Soldier Profile: Spc. James Hill

Courtesy Photo | Spc. James Hill, of Company A, 96th Aviation Support Battalion, reads a verse from his rhyme book. Although he enjoys freestyling when recording his music, he often puts his rhymes on paper. Hill recently recorded his first hip hop mix tape, while deployed in Afghanistan.  

BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AFGHANISTAN

09.10.2008

Courtesy Story

101st Combat Aviation Brigade

By the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade Public Affairs Office

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - Deployments can often be strange. While Soldiers work long hours, there is still usually enough spare time for people to take college classes and delve into their hobbies which range from playing video games, to building furniture.

As a supply specialist with Company A, 96th Aviation Support Battalion, Spc. James Hill knows how busy deployment days can be. He decided to make the most of his free time by pursuing his dream and creating his first hip-hop mix tape.

"I started rhyming in 2003 when I was in the 10th grade," Hill said about the beginning of his rap career. "I had a cousin who was always rapping and he wanted me to try, but I was always nervous because I was young. I finally tried it; the first time I started writing and recording, my stuff sounded like I was just reading my rhymes, it didn't really have much character. At the time, people would tell me that it sounded good, but listening to it and compared to what I am doing now, the old stuff sounds like trash. I'm on another level with it, my rhymes have a lot of character now. I take my time and make the plot like a movie."

Hill, who is from Alexandria, La., names hip hop icons Tupac Shakur, L.L. Cool J, KRS-One, Big Daddy Kane and Easy-E as some of his classic influences. Some new artists who have inspired him are; Mike Jones, Lil' Wayne and Slim Thug.

"Starting out, I was rapping about cars, clothes, shoes and things like that," Hill said. Now that I have broadened my horizons, I'm talking about issues with my family, real life situations that I have seen and been through."

Being a Soldier deployed to a combat zone is also a topic that found its way into many of Hill's songs.

"Some of the things I am going through wouldn't be happening if I wasn't here in Afghanistan," Hill said. "I just take those experiences into perspective and write about them."

Using his laptop, commercially available recording software, headphones, a professional quality microphone and the help of some partners in rhyme, Hill was able to record and produce the 16 song album titled, 'G Music 2008,' all from the comforts of his room in the B-HUT.

"I rapped with Spc. Christopher Jones, Spc. Dexter Horn, Spc. Mario Allen and Sgt. Albert Fullman [all with 96th ASB] on a couple of the tracks. Everyone is from different parts of the country and brought a different vibe to the tracks. I like that because it doesn't sound like the same old thing."

Hill has completed three songs for his next disc which is titled, '700 Degrees'. It is scheduled for release in May 2009. In all, he says that being able to create his music is a positive way to express himself.

"It feels good knowing that I can use my time wisely and do something positive. It keeps me out of trouble, so I just stay to myself and do it."

'G Music 2008' has received some glowing reviews from Hill's peers. He hopes that one day, he'll be able to pursue a career in music, and encourages others to develop their talents.

"Most of the younger people I work with have heard the record, and I've been getting a lot of positive feedback. I think I'm talented and so are a lot of other people I know. I think that if you have a talent, no matter what your job is, you should pursue it because you never know who will be looking or listening."

• Date Taken: 09.10.2008
• Date Posted: 09.10.2008 08:19
• Story ID: 23449
• Location: BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AF