NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — Hearing a kid sing along with their favorite song is not out of the ordinary... until you realize it's their voice on the track.
11-year-old Jairus Smith says he loves the rap music vibe, but not always the verbiage.
"I was pretty much just listening to music, and then all I heard was cursing and stuff," says Jairus. "So, I wanted to make something kinda different."
That's how "Young King Jai" came to be.
"I told my dad I wanted to rap," he says. "And then, we recorded my very, very first song which was 'Drip Got Splash'... it's pretty much, like, just about my swag and drip."
Since then, he's already dropped three albums, and they've been getting attention, not just because of his age, but his lyrics.
"I made it drug-free, positive, clean, lit music for all kids," Jairus says.
He recorded the song "No Bully Zone" and then started a school tour of the same name, performing for kids and encouraging them to make the grad, steer clear of drugs, and put an end to bullying.
"I wanna make sure people are safe," Jairus says. "I wanna make sure that kids can be kids. I wanna make sure that kids can be comfortable with their self."
The word "young" may be in his artist name, but two of Jairus' siblings are younger, and he knows they're listening to his music, too.
"I hope [my younger brothers] get... inspiration, and I want them to follow their dreams and be successful."
Young King Jai's newest album called "Six Six Zero Eight," which is his birthday. He says it is now available to download most popular music streaming services.