Life & Work with Justin Cross

Today we’d like to introduce you to Justin Cross. 

Hi Justin, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My ‘rap name’ is Bronze Nazareth. I’m an international underground hip hop artist and producer who hails from Detroit, MI by way of Grand Rapids. I made my way east looking for a record deal and was picked up by RZA (of NYC Multi-Platinum Wu Tang Clan) as a Wu Tang producer in 2002. I was introduced to the world via my production work on RZA’s “Birth of a Prince” album. For years I continued making connections and building credits on the independent scene. In 2005, I helped introduce a younger generation to Wu Tang by contributing a bulk of the production on “Wu Tang Meets The Indie Culture” (selected by The Source Magazine as Independent Album of the Year (2005)). I then signed a record deal with Babygrande Records (NYC) in 2006 and released my first solo album “The Great Migration”. The album showcased received critical acclaim. 

Next, I formed a Michigan-based group, The Wisemen, who as a collective, released yet another critically acclaimed album, entitled “Wisemen Approaching” in 2007. In the whirlwind years that followed, Bronze Nazareth music fueled the sale of hundreds of thousands of units and left its own indelible imprint upon indie hip hop, and the Wu-Tang legacy. He has worked with the likes of The Wu Tang Clan, RZA, Raekwon, GZA, Masta Killa, Inspectah Deck, Royce 5’9, Canibus, Kxng Crooked, La The Darkman, Willie The Kid, Kool G Rap, Sean Price (RIP), Ras Kass, Chino XL, Roc Marciano, Planet Asia, Boldy James and many more of today’s most vibrant and relevant independent acts. 

2010 saw Bronze Nazareth production on Raekwon’s ‘Butter Knives’ (Shaolin Vs. Wu Tang), a vocal appearance on Wu Tang Clan’s ‘225 Rounds’ (Legendary Weapons), a compelling verse alongside Royce 5’9 & Sean Price on ‘Let’s Go’, and in late 2011, I released my sophomore album, “School for the Blindman” which was again heralded by fans and critics alike as a masterpiece. The album debuted #61 on the Billboard Hip Hop & R&B Top 200. 

2015’s critically acclaimed collaboration album with Canibus entitled “Time Flies, Life Dies, Phoenix Rise” debuted at #49 and Billboards top 100 rap albums, #30 (top 100 Hip Hop & R&B), and #135 (top 200 indie albums). 

In 2018 I landed a deal to do an official album with Ghostface Killah titled “The Ghost Files: The Bronze Tape” again hitting billboard at #64 (Rap top 100) and 89 (R&B/Hip Hop) in 2018. 

The year 2019 I joined with Kxng Crooked (Shady Records) for our album, Gravitas. 

In 2021 I release three projects. 

January, I joined London, UK star Leaf Dog (4 Owls) churning out the highly regarded “Bundle Raps”, Then April I produced a full project with Recognize Ali, Season of the Se7en. This was released via the highly respected Mello Music Group. 

Lastly, I was proud to have been included on many ‘album of the year’ lists for my album “Ekphrasis”. Mainly produced by New York’s Legendary Roc Marciano. This album has surpassed 4 million streams in less than 6 months. 

Legendary longevity, thankfully my star continues to rise. 

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
The music industry is rigid and highly competitive. Easily one of the more challenging industries to work in, and maintain. But it is not impossible. Once you fight and claw to make it in, now you gotta fight to make an impression. 

There’s a lot of negative, a lot of dream killers, goal blockers, snakes, thieves…and sometimes it seems like the universe itself won’t let it work. 

Gotta have that tough skin if you wanna call this your ‘career’. 

The KEY is to learn how to respond to each setback and to continue moving towards your goals. I’ve traveled to NY three times on the greyhound- (15-hour bus ride) from Detroit, only to have the meetings never take place. Gotta brush it off and keep moving. 

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a Record Producer and Label Owner/Operator. I’ve had over 14 record deals, releasing over 450 songs publicly. I specialize in Hip Hop, producing, and Emceeing. 

I’m most proud of making it to a well-respected status in Hip Hop, and doing music for a living, as a career. I’m proud of my following and my fans and how my music has spread into foreign lands and around the world. My music has touched people. 

I think my work my passion and drive for music sets me apart. It’s inside me. There’s an inner urge to document what I’ve seen and experienced poetically. The beat, the rhythm, the cadence – it’s in my blood. The FEEL of my music is what grabs you. 

Risk-taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I definitely believe in high risk / high reward. Maybe not in things like bungee jumping and skydiving lol, but in a creative space. If you do the same painting over and over people tire of it. Creatively you always wanna re-invent, or keep your songs in a certain quality level so it stays interesting, like new paintings. If you don’t take risks and play it safe, you stay under a certain ceiling. I feel like to get to extraordinary outcomes, you have to do extraordinary things… some might be risky. Take it. 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.bronzenazareth.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/bronzenazareth
• Twitter: twitter.com/bronzenazareth
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKQsKG_kMtsgTcASWOQ6tpw
• Other: www.blackdayjuly.com