Javier Starks - Academy Associate

Emcee, songwriter, and poet Javier Starks fuses clean lyrics with vocal melodies to create his unique flow. He has introduced his fan base and new audiences to the possibilities and creativity of curse-free Hip Hop with his live performances filling rooms across North America and on international stages. Embraced by many of the music industry’s biggest names, including Robert Glasper, Common, Miles Mosley, and Keyon Harrold, Javier finds inspiration in every genre of music while still paying tribute to Hip Hop’s “golden era.” His music is youth-friendly, yet edgy, and skilled enough to appeal to music lovers of all ages and genres. 

In addition to his solo career, Javier is an educator, youth worker, and skateboarder. Given the opportunity to have his positive message reach youth from Baltimore and D.C. since 2005, he uses his artistic skills to connect with youth on a daily basis. He made the decision that he’d be the role model that most were seeking. When asked about his mission and goals for youth, Javier commented, “I teach kids why self-respect and respecting others is so important when expressing ourselves through art.”