Hip Hop Artist J. Han Releases "Tower Ivory" (Listen to His Single "Han Solo" Here)

By Timothy Yap May 01, 2015 07:59 PM EDT

J. Han will release his debut album, Tower Ivory, on May 25, 2015. The record consists of 13 tracks, featuring collaborations with labelmates Sam Ock and Gowe alongside NAK, Mickey Cho and John Givez.

James Han, also known as J. Han, was born and raised in Silver Spring, Maryland. As a child growing up in an immigrant household, with parents struggling to make a living as blue collar workers, James struggled to find his identity and purpose in this world. For most of his childhood, he desperately tried to discover it in his academic performance, but that pursuit ultimately failed him.

However things changed in middle school; that was the first time James was introduced to the culture of hip-hop. The instant camaraderie he experienced amongst fellow "hip-hop heads" was euphoric. The empowerment and confidence he received from listening to the music was captivating - he couldn't get enough of it. James even starting writing his own rhymes, but kept it all to himself and close friends.

Eventually, he began to idolize hip-hop, only to let it consume his thought life and pervert his worldview. "I wanted James Han to be defined by hip-hop," he recalls. In 9th grade, after his friend invited him out to a youth group service, James started attending church regularly. He decided to go since he was fairly familiar with church, thanks to sunday services he attended with his parents as a kid, and he saw it as a good thing to do. James was given a wake-up call in 2007 after having an encounter with the Holy Spirit, on his way to a friend's house. He was convicted of his idolatry and felt the weight of his sinfulness. God revealed to him that all the things his heart was yearning for (identity, purpose, belonging) was wonderfully found in Jesus Christ.

God changed his life that day, and he was never the same again In 2012, he graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park with a Bachelors in Communication. Freshman year was a pivotal year for James because that was when he met his fellow label-mates, Sam Ock and CL, and committed to serve God by making music that glorifies Him. He aspires to be faithful to his calling as a son and musician and encourage the generations after him to do greater things for the kingdom. James currently serves as a small group leader for New Covenant Fellowship Church, and resides in Germantown, MD.

Tower Ivory blends hip-hop with elements of gospel, jazz and blues. J. Han recognizes the album as "the realization of [his] musical identity, and his journey towards manhood." It reminds listeners that the expedition on life's journey is equally as important as the destination reached.

Watch Out
Villain (feat. Shela)
Tired
Miscalculated
Bones
Han Solo
Comrades (feat. NAK & Gowe)
Thank Me Later
Growing Pains
Chukkas (feat. Mickey Cho)
Shalom (feat. John Givez)
Kudos (feat. Sam Ock)
Belong

The album's lead single, "Han Solo," is available now.

Despite the LP being his debut studio full-length release, J. Han's musical journey has already come a considerable way - the rapper has previously released the Rejoice EP, Art of Starch mixtape and two full-length albums with Hip-Hop collective, AMP Movement.

Pre-order Tower Ivory on iTunes, Amazon, and Google Play.

Tags : j han j han j. han ivory tower j. han han solo j. han new album j. han news j. han new single j. han new song j. han 2015 j. han latest Christian hip-hop