Writer: Chris Ahrens | Photographer: Estevan Oriol
The thin outline of Pigeon John is buried in the cushions of a couch in the waiting room of one of the world’s most famous tattoo artists, Mister Cartoon. Amid photos of 50 Cent, Eminem, Dr. Dre, and other rap legends on the wall, he casually browses magazines, then stands to politely shake hands and introduce himself, displaying no more pomp than if he were Dre’s gardener. The metaphoric first impression is of a man at home with himself, while still searching for his place in the bigger picture. And while he shares much with the ghosts who have occupied this space in the past—talent for one thing—he is not here for the same reasons they were, preferring to keep his arms ink free, his neck and fingers ice free, his clothing plain, his talk straight. In standard issue t-shirt and jeans, he lets his plain wrap style do the rapping. He has a soft, authoritative speaking voice. I like the way he laughs.

RISEN Magazine: So, what’s a good Christian boy like you doing in a place like this?
Pigeon John: [Laughs] Oh, I don’t know, just chillin’ I guess.

RM: You cross over into a lot of different worlds, it seems.
PJ: I just kind of grew up doing shows in both worlds. So I really didn’t know any better. Going to open mics at The Good Life on Crenshaw, and then starting to go to church at around 17, where they were doin’ shows. So I never really drew a line between the two, just kept doin’ both. I’d invite non-church friends to my little church shows and invite church friends to The Good Life. It was the same world to me.

RM: You were influenced by both worlds?
PJ: Heck yeah. Musically and by lifestyle. I like the way a lot of bands in the Christian and secular markets handle themselves on and off the stage. I kind of learn from everybody, whether it’s going out with Blackalicious, seeing how they do, or Matisyahu, seeing how he does. Pretty much learning from the guys I’m out with.
RM: Do people expect something more from you, morally and ethically?
PJ: Yeah, I think so, mostly from the Christian side. Whether it’s drinking, smoking, or talking about girls. It’s a very fine line it seems. I get a lot of e-mails, and they’re mostly earnest, saying, “Hey, I don’t understand why you do things this way.” The questions never seem to stop coming from that side. It’s a hard thing trying to please people, but I try to be reasonable and courteous. I definitely want to do that, but it seems that at some point you have to accept who you are, that God created you this way for a reason.

RM: What is your life’s purpose?
PJ: Well, I think it changes every year. Trying to find my purpose has been a lifelong thing, but I’m finding out it’s not a dead-end. For me, it’s not ever that clear. My purpose right now is to try and make bomb hip-hop music, do the best shows and take over a side of underground hip-hop and just be there and be myself on and off stage. That is the biggest challenge for me, being myself, trying to remain honest. Cuz if I start living two lives, or hiding this side of my life…Since the beginning I wanted to be honest with my music, so I don’t want anything crazy coming out. My purpose is to live the Gospel when no one’s looking and to do pure music. I want to do the right thing, but a lot of times it’s a st