About Real Juan

Born to a biracial couple, Real Juan was given his name at birth. He makes it clear, “I’m not trying to make any puns about real ones.”

From an early age, Real Juan was inspired by his father’s songwriting and began rhyming before he turned 14. By 14, he was putting his rhymes to paper, influenced by hip-hop legends like Run DMC and jamming with friends from Barbados and Jamaica who brought turntables and fresh rhymes. This early passion led him to compete in high school battle-of-the-band competitions.

In the mid-2000s, Real Juan stepped away from music and spent time building houses. However, his mental health declined, and he was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder and ADHD. Since then, he has been receiving treatment and therapy.

In 2015, he returned to music and hip-hop with the creation of his album Robotica, which received critical acclaim. Despite his success, he continued to struggle with concurrent mental illnesses until receiving treatment in 2018 in Ponoka, Alberta, Canada.

His time in Ponoka was a period of healing and reflection. Writing became therapeutic, culminating in the album Sick as Your Secrets. Real Juan credits songwriting as a major part of his recovery. He says, “My main inspiration is the highest Yah! I should’ve been dead many times over from my struggles and situations, but I’ve seen grace firsthand. My name ‘Juan’ means ‘Yahuwah is gracious.’ I’m a man of faith, not organized religion. I tell the truth because I’m not a liar; I rap for Yah because I couldn’t make the choir, lol—that sums up what motivates and inspires me!”

With 12 full-length and EP albums to date, Real Juan’s journey is ongoing. He’s expanding into music videos and regularly shares new content on his YouTube channel, continuing to build his creative legacy.

As a descendant of the Anishinaabe people and a member of the Keeseekoowenin (Sky Chief) band near Elphinstone, Manitoba, Real Juan’s music is deeply rooted in heritage, faith, and personal truth.