Meet Juan “Sleep-E-J” Valdespino | Rap Artist, Beat maker & podcaster

We had the good fortune of connecting with Juan “Sleep-E-J” Valdespino and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Juan “Sleep-E-J”, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I can give many reasons for my love of music. I love how it ties to feelings, emotions and memories. Sometimes I think it was inevitable because I heard my grandpa (on my mom’s sides)use to play in a band with friends or my Dad played guitar. I never heard or seen either do so but felt maybe it was something that connected me to them. But I grew up in the 90’s I seen family struggle and hiphop seemed to help many people with similar hardships change their life with their stories and self expression. So naturally I felt like I could do the same.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Most of my music is inspired by real life. Whether I’m telling my story or someone else’s. I make music to express myself so if it’s fun feel good or silly it was my mood that day. If it’s dark and angry that’s how I felt that day you know? Music is apart of entertainment but it also need to connect and relate to an audience. So I try to make music that someone like me wants to hear or relate to. It can be love, heart ache and break or it can be hustle boisterous.

I always want to be my most authentic self. I never want to be a character I’m not and I try to show who I am through my music.

Of course I’ve had my challenges. Life is hard. What sets me apart from most is my resilience. It’s Not that I don’t get my feelings hurt or don’t want to quit but the fact that I keep going, keep getting back up. I started this journey to inspire people like me they can change their life despite where they started from. People in my neighborhood have low self esteem and accept their circumstances. I always wanted to be the outlier who showed them they can change their life if they break the cycle or don’t accept defeat. I overcome my challenges by daring to be different, daring to do what is uncomfortable and willingness to be judged by people but still doing it anyway.

I’ve learned we are never as important as we think we are but never not as unimportant as we think we are. It’s like this our world is often sculpted by the people in our lives friends family. And we worry what they think so when chasing an artistic or entertainment type of dream we worry about who will judge and make fun of or won’t support it. Our inner circles don’t care that much about us. They have their own worries and concerns. Yes of course they want us to succeed and be well but they aren’t watching every moment of our lives. But opposite of that there are people who depend on us they look forward to something we bring to the table no matter how small or big what we contribute matters to someone. So don’t give up someone out there needs you and depends on you. Also we all serve a purpose like brands of close or food some are name brand some are off brand both at successful for different reasons but all serve purpose in the grand scheme of things.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I like taking people to the flea market here called traders village because it’s bigger that most of them have seen. It’s got rides food and pretty much anything you can need or want from tools, car parts, clothes and pretty much anything shy of real fire arm. Then my favorite street Taco place is a place called El Paisanos. I would also take them to both whataburger and in and out to let them decide on the great debate which is better haha. Anything else would depend on they things they like as far as museums or other attractions

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I always want to shout out my Mom, she never discouraged my dreams although she doesn’t understand my love of why I do music but still is a big part of my support system. Shout out to my family for my diverse taste in music though mom’s love of buddy holly, Elvis, Motown classic, my uncles love of 70’s-80’s rock, my both my brother who listened to it all in the 90’s my sisters for listening to pop boy bands in the 00’s. Shout out to all of them helping me have a diverse music pallet and appreciation of different music. Shout out to my wife for encouraging to try new things and to want more. Shout out to my friend and brother Frost Money for keeping me inspired and encouraging me not to quit when I’ve wanted to stop. Thank you to everyone who’ supported in any sort of way. Especially whoever bought my first mixtape or album. Thank you to everyone venue and promoter who booked me and let me perform. Again Thank you to everyone who give me real love and support how ever it shows (likes, comments, shares, subscribers, streams, plays whatever). Thanks to the doubters and haters too yall motivate me to get better and keep going.

Website: https://getpinpoint.io/sleepej

Instagram: https://Instagram.com/sleep_e_j

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juan-valdespino-735b83130?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app

Twitter: https://Twitter.com/sleep_e_j

Soundcloud: https://m.soundcloud.com/sleepej

Facebook: https://Facebook.com/sleepej

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@iamsleepej

Other: https://airbit.com/jvaldespino