After Luke's day with KJ-52, we checked in with the Florida rapper to talk about the experience from his point of view. Not only did he have kind things to say about Luke's talent (as well as sharing a few more hip-hop secrets), but he delivered some solid counsel for anyone considering a career in rap in particular and music in general.
Breakaway: How would you describe your day with Luke Sizemore?
With Luke, I was acting more like a producer, getting him in there and trying to shape what he already had and trying to make it better. I wanted to focus on helping him learn some of the little things that I've learned that you don't know when you're just starting. Rappers by nature can be very obstinate, but Luke was just incredibly artful and peaceful and willing to receive what I had to say. That enabled us to knock out a whole song in like two hours. For a guy that's just starting off, that's unheard off. But the great thing about Luke is that he came to it completely prepared. He had a clear idea of what he wanted to do. He had the beat; he had the lyrics completely memorized. And when you're starting off, those things make a big difference.
Another thing he did that most people naturally do, especially rappers, is to try to tackle the entire verse in one breath. What happens when you do that is you start strong, but you run out of breath, so the delivery isn't good—and so much of hip-hop is about the delivery. So I would have him do four to six lines of his rap, and then I'd say, "Let's stop right here." Then I'd have him go back two bars and rap along with it again to keep the same energy, and then continue on and do another four lines or so. I wanted to show him that once you go in there and edit, it just sounds seamless—strong and fluid. These are just the little things you learn over time; you experiment a little, you know? I told him he was a natural.
What would you say to our readers who, like Luke, might want to break into a career in the music business? Which would you say is more important: Hard work or a big break?
You really can't expect success to happen overnight, because it won't happen. It takes years and years to perfect your craft. I think one of the biggest problems some aspiring musicians have is the attitude, “If I can just get signed, or win this contest, I'll have it made.” But the real truth of the matter is that for many of the most successful people in music—and many other areas of life, for that matter—it takes a long time. They've committed to it, and they just never give up. Occasionally people can become overnight celebrities. But nine times out of 10, it's just doing it. So the only way you're going to get better is by doing it, by working hard. I would make it a goal to write 30 songs in six months, or something like that. Something that is realistic. You're not going to get better as a lyricist unless you're writing songs. You're not going to get better as a performer unless you're performing.
What role do you think a Christian musician's relationship with God plays in this process?
Just as important as perfecting talent or ability is perfecting your walk with God. The deeper you go with Christ, the deeper will be the things that come out of your mouth. I also think it's important just to be patient and have fun with it. Don't look at a record deal as your end-all achievement. Look at serving God and doing whatever He wants you to do as your definition of success. If you aim for that goal, you'll always win.
How do you keep coming up with catchy hooks and good songs? What practical things do you do to cultivate your creativity?
Being creative is not something you can just turn off and on like a switch. It comes and goes based on inspiration. But you can work on it and get better at it. For me, one of the best things I do is carry around a little tape recorder and a pad of paper, to be prepared when I have an inspiration. And when I get an idea for a song, I write it down immediately. If I have a rhyme in my head, I record it.
Any final thoughts for our readers?
Listen: Just be yourself. If you're from the suburbs and you're white, rap about what a suburban white kid wants to rap about. Don't try to act like you're from the 'hood if you are not from the 'hood. You can tell if some kid is from the suburbs. He's trying to be hardcore, and he's just not. Be you. Being yourself will get you further in the music business—and in life—than trying to be somebody else.
Those are wise words from one of the pioneers of Christian hip-hop. And the more we've thought about KJ's comments about making it in the music business, the more we've realized that his excellent counsel applies equally well to just about anything else you're pursuing with all your heart: Look for a mentor. Be patient. Work hard, and aim for excellence and creativity. Be yourself. And no matter what, remember that you're serving a God who is with you. He's guiding and shaping your heart, life and calling every step of the way. 
