(WXYZ) — A young recording artist is giving back to the community and sending a positive message through his music.
Like most rappers, Jason O'Banner, known as KidJay, expresses his own personal journey, struggles and ambition through his music. He creates music specifically for kids with his hometown of Ypsilanti in mind.
"You can do big things even if you come from a little city," he said.
One thing you won't hear in his songs is profanity.
"My music is for everybody," he said. "It doesn't have to be as explicit as everyone else's."
He says it's a way for him to reach yong people in a way their parents approve of.
"I'm really hoping that he keeps his rap clean, because I really think there is a market," said Lois Allen Richardson, mayor pro-tem of Ypsilanti. "There's a group of people out there that want to hear clean rap."
KidJay already has one album out and a growing following on social media. He's opened for artists like T.I., Twista and Jermaine Dupri. He's also performed at venues in Detroit, Atlanta and New York.
He visits local schools to perform for free and to give back. He and his family are passionate about spreading awareness for autism. They work closely with an organization out of Detroit.
It's KidJay's dream to help create a high school designed specifically for students with autism.
He says no matter how far his music takes him, he will always call Ypsilanti home.
“There’s probably no deal you could put on the table that wouldn’t make me come back and show love to my city or do anything for my community,” he said.
