"Growing Up Hip Hop" cast member TJ Mizell recently opened up about his dad and the musical influences that he inherited since childhood.
According to a report from Miami New Times, being an up-and-coming DJ himself has made him more appreciative of his father, late rap icon and Run DMC member Jam Master Jay.
"The last ten Run DMC shows, my brother and I have been given the chance to showcase our skills," TJ Mizell narrated.
"It's been crazy to think my dad was in this position 30 years ago."
Prior to Jam Master Jay's tragic death in 2002 from shooting incident in Queens, New York, the hip-hop legend always encouraged his children to get into music.
"When I was 6, he got me a Casio keyboard, and I'd learn to play music I heard on the radio by ear," TJ Mizell recalled, adding that he also took up lessons to learn how to play the violin and drums.
Now in his 20s, TJ Mizell is into a specific sub-genre of hip-hop music.
"A wild assortment of a lot of bass-heavy, hip-hop-influenced electronic music," he described.
TJ Mizell also talked about working with other "Growing Up Hip Hop" cast members who, just like him, grew up with the highs and lows of being children of urban music icons.
"Being around these other kids, I realized it's not just me going through these things in the music industry," he said.
"[It] was fun - having to be aware of the cameras and seeing how the business works."
Per WeTV.com, "Growing Up Hip Hop" cast children of famous rap personalities who are set on making a name for themselves in the hip-hop industry.
Aside from TJ Mizell, the show's other stars include Master P's rapper son Romeo Miller, who started in the industry as a teen rapper with the nickname "Lil Romeo."
Socialite Angela Simmons, niece of Def Jam and Phat Farm mogul Russell Wilson, will also appear on the show.
Boogie Dash, son of Roc-A-Fella co-founder and media mogul, Damon Dash, will also share his story as an entrepreneur.
Aspiring singer Kristinia DeBarge will open up about her troubled relationship with her imprisoned father, James Debarge, from the legendary soul-funk group DeBarge.
Egypt Criss, daughter of Sandra "Pepa" Denton of Salt-N-Pepa and Treach from Naughty By Nature, will likewise share her struggles as a new solo artist with overprotective parents.
"'Growing Up Hip Hop' profiles what it's like to be raised by hip hop legends, living in their shadow while trying to balance success and independence," WeTV president Marc Juris said about the "Growing Up Hip Hop" cast.
