All Stories Matter - Jazreal, Kalamazoo's spoken word powerhouse

Updated 13 days ago

Alex Cruz, aka Jazreal, is a wonderfully talented writer and performer. Self-taught, Alex studied the dictionary to create his rhymes. His story is moving and inspiring.

Chapters

Welcome to All Stories Matter (00:00:16)
Marvinetta Woodley Penn introduces her podcast 'All Stories Matter' aimed at inspiring listeners through stories of growth, resilience, and joy.

The host, Marvinetta Woodley Penn, welcomes listeners to 'All Stories Matter,' a podcast that explores personal stories of growth, resilience, and joy. The podcast aims to inspire listeners to take steps in their own personal journeys.
Introducing Jezreel Jael (00:00:35)
Marvinetta introduces her guest Jezreel Jael, a talented performer she met at a youth talent show where he impressed everyone with his stage presence.

Marvinetta introduces Jezreel Jael, a young man she met at the KSU Parks Youth Talent show. Jezreel impressed Marvinetta with his stage presence and performance skills, and she is excited to have him as a guest on the podcast.
Jezreel's Early Life and Adoption (00:03:45)
Jezreel shares his story of being adopted at a young age and his quest to learn more about his biological mother, who tragically passed away.

Jezreel talks about being adopted shortly after birth and his journey to find his biological mother, only to discover she had passed away. He shares the emotional impact this had on him and how it influenced his decision to use his birth name as his stage name.
Discovering His Adoption (00:06:10)
Jezreel recounts how he learned about his adoption from his nephew and the confusion and identity questions that followed.

Jezreel recalls how he found out he was adopted when his nephew mentioned it during an argument. This revelation led him to question his identity and prompted a desire to learn more about his biological parents.
School Challenges and Bullying (00:09:59)
Jezreel discusses the bullying he faced in school due to his adoption and race, and how it affected his self-perception.

Jezreel describes his experiences with bullying in school, particularly related to his adoption and being a minority in a predominantly white school. He talks about how these experiences shaped his understanding of race and identity.
Pursuing Music and Overcoming Obstacles (00:14:27)
Jezreel explains his passion for music and how he navigated school challenges to pursue his dream of being a rapper.

Jezreel shares his journey of balancing school with his passion for music. Despite facing challenges with teachers and coursework, he remained dedicated to his craft, finding solace and expression through rap and writing.
Finding His Musical Inspiration (00:25:39)
Jezreel recounts how hearing 'Six Foot Seven Foot' by Lil Wayne sparked his interest in rap and inspired him to study the genre deeply.

Jezreel describes the moment he became inspired to pursue rap music after hearing 'Six Foot Seven Foot' by Lil Wayne. This led him to study various artists and develop his own style, diverging from the mainstream mumble rap his peers listened to.
Performing and Building Confidence (00:29:30)
Jezreel discusses his early performances for friends and how he used dictionaries to expand his vocabulary and improve his rap skills.

Jezreel talks about how he started performing for friends at school and used dictionaries to learn new words, enhancing his rap skills. Despite initial criticism, he persevered and continued to refine his craft.
Connecting with the Community (00:32:50)
Jezreel emphasizes the importance of community support for artists and his efforts to connect with people in Kalamazoo.

Jezreel highlights the significance of community in supporting artists and shares his experiences engaging with the local community in Kalamazoo. He believes in building connections and learning from others to grow as an artist.
Dreams and Aspirations (00:35:35)
The speaker expresses their dreams of expanding their presence beyond Kalamazoo despite not having a driver's license yet.

The conversation begins with a discussion about dreams and aspirations. The speaker talks about staying in Kalamazoo while wanting to expand their name to other places, cities, and states. They mention feeling unprepared, as they haven't even taken their driver's test yet.
Overcoming Fear of Driving (00:36:08)
Encouragement is given to overcome the fear of driving at a young age to make it easier in the future.

The discussion turns to the topic of driving, specifically the challenge of parallel parking. The speaker is encouraged to face their fears and practice driving with their mom's car or friends. They are advised to take the opportunity to learn while young, as it becomes more difficult with age.
Performance and Storytelling (00:37:03)
The speaker is asked to perform and share the story behind a piece they performed at a talent show.

The host expresses a desire to hear a performance and learn the story behind it. The speaker introduces a piece they performed during a talent show, noting the challenge of rapping quickly. The host appreciates the clarity of the speaker's words, comparing it to other rappers who are hard to understand.
Rapping Clarity (00:38:07)
The speaker discusses the importance of clear annunciation in rap for better understanding by the audience.

The speaker reflects on the importance of annunciating words clearly during rap performances so that everyone, including older listeners, can understand the message. The host praises the speaker for their clarity compared to other popular rappers.
Paying Tribute Through Rap (00:39:13)
The speaker performs a rap paying tribute to community members and reflecting on personal experiences.

The speaker performs a rap that mentions various community members and pays tribute to a person who made a significant impact before passing away. The rap conveys themes of chasing dreams, dealing with pain, and making a positive impact on the community.
Creative Process and Inspirations (00:41:14)
The speaker discusses their creative process, inspirations, and the impact of community support.

The speaker shares insights into their creative process, including collaboration with friends and the influence of community figures. They emphasize the importance of community support and the inspiration they draw from others in their creative journey.
Performing and Audience Reactions (00:45:28)
The speaker describes varying audience reactions to their performances and the art form of rap.

The speaker discusses the different reactions they receive when performing, from hyped-up fans to those who don't understand hip hop. They explain that even when free versing without a specific topic, they see it as an art form and a test of their vocabulary.
Vocabulary and Lyrical Exercise (00:49:01)
The speaker explains how they use vocabulary exercises to strengthen their lyrical abilities.

The conversation delves into the speaker's approach to using a wide vocabulary in their rap lyrics. They describe it as a lyrical exercise and an opportunity to build their vocabulary, even if the lyrics don't follow a specific narrative.
Chicago Performance and Busking (00:54:44)
The speaker talks about an upcoming performance in Chicago and their experiences with busking.

The speaker shares their excitement about an upcoming open mic youth performance in Chicago. They mention staying with a friend and the experience of performing in a new environment. The conversation also touches on the concept of busking and the speaker's plans to engage in street performances.
Inspiring the Next Generation (01:00:43)
The speaker offers advice on staying true to oneself and moving forward despite challenges.

The speaker discusses how they want to inspire the next generation of creative artists. They emphasize the importance of finding the version of oneself that one wants to be and not letting others influence that vision. The message is about progress and resilience in the face of challenges.