CNN iReport

As a voting member of The Recording Academy, known as the Grammy Awards, 18-year-old hip-hop artist Baby Jay is well on his way to becoming Houston’s answer to the Latin music scene.

However, he’s passing up his invitation to the premier telecast of this week’s Latin Grammys to work on his latest project as Jonathan Gutierrez, first-generation college student at San Jacinto College (SJC).

His road toward a college education is highlighted with packed-house performances and sharing the stage with the likes of Soulja Boy, Marques Houston, Twista and Raven Symone. But before he was rapper, Gutierrez was just a kid from Galena Park who enjoyed hanging out listening to Tupac Shakur jams with his two older brothers and friend, the late Houston rapper Kolor Blynde (KB).

Innocent times were cut short as Gutierrez witnessed his role models fall in and out of the prison system, and divorce divided his family. It was then he realized what he didn’t want.

“Getting older, I realized I didn’t want to live the life of my brothers,” Gutierrez said. “I had to choose something different for myself. I wanted to write lyrics that could change my life, change other lives for the better, not invoke anger or violence.”

Turning words into music

Writing helped the teenager confront his struggles, and high school served as a place of escape. Applying his lyrics to tracks, co-written by KB, gave him the confidence to branch out and perform. At age 13, Gutierrez was signed as Baby Jay to Roland Entertainment by his cousin and company founder Rolando Cuellar.

“Jay had these long dreadlocks, rapping about staying in school and basketball,” Cuellar remembers. “I told him, ‘I can’t ‘promise you that you’ll make it, and it’s not going to be easy.’ I talked to him about what he was trying to accomplish and what his message would be through his music. I believe that when it comes from the heart and you’re a person who’s trying to make a difference, the hard work eventually pays off.”

Jay’s debut album “Keepin it Real” was released in 2006/2007 to a quiet reception. The violence, drugs and misogynistic undertones that saturate today’s hip-hop genre is nowhere to be found. Instead, Gutierrez chose to bypass what is all too real for many of today’s youth and take them to a more positive and encouraging haven with tracks like “Don’t Laugh at Me,” “Keepin it Real,” and “Good vs. Bad,” all while keeping up with the demands of mainstream hip hop with “Oye Me (Supernatural Love)” featuring David Enriquez and “Girlfriend (Check Yes or No)” featuring  platinum artist Mickael from the hit song “Cyclone”.

Like the Will Smiths of the entertainment business, Gutierrez went head-to-head with the industry to promote a more responsible lifestyle, which was met with the usual backlash. Despite that, people took notice. The Recording Academy, home of the Grammy Awards, recognized Gutierrez’s talents by inducting him into the Latin Grammys/McDonald’s tour exhibit and became one of the youngest voting members of the Grammy’s Awards in 2007.  May 16, 2008 was declared Baby Jay Day in Houston, along with him receiving a key to the city for his contributions of promoting positivity through his music. At the time, Gutierrez was already branching out performing in New York City, Los Angeles, Illinois and throughout Texas and embarking on tours talking to students about benefits of staying in school and off the streets.

Gutierrez also proved his flexibility by fusing his hip-hop skills with Peter, Paul & Mary’s rendition of “Don’t Laugh at Me” to create a version for K-12 school students. The song struck a cord with educators and was soon picked up to use in an anti-bullying campaign video shown in more than 5,000 schools nationwide.

Music meets education

Receiving an ounce of recognition often validates an artist’s decision to drop all other commitments and pursue music full time. However, Gutierrez was encouraged by Cuellar to enter his first semester of college this year and study for a degree in audio engineering.

“I’ve always told Jay, ‘you’re going to college’,” Cuellar said. “I heavily stress the importance of this, especially to those who may be interested in the entertainment business, because it’s always good to have another profession to fall back on. There are many jobs behind the scenes, but it’s very important to have your education for these certain competitive jobs.”

Gutierrez keeps up with his fans through Facebook, MySpace and his own Web site. As his manager, Cuellar maintains his cousin’s schedule, allowing time for both his studies and his music career.

“I see so many of my peers that have overcome so much to be here,” Gutierrez said. “If they can work around what they’re going through in their lives to go to college, I know I can.”

Gutierrez’s latest project is promoting literacy among school children. He is set to release his bilingual autobiography “Voice of Hope” and his newest LP “Girlfriend (Check Yes or No)” in the near future.

For more information about Baby Jay, visit www.Baby-Jay.com.