Julius De'Von Evans

Julius says, “being born in the hood doesn’t mean you have to be of it.” Julius De’Von Evans, was born May 2, 1992 in Chicago, IL; the second of seven children born to an unwed teenage mother. Julius spent much his childhood living amongst high-level poverty, gang violence, and drugs in the Cabrini Green Housing Projects on Chicago’s Near North side. Despite the negative activity outside, Julius’ mother worked hard to create a different atmosphere inside. “There was always music in our house,” Julius says, “and Mother was always dancing.” High up in their 18th floor apartment Julius’ mom would play all kinds of music. “She would sing and dance to everything from Rap to R&B to Broadway Show Tunes.” As toddlers, she would enter Julius and his siblings in talent shows & dance competitions. All of that began Julius’s love of music and the stage; but it was in 5th grade he found his passion for the rhythmic spoken word. 

Julius was never attracted to the “going-ons” in the streets – except for this one time when a group of his friends were clustered together on the corner. They were free-stylin’. “I stood around watching and listening and was like Wow, how do these guys come up with words like that?” Julius was amazed at how his friends could tell their own life stories with beats and rhythm, and could do it so fast and have it all make sense!” Those very moments shepherd in Julius’ love of Rap/Hip-Hop. He began to study his favorite artists like: Ice Cube, Eminem, Jay-Z, and Lil' Wayne. Often Julius would disappear, finding a private spot to practice their styles and lyrics. Then one day he got up the nerve to spit a few bars of his own in front of his young buddies. When he was done, Julius’ friend Tavarius said, “Man, you don’t just spit – you throw up!” Hence, the name, “Jae Retch".

Over the years Julius would carry his previous moniker "Jae Retch" as he worked tirelessly to develop his message, hone his skills, and to find his own identity, style, and words. Julius's music reflects his life experiences, thoughts, revelations and insights.  “Jae Retch” has gone on to produce an EP titled “Tryouts,” and a mixtape called “Requested” which gave him exposure in his hometowns of Chicago and Detroit, and grabbed the attention of Grammy Award Winning Producer Denaun Porter of “D12.” 

Julius says his proudest achievement so far however, is the self-produced self-release of his first album, “Seconds From Greatness,” which has opened many doors for him. He’s been written about in industry magazines such as RESPECT and ELEVATOR, and local newspapers including The Detroit News, and Chicago Now a digital subsidiary of the Chicago Tribune. He’s been interviewed on local radio stations including WGPR 107.5 Detroit’s leading station for Hip-Hop/R&B.