Rising Crown Heights rapper J.I. the Prince of N.Y. is the latest artist to join Spotify’s RADAR program. As part of the initiative to give emerging acts a boost, Spotify will also be releasing a mini-documentary on J.I.
“I’m excited to be presented with this global opportunity,” J.I. the Prince of N.Y. said in a statement. “With all of Spotify’s support, it’s just adding fuel to our jet pack!”
The 18-year-old rapper, with roots in Puerto Rico, first received co-signs from Jermaine Dupri and Queen Latifah in 2016, as one of the standout contestants on season 2 of The Rap Game. From that first bit of exposure, J.I. the Prince of N.Y., born Justin Rivera, kept releasing music independently, including last year’s Gold-certified hit “Need Me.”
J.I. the Prince of N.Y. made headlines last November when he signed with Interscope Records and G*STARR Entertainment. He extended his music’s reach with such a career move. Drake was recently bumping J.I.’s “Used To” on Instagram live, and the Prince of N.Y. later met Cardi B. Not only is J.I. becoming a force in the rap market, but he’s tapping into the Latin music scene. Last week he dropped the music video for “Spanglish” with Puerto Rican artist Myke Towers.
J.I.’s new EP Welcome to G Starr Vol. 1 will be released on Friday, July 17. Another recent success in Spotify’s RADAR program includes Mexican-American singer Alaina Castillo, who was the streaming giant’s inaugural artist for the initiative back in March.