Texas rapper & podcaster J’Moris on the ups and downs of life, Southern rap, and his latest single ‘Cut Off’

*CUT & EDITED TRANSCRIPTION*

Ed: So I’m here with J’MORIS, a Texas rapper who’s making waves in the music scene. We’ve just been talking about his podcast, which involves other rappers and musicians. What’s that called, J’MORIS?

J’MORIS: Yeah, man, shout out to Life Outside of Lyrics! Big shoutout to D. Hewitt, 254 Assassin, and Ticc. That’s the crew.

Ed: That’s a great name! So let’s dive into your background. You grew up in Hillsboro, Texas, right?

J’MORIS: Yeah, that’s right. Hillsboro, Texas, 254. It’s about 40 miles south of Dallas and 30 miles north of Waco. That’s home for me.

Ed: How did growing up in Hillsboro shape your music?

J’MORIS: Well, I was born in Fort Worth and moved to Hillsboro when I was about seven. Hillsboro’s smaller than Fort Worth, but it still has that raw, real-life vibe. You see everything—drugs, prostitution, struggles—you name it. Growing up in that kind of environment, you learn to navigate through obstacles, and that’s the kind of material I draw from for my music. It’s life, the hard knocks, and the lessons.

Ed: How did you first get into rapping?

J’MORIS: Man, I remember it clearly. My brother, shoutout to Crunch, came home with this brand-new boom box and a cassette tape. He handed me a mic, pressed record, and told me to rap. I was like, “What do I even say?” But once I started, that was it. That moment created a monster.

Ed: How old were you?

J’MORIS: I was around 10 to 12 years old, somewhere in that range.

Ed: Was your brother a rapper, too?

J’MORIS: He could rap for sure, but he was more of a facilitator. He brought the right people and opportunities together. Shoutout to Crunch and my little brother JMcK—they’re both artists. Crunch inspired me to be better, and yeah, he was a big influence.

Ed: Aside from your brother, who were your other major influences?

J’MORIS: I’m a student of music. My biggest influences? Biggie Smalls, Andre 3000, and Texas legend Devin the Dude out of Houston. Those three shaped a lot of my approach to music.

Ed: What usually inspires you to create music?

J’MORIS: Life, man. It’s like poetry. I actually started out writing poems as a kid. Every song I make is a reflection of my experiences and emotions. If you deep-dive into my music, you’ll really get to know me—it’s all authentic.

Ed: For someone who’s never heard your music, how would you describe it?

J’MORIS: That’s tough. I’d say it’s a little bit of everything—goofy yet surreal, charismatic yet enticing, loving yet loveless. It’s all the contradictions of life wrapped into one.

Ed: Speaking of life, who would you say is the biggest rapper in Texas right now?

J’MORIS: Right now, Big X Tha Plug out of Dallas is making waves. Shoutout to him! He’s got a big buzz going on.

Ed: Does religion play a role in your music?

J’MORIS: Yeah, you’ll hear references to God in my music. I’ve got tracks that touch on those themes because my music is like a testimony—it reflects everything I’ve been through and overcome.

Ed: Let’s talk about your song “Steak and Eggs.” What’s the meaning behind it?

J’MORIS: Steak and Eggs is about growing up in the South, those family reunions, and the soul food that brings everyone together. It’s a nostalgic trip down memory lane—Grandma’s cooking, Grandpa arguing about church, fish fries, all that. It’s good eating and good for the soul.

Ed: What about your album Country Misfit: Bottom of the Top? What’s the meaning behind the title?

J’MORIS: It’s a reflection of where I come from. Hillsboro is a mix of city and country—we’re not as big as Dallas or Waco, but we’re not tiny, either. I’m from the country, but I stand out. I don’t fit in with the norms, and that’s okay.

Ed: What’s the biggest challenge you faced while working on that album?

J’MORIS: Hearing it back, man. Writing is my outlet—it’s like a diary—but listening to it? That’s tough. Country Misfit is very direct, no metaphors or double meanings, just raw honesty. Hearing my own stories, my struggles, and my emotions played back was challenging but also cathartic.

Ed: Your latest single Cut Off—what’s the story behind it?

J’MORIS: It’s about letting go of parasitic relationships. Life is about connections, but sometimes you have to cut people off if they’re only taking and not giving. It’s hard, but it’s necessary for growth and self-preservation.

Ed: Do you regret cutting anyone off?

J’MORIS: I miss some people, sure, but I don’t regret it. If I hadn’t cut them off, I wouldn’t be the person I am today.

Ed: Looking ahead, what can fans expect from you next?

J’MORIS: You’re the first to know—I’m dropping an album in February called Toxic Love Spell. Before that, I’ll release a new single either this month or next.

Ed: That’s exciting! Lastly, what are your goals for the future?

J’MORIS: Happiness, plain and simple. Life is too short to chase someone else’s idea of success. I want to enjoy the journey, keep making music, and be the best version of myself while having fun along the way.

Ed: That’s a great philosophy. Thanks so much for your time, J’MORIS. We’ll include links to your music below for everyone to check out!

J’MORIS: Thank you, Ed. Appreciate it! Shoutout to everyone supporting the music—y’all mean the world to me.

Go check out J’Moris’s music and his podcast Life Outside of Lyrics (below) to feel that Southern grit, and for an authentic look into his life’s ups and downs. His latest single Cut Off and previous album Country Misfit: Bottom of the Top are available now, with more exciting releases on the way!