Erick Purpose, formerly known as Jiyu Purp was born in Texarkana, Tx, where he first began to write raps as a child at the age of 9. While living in Dallas, Tx, Erick came into his own as a recording and performing artist, releasing mixtapes and collaborating with peers, including being one half of Black Leaf ( Purpose & fushou.) As Purpose continued to write lyrics, his perspective evolved into a freedom driven ideology, in which often is tied into the music. Erick continues to use his music as a vehicle to ride through time to find Purpose.