JasonMartin

Martin was born in Würzburg, West Germany and grew up in Compton, California.{{cite web|url=http://www.vibe.com/article/problem-talks-welcome-mollywood-getting-started-rap-and-more |title=Problem Talks 'Welcome To Mollywood,' Getting Started in Rap and More |publisher=Vibe |date=2012-05-22 |access-date=2013-06-24}} He entered the industry by writing a verse for producer Terrace Martin for his song "Be Thankful", featured on Snoop Dogg's compilation album The Big Squeeze.{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/Snoop-Dogg-Presents-The-Squeeze/dp/B000NDFLVM |title=Snoop Dogg Presents The Big Squeeze: Snoop Dogg: Music |website=Amazon |access-date=2013-06-24}} The track garnered praise from notable artists including Nas and Talib Kweli. Martin then began recording records with various West Coast artists such as Daz Dillinger, Kurupt, Snoop Dogg, and DJ Quik.

Martin served as a ghostwriter for other hip hop artists prior to gaining recognition as a rapper himself. He was credited on the 2008 single "Head of My Class" by rapper Scooter Smiff featuring Chris Brown, and made his first mainstream recording appearance on Snoop Dogg's album Malice N Wonderland (2008). He launched his independent record label, Diamond Lane Music Group that same year. With intent on furthering his recording career, he signed with Universal Republic Records to release his 2008 debut commercial single, "I'm Toe Up" and its follow-up, "Whereva U Like." Failing to chart in any known territory, he was promptly dropped from the label.{{cite web|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2013/07/25-new-rappers-to-watch-out-for/problem |title=Problem — 25 New Rappers to Watch Out For |publisher=Complex |access-date=2013-08-29}}

Six years later, he rebounded with his guest appearance alongside YG and Iamsu! on E-40's 2012 single "Function," which received gold certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and moderately entered both the Bubbling Under Hot 100 and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs charts. Since then, Martin has worked with numerous artists such as Jamie Foxx, the Game, Kendrick Lamar, Bobby V, 9th Wonder, Chris Brown, Wiz Khalifa, Nipsey Hussle, Warren G, Childish Gambino, Pharrell Williams, Jim Jones, Travis Barker, and John Legend, among others.{{cite web|url=http://www.thefader.com/2013/04/17/interview-problem/ |title=Interview: Problem « The FADER |publisher=Thefader.com |date=2013-04-17 |access-date=2013-06-24}} On February 13, 2013, Martin released Million Dollar Afro, a collaborative mixtape with Iamsu! that contains guest appearances from Juvenile, Too Short and Omarion. A song from the mixtape, "Do it Big" featuring Bad Lucc and Sage the Gemini was featured in the 2013 video game Grand Theft Auto V by Rockstar Games, on its radio station, Radio Los Santos.{{cite web|author=JoJo Kool says |url=http://www.thefader.com/2013/02/15/download-problem-and-iamsus-million-dollar-afro-mixtape/ |title=Download Problem and IamSu!'s Million Dollar Afro Mixtape « The FADER |publisher=Thefader.com |date=2013-02-15 |access-date=2013-06-24}}

On June 13, 2013, he released the mixtape The Separation, which contains guest appearances from Wale, T.I., Snoop Dogg, Game, Chris Brown, Tank, Tyga and Wiz Khalifa, among others.{{cite web|author=DiAmante' Astillero |url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.24312/title.problem-the-separation-mixtape-tracklist-cover-art |title=Problem "The Separation" Mixtape Tracklist, Cover Art | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales |publisher=HipHop DX |date=2013-06-13 |access-date=2013-06-24}} His 2013 song "Like Whaaat," featuring Bad Lucc, peaked at number 20 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 singles chart; it remains his most commercially successful song as a lead artist. On July 23, 2013, he released "Say That Then," featuring Glasses Malone.{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/say-that-then-feat.-glasses/id675314451 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131008222143/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/say-that-then-feat.-glasses/id675314451 |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 8, 2013 |title=iTunes - Music - Say That Then (feat. Glasses Malone) - Single by Problem |publisher=iTunes |date=2013-07-23 |access-date=2013-08-29}}

In November 2013, Martin announced that he would release his debut album independently through his Diamond Lane label. He revealed that he would be primarily producing the album along with League of Starz.{{cite web|last=Jackson |first=Dan |url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2013/11/problem-interview/ |title=Problem Keeps It Independent With His Next Album - XXL |publisher=Xxlmag.com |date=2013-11-07 |access-date=2014-08-10}} On December 10, 2013, Martin released the commercial extended play Understand Me, which was supported by the aforementioned singles along with its eponymous lead single.{{cite web|title=Understand Me - EP Problem|url=https://itunes.apple.com/th/album/id762707746|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140617081534/https://itunes.apple.com/th/album/id762707746|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 17, 2014|work=iTunes Preview|publisher=Apple Inc|access-date=14 February 2014|date=10 December 2013}} Martin appeared in a branded music video alongside Neil Patrick Harris for the drink product Neuro in February 2014.{{cite web|title=Morning Update: Neil Patrick Harris in branded music video for Neuro; Mini kicks off global creative review; Cadbury can boogie in new ad|url=http://mumbrella.com.au/morning-update-neil-patrick-harris-branded-music-video-neuro-mini-kicks-global-creative-review-206551|work=Mumbrella|publisher=Focal Attractions|access-date=14 February 2014|date=14 February 2014}}

Martin partnered with the Los Angeles Rams to create the team's theme song, "My Squad," for the 2016-17 NFL season.{{Cite news|url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.40496/title.problem-links-with-los-angeles-rams-for-team-anthem-my-squad|title=Problem Links With Los Angeles Rams For Team Anthem, "My Squad"|work=HipHopDX|access-date=2018-04-10|language=en-US}} The release included an official music video that was shot to resemble Snapchat.{{Citation needed|date=November 2023}} After gaining regional success on the mixtape circuit, Martin released his debut album, Selfish, in November 2017.{{Cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/la-et-ms-problem-selfish-20171107-story.html|title=Compton-raised artist Problem looks inward on 'Selfish'|last=Hernandez|first=Victoria|website=Los Angeles Times|date=8 November 2017|access-date=2018-04-10}} He followed up with his second album, S2 on November 30, 2018.

On April 4, 2020, Martin released the short film, A Compton Story. It is narrated by comedian Mike Epps, and contains appearances from Snoop Dogg, Slink Johnson, and Jackie Long. Terrence "Punch" Henderson is credited as the executive producer on the project.{{Cite web|last=Rumford|first=Laetitia|date=2020-04-05|title=Problem Explains The Making of His Short Film "A Compton Story"|url=https://www.vibe.com/2020/04/l-a-rapper-problem-explains-the-making-of-his-short-film-a-compton-story-and-releases-new-single-dont-be-mad-at-me|access-date=2020-07-17|website=Vibe.com|language=en}}{{Cite web|date=2020-04-04|title=A Compton Story on Tidal|url=https://listen.tidal.com/artist/3640789/video/136082084|access-date=2020-07-16|website=listen.tidal.com|language=en}} In May 2023, Martin released his third album I Owe Myself.{{Cite web |date=2023-05-12 |title=JasonMartin (FKA Problem) Unveils New Project "I Owe Myself" |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/675441-jasonmartin-problem-i-owe-myself |access-date=2023-11-18 |website=HotNewHipHop |language=en}} In November 2023, Martin released the companion soundtrack to "A Compton Story".{{Cite web |last=Saponara |first=Michael |date=2023-11-04 |title=Diddy, ScHoolboy Q, Childish Gambino & More Join Jason Martin On 'A Compton Story Pt.1' |url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/diddy-schoolboy-q-childish-gambino-jason-martin-compton-story |access-date=2023-11-18 |website=HipHopDX |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Major |first=Michael |title=JasonMartin (FKA Problem) Releases Final Installment Of 'A Compton Story' Ft Schoolboy Q, Terrace Martin, Wiz Khalifa & More |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwmusic/article/JasonMartin-FKA-Problem-Releases-Final-Installment-Of-A-Compton-Story-Ft-Schoolboy-Q-Terrace-Martin-Wiz-Khalifa-More-20231117 |access-date=2023-11-18 |website=BroadwayWorld |language=en}}

Martin is featured in the track "All That" along with Thirsty P, it was released on 18 October 2024, as the second single of Ab-Soul's sixth album Soul Burger.{{cite web|title=Ab-Soul Enlists JasonMartin And Thirsty P For Thumping "All That" Single|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/852044-ab-soul-jasonmartin-thirsty-p-all-that-stream|website=HotNewHipHop|date=18 October 2024}}

In 19 June 2024, Martin performed his hit song "Like Whaaat", for Kendrick Lamar's concert The Pop Out: Ken & Friends at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, California, closing the first set by DJ Hed, titled the Act I – DJ Hed & Friends.{{Cite web |last=Victorian |first=Brande |date=June 19, 2024 |title=Kendrick Lamar Brings 25 L.A. Artists Together for Juneteenth Show, Playing Drake Diss Track "Not Like Us" Five Times |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/music-news/kendrick-lamar-juneteenth-pop-out-drake-diss-not-like-us-five-times-1235927600/ |access-date=June 20, 2024 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}

His musical influences are Eminem, N.W.A, the Isley Brothers, Prince, Aaliyah, R. Kelly, Baby Bash, Lil Wayne, the Temptations, DJ Quik, the Jacksons, and the group DeBarge.

{{main|JasonMartin discography}}

• Understand Me (2013)
• Rosecrans EP {{small|(with DJ Quik)}} (2017)
• Selfish (2017)
• S2 (2018)
• Coffee & Kush, Vol. 1 (2020)
• Coffee & Kush Vol. 2 (2020)
• I Owe Myself (2023)
• A Compton Story (2023)
• Chupacabra {{small|(with DJ Quik)}} (2024)
• Repack (2024)
• Can't Get Right {{small|(with Lefty Gunplay)}} (2025)

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Category:African-American male rappers

Category:20th-century American male rappers

Category:Living people

Category:Rappers from Los Angeles

Category:Rappers from Compton, California

Category:West Coast hip-hop musicians

Category:1985 births

Category:Gangsta rappers

Category:21st-century American rappers

Category:21st-century American male musicians

Category:21st-century African-American musicians

Category:20th-century African-American musicians