Josh Atkins, a 16-year-old Christian rap artist, will be featured Friday at a music festival in Buffalo. As a young artist, music helped Atkins overcome mental health struggles. Submitted photo
By Timothy Frudd
tfrudd@post-journal.com
Josh Atkins is just entering his senior year at Cattaraugus-Little Valley Central School, though he is already making a name for himself in the music world.
As a 16-year-old Christian rap artist, Atkins has performed more than 70 shows, recorded two music videos and plans to release his first official album this fall.
The album Atkins is currently working on is called Reflections.
“It’s basically a reflection on myself,” Said Atkins. “We all have our own barriers in life that we struggle with and that’s why we’re all different.”
As a Christian rapper, Atkins called the name Jk.A. What his stage name means “Answer Jesus Knocks.”
Atkins said his name on stage was originally formed using the initials of his name, Joshua Karl Atkins. However, after one of his first performances, his step-grandfather said his stage name should stand up “Answer Jesus Knocks.” Atkins decided to make it the name of his performance based on Revelation 3:20.
“That was just the theme, that I centered the music around,” he said. “Every song just follows that message that he’s knocking on the door.”
Atkins performs Friday at the Reaching the Unreached festival in Buffalo. He recently put together an unofficial album of his best songs to sell at the festival before the release of his first official album in the fall.
As an artist, Atkins hopes to inspire people to reach their dreams and be the best.
“Another goal in music,” he said, “is to let people see how great God is and let them see just what he has done in my life and what he can do in their life.”
Music is very personal to Atkins because of its impact on his life.
“At some point, I think I can say that music saved my life,” Said Atkins. “I struggled with mental health and music became my way from there.”
Atkins said his best songs were written during times when he was really struggling with his mental health.
“To sum it all up, a lot of my music is just about mental emotion,” he said. “A lot of my songs are about my mental health and my journey with God.”
Starting rap at age 6 or 7 and releasing his first unofficial album in fourth grade, Atkins said he quickly became one of the most popular kids in his elementary school and even signed up for America’s Got Talent . Despite gaining popularity at a young age, Atkins said it was actually fake.
While Atkins received early support for his music, he said his popularity began to decline significantly as he got older.
“It’s a realization in my life for me,” he said.
Atkins ’musical transformation came when he started sharing live freestyle videos on the popular TikTok app and gained an audience.
“My career, my life, everything has changed drastically since I got TikTok,” Said Atkins. “I know in reality that God pushed me to do this because I will definitely get to where I am today.”
Another big help to Atkins ’music career came with his talent show at school. Despite his doubts about people listening to his music, audiences began singing his lyrics, singing his name, and forcing an encore performance.
“I think once I make it, honestly, I’m going to look back at when I did the talent show and when I started TikTok, because those were two huge moments that things changed. My perspective has changed, “ he said.
Following these two milestones in his music career, Atkins has seen his fan base grow dramatically. His music is now available on Spotify and Apple Music, where he continues to gain support for his music.
As a 16 -year -old, fame was an internal battle for Atkins. Being in the public eye forced him to grow faster because he started at a young age.
As his popularity increases, he often wonders how true this is or if people are just trying to use him for his fame.
“I really realize I don’t care what people think,” he said.
Whether people love or hate his music, Atkins wants to focus on making music because of his love for God and his desire to advance his musical career.
“The main message is Jesus knocks at the door of your heart and you are the one to answer,” he said.
