New Jacksonville artist prepares to launch inaugural album

 
JACKSONVILLE, FL – When inspiration strikes for Gage Langstaff, it’s almost like his music can write itself. The hook and lyrics come so quick, it’s almost like a shotgun blast.
 
Appropriate, then, that 12Gage – as he’s known in the world of hip-hop – would be ready to release an album of about 12 songs that feature those flashes of inspiration. Called “Dragonfly 44,” the album is filled with songs that 12Gage said he’s kept under lock and key for a long time, but all of which circle around a theme of looking to positivity and hope in the midst of struggle.
 
“The name ‘Dragonfly 44’ is a metaphor for a galaxy that’s basically the same size as our galaxy, but it’s filled with dark matter instead of light,” 12Gage said. “Life is full of dark matter and dark things, but you just have to chase that 1 percent of light. My songs will talk about the ups and downs of life, but they’re all filled with resilience. What might start as depressing at first will eventually lead to resilience and triumph.”
 
The first single from the album, by a title of the same name, has already been released and is available for purchase on all digital download sites, including iTunes, Google Play, Spotify and more. It’s a single that 12Gage said features his unique qualities as a “white rapper who doesn’t fall under the same category or stereotype of what you’d think from someone like that.”
 
“My dad was a poet and he took his ability and ran with it,” 12Gage said. “And he taught me a lot about that. Plus, growing up I used to do impersonations with my uncle a lot and he taught me how to manipulate my voice. Today I can change my voice to pretty much anything. When I first started making music people would tell me that my lyrics were phenomenal and that I should try to add more melodies to my songs. I started testing the waters with that and it came out pretty good.”
 
So good, in fact, that fans have been begging him to release an album and radio stations have been giving his single “Dragonfly 44” plenty of airplay throughout Floriday. 12Gage said he hopes that people not only enjoy the beats and sound of his music, but also appreciate the deeper meaning behind his lyrics.
 
“There’s always a deeper meaning than just the bars I’m putting out,” he said. “I want to be taken seriously. My music definitely means something. I’m not rapping about what most rappers are rapping about today. I hope people see that I’m creating good lyrics with a good vibe to it, and they’ll want to listen to it over and over again.”
 
Fans who want to find out more about 12Gage can check out his website at official12gage.net, or follow him on Facebook or @OfficialXIIGAGE on Twitter. Fans can also check out his music on his Soundcloud page.