By: Keith Miller
The Baltimore artist is moving forward with new music, an expanding brand and a renewed mission to use his voice to address the world around him.
For Baltimore artist Big Jon Harris, returning to music was never simply about releasing songs. It was about returning to a passion that had been with him since adolescence, and proving that stepping away from a dream does not mean the dream has disappeared.
Born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, Jonathan “Big Jon” Harris discovered hip-hop during middle school, drawing early inspiration from artists including Tupac Shakur, The Notorious B.I.G., Eminem, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Snoop Dogg, Lauryn Hill, Ludacris, will.i.am and 50 Cent. By 16, Harris had begun writing his own lyrics and experimenting with instrumentals associated with some of the era’s biggest artists.
Those early songs eventually moved beyond his notebook. Harris performed for classmates and church audiences, experiences that helped him recognize that his interests extended beyond writing into rapping, singing, and live performance. His musical foundation also included singing in his church choir from childhood, occasionally taking the lead during performances.
But his path to becoming an artist was not linear.
From Broadcasting Back to Music
Harris temporarily placed songwriting aside while pursuing higher education, eventually studying media production at Towson University and graduating in 2019 with a 3.5 GPA. He entered broadcasting that same year, initially believing it would become his long-term career.
After approximately five years, however, Harris found himself reconsidering the direction of his life. By the summer of 2024, he had returned to songwriting and began developing what would become his debut EP, “HERE I COME.”
Released January 1, 2025, the six-song project featured “Rise Again,” “Sponsor,” “Spirits,” “Powers,” “No More” and “Don’t Judge Me,” with Harris writing each track. Much of the project was produced and recorded at SongBuilder Studios in Baltimore, while “Powers” was recorded at Lounge Studios in New York City.
The title proved fitting. Harris viewed the project as more than a musical release, and it marked his formal return.
Throughout 2025, he began performing at open mics across Baltimore, appearing on podcasts, securing published features, and participating in an internet radio interview. He continued building his catalog with “Level Up,” recorded at Lounge Studios in New York City, followed by additional releases including “Don’t Mess With the Flock,” “Persona” and “The Flames.”
For Harris, however, the motivation behind his career extends well beyond recognition.
His mother died from pancreatic cancer in 2021, and Harris has spoken openly about wanting his work to honor her memory. That purpose became even more personal following the death of his grandmother at age 89. After her funeral, Harris made a commitment to continue pursuing the goals he had set for himself and to make both women proud.
That commitment continues to fuel his work.
Big Jon’s Next Music Has Something to Say
Now Harris is entering another stage of his development, with new recordings, professional opportunities, and creative concepts already underway.
Among his current projects is “LEO,” which he is working on at SongBuilder Studios in Baltimore. He is also in pre-production on “Can’t Replace Us,” a record inspired by an increasingly prominent conversation: the use of artificial intelligence in the workplace and its potential to displace human workers.
For Harris, the subject provides an opportunity to use hip-hop as commentary rather than simply entertainment.
“I’m currently working on my next single, ‘LEO,’ at SongBuilder Studios in Baltimore, while also in pre-production for another record called ‘Can’t Replace Us.’ That song speaks directly to what we’re seeing with jobs replacing employees with AI. I’m calling attention to the human talent, creativity, and value that technology simply can’t replace. I also have a new photoshoot coming up in October, and I’m looking forward to working with an agency that my publicist, Desirae L. Benson, connected me with as I continue building and expanding my career,” said Harris.
The subject matter behind “Can’t Replace Us” also reflects Harris’s broader philosophy about music. He has consistently emphasized lyricism, storytelling, flow and creativity, and he wants his catalog to represent ideas and experiences rather than chasing trends solely for commercial gain.
Expanding Big Jon Beyond the Music
The next phase is not limited to recording.
Harris is preparing for an October photoshoot as he continues developing his visual identity and plans to work with an agency connection facilitated by his publicist, Desirae L. Benson.
He is also expanding the Big Jon brand through the launch of his new official merchandise shop, giving supporters another way to connect with his growing movement beyond streaming and performances.
His ambitions remain substantial. Harris has expressed a desire to eventually tour nationally and collaborate across genres with artists whose work he admires, envisioning music that can bring together hip-hop, pop, R&B, and alternative influences.
For an artist who once placed music on hold to pursue another professional path, the current chapter represents something different: commitment.
Big Jon Harris is no longer wondering whether music belongs in his future. He is actively building that future, one recording session, performance, connection, and opportunity at a time.
His journey so far suggests one thing clearly. Big Jon intends to keep going.
Explore Big Jon Harris
Publicist Contact: Desirae L. Benson | Official website: BigJonMusic.com | New merchandise shop.
