Izre-ill, pronounced "Israel," has a few meanings for me.

First, "Israel" was the name given to Jacob after he had wrestled with God in the book of Genesis. "Israel" means "he struggles with God." Jacob struggled in many and likely every aspect of his life to the point of physical restlessness. But, he was strengthened and blessed by God purely through His grace. Before assuming this name, I was struggling greatly with my faith and other aspects of my life, and I guess you could say I "fought" with God in many ways and pleaded with Him. But in the end, God blessed me and strengthened my faith immensely. In a sense, the changing of my name from J-Dragonz to Izre-ill marks the renewed start, or, rather, a continuation, of my relationship that I have with Christ.

Second, "Israel" was the name given by God to His chosen people. He called them to be sanctified and anointed not by their own power and will, but, rather, through His strength and perfection. As a believer, I've inherited this identity as God's chosen and anointed. With Christ in me, His will and power flows through me and causes me to be perfect. My love and pursuit of music is centered on Him and flows from His grace and He uses this avenue to reach others.

Third, the play on the name "Israel," "Iz re-ill,", or, "Is ill again" marks my rebirth and re-entrance into this rap game after taking a four year hiatus from the hip-hop scene. It is also a play on being "born-again" in reference to the change in identity of being dead in sin and alive in Christ.

I haven't been on a stage with a mic in hand in over five years.

Formerly Emcee J-Dragonz.