Today we’d like to introduce you to Jose Lizandro Ozuna.
Hi Jose, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I was born in Jersey City, New Jersey and raised in Fairview, New Jersey. At a young age, I developed my love for music through classic Spanish ballads that my mother enjoyed. As I explored music genres, hip hop became my escape from the rest of the world. By age nine, I began writing small poems and lyrics, which I only kept to myself. When I moved to Garfield, New Jersey at the age of 12, I began writing in a journal at home and keeping ideas in my notebooks at school. I kept the idea of possibly doing music in the back of my mind until I reached college. At Montclair State University, I was a guest speaker twice to help out a class taught by a Professor of mine to write rhymes as part of an assignment, this made the possibility of doing music more promising. When I began recording songs, the first takes were rough and discouraging. However, the self-doubt did not keep me from continuing.
In February 2019, I released my first ever track titled “Hold Me Down,” featuring a good friend of mine, Isaac Ojeda. To this day, “Hold Me Down” is my best hit but if I’m being honest, I have songs that eventually will top that track if none have not already. It has been a journey thus far between getting comfortable with criticism and believing in myself. I truly thank everyone who has supported, continues to support, and those who have helped in my musical career, from the film crew to my engineer. Special thanks to Joe Fucarino, Krystal Kaiser, Philip Dias Jr., Shakeem Cummings, Isaac Ojeda, and everyone who has been part of the journey. Your efforts and support come a long way!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
During my musical run, I believe it has not been easy at all. Early on, I was forced to overcome stage fright and perform my music in front of complete strangers. However, that has not been the most difficult aspect of music. I’ve had a hard time worrying too much about what people would think of me rapping, dropping music videos, and doing interviews. Once I developed confidence in my voice, that became less of a challenge and remembering although my music will not be for everyone, as long as my fans and myself are happy, that is all that matters.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am currently working on becoming a high school English teacher and I coach Freshman Boy’s basketball for Lodi High School. Literature and books have always been a passion of mine and I look forward to teaching concepts and dissecting books with my future students. This love for literature helps fuel my music. I rap and specialize in songwriting both in English and Spanish. All of my songs, verses and choruses included have been written by me. With my consistent hard work, I can only hope to collaborate with some of my favorite artists someday, such as J. Cole, The Weeknd, Kendrick Lamar, and Spanish artists such as Wisin Y Yandel and Bad Bunny. I also hope to inspire the youth around me to follow their dreams and to simply believe in themselves.
How do you think about happiness?
Teaching, coaching and making music are all things that make me happy. But I am happiest when all of my loved ones are happy.
Contact Info:
- Email: jlozuna94@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lizandro_594/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Lizandro594
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/lizandro_594?lang=en
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEQCv-8wLhOEJBDlqiEKpsg
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/lizandro_594
Image Credits
Phillip “Zain” Dias Jr., @still.motion.cinematics
