J.R. is one of St. Louis’s hottest up-and-coming rappers. With the 25-year-old’s most recent single, “I’m Just Sayin’” starting to gain steam on the airwaves, and him recently coming off tour with Trey Songz and Chris Brown, his plan of being the next big thing to come out of St. Louis may just be coming to fruition. XXL caught up with J.R. to learn more about who he is.Marvin Jules

Name: J.R.

Age: 25

Hometown: St. Louis, Mo.

I grew up listening to: I grew up on a lot of St. Louis music, you know. I grew up on Nelly, the St. Lunatics. I also listened to NWA, Pac and Big, but mainly St. Louis music.

Most people don’t know I: I like working on cars. I paint cars.

My style’s been compared to: Nobody for real, know what I’m saying? You don’t get a lot of comparisons in music nowadays anyway because music feeds off itself. I just keep my own lane.

My standout records and/or moments to date: Well right now, we’ve really been pushing one record. We’re putting all of our effort in one record and that’s “I'm Just Sayin,” the original and the remix with Nelly and Tiffany Foxx. Along with that being a big record that was also a big moment for me, doing a record with Nelly and Tiffany. And also getting an experience of the road life with Trey Songz and Chris Brown on their tour. That was a big moment as well.

My goal in hip-hop is: I’m tryna get that check. Tryna do something else. I'm tryna be my own boss.

I’m gonna be the next: I’m the next thing up.

Check out more of J.R.’s music on his SoundCloud and follow him on Twitter and Instagram: @_officialjr

Standout: “I'm Just Sayin”

“I'm Just Sayin” (Remix) Featuring Nelly and Tiffany Foxx

"Nasty" featuring Trey Songz

No Filter On The Way mixtape

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