Musician on a mission to share faith through hip-hop
San Antonio rapper provides a community hub for local up-and-coming artists
SAN ANTONIO — Delivering the word is Jarrell Flowers’ calling.
Known by his first name, the artist conveys his message through spoken word and thought-provoking hip hop songs such as “In God We Trust,” a duet with artist Eric “Hilgy” Hilgers.
Recently, he joined Hilgers, 32, to record the track at the home studio of producer Jacob Muñiz, 26.
Illuminated by a bright light, Flowers reeled off rapid-fire verses into a silver mic that cast shadows on a gray foam soundproofed panel. He rapped the lyrics atop the loping beat that flowed into his headphones. Looking on from posters on the wall were blues guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughan and country artist Johnny Cash striking a defiant pose.
Flowers, 39, ended the song with, “Man will plan with his pocketbook and his haughty look / he builds his house on the sand not knowing it’s getting shook.”
Muñiz pushed playback on his computer. Hilgers, his head lowered, nodded to the beat. Flowers leaned toward the speakers, into the music.
The song is one of several tracks featured on an upcoming collaborative EP titled “In God We Trust.” In early summer, Flowers will release an album titled “RISE,” inspired by The RISE Movement, a nonprofit he created with his wife, Janeil. The venture is their contribution to artists, including photographers, videographers and musicians in the San Antonio community.
“Everybody is important and our city’s art scene is super important,” Flowers said. “Our goal is to make the local art scene a destination. We want to help people move beyond it being a hobby. We want to be that support system.”
Born at Hahn Air Base, Germany, he was 2 when his family moved to San Antonio. Both his parents were in the Air Force and were stationed at Kelly AFB.
When his parents left the military, they began a full-time ministry and moved the family to the West Side.
Flowers had an ear for music and began creating music on an old keyboard. He became intrigued with the rhythms of hip hop, a universe away from the hymns he heard in church on Sundays. He started expressing his feelings through writing, marrying gospel teachings with drum loops. The music evolved when he shed the sermons and found his own voice.
“My focus went from conversions to conversations,” Flowers said. “I found out music was a conversation.”
Then came the crash. Literally. He was 17, driving his mother’s car when it stalled in the middle of an intersection. Another vehicle broadsided his, slamming his head on the steering wheel. The car was totaled, but Flowers walked away with only bruises.
“It was a light bulb moment for me to ask serious questions,” he said. “I feel like it was a miracle that woke me up to what was going on in life.”
He re-evaluated his relationship with God and focused his energy into his music.
His first concert was in summer 2000 when he was invited to rap at the White Rabbit. Not wanting to be alone on stage he brought four friends, who rapped, with him and became the first group he created called The Resurrected Soldiers.
In late 2001, the members went their separate ways and Flowers went solo. That next year, he met his wife-to-be at Bible school. Janeil proved a big help when he went on tours across the nation.
Flowers was in and out of record deals with two labels before he decided to go independent. In 2009 he started the Freedom Music Group to help other artists on the production side.
In 2018, Flowers and his wife created the RISE Movement to build relationships with local artists and provide opportunities and platforms to showcase their talents.
Flowers said next month RISE will host a community event with the Lynd Co. and the San Antonio Police Department to strengthen the relationship between the community and law enforcement.
RISE board member and producer Jonathan Payne, 36, called Flowers a connector who knows everyone. He said he wouldn’t have met a lot of collaborators if not for the musician.
“It’s so important because he’s approaching it from a place of community,” Payne, said. “I don’t think many people are meant to pursue their creative goals alone and on an island. That’s why it’s resonated with so many people.”