At first glance, Lil Jaxe may look like your average teenager, but Lil Jaxe isn’t your average teenager.
Plagued by a speech disability, Lil Jaxe realized three years ago he had the miraculous ability to rap without the hindrance of his significant stutter.
While chatting with Lil Jaxe, we realized his speech disability was something he struggled with daily, but as soon as we asked him to spit a few bars, his stutter miraculously disappeared.
Switching gears faster than a world class cyclist, Lil Jaxe instantly began rapping:
“I rep that C-A-N-A-D-A/When we play them, that’s replay/ I’m all up on your TV/ The one these girlies lovin’/ Like a beehive I be buzzin’/ I gotta fake ID/ What’s it called, McLovin/ You jokin’/ You bluffin’/ You go and push my button/ I’m younger than them all, call me Benjamin Button…”
Not only did the 13-year-old rapper impress us, but he’s also impressed fellow Canadian rapper Drake, as well as Busta Rhymes, Tyga and Waka Flocka.
Lil Jaxe is currently working on his forthcoming project, due out in 2013.
Check out GlobalGrind’s exclusive interview with Lil Jaxe below!
Let’s talk about your speech disability, and how you have the amazing ability blessing to rap despite having a significant stutter.
Yeah. I was born with a stutter all of my life, and three years ago I learned how to rap. Ever since then, I’ve been rapping.
How did you overcome your speech disability, and how do you get through that day-to-day?
It’s hard because it’s hard to communicate with people, but rap is my way to express myself.
When was the first you realized that you could rap?
It was three years ago at summer camp.
What was the first rhyme you spit when you started rapping?
I really don’t remember. (Laughs)
Who are some of your favorite artists that you’re listening to right now?
I have Drake. I have Captain Hook and I have Karl Wolf.
Speaking of Drake, you actually got the chance to spit a few bars for Drake backstage at a Tyga concert, how was that?
It was amazing.
What are some of your favorite moments performing for people and hitting the studio?
My favorite moment performing was at the Air Canada center in Toronto – 20,000 people.
What advice would you give other kids who have speech disabilities?
Never give up on your dreams, and don’t let one small thing like a speech disability stand in the way of your dream or becoming who you are.
Have you ever had to deal with bullying at school?
Yeah. I’ve been bullied by kids and teachers.
Teachers? Wow. So how did you get through that?
Yeah, but I use it as my motivation. All the haters can say, “Hey, you have a stutter!” I don’t care. I’m living my dream right now.
You’re going to get the last laugh, trust me!
Yeah!
Who is your musical inspiration?
Stevie Wonder, because we both have disabilities and overcame them musically.
What’s your favorite thing to do besides making music?
I like to draw.
So you’re artsy too.
Yeah.
Are you working on a new mixtape or an album?
We’re doing my demo right now.
Out of all the rappers that’ve you’ve met – I know you’ve rapped for Drake. You’ve met Waka Flocka. You’ve rapped for Tyga – Who’s been your favorite?
I would say, Busta Rhymes.
How was meeting Busta?
When I met him it was at a very special place sooo…It was at Chris Lighty’s office.
What’s one thing that you can’t live without?
One thing that I can’t live without? My amazing family and team.
What’s one thing that most people don’t know about you?
I like to take pictures and videos.
If I sent you to a deserted island, and you could only bring three albums with you, what three albums would you bring?
I would bring Drake’s Take Care, MGK’s Lace Up, and Finally Free by Karl Wolf.
Do you have any celebrity crushes or any girls that you think are cute?
Right now, I think Rihanna is kind of cute.
If you could collaborate with any artist, who would you want to collaborate with?
I would say, Stevie Wonder!
Do you have any new singles coming out, or when are you releasing your demo?
Not sure yet…but it will be out in 2013.
For more information on Lil Jaxe, check him out on Twitter @liljaxe and get to know him a little better on liljaxe.com
