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For some, music is just entertainment. But for Ronnie Jacob, it became the very thing that saved his life.
Once caught in a cycle of drug addiction, homelessness, and prison, the Klang-born rapper is now rebuilding his life one verse at a time, with his music beginning to gain unexpected traction online.
A journey that began with lyrics at home
Ronnie, who also goes by the name Ronjac, started taking music seriously in mid 2025. But his relationship with music goes much further back.
“Music has been part of my life since I was a kid. It, along with movies, shaped how I see the world.
“What started as casually writing songs about four years ago slowly evolved into something deeper as I realised I had something to say and a way to say it.”
Today, Ronnie has already completed a 10-track Malay rap album and is currently working on producing it, while also writing an English rap album on the side.
Unexpected success
At its core, ‘Rap Aku’ is more than just a catchy track. It is also Ronnie’s declaration of identity.
“Rap is all about competition, swag, and spitting the strongest bars.
‘The song blends both Malay and English, reflecting how Malaysians naturally speak while also allowing me to experiment with wordplay and rhythm.
“Mixing languages also gives me more options and represents who we are,” he explained.
Despite starting from zero, Ronnie’s debut track ‘Rap Aku’ began gaining traction organically on social media. And it caught him completely off guard.
“I honestly expected maybe 100 views on my brand-new page. Instead, the song went on to rack up thousands of likes and shares, including over 10,000 shares on TikTok alone,” he remarked.
What surprised him even more was how listeners connected with the song.
“The chorus was designed to be catchy. But seeing people actually vibing with it? That’s everything.”
‘Unadulterated hell’
Before the music, however, came one of the darkest chapters of Ronnie’s life.
He openly shared that he once struggled with drug addiction, homelessness, and spending time in prison, describing that period as “unadulterated hell.”
“I was homeless, addicted to marijuana and meth, and faced merciless beatings in prison. There were times I had no food or water. I don’t even know how I survived.”
Ronnie’s turning point came when he made the deliberate choice to start respecting himself more and not fall back into his old habits.
“Prison was a horrific nightmare. I decided I never wanted to go back,” he said.
Finding safety in music
Over time, music soon became Ronnie’s anchor and refuge in life.
“Picking up the mic made me feel alive. Like I was contributing something meaningful.
“I cleaned up my life, sought treatment, and started making better decisions.”
However, starting over came with its own challenges as Ronnie would find out following multiple job rejections due to his criminal past.
“After my prison record, no company wanted to take a chance anymore. This ultimately pushed me to fully pursue music.
“What felt like a setback actually forced me to embrace my purpose.”
Turning pain into purpose
Today, everything Ronnie writes is shaped by his past.
“My lyrics are filled with determination, redemption, and the drive to excel. My goal goes beyond just making songs, and I want to inspire others who feel lost.
“Authenticity resonates. When you embrace your roots, your music speaks louder.”
Ronnie also shared that he is currently managing schizophrenia resulting from past substance abuse and is undergoing treatment.
“It doesn’t stop me from making music and improving my life one day at a time,” he added.
‘Not over until you win’
Ronnie is currently working on his upcoming album titled ‘MICROFON PADU’, which promises raw energy, hard-hitting beats, and deeply personal storytelling.
The album will also include a Merdeka-themed track celebrating Malaysia’s strength, unity, and identity.
Beyond rap, he is also exploring new creative directions.
“I aim to be the first artist to produce rap and rock in Malaysia. After everything I’ve been through, my definition of success has changed completely.
“It’s about survival, impact, and authenticity. Being able to tell my story and inspire others…that’s success in my eyes.”
For anyone struggling, Ronnie leaves behind a message he lives by:
“Fall down seven times, get up at the eighth time. It’s not over until you win.”
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