Air Quality Awareness: Our Health, Our Priority

The air we breathe has a profound impact on our health and well-being, yet it is often taken for granted. With the rise of industrial activities and increasing urbanization, the quality of the air we breathe is deteriorating. It's time to shift our focus from personal health checks to addressing the pressing issue of air pollution. By understanding the sources and impacts of air pollution, we can take collective action to improve the air quality and, consequently, the health of our communities. So, let's not just check ourselves, but also be mindful of checking the air quality to ensure a sustainable and healthy future for all.

Larry June's music and philosophy

Larry June is an American rapper with a breezy, mellow West Coast sound. His music conveys a sense of ease and relaxation, with his warm vocal timbre blended with smooth instrumentals and chill beats. June's music embodies a feeling of luxury and authenticity, with an infectious energy that inspires fans to focus on their well-being. The verse, "don't check me, check the air quality," from his popular song "Smoothies in 1991" captures this philosophy.

June's music reflects his own life experiences, including his rocky past and achievements. Born in San Francisco to teenage parents, he experienced homelessness and family separation before settling in Atlanta. Inspired by the Bay Area and his father's rapping career, June began creating freestyle raps on MySpace in 2006, eventually releasing mixtapes and his first album, "Cali Grown," in 2010. June's music career gained momentum, leading to a record deal with Warner Records in 2017. However, he chose to return to his independent roots due to creative differences.

June's self-released album "Very Peaceful" (2018) marked a pivotal point in his career, focusing on physical and spiritual peace. As a single father, he aims to instill in his children the values of freedom and independence, encouraging them to make positive choices. In an interview with Huck Magazine, June emphasized the importance of teaching children life skills to prevent them from making potentially harmful decisions.

The line "don't check me, check the air quality" captures June's philosophy of prioritizing self-care and well-being. It encourages listeners to focus on their inner world and personal growth rather than external judgments or expectations. This theme of healthy living is prevalent in his music, with organic fruits and juices featured in his Tiny Desk (home) concert, reinforcing the lifestyle he promotes. June's music serves as a reminder to appreciate the simple things in life and find happiness in authenticity.

Overall, Larry June's music and philosophy revolve around a sense of luxury, authenticity, and well-being. His music provides a relaxed and uplifting escape for listeners, while his lyrics offer a glimpse into his personal experiences and perspectives. Through his art, June encourages fans to embrace self-care, find joy in the simple things, and navigate life with a positive and mindful approach.

His rise to fame

Larry June is an American rapper with a breezy, mellow West Coast sound. His warm vocal timbre is blended with smooth instrumentals and chill beats, creating a relaxed and carefree vibe for listeners. June's music embodies a feeling of luxury and authenticity, with an infectious energy that inspires fans to focus on their physical and mental health.

Born in San Francisco to teenage parents, June had a challenging childhood, living in and out of homeless shelters. At the age of 16, he moved to Atlanta with his mother, which caused a separation between him and his father. Despite the challenges, June found inspiration in his father, a former rapper, and began creating freestyle raps on MySpace in 2006. He eventually progressed to mixtapes and released his first album, "Cali Grown", in 2010.

June's talent and hard work began to pay off as he gained more attention with each mixtape he released. In 2017, he scored a record deal with Warner Records. However, he chose to part ways with the label due to creative differences and returned to his roots as an independent artist. June's decision to prioritize his artistic freedom showcases his dedication to staying true to himself and his craft.

The self-released album "Very Peaceful" (2018) marked a pivotal point in June's career. The album focused on physical and spiritual peace, reflecting a positive perspective on his future. As a single father, June wants to instill in his children the values of freedom and independence, hoping to shield them from the challenges he faced growing up.

Through his music, Larry June encourages fans to embrace healthy living and to find joy in the simple things in life. His rise to fame is a testament to his talent, perseverance, and authenticity, solidifying his place in the music industry as an inspiring and influential artist.

His life story

Larry June is an American rapper with a breezy, mellow West Coast sound. His music conveys a sense of ease and relaxation, which stands in contrast with his own past. Born to teenage parents, June and his mother, who was just 15 at the time, lived in and out of homeless shelters. The family moved to Atlanta, causing a separation between June and his father. Until he was 16, June travelled back and forth between Atlanta and San Francisco to maintain relationships with both parents.

June's father was a former rapper, and in 2006, inspired by the Bay Area and his dad, June began to create freestyle raps on Myspace. This early start evolved into mixtapes, and in 2010, he released his first album, 'Cali Grown'. June's music career gathered momentum with each mixtape he released, and in 2017, he scored a record deal with Warner Records. However, he disliked the creative restrictions that came with label representation and returned to his roots as an independent artist.

June's self-released album 'Very Peaceful' (2018) marked a pivotal point in his career. The album, focused on physical and spiritual peace, outlined a positive perspective on his future. Now a single father, June wants to teach his children the importance of freedom and independence, so they don't turn to the streets as he did. "They need to know what they can and can't do, how to talk to people, how to spot certain signs that a person’s not cool," he told Huck Magazine. "If we don’t teach them, the streets are gonna teach them. And we don’t want that to happen."

June's music embodies the feeling of luxury and being unapologetically authentic. "His energy in finding inspiration and happiness in the simple things is infectious," says Weston Wilkins, Radio Coordinator at THE DROP 104.7 and KUVO Jazz 89.3. "He is never afraid to let his fans know that taking care of your body and mind is the true key to success." This philosophy is perhaps best illustrated in the verse "don't check me, check the air quality" from one of June's most popular songs, "Smoothies in 1991".

His record deal with Warner Records

In 2017, Larry June, the American rapper with a West Coast sound, scored a record deal with Warner Records. June's music embodies a breezy, mellow vibe, with his warm vocal timbre blended with smooth instrumentals and chill beats. His music conveys a sense of ease and relaxation, with uplifting and carefree messages, which stand in contrast to his own past experiences of homelessness and family separation.

June's journey into the music industry began in 2006 when he started creating freestyle raps on MySpace. He released his first album, "Cali Grown", in 2010, and gained attention with each mixtape he subsequently released. However, his time with Warner Records was short-lived as he chose to part ways with the label due to creative differences and a preference for his roots as an independent artist.

June's philosophy and lyrics often revolve around taking care of one's body and mind, advocating for physical and spiritual peace. This is reflected in his self-released album "Very Peaceful" (2018), which marked a pivotal point in his career. As a single father, June aims to instill in his children the values of freedom and independence, encouraging them to make positive choices and avoid the pitfalls of street life.

June's music and lifestyle promote healthy living, and his performances often include organic fruits and juices, reinforcing the messages in his songs. His success and influence extend beyond his music, with his laid-back attitude and authentic persona resonating with his fans. June's popularity continues to grow, and his ability to profit from shows, merchandise, and his independent approach to the music business showcases his entrepreneurial spirit and connection with his audience.

His Tiny Desk (home) concert

The Tiny Desk concert series, hosted by NPR, has featured a wide range of artists, from well-known names like Lizzo, Taylor Swift, and Jimmy Eat World, to undiscovered artists, like Raine Stern and Allison Mahal, who entered the Tiny Desk Contest. The series is known for its intimate performances, often filmed at the desk of Bob Boilen, the creator of the series.

One such performance was given by Marvin Sapp, who transformed the NPR headquarters in Washington, D.C., into a sanctuary with his gospel hits. Another artist, Megan Marony, performed her unique blend of classic country and pop at the Tiny Desk in December 2024. In March 2025, Sandbox Percussion mesmerized the audience with their creative use of plumbing pipes, rice bowls, vibraphones, and a big bass drum.

The Tiny Desk series also travels to different locations, such as Tokyo, where they discovered the energetic band fronted by Yu Sakai. These concerts are filmed with natural window light, creating a visually appealing and intimate atmosphere.

For those interested in participating in the Tiny Desk Contest, there are a few technical tips to keep in mind. Firstly, choose a quiet and visually interesting space with a desk, and ensure you have good lighting, preferably facing a window. Test your audio to guarantee clear vocals and lyrics. Remember to engage with your audience by looking into the camera, and don't be afraid to have fun and showcase your energy!

While the contest judges focus on the song itself rather than the video or audio quality, it's still important to put your best foot forward. So, record a few takes and select the one that captures the emotion of your performance.

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