Diversity and creativity are key when developing a strong discography. Luckily for this young artist, he has already attained these two components. Boston-based rapper Aristotle Jones began producing music at 14 years old. He found his strength early on as an unapologetically experimental artist and has continued dropping crisp bangers ever since. Willing to step outside of the box through strong lyricism and flows, Jones creates a distinct sound but cohesive energy. Expect sonic landscapes filled with high-energy beats, jazzy horns, and sanguine vocals distinguishing Jones as an intriguing rapper to keep an eye on. 

We met Aristotle Jones to learn about his experiences as a musician. Get to know him below:

Hey Aristotle, thanks so much for taking the time to let us get to know you a little better! Let’s start off with some of the basics.

I’m 19 years old and I’m from the North Shore of Massachusetts, currently residing in South Boston. I’m unsigned currently but attending Berklee College of Music. Outside of music I enjoy creative writing, longboarding, photography and watching good movies. I’ve also played the piano since I was 7 and produced since I was 14. 

How would you describe your music?

Hip-hop that speaks to you and keeps you on your toes. I put a ton of thought into every line, simile and metaphor in order to try to make my lyricism and flow at the forefront of my artistry. My goal is for all of my songs to sound unique and never to develop a formula. I really don’t conform to any specific genre within hip-hop; I make boom-bap, trap, alternative hip-hop, R&B and even some rap-rock with my band. 

Your song “Like A Dream” has Japanese characters on its cover – what’s the meaning behind that?

Short answer I typed “Like a Dream” into Google Translate and I thought it looked cool so I stuck it on the cover. Long answer myself and the producer Shmeak have always been anime fans since we were little kids and the aspirational and optimistic attitudes of many of the main characters of those shows align perfectly with the message of Like a Dream. But mostly because it looks cool. 

How and why did you get started with music?

I really got started in music when I was 7 after I started taking piano lessons. I played until I was 12 then stopped because I was an oppositional little rebel. I got into the kind of music I make when I rediscovered making music my sophomore year of high school. I took a class called “Digital Recording and Music Production” where they pretty much just gave me a copy of Ableton and were like “go for it.” So I self-taught myself Ableton and over the course of the next year and a half mastered the program. I started writing and recording raps junior year and I haven’t stopped since. 

Who or what are your biggest musical influences?

My rapping is definitely influenced by artists such as Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, Saba, Mac Miller, and Joey Bada$$. Production-wise people like J Dilla, 9th Wonder, Black Milk, and Tom Misch inspire me with how they bend and twist existing music into an entirely different work of art. 

Who would be your dream to collaborate with?

If I could ever work with Pharrell I would absolutely lose my mind. 

As an artist, what are some of your major goals in the next five years?

I want to start touring consistently once the pandemic ends. In the next five years hopefully I’ll be playing festivals, have released several albums, and hopefully will have a wide-reaching dedicated national fan base. Aside from that, I want to produce way more stuff for other artists and hopefully build a reputation as a go-to producer.

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⁣ //𝐜𝐨𝐩𝐬 𝐥𝐨𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐠𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐤 𝐬𝐢𝐱𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐧𝐬 //⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ //𝐬𝐚𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐤𝐢𝐝 𝐈 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐬𝐢𝐱𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐧 //⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ //𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐠𝐨𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐦𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐭 𝐮𝐩 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐢𝐠 𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧 //⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ //𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐢𝐧’𝐭 𝐚𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐭’𝐬 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭 𝐦𝐞//⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ I try to be conscious in my lyrics and songwriting as often as possible but In todays climate I truly understand the importance and need for protest through artistic expression. I wrote this after attending the BLM march in Boston a few days ago and watching the BPD brutally beat and arrest dozens of people before my very eyes. Music is how I express myself and my emotions and how relate to the world around me. These lyrics were inspired by my anger and frustration. I will always use my platform to continue fighting for just causes such as this. #blacklivesmatter #acab #ftp

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Any near-future plans? Songs dropping or other things to look out for?

I have over 20 songs recorded and ready to release including an entire studio album which I’m announcing soon. I also have about 45 others in various stages of production so there will definitely be a ton of new music in the near future. I’m also trying to shoot some dope music videos in the foreseeable future. 

Do you have a favorite bar from any of your songs? 

“Volatile like Oppenheimer but I rock designer / at a loss to find a / foe worthy of the fire that I often light up / man I swear they get sick when they catch the sight of” – Dynamitr

What are you listening to right now?

Palmolive – Freddie Gibbs & Madlib

Make sure to listen to more of Aristotle below and follow his social media to keep up to date on his releases!