JJ’88
JJ’88 is a singer, rapper, and songwriter raised in North Long Beach, and shaped by the streets, the church, and 18 years of incarceration he began as a child. His passion for music ignited in prison, where freestyle sessions became a lifeline.
Topics
About JJ’88
JJ’88 is a singer, rapper, and songwriter raised in North Long Beach, and shaped by the streets, the church, and 18 years of incarceration he began as a child. His passion for music ignited in prison, where freestyle sessions became a lifeline. Encouraged by peers and mentors like Tray Deee of Tha Eastsidaz, he sharpened his craft, using music as a path to redemption and healing.
Released from his life sentence in 2022, JJ'88 is sharing his story with the world. His journey is at the heart of Songs From The Hole, an Emmy-nominated Netflix Original documentary visual album, he began in prison based on music he wrote in solitary confinement. The film premiered at SXSW, winning the Visions Audience Award and earning praise from Variety as “a deeply affecting experience.”
Now free, JJ’88 sees music as both testimony and tool. “In prison, all we have is our voice. Now I just want the chance to share mine.” Represented by artist-owned co-op, Question Culture, ‘88’s film is available on Netflix and the EP is available everywhere you stream and purchase music.
JJ’88 turned to music to maintain hope after being sentenced to 40 years to life plus life when he was 15 years old. In prison he worked to heal and transform himself, and supported others to do the same. His story garnered global attention after being featured in This is Life with Lisa Ling. In 2015, JJ’88 became an organizer and facilitator with the Success Stories Program, the feminist program for incarcerated men chronicled in the CNN documentary, “The Feminist on Cell Block Y.” From 2015-2019, he was a lead organizer in Soledad Prison with the organization, Initiate Justice, helping lead efforts to pass Proposition 57 and Bill AB965 in California.
In 2015 he met his creative partner and producer, Richie Reseda, who had recently started a label, Question Culture, inside of Soledad Prison. Within eight months they produced and recorded an album together (still unreleased). Since then ‘88 has fought for freedom, made music, and built Question Culture into an independent, worker-owned media company alongside his collaborators.
JJ ’88 is now free and living his dreams making bluesy hip-hop and R&B that reaches for grace, love, and accountability.
