Json (rapper)

This article is about the U.S. Christian hip hop singer. For other people, see J Son (disambiguation).

Json
Birth nameJason Christopher Watson
Born (1981-06-22) June 22, 1981 (age 43)
St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
OriginIowa City, Iowa, U.S.
GenresChristian hip hop
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter
InstrumentVocals
Years active1993–present
LabelsLamp Mode

Jason Christopher Watson (born June 22, 1981), who goes by the stage name Json, is an American Christian hip hop musician. He was a member of Christian hip hop collective, 116 Clique.

Early life

Json was born Jason Christopher Watson, in St. Louis, Missouri on June 22, 1981.[1][2][3] When he was three years old his father died. His mother Barbara moved the family to Los Angeles, California, where she became a crack-cocaine addict and was arrested, separating herself from her son because she was forced to move back to St. Louis.[3] Json would soon follow her back to the Midwest city, became a drug abuser, and was incarcerated.[3]

Personal life

Json married his longtime girlfriend Lawanda Nicole "Nikki" Watson (née, Childress),[4] after they both stopped abusing drugs, and converted to Christianity.[3] They reside with their children in Iowa City, Iowa.[5] They are the co-directors of The Spot Outreach Ministry of Parkview Church.[5]

Music career

Json was a member in the Christian hip hop collective 116 Clique. He released The Seasoning in 2005, Life on Life in 2008, City Lights in 2010, Growing Pains in 2012, and Braille in 2013. The last three of those albums charted on various Billboard charts.[6] The rapper planned to release his sixth studio album, No Filter, on March 10, 2015, through Lamp Mode Recordings.[7]

Discography

Studio albums

List of studio albums, with selected chart positions
Title Album details Peak chart positions[6]
US
Chr 		US
Gos 		US
Rap
The Seasoning — — —
Life on Life — — —
City Lights 46 11 —
Growing Pains 16 11 20
Braille 11 5 23
No Filter[8] 17 — 24
Foreign, Vol. 1 39 — —

References

  1. ^ Broadcast Music, Inc. "Watson Jason Christopher". Broadcast Music, Inc. Archived from the original on February 10, 2015. Retrieved February 10, 2015.
  2. ^ Json116 official twitter account (May 29, 2013). "fact my new album entitled "Braille" drops June 18th. 4 days before my birthday". Twitter. Retrieved February 10, 2015. {{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  3. ^ a b c d Hobbs, Dianna (January 2015). "The Whole Story". EEW Magazine. Retrieved February 10, 2015.
  4. ^ Cummings, Tony (July 14, 2013). "Json: The St Louis-born rapper wanting to connect on a deeper level". Cross Rhythms. Retrieved February 10, 2015.
  5. ^ a b ReverbNation. "Json Music, Lyrics, Songs and Videos: Bio". ReverbNation. Retrieved February 10, 2015.
  6. ^ a b AllMusic. "Json Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved February 10, 2015. {{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  7. ^ Daniels, David (February 4, 2015). "Json 'No Filter' Album Cover, Tracklisting & Concert Series Revealed". Rapzilla.com. Chad Horton and Philip Rood. Retrieved February 11, 2015.
  8. ^ "Pre-Order Json's 'No Filter' Album on iTunes". Lamp Mode Recordings. February 4, 2015. Archived from the original on February 12, 2015. Retrieved February 12, 2015.