Celebrity Hip-Hop’s Next Up:

Jerard Rice, better known by his stage name Rice, is a rising force in the hip-hop industry from New England. At 29, Rice’s journey through music is a testament to resilience, creativity, and the power of self-expression. His story is one of overcoming adversity and channeling personal pain into a source of empowerment and inspiration for others.

Early Beginnings and Inspirations

Rice’s foray into music began as a coping mechanism during a tumultuous period in his life. After the death of his great-grandmother and subsequent separation from his family, he found solace in writing. It was his foster brother who encouraged him to write as a means of escape. This advice planted the seed that would later grow into a passionate career. His early days in a college poetry club solidified his belief in his writing abilities, but it was the studio sessions with his brother M-ezy that truly ignited his desire to make music. Inspired by legends like 50 Cent, Jay-Z, and Lil Wayne, Rice admired not only their musical talents but their business acumen and creative diversity.

Creative Process and Musical Style

Rice’s creative process is deeply intuitive and beat-driven. “The beat has to speak to me,” he says, describing how he often creates melodies that his producer then crafts into beats. His music is a reflection of his life experiences, touching on serious and controversial topics while maintaining a catchy and relatable sound. Despite his successes, Rice remains humble about his beginnings, recalling the first rhyme he wrote with a mix of humor and gratitude for his progress since then.

Work Ethic and Challenges

For Rice, making music is more than a hobby—it’s a commitment. Whether he’s happy, sad, or depressed, he shows up for himself and his craft, treating it with the same seriousness as any other job. His dedication is evident in his upcoming project, “Love Shouldn’t Cost A Thing,” which he considers his best work to date, created during a period of depression.

Managing productivity, scheduling, marketing, and networking are ongoing challenges for Rice. He emphasizes the importance of building a reliable team, although finding individuals with the right work ethic and growth mindset can be difficult. His approach to overcoming these challenges includes using tools like a planner and setting schedules and tentative deadlines to stay on track.

Lessons and Legacy

One of the best pieces of advice Rice received was that there are no shortcuts in the music industry and the importance of networking. He believes in treating his music career as a business, understanding that he and his brand are one and the same. His biggest challenge remains time and finding the right people to work with, but he approaches these obstacles with a resilient and optimistic mindset.

Rice’s spirituality, combined with the wisdom passed down from his great-grandmother, forms the backbone of his personal mantra: to stay strong regardless of the situation. His music, described as empowering, inspiring, and educational, aims to address common emotions and social issues, offering listeners a sense of connection and hope.

Achievements and Future Aspirations

One of the most meaningful compliments Rice has received came from a parent at the Doug Flutie for Autism festival. They told him that his song “Starz” was the first time their child interacted with music. Moments like these underscore the intrinsic reward Rice feels when his music touches lives.

Looking back, Rice has no regrets. He believes that the challenges and disappointments he faced were necessary for his growth and resilience. His career highlights include performing at significant events like the Flutie 5K race and collaborating on the “Stars on the Spectrum” album with other autistic artists.

Current Projects and Vision

Rice is currently preparing for the Stars on Spectrum Festival and the WOA UK summer tour, aiming to market his upcoming project “Love Shouldn’t Cost A Thing.” His favorite song to perform is a new track from this project, titled “C’est La Vie,” which encapsulates his straightforward, unapologetic attitude.

Reflections on Hip-Hop and Industry Goals

Rice views the state of hip-hop as a call for unity and collaboration. He believes that music, as a universal language, has the power to connect people and drive positive change. If he could change anything about the industry, it would be to foster more collaboration among independent artists.

His influences are many, from 50 Cent to Kendrick Lamar, but Rice’s ultimate goal is to be remembered as someone who helped others, both within the music industry and beyond. He aims to bring awareness to various social issues and be a positive role model for future generations.

Final Thoughts

As Rice continues to navigate his career, he remains committed to creating music that matters. His upcoming projects are highly anticipated, as he strives to innovate and inspire with every note and lyric. Rice’s journey is far from over, and his impact on the music industry and his community is only just beginning.

Today, we had the opportunity to interview the rising star, Rice.

What is your legal name and age?

Jerard Rice 29

What is your stage name and how did you come up with it?

My stage name was J Rice and then Rice because my name represents the how I am as a person

Where are you from?

New England

Where are you now?

Same

Why did you first start making music?

Writing to escape after my great-grandmother died and I was separated from my family. My foster brother said write to escape and that’s how it started.

Poetry club my first year of college and just the attentiveness and silence of the audience , solidified that I can write , however writing music that’s catchy , relates to the worlds experiences and hope , came with time .

Music wasn’t my first passion but writing to escape situations when I was younger has contributed to the impact I want to make for myself and others who may not have a voice .

I was initially going to manage my brother M-ezy and when I watched him in the studio it spoke to my soul and his next session , I told him I wanted to get in the booth .

Who would you say inspired you the most, as an artist? 

We have to give tribute to the people who paved the way and continue to give insight and knowledge into the business side of the industry . I was inspired by artist like 50 cent , Jay-Z , Lil Wayne not just their talent but it’s their business and diversity and creativity.

Talk me through your creative process.

The beat has to speak to me , and I sometimes create a melody and go to the studio and my engineer/producer will make the beat . I also love when producers listen to my catalogue and send different styles of beats . My music is based on my own experiences , and whether the topic is serious or controversial it has to be catchy

Do you remember the first rhyme you wrote?

Yes , and we are going to forget it , because I remember my brother and I actually out loud and proud about the song and all I can say is I’m glad I continue to work on my craft .

Where and how do you work best?

I have to always work whether I’m depressed , happy or sad , it’s not just a hobby so just as I would go to work even if all the circumstances didn’t align , I show up for myself so whether it’s ideal or not I have to show up.

Have you heard the theory that some musicians write their best music while they’re depressed or going through a bad time?

My project Love Shouldn’t Cost A Thing which will be releasing this year contributes to the that these songs are the best songs I’ve written thus far and it was during a bad time and depression .

What tools do you find indispensable for accomplishing?

A planner , setting schedules and tentative deadlines.

How do you solve [common problem – productivity, scheduling, marketing, networking, reducing overwhelm?

I’m still working on solving these problems by building a team , however it’s challenging because as a team individual growth is paramount to the success of the team.

What’s the best advice you ever received?

There are no shortcuts , and network , remember we are a business , we are our brand , so treat it as such .

What is still your biggest challenge?

Time and right people are still my biggest challenges . Having the right people who are growing , is challenging. People with a good work ethic can be challenging .

Are you religious? If yes, what is your religion?

I’m spiritual

What were your grades like at school?

I was on the honor Roll , received the John & Abigail Adams Scholarship as well as other scholarships for college . Graduated from Nichols College with Bachelors in General Business in 2019 and entered my Masters year in 2019 and told a hiatus to build my business in 2021.

Do you have a mantra?

I hold on to the words of people like my great grandmother who told me no matter what the situation I have to be strong and that’s in life .

How would you describe the music that you typically create?

Empowering , inspiring , and educational yet relates to common emotions , along with social issues which may impact one’s views on how they navigate obstacles .

What’s the best compliment you’ve ever received about your music?

Last year when I performed at the Doug Flutie for Autism festival , a parent and their child complimented my song Starz and said that was the first time their child interacted with music . If my music touches or impacts one life it’s such an intrinsically rewarding feeling .

What would you have done differently if you knew then what you know now?

We can’t live with what if , because we miss the lesson or the growth because of not knowing and although there were a lot of challenges and disappointments it builds you and makes you stronger and more resilient which is what you need in this industry .

What’s your latest release?

Blog It is my latest single release however this year 15 of us autistic artist collaborated on a project Stars on the Spectrum album with the Spectrum of Sounds choir and Trauma is included on the album and a remastered version will also be on my Love Shouldnt Cost A Thing project .

Subscribe to my website because I’m on Volume 14 Compilation Album released by WOA with my song Petty Love dropping 7/12th and Oliver Sean’s blues project including Blues Stars is dropping 8/30th

Who do people say you sound like?

Eminem , Kendrick Lamar , 50 cent ? Jay-Z

Who would you most like to collaborate with?

I don’t want to collaborate until it’s an in the studio together collaboration, and if I keep putting in the work . There are some things you internally work and breathe into the universe .

If you could go open a show for any artist who would it be?

I’m not sure how this is going to sound but as I’ve said in interviews there are so many independent underrated artist who make dope

Music and can draw a crowd , so for me it’s less about being on a card with a big artist , and hope the audience remembers your name but about us working as a team and curating those big shows . It’s the team that I’m working with and people I’m meeting along the way .

What’s your best advice for handling criticism?

Criticism is an opportunity to improve and learn . I’m open to constructive criticism because I’m open to growth . It’s our art tour baby so of course we are going to be sensitive but we have to also be open to criticism in order to grow

What is the most trouble you’ve ever gotten into?

The trouble I ve gotten into is because, I stand up for myself , and while I’m respectful I expect the same and I’m going to always question something if it doesn’t make sense . In school , however I went to a high school & college that I chose and because of the demographic make up , I knew that I would either have to to be silent and get by or stand up for myself and I always choose the latter and it used to get me in trouble more because of my emotional immaturity however I can say what I mean and mean what I say and it’s controversial but I’m not getting in trouble because I have a voice .

Since I was young as a Black man I was told that one mistake can alter my whole life and limit my choices and I take that shit seriously .

What surprising lessons have you learned along the way?

We are not defined by our obstacles and hard work and consistency wins every time .

What are you focusing your time on now (e.g., recording a new record, touring the Midwest, writing, etc.)?

Preparing for the Stars on Spectrum Festival and the events prior because last year , I missed out on networking and really getting to know people . 8/3rd at Veterans Stadium in Quincy Ma.

I’m also preparing for WOA UK summer tour so that I’m able to market my project Love Shouldn’t Cost A Thing which is a Five song project 8/16th -8/20

What is your favorite song to perform?

A new song off my Love shouldn’t Cost A Thing project “C’est La Vie “ “ I cannot Fuck with you “is the chorus and sometimes the only five words you can leave someone with is “I cannot Fuck with You “

How do you currently feel about the state of Hip-hop in general?

We just gotta work together , music is a universal language meant to connect so we gotta do better . We have to all do our part.

If you could change anything about the industry, what would it be?

I honestly don’t feel like I’ve been doing this long enough . The industry has to continue to evolve .

Who influenced you most through out your career?

There are many people who have influenced me , helping to develop me as an artist , performances and it takes a team . S/o and to everyone whom I’ve worked with since my first release to present .

If you could only listen to 3 albums for the rest of your life, what would they be?

One would definitely be Kendrick Lamar’s new song repeat “They not like Us” , Juice WRLD music on repeat

What do you want your legacy to be? How do you want to be remembered?

There is a song off my project it’s called Starvin and I want to be remembered as someone who helped other people and not just in the music industry but brought awareness to different issues that impact communities which impacts the world . I want to continue to be a positive role model for our future leaders  and I want  to be A part of building positive relationships. Biggie said it best “We can’t change the world until we change ourselves “

From  Love Shouldn’t Cost A Thing track “Starvin “Good die young or locked behind a cage , never live my legacy die a young age , tryna touch a milli jumping on stage  Funny people really think you got it made. what you know about sacrifices a Nigga Made?”

For more updates on Rice’s journey and to dive into his music, stay tuned to our blog and follow him on all major streaming platforms.