R&B/rap artist Young JV could have followed in the footsteps of his father, Col. Eduardo “Red” Kapunan (PAF Ret).

Except that the 18 year old would rather be a “Soulja” boy than a soldier’s boy.

“I want to be known for what I can do and not as the son of my father,” he told Manila Bulletin Online and other members of the press at a recent interview.

“And what I want is to be part of a movement that shows Filipino rap music is as good as those that come from the west.”

This, JV demonstrates via his debut album, “Ready Or Not.” Produced by Doin’ It Big Production and distributed by PolyEast Records, it has 15 tracks that Young JV says, sparkle with quality production.

“Marami ang nagsasabi na kapag local hiphop or rap song, baduy daw or tunog lata. Some also think that the only way para sumikat ang isang OPM rap song is if it’s double meaning. We’re trying to show that there is another way; that it’s not all ‘bastos’ songs or pabilisan sa pag-rap,” he said.

A prime example of what he means is his promotional single, “That Girl.” Released just recently, the video for the song (directed by Treb Monteras) has already received at least 15,000 hits on YouTube.

Other songs in “Ready Or Not” are “I Bet They Can’t Do It Like That” with Kris Lawrence, the slow jam “Don’t Know You” with Heidi Riego and “Kapayapaan (Give Peace A Chance)” with fellow rapper Marcus Davis Jr.

Young JV said he’d rather write “songs of peace and love” over ones about sexy girls and drug use. 

“Why should I write about those things when I can’t relate to it at all? Kung hindi totoo sa akin, I won’t write about it,” he said.

The war stories of his father have found its way into Young JV’s music.

“I was moved by my father’s war stories when he was a combat pilot in Mindanao and when he took part in the EDSA One people power revolution that brought back our democratic institutions after years of martial rule.  These stories of conflict not only made my father stand tall but brought me closer to the sad situation of our Muslim brothers in Mindanao and countless women and children war victims,” he said.

Young JV was so moved by these stories that part of the “Ready Or Not” album sales will be donated to the education of orphans whose soldier dads died in Mindanao.

The singer has traveled around the world. He studies in an international school. He produced his own album. Heck, he even wears braces.

Yet Young JV tells “haters” that his album is no product of whim.

“I get that a lot,” he said. “They say, Ah, may pera, kaya may album.’ It’s not true. I have an album because I am a musician who knows what he’s doing. Yes, I know what I’m doing.”

And what he is doing – like the late Francis Magalona - is to inspire people to reach for greater heights even when the odds are low.

“My songs of peace and love are inspired by stories of people who work hard and succeed even if they have nothing to start with. Nothing is impossible if you put your heart into it.

“So I say, don’t lose hope - just keep on going.”

The title of Young JV’s debut CD speaks succinctly but solidly of his convictions. According to him, he is going to put himself out there - whether people are “ready or not.”  

“They may like me, they may hate me. They may try to turn me into someone else, but I won’t allow it. This is who I am, no apologies..”

Spoken like a true Soulja boy.