Jazio Blaq

He relaxes in his living room with his computer and keyboard laid out in front of him as if they were part of the coffee table.

Micheal “Jazio” Brako writes, produces, lays tracks and even updates his own website from his home in Winona .

Jazio developed the seriousness for music at age 11, and the determined musician is bringing hip-hop music to Winona State University this Saturday.

His current album, titled “ Jazio Blaq ,” contains everything from reflective mysterious rap to dance-party music to inner feelings of himself.

On the track “Let it go,” he describes the inner struggle of living a moral life while trying to ignore wrong solutions to the difficult situation with the lyrics: “The seconds in my life/supposed to be a lesson/leave me to my blessn’/instead I’m always stressn.’”

The follow-up track “Kwame’s prayer” expresses a subtler side of Jazio with a prayer to God. With a pulsating beat and sounds of an orchestra’s string section, he sings: “If you see me take my hand/pull me out the gutta man/some days I don’t understand/is this part of your plan.”

“The album I have out right now is to introduce my talent. There are a few deep songs on it and a couple of party tracks,” Jazio said. The deep songs he refers to definitely include the tribute to his daughter.

After receiving a disconnected signal and grapevine messages of his daughter’s move while in Florida , Jazio exposes his heart with a song dedicated to his daughter, Tajahya. The soft background beat and heavenly organ music accentuate the lyrics: “Only one to ever love me, miss you for that/now you’re gone like the darkness/I’m living in this world pissed/when you get to hear this/know you’re truly being missed.”

The Baldwin Lounge, in Kryzsko Commons, will get a taste of Jazio with special guest Mista J the Titan, where he plans to give the crowd a taste of his up-and-comings from his next album.

- Ted Evans

The show in the Lower Level at Bub's Bar went great thanks to everybody that came out. It was all set off by Mohs dropping the knowledge and some banging beats, and kept moving the energy with Jazio Blaq and Mista J the Titan who got the crowd hyped up. Next was one of the men responsible for putting everything together, Kamau. He did a great spoken word then freaked everyone out with the help of 7th Streeters Random Thoughts and Energy with "Mad Scientists". Rocking the lab coats was ill, keep the shades on next time too. Ha Ha. 7th Street Coincidence took the stage with force after that. DJ Espada ripped it and got the crowd rockin' with the scratches and bustin' out with the song "Sweet Abigail's Theory". Watch out for the Attn: Willy Project for some more of that.
Luke Geraty and the Soft Focus crew along with Aquaman then killed the show. If anyone missed that you'll regret it. Big ups to Luke Geraty and crew, and to the rest of the performers - 7th Street Coincidence

Although smoke and drink free and most of the students went on their 5 day vacation, everything still seemed to go well. The show got going around 8:30 or so. Jazio Blaq, Mista J, and Kaos got the crowd up and moving once again with their upbeat tracks. That was just a snippet of their set.
Sacred Writes (Kamau & Random Thoughts) came up after that. Kamau did another great spoken word which unfortunately flew over some heads. Then, with the backup of the iron man on the decks Mad Mardigan, they rolled into their set spreading knowledge to some newly-hedz.
After a little confusion 7th St. Coincidence then took the stage again. It was almost a 45 minute thrust of energy. The middle of the set was broken up by a 10 minute freestyle session which the audience loved. Who wouldn't like 3 kids on stage making fun of each other. We tried busting the cherry of the audience with Grab da Mic, but she was a little timid.
Jazio and squad then came back on stage to finish off the show. He did a heart felt track then brought everyone on stage for a full fledged ruckus of bouncing. C'mon BOUNCE.
The show was wrapped up with another open mic freestyle session with a Phife Dog look-a-like who got served up by Winona's best Random Thoughts.



- 7th Street Coincidence 10-10-02

Winona rapper hopes lyrics will spare kids from his mistakes

By Käri Knutson / Winona Daily News





Instead, Blaq (known as Michael Brako on his birth certificate) draws on his own life experience for his lyrics. And he has had a pretty interesting life to draw on.

Blaq, 2?, of Winona is performing tonight at Club Rhino in La Crosse to celebrate the release of "I’ve Got Something To Say," his latest CD. Also performing are 7th St., Dusty Attics, Sacred Writes and Mysta J the Titan.


Blaq has been rapping since he was 13 but is now at a point where he can reflect on what life has taught him.


"I’ve had numerous people tell me they can relate to particular songs I’ve written," he said. "That’s how I know I’m reaching the peak of my skills and talent."


Blaq was born in Ghana, Africa, and moved to the United States when he was 2 years old. While he doesn’t remember his time there, he hopes to visit Ghana soon.


Blaq’s father, Emanuelle Brako, earned his doctorate while studying in Louisiana and is a microbiology professor at Winona State University. Blaq’s mother, Alice Brako, teaches biology at WSU.


Blaq’s parents always emphasized education, and he is a junior at WSU studying medical technology.


"That’s my backup plan," he said.


Blaq wasn’t always so focused on his future. When he was 17 years old, he pleaded guilty to a felony drive-by shooting charge in Winona and was sentenced to the Minnesota Juvenile Correctional Facility in Red Wing, Minn.


"When all that happened, and I got convicted, I really saw what I didn’t want to happen to me. I had to make the change," Blaq said.


He admits to being rebellious as a teen and looks at the conviction as a true turning point.


"It really gave me time to think of what I wanted to do," Blaq said.


After getting out of juvenile detention, it was hard to find a job in Winona.


"People looked at me differently," Blaq said. "I ended up going to the military. That was the beginning of my transition."


Blaq joined the U.S. Navy and served as a dental technician. Being in the service helped him learn about discipline, responsibility and following the rules.


"It taught me to calm down and grow up," he said. "It changed me a lot."


After his service, he worked at Black House Records in Jacksonville, Fla., learning about promoting and other aspects of the music business.


Last year, he came back to Winona.


"A lot of people expected me to be the same person I was before, but that wasn’t the case," he said. "I have a goal now."


Blaq hopes to reach young people through his music. He knows how lucky he is to have gotten through his life’s low points and hopes he can be a worthy role model. His advice to young people is simple.


"Think of the future. If they have plans and goals they want to get to, you’re not going to get to them if you’re confined," he said.


Blaq realizes his mistakes have affected many other people, which he didn’t think about at the time. He is grateful his parents have been there to support him.


"It helps so much. You never knew how your parents could be so much of an influence on how you develop your future," he said.


Despite his past, Blaq now is focused on his future.


"It’s not haunting me at all."


On Sunday in Omaha, Neb., Blaq won an award from the Midwest Entertainment Music Association for Best Unsigned Artist in the genre of hip-hop/rap, spoken word, reggae and ska.


"It’s just the beginning," he said. "I told myself, that’s the first one, not the last one."


Besides his music, Blaq is working on designing clothes as well as developing other artists. Between school, work and his music, he keeps busy.


"Music calms me down and gives me focus and a dream," he said. "I want to see me get there."


Käri Knutson can be reached at kknutson@winonadailynews.com and at (507) 453-3523.

- Kari Knutson