Papa J Ruiz Ruiz shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Papa J Ruiz , so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What is a normal day like for you right now?
A normal day for Papa J Ruiz is nothing short of beautiful being able to provide for my wife and 2 beautiful kids. Taking the kids to school myself making sure they get their education. iii also help my father with his Flooring Company it’s a family business that has helped this family live life properly. Aside from that the day is spent going over production for new albums or singles, narrowing down cover arts and setting up the next studio session. My life revolves around family and the music is just a blessing.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Papa J Ruiz was born in Los Angeles California and moved to Colorado at the age of 3 also being from Colombian parents I spent a lot of time in Bogota Colombia. I started writing music at the age of 9 and started recording myself at 14. After learning to record myself iii started burning my own cds and selling them around my neighborhood to build a name. I use to pray for the world to one day recognize my music and at the age of 22 i started releasing music on YouTube where I built my fanbase and found a community of Hip Hop lovers still to this day at the age of 35.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who taught you the most about work?
My father is my teacher he taught me everything about “work” he taught me that Laziness is the mother of poverty so we have to work hard to avoid her at all costs. My father would wake me up early as the sun would rise on Saturday morning not to play but to get up and work either clean the house do some yard work or take me along with him as he ran his flooring company. He taught me how to love money make the money work for you as well as understanding that money comes and goes it is only a tool this doesn’t define who your character is or your worth.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
There definitely was a dark moment where I felt like giving up. I spent 10 years releasing music under someone else’s umbrella and after 10 years growing, maturing as an artist iii felt it was time for me to spread my wings and venture off to create and release music under my own umbrella and that must of rubbed the person the wrong way and they removed all my videos with millions of views off of YouTube and that broke me but being who I was I seen that coming so i mentally prepared myself and told myself this is the point in your career where you either let those that were once close to you break you or you show the world who you really are and never let other break you!
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
I admire Simone like Nipsey Hussle as well as Pablo Escobar. Both men were men who had to find their way in life not given any hand outs. Both men were all about their communities being a provider and a beacon of light for others to find inspiration. In my eyes they both believed in themselves and any obstacle found in front of their path they handled and moved on. These men showed me how important it is to have a loyal circle around you not people who want to compete or secretly take you down. Both men showed love to their family’s to the places they were from by building things for the kids and helping them find motivation in life as well as being a family man.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
My family I hope they express how much I loved them how a lot of my decisions in life come from what can make their lives better how I would always build my music but that I would never miss any important things that had to do with family men like me don’t miss birthdays or holidays for my career. My fans I hope they see that I was a real genuine artist that I was an example of how to never fold bend or break on how to keep going no matter the obstacles that are placed in front of you. That I gave my heart and soul into my music and never stopped because someone didn’t see my vision.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/papajruiz?igsh=dzdtMnYzY2d5YzM2&utm_source=qr
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@papajruiz?si=IrrSArnl18fxp1bh
Image Credits
Modest Media
