Today we’d like to introduce you to Jeremiah Josiah.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Jeremiah. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I was born and raised on the east side of Chicago, IL in a neighborhood called the Jeffery Manor. My childhood molded me into the man I am today. I started writing poetry/raps at the age of nine as an escape to get away from the villainous things I witnessed on a daily basis. I’m the youngest of four so my family and siblings always tried to protect me from seeing certain aspects of our environment, but as I grew older it was pretty much inevitable. I started losing friends due to gun violence and the criminal justice system at a very young age. I was no stranger to dealing with adversity and tribulations. Writing about what I went through everyday was my escape from reality. When I first started writing poems/raps I never told anyone around me because I didn’t know how people would receive it. I always felt like I had gift from GOD, but I didn’t fully comprehend why I was going through what seemed like hell. I figured I’d end up being another statistic so I just kept a lot of my material to myself.
Around the age of 20, I began to share my thoughts with more people. I started applying to be in poetry and rap contests. I didn’t know how powerful words truly can be until I got a standing ovation at one of my earliest shows. People would literally come up to me and tell me how thought-provoking my material is. I started recording music shortly after my first couple shows. I was motivated to tell my story by any means necessary. Writing is my first love and I’m grateful for the opportunity to express my most vulnerable thoughts in a therapeutic way. I became more and more comfortable sharing my story to the world. I once thought of my past as a burden, but it was actually a blessing in disguise. I’m thankful for the lessons I’ve learned during my childhood. I wouldn’t be able to share my story if I never went through anything. I’m currently a father of a five years old son named King Josiah and I’m blessed to be able to guide him through this life the right way. I take pride in teaching him things that I was never fully taught. I’m beyond proud of my son!
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My journey always felt like it was a movie waiting to be seen. Life wasn’t a smooth road for me whatsoever. My mother always made sure my siblings and I were well taken care of, but working two jobs created a lot of space for us to venture out into our neighborhood. She did the absolute best that she could and I owe her the world for all of the countless sacrifices my mother made everyday. My father left us and never returned. I was only 9 when he disappeared without a trace. That particular situation is still very difficult to deal with up until this day. The streets of Chicago became somewhat of a father figure to me in my father’s absence. I started hanging with mostly gang members, but I looked at them as close friends. We all grew up together so I seen them in a different light. My best friend Brian Puckett was murdered at the age of 19 a block away from my house. I was two years younger than him. He always looked out for me no matter what. We knew each other our entire life. That changed my perspective on life forever. I never lost someone so close to me and it still saddens me to speak about it. He was one of my many friends that was subjected to gun violence in my neighborhood. I could’ve easily been dead or in jail. I will always keep their names and stories alive because I wouldn’t be the man I am today if it wasn’t for those type of struggles.
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I’m a writer, poet, rapper, film-writer, and producer. I specialize in storytelling and verbalizing my thoughts. I’m known for creating a visual outlook of the things I’ve been through in my life. I’m most proud of having my music played on 107.5 WGCI, being featured in a Chicago newspaper, and releasing 3 EP’s titled The Book of Jeremiah, Chapter Two, and Verse Three. I’m also most proud of helping others get through tough times in their life by listening to my music or reading my poetry. My passion for speaking the truth is what sets me apart from others. I believe that I have the responsibility to speak about real life situations. I enjoy showing people a glimpse of my mind while I’m telling a true story.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
My favorite childhood memory is visiting Atlanta with my family every summer. I always felt so free when I left for those trips because I was tired of being surrounded by violence all the time. It made me realize that the world was bigger than my neighborhood. My mother currently lives in Atlanta and it’s very nostalgic every time I visit. It brings me to a happy place inside. Another one of my favorite childhood memories is the time I made my mother cry after she read one of my poems on Mother’s Day. We were going through a rough time and I couldn’t afford a real gift so I decided to just write a poem from the heart. She read it with uncontrollable tears in her eyes and I’ll never forget how tight she hugged me afterwards. I felt like I made her forget about our problems even if it was just for a minute. That feeling is still indescribable until this day.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://soundcloud.com/josiahk-1/sets/verse-three
- Phone: 773-412-8410
- Instagram: @kingjeremiahjosiah
Image Credit:
Soul Sessions Chi (@soulsessionschi), 24/7 Hip Hop (@247hh), Martrae Godard (_traemoe), Erika D. Coldman (@seewhateye.c)
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