Meet Jesus Lopez of JratMonster in South Central

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jesus Lopez.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Jesus. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I chose art as my path after reading the Alchemist. I knew then that music was going to be part of my personal legend. I was born and raised in South Central Los Angeles. My love for music began with a combination of oldies my parents played non stop, and Spanish baladas my Abuelito would bump. Parts of those songs would stay stuck in my head. Little did I know I was finding loops that would later help me to produce my own music. Being born into the cholo culture and growing up in the hood gave me the motivation to be myself, not what I’m expected to be because of how I look. So I got into skating and graffiti when I was in Jr. High. For a while, I kept rapping to myself until one day, I started rapping aloud with my friends. I got positive feedback so I pursued the interest. I discovered underground hip hop through my homie Brek in high school and I knew that was the lane I wanted to speed in. The challenge then was getting beats- they just weren’t accessible. I was broke and thirsty for instrumentals so I had to start making beats out of necessity, and the equipment took some time to obtain and learn. Knowin how to beatbox helped out a lot.

I started making beats on Acid pro in 98’, and it was really challenging for me. I didn’t even know where to start. I also was into electronica so I started making house music as well. I just wanted to make music, period. Fast forward to 2001, a friend of a friend named Midzt recognized me on the 45 bus and invited me to make some beats at his pad. He had a Korg ES1 and I fell in love with it. That was the first time I had used anything analog to make beats so I was hooked. When I got my hands on an SP505 in 2002 with the help of my Pops, I emerged myself to learn it and expand on it- stacking my own sounds and creating beats I could confidently call my own. I got the attention from other local artists trying to come-up through friends by association who wanted to use my beats and collaborate. I started getting the support that really encouraged me to move forward through the graffiti and LA party culture. Project blowed was a must on Thursday nights for me and the homies. I recorded my first songs in 2003, “Alchemist Theme” and “On the Streets” in a small makeshift studio in the projects funded by my childhood friend Danny Fresh.

I saw what the engineer was doing and I was like, “Man, I can do this too”. I had the beats and lyrics, now I have to learn how to record myself too. So I created a low-budget studio in my abuelitas basement and started to get busy. At first, I would use some old headphones to record vocals. The good ol’ left headphone mic hack. From there, I moved the studio into my homie Klue’s garage where I recorded the rest of my first independent album “In Search Of Jratmonster – Sewer Stories Vol.1” in 05’. Getting local shows was part of the lifestyle, at places like Mixed Nuts Comedy Club in Los Angeles, where I had my first performance, to the 2nd St. Jazz Lounge in Little Tokyo. Gem Collekshuns (MenezOne, Drift The Dean, Lou Green, Tenochtitlan) took me on and I got involved with more projects through them. In 2010 I was part of a group project called GCBC (Good Cop Bad Cop), with long-time friends Drift The Dean and Tommy Blak. We released an EP called “The Academy” that same year.

Then in 2015, my homie Menez and I formed a duo called The Rat Faced Menez and dropped a self-titled project. That same year I also dropped a beat tape called “Chief In The House”. I dropped my second beat tape “Purple Wave” in 2017 and my third beat tape “Thirsty For Life” was dropped in 2019. In the past, I’ve also been a guest on KPFK’s Breakbeats and Rhymes, The B-Side Show, and The Rev And Filo Show to name a few. Today, I am the father of two small children. Life is busy and I’m slowly getting back to my passion for music and art. I still try to squeeze in collaborative work with my fellow hip hop artists. I’m juggling six projects right now with Diseize84, Rok3m, Tre Siete, my brother Visual, and a new RatFaced Menez project. I am also working on releasing a record called Short Fuse and jump-starting a clothing business, JratMonster Sewer Gear.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
At the beginning, access to equipment and resisting the stereotype of a Mexican rapper box was a struggle. My sound was unexpected with my appearance, I guess. Later, the economic inequities; “Pay to Play” at venues seemed impossible. And, negative family feedback was always discouraging when I would hear things like, “oh, you’re working for free again”. I couldnt find a job for years with no diploma and almost got lost in the party life and all the vices that came with it. My self-discipline is something I am constantly working on. Managing my responsibilities as a parent is a struggle because having a creative outlet is my purpose but I got bills to pay and bath-times to do. I was juggling four jobs while trying to raise two small children and pushing my craft. It has been exhausting but knowing that I have not given up on my passion through years of trials and tribulations gives me the motivation to proceed forward. Before, it was all about me. Now, it’s all about my babies.

We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
As an Emcee, producer, and graphic designer, I want the JratMonster brand to represent conscious LA hip hop and art. I try to produce music with a message that embraces the positives but also acknowledges the negatives in life. I want you to hear my lyrics, vibe out and think about the message and somehow relate. I am very proud that my music doesn’t glorify guns, drugs and sex like lots of mainstream trends. I use an MK2 and record on Logic in my living room whenever I can to produce an array of genres from boom-bap to R&B to house.

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My childhood neighbor Rocmula introduced me to a lot of dope music and style while growing up on 45th street. He motivated me to stop being afraid to use my voice. We would spend hours in his room flowing, trying to find our rap identities. Our love for the culture has allowed us to become like brothers throughout the decades. My homie Kilo who always had my back and has been one of my best friends since elementary school has always supported me and my music. My homie Brek for introducing me to underground hip hop and always trying to push me to push myself. He also introduced me to a lot of cool cats in the graff game and has been one of my road dogs since or days at Jeff. My homie Midzt for letting me use the first beat machine that woke the Monster. He and Gzer also helped me grow artistically by schooling me on letters, attitude and energy. My homie CiskOne for always investing his time to be my photographer and filming and editing my music videos with no budget. My homie Danny Fresh for believing in me and investing the money to get me my first studio recording session which motivated me to take my craft more serious.

The homies Archer One, James Haunt, and Setol10 for taking me under their wings and showing me all I needed to know about graphics. The skills I obtained by watching them work gave me the tools needed to be able to call myself a graphic designer. My squads JU, RTE, and GAW for always showing love and support. You are who you chill with. My Gem Collekshuns family for putting me on and helping me get shows. I had been a fan of Menez and Drift because they were already known around the hood for doing dope music. It’s funny, seeing them do it inspired me to do it, and that lead to me joining their group later in life. The homie Klue for letting me practically live in his garage for a few years while working on my first album. Big ups to the homies Rev And Filo for always playing and promoting my music and art on their show. My friend K Butterfly Smith for helping me get this chance to tell my story and always giving me words of encouragement, love and wisdom. My amazing wife Selene. She has changed my life in so many ways by pushed me to believe in myself more and always encouraging me to advance in life. Plus, she gave me two beautiful babies that give me the strength to always move forward no matter how hard it gets.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.jratmonster.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sewervision/

Image Credit:
Francisco Ortiz, OBLVN

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