Originally from San Jose, California, JI Beats spent his early years being raised by his grandparents, growing up without his parents in the household. His childhood was relatively calm on the surface, but school never quite clicked. He often found himself getting expelled for joking around and not taking things seriously. Outside the classroom, though, he was finding his identity. As he got older, he connected with new friends, picked up skateboarding, and naturally gravitated toward the underground scene that would later shape his music.
Music had been part of his life since the beginning. At just seven years old, his grandmother enrolled him in piano classes, planting the first real seed. Around the same time, his dad—when present—introduced him to raw, foundational hip-hop, playing artists like Wu-Tang Clan and Mobb Deep. That influence stuck. With an old Yamaha keyboard that had a loop feature, JI Beats began experimenting on his own, teaching himself how to build beats from scratch.
As his taste developed, he leaned deeper into underground sounds. Artists like Xavier Wulf, Yung Simmie, and other less mainstream voices helped shape his ear. He wasn’t drawn to radio hits or industry trends—he preferred music that felt different, even if it wasn’t immediately accessible. That mindset carried into his own sound.
Today, JI Beats describes his style as simple, raw, and honest—blending West Coast energy with a Detroit edge. His music isn’t about overcomplicating things. It’s built on straightforward production and punchlines that land without trying too hard.
In 2020, he relocated to Santa Maria, California, where he continues to create. Most of his music is recorded in his home studio, a setup he’s invested thousands into over the years. While he occasionally records at Room 33, one of the few public studios in the area, he prefers the control and comfort of working from home, where he can fine-tune every detail of his sound.
Before the music fully took over, his days were often spent skating with friends, hopping fences to find new spots to chill. One memory stands out—a session at an abandoned warehouse that nearly ended in disaster when a friend lit a tree branch on fire, almost burning the entire place down. Moments like that reflect the reckless freedom of his younger years, a contrast to the focus he carries now.
On March 27th, JI Beats released a 17-track album titled “Tell Me What You Don’t See,” now available on all streaming platforms. He followed it up with a visual for “Knock At The Door,” giving listeners a deeper look into his world. While the album marks a major step, he’s far from slowing down. With a vault full of unreleased music, he’s currently working on a new EP under 16Thmgmt, with several tracks already complete.
As his journey continues, JI Beats remains grounded in the people who’ve supported him along the way. He credits his business partner Yung Deco, his close friends, and most importantly, his girl and his son for keeping him motivated and pushing him to go harder every day.
From a kid experimenting on a keyboard to an artist carving out his own lane, JI Beats is building something real—on his own terms.
