Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Serrin Joy. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Serrin, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?
As an artist, would I say that I am happy? To the creative aspect of everything, I would answer yes. The best part of being a creative in general, is having the ability to release your emotions, through a special communication… your ART! Whether that be a painting, a song, a dance, a monologue, etc. It’s a gift to be able to impact and relate to those around you, simply by doing what you love. I think anyone in the entertainment field, can relate when I say, (minus the business aspect at times), being an artist is not only fun, but very therapeutic. So long story short.. yes!
As far as wondering what it would be like to have a regular job, I’ve actually worked a couple of different regular jobs myself, and they were all customer service jobs. I’ve been a tour guide, a cocktail girl/ hookah girl/ server, a bowling alley birthday party host, and a nail shop receptionist. In jobs like these, the environments are very different from the entertainment industry. I’ve come across some of the sweetest people I’ve ever met, and I’ve met those who are strictly at the job to make their money. I respect both viewpoints of the work place. The biggest things I have taken away from experiencing “regular jobs”, are 1. To treat everyone with respect, but always stick up for yourself, professionally. #2, You will encounter some of the most entitled customers you’ve ever met, (especially in the food service industry), keep your head up. Don’t let anyone take you out of your character. #3, Some people just want to be able to put food on the table, travel and pay their bills/ rent, and that’s okay!
Working these jobs, I’ve gotten to meet so many different people. I love working with kids, and families and I even picked up a second language along the way! (¡Estudio español todos los días!:)) These jobs pushed me to work even harder towards my goals, knowing they weren’t my “end all be all” jobs. You learn so many different communication skills! You also gain friends, and learn how to relate to your audience. I don’t think anyone is ever too good, to work at least one 9-5 job in their life. It grows you as an individual.
Serrin, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
My name is Serrin, and I’m an artist originally from Akron, Ohio. I grew up as the oldest of five in a very musical household. My parents (Joy and Walter Scrutchings), instilled an appreciation for music in my siblings and I (Walter, Lynette, Lydia, and Sophia), since we were babies. We all started in the church choirs (Our parents were the ministers of music), and ever since I can remember, music has always played a huge role in my life.
I started off singing/ playing the piano at different churches, which grew into me singing in school choirs and musicals. Overtime, I broke into my own performances/ gigs! I put out my first song on YouTube at the age of sixteen, it was called “The Real You”. After seeing the positive reactions of those in my city from that song, I decided to continue to create demos and just work on my songwriting in general. That summer, I began really pushing myself, I featured in my first gig on a web series, I was one of “Ramona’s Kids” with Cleveland 19 News, and I also had my first TV auditions that summer in Atlanta. Everything was so new and I was really nervous.. but I was having so much fun at the same time!
In 2019, I moved to New York City, to study Musical Theatre at The American Musical & Dramatic Academy. I was attending school during the day and would perform in Open Mics around the city at night. Through networking around the city, I got the opportunity to perform alongside Melba Moore with The Women Of Color On Broadway, which was so amazing!
In 2020, I released my first ever song on all streaming platforms called, “Pull Up”! I was very nervous to put the song out, being that it was a more risqué piece of music, and coming from a Gospel/ Jazz/ Classical/ Musical Theatre background, I didn’t know how everyone would take to the new R&B sound… After only the first four months of releasing my music, I had over 6,000 listeners a month on Spotify! I had set no expectation for the song, other than the fact that I loved it myself, so I had my fingers crossed that someone else would too. That was with no promotion, no label and a song I wrote all by myself. That year I also was inducted into my city’s history vault, as the first person ever from Akron, Ohio to make it on American Idol. I was 18 years old.
As of late, I have relocated to Atlanta and I’ve just been working my way around different recording studios, (Compound & M-Track Studios), and I’ve also gotten into the film industry as well. I’ve worked in the studio alongside Ne-Yo, Zae France, Layton Greene and Kiya Juliet, writing, recording demos, laying backgrounds, and creating. As for film, most recently I’ve worked alongside Kelly Rowland, Marsai Martin, Oprah, Halle Bailey, H.E.R., Fantasia, Taraji P. Henson, Tamela Mann, and Omari Hardwick to name a few. I recently just signed to my first label! Which I am very excited about! I’m 21 years old now, and so excited to see what all is coming for me.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.
I think the most misunderstood notion in regards to any creative, is how “easy” everything can appear to be. Whether it’s putting a song out, a show together, or even building a career, the end result always looks easier and faster than it was to get it done.
So many artists had been rehearsing, networking, negotiating and developing (many times for years), before they had their first viral or mainstream product. I feel like a lot of the time, an artists hard work can go unnoticed, and things can look like they just “happened overnight”. This is why so many people think they are cut for the industry… their conception of what hard work really is, is off.
In this day and age, people want/ expect to get to the top fairly quickly, so about 65% of the population will do anything to get there. If you don’t believe me, check TikTok! What happens with these trends? Yay! you went viral, and if you didn’t have the preparation for the moment, it shows and after about a week to two weeks, nobody cares anymore and we’ve moved on to the next “trending topic”. Long story short, quick rise & no preparation = hard fall. Hard work & preparation = longevity.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
This past year for me, was a trip to say the least. I began the year recording at a new studio, I won’t say any names, just keep in mind this team had worked with the likes of Rihanna, Beyonce, Ne-Yo, etc. I want to preface before I start, in my heart I don’t take this situation personal, I know (now) everything is just business.
I was invited to this particular studio, by one of my followers on Instagram who had saw a video of me singing. I pulled up, played some of my songs and the owner heard my voice. He asked me to come back and from there, I was recording just about everyday in the studio, from January to June. I was twenty years old at the time, and very dedicated. I would get off 12+ hour shifts, then hit an open mic/showcase, then I would hit the studio and that became my schedule. This was a production label, and I was told that I was their next big artist. I was in there building relationships and dreams. I trusted everyone so much, I quit my job. I had no idea what was coming next.
After about 6 months, I was given a contract from this label, which wasn’t the best deal.. to say the least. I knew I had to get lawyers involved.
I was working towards negotiating things out with the label, so I tried to get another job to pay for the lawyer. At the time, I was singing with a corporate band on the weekends, so I had some cash in my pocket, but not as much as I had with my previous job.
In my attempt to speed the negotiation process, I applied for a new job(s). On the way to a job interview, my car (at the time) broke down. I wasn’t the best at asking for help, so I spent a lot of time by myself, posting singing videos and taking free photoshoots to build my modeling portfolio. I kept praying, pushing and going.
By October, the label decided to drop me because I didn’t agree to their terms and the corporate band fired me with no explanation. I did though, finally have another job, and thanks to God and family, I was able to get a new car. By this point, one of the producers/ songwriters from the previous label where I was, had heard about how things went down for me in regards to how business was handled. He saw potential in me, and presented me my second contract with his label. I was sold. He’s not only an amazing songwriter/ producer, but the contract was fair, and gave me what I’m worth, so I was more than happy to join the team. I ended the year with a new car and as a signed artist! A real full circle moment.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://zez.am/serrinjoymusic?fbclid=IwAR3vvrqzfJR_X5deBejx_RCFke5zDHjnibvYG_HiF4v_2-6LD8b1qpjXDlg
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/serrinjoymusic/
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/serrinjoymusic
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/serrinjoymusic
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCS1P-FFv4tPM-xO_HnSyJrg
Image Credits
Natey Nukes