Team Sexy Psycho, we have recorded with major artists and just dropped the album ‘The Sexy Psycho Vol 1’ featuring Lil Flip, Paul Wall, Bubba Sparxxx, Bizarre of D12 and Stevie Stone & JL B Hood of Strange Music. It’s available on all streaming platforms. We’ve opened for Tech N9ne, Rittz, King Lil G and other majors. We also have Future collabs with Rittz, Twista, Gorilla Zoe, Caskey and more already recorded and ready to go.

Currently, we are working on videos from the first album and also putting together the second album and third mixtape. Plus, getting ready to officially launch the non-profit Female Empowerment Movement which we have been running for some time through donating and helping different causes and charities which help women and children who are in need which is inspired by my amazing daughter.

As you can see, we are on a mission and we are moving forward without looking back. We have a dream, chasing and turning it into a reality, step by step. The future is bright.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Looking back on my journey, at times, I’m amazed that I am even alive. I had two severe head injuries, the first one was in 5th grade which really added to my outcast status and made me feel so self-conscious, then another really bad one at 20 where one of my girlfriends smashed my head with a huge ashtray when she was blacked out. It was so scary, I almost died of blood loss that day and it impacted my mental functioning so sometimes, it’s hard to live a normal life.

In addition, I’ve been homeless on the street with no food or money, just the clothes on my back having to fend for myself, but I made it out. I’ve been robbed and gunpoint twice and literally saw my life flash before my eyes. I was sex trafficked by a man who promised to protect me and take care of me but all he did was extort me and take all my money.

I could go on and on because I have literally been through hell to get to this point, but I think the hardest part even through all of that has been mental, because after the abuse I endured at the hands of people I believed loved me, it scarred me for life. Sometimes, I have flashbacks and nightmares that are debilitating. However, I never let that get me down because I use it for fuel.

One of the major struggles in the hip hop industry is being a tiny 5’0″ female in a male-dominated industry. I have to work 10x harder than the men to gain respect, and I have to fight for every ounce of it. Many men are intimidated that I am a little white girl beating them at their own game, but that comes with the territory and makes every victory that much sweeter because I know I earned it.

But all of this is what makes me so strong and unwilling to give up. I am so thankful for my struggles because it shaped me into the warrior I am today, crusading for Female Empowerment and equality for all especially those who have been abused or have a mental illness or injury. So, the road has been anything but smooth, but I wouldn’t trade my journey for the world.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into The Sexy Psycho story. Tell us more about it.
The Sexy Psycho Brand motto is “Be You, Do You, No Apologies,” it is a whole lifestyle about motivating people to embrace their flaws, imperfections, and past and not be ashamed of it but to use it as fuel to become whoever they dream to be! I am so proud of the number of people I have been blessed enough to touch and inspire with my story.

The brand consists of my music, videos, and performances but is so much more and includes a whole line of merch including head to toe women’s gear and an expanding men’s line. Everything is available on the website www.thesexypsycho.com

The Sexy Psycho Brand is different from other companies in the outfield because we aren’t out to impress people, we Keep It ALL The Way Real! No Wishlist rapping, tall tales or any other embellishments. We are all about being who we REALLY ARE and not some image for the industry. Also, as a founder, I approve all designs for merch and write all my music lyrics myself. Pure authenticity.

Currently, we also have features for sale. For the artist who takes their career seriously and has a budget, I’ll get on your track and promote to my strong social media following. I will help you make a banger and help you get more of the attention you deserve for your music, gaining new fans in the process.

Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I have never had good luck. I’ve had to work hard for every break and piece of success I’ve gotten, literally. After working so hard, I deserve everything I’ve gotten and more. I’m excited to see what’s around the corner because I know I have earned a rising spot in my industry and I am remaining humble and open to accepting it. - Voyage Dallas

Came across a Canadian-born MC named J. Irja The Sexy Psycho that is putting in some significant grind time — and it’s starting to pay off. A hustler and all around a business-minded individual, her music isn’t just a white girl throwing words together trying to be down, it’s all shit she’s experienced first hand; delivered with rapid-fire bars that are impressive as hell.

She’s been through some real shit, like having to recover from two serious head injuries and living through a relationship with an abusive ex-manager.

Endearingly, though, she’s kept her career moving with her head high — forming a non-profit foundation (comprised entirely of women) called the “Female Empowerment Movement Militia” in honor of her daughter. Its ultimate mission is to uplift and motivate women to succeed and smash ceiling, shatter sexual inequality once and for all.

“I’ve been grinding for years and am finally starting to gain traction,” she tells AAHH excitedly. This grind is well-documented on her You-Tube, as she hits shows alongside acts like Stevie Stoned and Rittz and puts in serious groundwork during SXSW. - Above Average Hip Hop

see link - African Hype