GOOD TIMES AHEAD

There is an emerging rap superstar that’s about to put K-Town in the spotlight. Carlie Wacker meets an artist with a heart as big as his talent. Say hello to Jye Napier.

Igrew up listening to TLC, Snoop and Salt’n’Pepa - hip hop remains my favourite genre so when I discovered a local artist living the rhyming dream, I had to find out more.

Jye Napier grew up on the Sunshine Coast and when you listen to his music, you’ll hear a frequent reference to his hometown.

“I’ve lived on the Sunshine Coast my whole life in Kawana or ‘K-town’,” he says. “Growing up in Kawana I’ve been blessed with living near the beach and being able to surf whenever I please gives me a great deal of respect for Mother Nature.

“My dad moved to Kawana about 30 years ago and taught me from a young age the values of living by the ocean and to embrace the costal lifestyle that we are gifted with.”

There is something so special about Jye. He displays a true appreciation for life and is using his gift as a performing artist to spread positivity and empower his fans and community.

“I aim to mention terms such as the law of attraction, karma and power of positivity in my music as I believe they are critical factors to your mental conscience and awareness,” he shares. “This is the key to being happy and achieving your goals.”

So just how did this kid from K-town achieve his goal of becoming a rapper?

“I have been musical my whole life,” he says. “From playing drums as a kid in the school rock band to just jamming out in my room on my acoustic.

“My love and fascination for hip hop started when I was about 14-years-old and I noticed that rap was so much more than quickly spoken sentences that rhymed but it was another form of expression.

“Something about the way an artist can tell a story and place feelings and emotion into their music is one thing that has always intrigued me.”

This is precisely what makes his music stand out in a music genre often fueled by angst. Jye Napier brings a softer side to rap that highlights his connection to people and the planet – it celebrates life.

Confirming his contagious positivity, he said his journey so far had been “awesome and I’ve learnt a lot about myself and my music”.

It all fell into place for him when a family friend named Tucky (Jacob Tuck) started a clothing and music label called Quazar Records.

“I went to catch up with Tucky one day to buy one of his jumpers and he asked me if I knew anyone who was making music,” Jye said. “I happily told him that I had been writing hip hop and was keen to make music legitimately.”

From there, a studio session with Dave at The Vault Studio in Kawana was booked.

“I felt like this was already a dream come true being able to do all this in my backyard,” he said. “In the last two years I have written and recorded demos and drafts for more than songs which I would love to release sooner but sometimes I just need to be patient.

“Once I finish a song, I start thinking of another, but I am very particular with my lyrics and what I write about.”

As Jye prepares for the good times ahead he wants to encourage young Sunshine Coast people to follow their dreams.

“I would say to anyone who is aspiring to be a musician or a rapper the same thing I got told - ‘if it makes you happy and that’s what you want to do, then do it’. But it’s important to stay true to yourself and what you write about,” he said. “Not only does that develop respect and appreciation for what you do from yourself and those around you but also eliminates major criticism. Be honest and stay true to who you are. You’ve got more to lose by not giving it a go.”

This local rapper is taking his heart and talent to the world and representing K-town all the way!

“I aim to bring an old school, soulfunk twist to the modern age of hip hop also giving my home the recognition it deserves,” he says. “I want to get myself to a position where I can give back to my family and the ones who have always stuck by me because what goes around comes around.”

And if my gut instinct is right – Jye Napier will come and go around the world belting out K-Town rhymes in slick style and sharing the power of positive rap. Peace out!