Atlanta has never had a shortage of stories, and Circle Small Juli has one of his own to tell.
The Atlanta based trap artist is entering a new chapter of his life and career after spending years caught in a cycle that repeatedly landed him behind bars. After serving six years in prison, Juli made the decision to put that chapter behind him and take music seriously, turning some of the hardest moments of his life into material for his music.
Now signed to Big Cat Records, Circle Small Juli is introducing listeners to his world with “Poppin Out,” a record whose story began in an unlikely place: a halfway house. While staying at the facility, trouble involving one of Juli’s bunkmates resulted in him being confined inside. Unable to leave, he started thinking about the simple feeling of finally getting outside, putting on a fresh shirt, fresh pants and a fresh pair of shoes and stepping back into the world.
That feeling became “Poppin Out.” The record captures something that runs throughout Juli’s music. His lyrics are not built around creating a character. They come from experiences he actually lived.
Juli has been making music since 2017, but his journey has not followed a straight line. Time in and out of jail interrupted his progress, and eventually a six year prison sentence forced him to look at where his life was headed. Today, he is using Hip Hop as both an outlet and an opportunity to build something different.
Describing his music as trap, Juli says what listeners hear is “a piece of my life” and “a piece of the streets.” His influences include Southern Hip Hop heavyweights such as Yo Gotti, Future, Kilo Ali, Finesse2tymes and Young Dro, but Juli is focused on developing a sound and story that belong to him.
His publicist, Lynn Hobson, believes that authenticity is one of his strongest assets.
“Juli has a real story, real talent and the hunger to turn his experiences into something bigger,” says Hobson.
DJ Ace also sees potential in what Juli is bringing to the table.
“Juli has that raw Atlanta energy and a story people are going to connect with,” says DJ Ace.
But Juli’s plans extend beyond becoming a successful recording artist. Ultimately, he wants to become a businessman, operate his own label and create opportunities for other artists. His philosophy is simple: “You ain’t rich til you get someone else rich.”
It is a statement that carries additional weight coming from someone who knows what it feels like to lose years of freedom. Circle Small Juli cannot rewrite where he has been, but he can decide what happens next. With Big Cat Records behind him, new music on the way and “Poppin Out” serving as an introduction to his story, Juli is taking the experiences that could have ended his journey and putting them into the music.
For Circle Small Juli, popping out means a little more than simply showing up. This time, it means moving forward.
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