A full ride scholarship is a dream for so many high school students, especially those who are playing sports and want to make it to the pros. That’s not the case for Downingtown East High School’s wide receiver Jay Harris. Harris received a scholarship to attend Michigan State and play for a Division I football team as a freshman. He decided to pursue another dream instead: rapping.
Jay, also known by his rap name Jay DatBull, posted a YouTube video of one of his songs called “Datbull 4 Life”, which has received over 340,000 views so far, with a lot of negative comments and ratings. The video contained explicit lyrics and images, rapping about having sex, homosexuals and smoking weed. Michigan State got wind of the video and rescinded his scholarship. The school’s spokesman says the decision was mutual. How did Harris react? A lot better than most would expect.
He talked to the Philadelphia Inquirer about his new career passion.
“I’ve always had this in the back of my head, but never had the courage to tell my parents that this is what I want to do.”
He made the decision to quit football and focus on rapping about a week before the video came out. He’s expecting to release his debut album June 1 and is planning on working with producer M. Stacks, who has worked with rappers like Mac Miller and Wiz Khalifa.
You can view the video below to determine on your own if it was worth passing up a full-ride. Some of the content is Not Safe For Work so you’ve been warned. After you view it let us know what you would do if your child said they wanted to give up their scholarship to rap?
nylse says
i would smack him in the head – he can pursue his career while at college; its not an either or proposition. hes bought in to myth that he doesn’t need college and as soon as he starts pursuing this career he will realize how much education he’s lacking.
i’d have to support but i truly would not be happy.
proposer says
Guess what? Yes, he blew a trip for a great education and opportunity to play football. I’m sure he’s been told a billion times how education is a priority and that he could probably pursue both with some challenges. He’s of age and he’s made his choice, so no judging here. However, what saddens me is that though his rap is offensive, his target audience could potentially make him a star, because unfortunately, this has become so mainstream within our young society, regardless of race, so where to point the finger — at him? Maybe, but I believe he will one day look back and realize that even if he makes it as a rapper, he missed a platinum opportunity to fine tune his grey matter beats!
coach C says
Unfortunately Dat Bull is on dat bullshit! #epicfail!
Laura says
An education is priceless. His was paid for and he gave it away??? My parents would’ve slapped me in the back of my head and said “Pursue your passion as a rapper? Puleeeze! You’d better rap between on weekends or during half time of the Michigan State game. And you’d better be on the Dean’s list too!” Smh I’m not judging him or his parents, but this saddens me.
Jus satin says
Maybe if he was rapping about something a little more insightful and uplifting he could have done all 3 at the same time (football, college, rapping). Maybe Michigan wouldn’t have snatched away that scholarship. Smdh. Another waste of talent to add to the trash rap/hip hop that’s out now
Naadir Muhammad says
Dear Mr. Jay Harris, I really wish you would reconsider the opportunity that you have been presented with. There are very few from amongst US that are afforded the opportunity to attend a University. The People who are around you probably don’t have College Degrees, thus it is relatively easy for them to persuade you to forgo the opportunity of a lifetime. Consequently, You must do some deep soul searching. There are Rapp Artist who have so-called careers, most of whom are being exploited. I hope that you make it Little Brother, but If you don’t, GO BACK TO SCHOOL!!!! DON’T GIVE UP ON YOURSELF!!! One Love, A BROTHER.
Queen says
I hope and pray you really change your mind. That rap career might get you a little respect of the streets, but those lyrics & smoking & popping Molly just don’t fly right. Your parents had to see that video thats even more sad. Don’t know if you would have been in my home after viewing the garbage. I wish you all the luck in the world. College was the better decision.
757will says
All honesty. Comin from me a 22 yr old college student…it wasn’t that bad. He rode the beat and rhymed… thas all it basically takes these days (SOULJA BOY, CHIEF KEEF, WAKA FLAKA) I’m a saxophonist and have done so since the sixth grade, I kno music and this is not. But I’m also apart of this generation and kno that he actually got a shot. Its a lot of terrible rappers out here they all have the IT. His IT is his lil publicity from his scholarship situation… all I can say is. I hope he blow bcuz I hate to see my peers fall short of great things. I left college 2 yrs ago.. and IM STARTING BACK THIS YEAR. So I kno wt he is thinkin.. it’s sumthin better out there for him. But if he is anything like me. He’s gonna realize how hard it is out here for a young black man and take his ass back to school. Dont judge the boy…pray 4 him.
Lennie says
This young man’s perception of reality is distorted. Rappers like Tupac, Jay Z, 50 cents have all made it clear that to have a successful rapping career you must be business man, savvy,sharp and shrewd with a lil book smarts to be successful.
Maybe he’s being exploited by those around him for the sake of financial gains. Jay if your reading this, seek some advice and guidance from people outside your present circle, put who don’t stand to gain or lose from your decision.
Peace and Blessings
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