When you look at all that up-and-coming hip-hop/rap artist Jake Helman has accomplished, it is hard to believe that he has only been singing for a year and a half.

When Helman opened for Mac Miller at UVM’s Fall Fest this past October, it was only his fourth performance. 

Helman said that it was a nerve-racking but incredible experience. “It was huge being on stage in front of that many people so early on,” Helman said.

Helman, who goes by Jacob Es on stage, is a junior and an English major here at UVM. He has always had a passion for words, so it is no surprise that Helman writes all of his own music. 

“I really found a connection with words and with my writing. It has such a healing effect on me,” Helman said. 

Helman’s interest in writing is not the only reason that he got involved in music. In fact, his first love was baseball.

He was heavily recruited to play in college, but after a string of serious injuries throughout high school and early college, baseball was no longer an option for Helman. 

His struggles with this and other life experiences eventually developed into a newfound love for creating music, which became a huge outlet for Helman. 

“I started writing music for a very personal reason,” Helman said. “It was such a release for me.” 

Helman said that he tries to live by Gandhi’s words “Be the change you seek.” This quote sums up much of what Helman hopes to convey through his music. 

“I believe that you can have as big of an influence on the world as you choose to,” Helman said. “Your life is measured by the people you affect on a daily basis.”

After being featured on popular music website Fresh New Tracks, Helman’s version of “Pumped Up Kicks” has received over 30,000 views on YouTube. 

His music has also been played on Burlington radio station 96.7.

Helman just released the first part of his latest project, The Road, on Jan. 10. 

“The Road is a three-part mixtape series that will be released over the course of this semester, “Helman said. “It draws influences from many genres musically, and features relatable and relevant content lyrically.”

Though Helman is constantly kept busy by maintaining a balance between being a full time student and musician, he said that he loves every minute of it. 

“I feel like I’ve gotten a second chance and I try to take advantage of that every day,” he said.

Helman has an upcoming performance at Higher Ground on Jan. 28, where he will be opening for OCD Moosh & Twist. 

You can connect with Jacob Es and find out about his music and upcoming shows  through his Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/JacobEsMusic.