“I Didn’t Want to Rap to Be Famous—I Wanted to Free People”: AJ McQueen on Effective Immediately

In an interview on DJ Hed and Gina Views' show Effective Immediately, Houston-raised rapper, poet, and activist AJ McQueen delivered a soulful, spirit-led conversation that reflected not only his artistic journey but his deep commitment to purpose and community. Over the course of the episode, McQueen opened up about everything from surviving gun violence to his spiritual awakening, building a non-profit, and navigating the rap game as a man of faith.

Early Days and Finding Purpose

The interview kicked off with McQueen reflecting on his Houston roots, where his early life was marked by both adversity and creativity. He recounted growing up around poverty, crime, and a lack of positive male figures. Yet, even amid chaos, he knew he was "meant for more."

"I always knew I was different," McQueen said. "I just didn't have the language for it yet."

That difference showed up in his writing. From a young age, McQueen leaned into poetry as a form of escape and expression. But it wasn’t until a life-altering experience at 17—when he survived being shot multiple times—that the seeds of his future purpose began to take root.

"God kept me here for a reason," he said. "I couldn't ignore that anymore."

From Pain to Platform

As DJ Hed and Gina Views guided the conversation, McQueen dug deeper into his transition from street life to service. Post-shooting, he began to write more intentionally, tapping into what he now views as a spiritual assignment.

"I didn’t want to rap to be famous. I wanted to rap to free people," McQueen shared. "When I say I’m a poet before I’m a rapper, I mean that. Words have weight."

He also discussed founding his non-profit organization, which focuses on youth development and community healing. That initiative, he said, was born from both necessity and calling.

"The same streets that almost took my life, I had to go back and pour into. That’s redemption."

Spiritual Identity and Industry Tension

Throughout the episode, McQueen emphasized the role of faith in his life, often using biblical references and affirmations to ground his points. His language, both poetic and intentional, mirrored that of a preacher as much as a performer.

But walking that path hasn’t been easy. McQueen spoke openly about the challenges of existing at the intersection of faith and hip hop. "It’s hard to be holy in an industry that profits off pain," he said. "But I’m not here for approval. I’m here on assignment."

DJ Hed noted that McQueen’s stance was both rare and needed. The conversation touched on how audiences and labels often want an artist's trauma but aren’t always ready for their healing. McQueen nodded in agreement. "People want the pain, but not the process. I’m trying to change that."

Empowerment Over Entertainment

Later in the show, McQueen addressed the state of the culture and how young people are often fed messages that prioritize image over integrity.

"We got kids thinking they gotta kill to be seen," he said. "But the real flex is being free."

He encouraged artists and listeners alike to seek out substance and to question what they consume. McQueen also highlighted his own approach to creating music with meaning, describing how every bar he writes is filtered through a lens of responsibility.

"I can't afford to just say anything on a track. Somebody’s son is listening. Somebody's daughter is being shaped by my words."

As the episode wrapped, Gina Views asked what AJ hoped people would take away from his story. Without hesitation, he replied: "That you can be both real and redeemed. That your past doesn't disqualify your purpose."