J.I.T.A. is a phenomenal new artist showing the world that God can and does belong in hip-hop. Born Marcus Velazquez, J.I.T.A. (Jesus Is The Answer) has been through countless struggles in his life that he says: "God needed me to go through the things I've been through to help those who are going through those times now, by means of my music". J.I.T.A. was born on the North West side of Chicago where he currently resides today. J.I.T.A. was raised Catholic, attending St. Mary Of The Angels School from Kindergarten through graduating 8th grade. During his elementary school years, J.I.T.A. understood the meaning of heartbreak by being rejected by the opposite sex, finding out that the man who raised him was not his biological father at the tender age of 10, and going through a rough divorce of his parents. J.I.T.A. quickly realized that the world is a cold place and started to only rely on himself and not others. J.I.T.A. then attended Walter Payton high school where he started developing his style. J.I.T.A. used the freedom of high school to gain popularity and to get to know himself. It was his senior year in high school when a friend had begun to talk to him about Jesus. J.I.T.A., being Catholic at the time, already “knew” of Jesus and claimed that he didn’t need to be taught anything. Yet J.I.T.A. saw something in his friend that he didn’t have. After talking with several friends, pastors, and visiting several churches, in 2003, J.I.T.A. decided to give his life to Christ and devote himself entirely to pursuing the Will of God. Since dedicating his life to Christ, J.I.T.A. has yet to see a dull, unproductive day. J.I.T.A. was immediately blessed with the gift of rapping. J.I.T.A. knew that this gift was from God so he then used his gift for God and began writing and recording hip-hop/rap music for the church and for those who have been or are going through the same things he’s been through. When riding a bus one day, J.I.T.A. passed a church where on the outside bulletin board was the phrase: “Jesus Is The Answer”. That phrase stuck in J.I.T.A.’s mind for days when he decided to take the first initial from each of the words in that phrase, and viola, J.I.T.A. was born. J.I.T.A. is currently known throughout the North West side of Chicago performing at several churches throughout the area. J.I.T.A. has also performed at the Puerto Rican Parade Festival in 2005 held in the heart of Humboldt Park in Chicago, performing in front of over 2,000 people. J.I.T.A.’s music has already led several people to Christ and is so far doing what he intended: “As long as my music is used to bring one soul to Christ, I’m satisfied”. J.I.T.A.’s skill continues to grow not only lyrically but J.I.T.A. has also been blessed with a production talent, producing all of his own music. J.I.T.A. is a bright star that’s just beginning to shine. His first project, “Salvation 101”, is already a breath-taking cd. J.I.T.A. is currently working on his second cd yet to be titled with no release date just yet. So enjoy the refurbished hip-hop presented by a man who’s been there and has let God do incredible things with his life. This is J.I.T.A. and he’s here to stay.