At just 12 years old, JJ has already performed at Lollapalooza and Austin City Limits Music Festival, while a rap verse recorded with his father has reached more than 160 million views online. Alongside JQ of the Chicago-based Q Brothers, JJ is developing his musical identity through a family collaboration connecting hip-hop, theater, and different generations.

Recorded during ACL Fest 2026, this interview, conducted by TMN founder Pablo Herrera, explores JJ's experience performing at major festivals and the unexpected attention generated by his viral performance. JJ recalls being on vacation without access to screens when he learned that his video had gone viral, and how returning to school brought an entirely new level of recognition.

JQ explains how Q Brothers began when he and his brother combined hip-hop and theater, adapting Shakespeare's plays into musicals that eventually toured internationally and Off-Broadway. Years later, JJ began learning his father's lyrics simply by growing up around the music. What started as an invitation to perform together developed into a creative partnership in which JJ now writes his own material.

The conversation examines intergenerational collaboration and the idea that music for children and adults should not necessarily exist in separate categories. JQ explains why Q Brothers creates hip-hop for entire families, while Pablo connects their approach to TMN's model of collaboration between emerging creators and experienced professionals.

JJ talks about gaining confidence on stage, developing his independence as an artist, and his interest in acting. Father and son explain how their songwriting begins with conversations, wordplay, and curiosity, including the unexpected discovery of Rin Tin Tin, whose name became part of JJ's viral verse.

Their album Notice and Wonder builds on this philosophy of curiosity and exploration. JQ explains the importance of allowing JJ's musical interests to develop naturally, including his fascination with 1990s boom-bap, hip-hop history, and contemporary rap.

The interview also covers their musical influences, including J. Cole, Common, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, and Bill Withers. JJ offers advice to aspiring rappers before closing the conversation with an exclusive rap performance accompanied by JQ on beatbox.

Read the full interview with teh Q Brothers and JJ on our blog.

📍 Recorded at ACL Fest 2026

🎙️ Interview by Pablo Herrera

✍🏼 Edited by Pablo Herrera

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