Jon Connor

Jon Connor is a rapper, songwriter and producer from Flint, Michigan. He is born Jon Kevin Freeman Jr. and grows up on Flint’s North Side, where his father, Jon Freeman Sr., is an accomplished musician who later becomes a Christian minister and an early musical influence. He is raised by his mother, Mahaley Freeman, in a neighbourhood off Dayton Avenue.

Early development and independent release work

Connor begins making beats and writing songs at the age of 10. By 14, he founds the independent label Avie Squad Records, later associated with All Varsity Entertainment, with Jason Monk. They use money earned from odd jobs in the neighbourhood to build a studio in his mother’s basement. While still at school, he sells mixtapes from his backpack and from the trunk of his mother’s car, with help from his older sister. By 18, he has established a reputation in the Flint music scene.

Projects and recording work

He composes a full score for the independent basketball documentary film Flint Star The Motion Picture, drawing on material written when he is 15 and earlier. He also makes his first independent music video in the same period. In 2005, he works with the southern beat-making duo E. Rude and Kevin “K.Wills” Williams on The Calling Pt. 1 The Prequel, an underground release that becomes his introduction to a wider audience and brings him national attention through coverage in outlets including VH1, Rap Capital, Planet Urban and Urbanology magazine.

Style and reputation

Connor produces more than half of the material on his debut album and is known as both a lyricist and producer. He describes his production style as reflecting human emotion, and his musical influences include Prince, Hall & Oates, Michael Jackson, Carole King, Beats by the Pound and Seal. He aims to work across genres as a producer, not only in hip-hop. His work is also described in commentary as combining strong flow, distinctive beats, solid production and realistic content, and he is referred to as the “people’s rapper” and as the self-styled “Terminator” of his music career.

Business roles

Alongside his recording work, Connor is Co-CEO of All Varsity Entertainment and is associated with Avie Squad Records. His career begins as an independent artist and moves toward broader commercial recognition from that base in Flint.