2J Harmonix: king of his throne on wheels
This rapper's thought provoking lyrics captivates the crowd
POLOKWANE – Jonathon Groenewald, AKA 2J Harmonix, made a decision a long time ago not to allow anything to keep him from pursuing a rap career; not even being bound to a wheelchair.
He was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy (MD), a group of muscle diseases that results in the increasing weakening and breakdown of skeletal muscles over time. The disorders differ in which muscles are primarily affected, the degree of weakness, how fast they worsen, and when symptoms begin.
2J Harmonix (33) was diagnosed with MD at the age of two but this wheelchair-bound rapper moved up the lyrical food chain with his thought provoking lyricism, clever wordplay, hard-hitting metaphors and brow raising statements.
Born in Pretoria, 2J Harmonix is not only a rapper, he is a motivational speaker and proud Casual Day ambassador. He released his debut album, Motivational, in 2015 and he is currently working on a new album, Throne on Wheels.
“Diagnosed with MD at the age of two, I was faced with the greatest hurdle I would ever have to overcome. Being an introvert without friends, I began to jot down my emotions in the form of aggressively charged rap lyrics and poetry in order to let go of my negative views on life. My outlet became my passion, which eventually caused me to break out of my shell and publicly express myself at poetry sessions and corner ciphers. Now my music bares a more positive message, highlighting the bittersweet nature of a disabled artist and the human instinct to overcome adversity. I am unstoppable. If the sky is the limit, the sun better give me space,” he told BONUS.
He said when doctors first diagnosed him with MD, the doctors told his parents he was unlikely to live past the age of four, and if he did, he would not be able to attend a regular school and be unable to live a normal life.
“My condition worsened in high school and I couldn’t push myself anymore, thus I couldn’t pass matric. I developed an interest in music at the age of 13 and decided to turn my hobby into a career. My depression negatively affected my music but I worked hard to overcome it and now people recognise me more by my smile than by my wheelchair. One of the biggest challenges I have come across in the entertainment industry is that not all the venues where I am booked to perform are wheelchair friendly which makes it difficult to get on and off of the stage,” he explained.
For 2J Harmonix, music is his life and being an ambassador for Casual Day gives him the opportunity to motivate others to not lose sight of their dreams despite whatever obstacles they might have to overcome or whatever disabilities they have.
“I grew up among many children, though I was the only one in a wheelchair. I didn’t understand why people were sometimes weird when they approached me until I met someone in a wheelchair and I didn’t know how to react myself. The knowledge I’ve gained since being an ambassador has greatly enriched me. We are all individuals with our own strengths and weaknesses, this is one of the most important life lessons I’ve learned. It helps me to be more open about my condition and to understand others who have to face their own kinds of obstacles,” he said.
