Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Legendary Jay. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Legendary Jay, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

Picture yourself as a 3 year old kid, and try to imagine the time where you suddenly realized that you were alive: that you’re seeing, hearing, breathing. A similar phenomenon happened to me in high school where I suddenly realized I would have to decide what I wanted to do with my life or there would be consequences.

Alone, I sat down in my high school foyer and thought for a while. The question was heavy; what career can I choose that will make me the MOST amount of money BUT bring me the most amount of happiness. I wanted the best of both worlds. How could I settle for less?

I thought about what most successful people have in common and the truth is that they all have been doing their professions since they were kids. Lebron James, Pablo Picasso, and even the Smooth Criminal were all doing what they’re known for since they were YOUNG. Naturally, I looked at what I had been doing since then and the answer came quicker than a virgin: entertainment.

For as LONG as I can REMEMBER, I was trying to make people laugh. Since the EARLIEST days. From my cousins as toddlers, to my elementary classrooms, to a theater audience, to currently the world – it never ended.

Not only this – but I was in choirs, bands (instrumentalist AND conductor), I could draw, and I was great at crafts. I had realized that I was already a developing artist.

My sister and I would make videos on a FLIP CAMERA with Webkinz when we were only 5-8 years old. We made another animated series called the Grape and the Vacuum on Windows Movie Maker with MS Paint. I made Minecraft videos & Spongebob edits on Sony Vegas Pro for youtube when I was in middle school. And in this entire timespan, age 4-17, I was making comic books and showing them to my classmates and we’d all have a laugh. I have been doing this since I was a child. And I already knew how to formulate plans for success. How could I not take advantage of these skills that I’d already had?

Sure, I wasn’t a master at the time of my decision to pursue it, but people go to college with zero skills on their major to master it and set it as their career. As far as I was concerned, I was ahead of the game.

The answer was clear, I was already making videos for various unremarkable reasons, but I knew it was time to take it seriously. The goal was now set: become a famous artist!

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your background and context?

Sure – I am an artist. I don’t make ordinary videos or “content” and I never will. It is why I don’t claim the title Content Creator or Influencer. That term is for the masses.

For anyone who has seen my work, it is obvious that an incredible amount of time, effort, and love goes into each project. For just a 30-40 second video, it may take me over a week to make. First I must conjure a concept; this usually comes to me without too much thought. Second I must write this concept out to become a script and plan. I must organize actors, accommodate all of their schedules, and then set a meeting time for us all. Then I must direct a complex shoot in usually a time constraint due to schedules. Then I will take all shots home to review and edit completely by myself which is something a lot of other people do not do. When it’s perfect, I will release it!

The business side of things is great once you break through the wall. Because I do my absolute best every time, business is never slow. I’ve had a couple managers, but they never brought me any deals. All of my brand deals came straight to my gmail without the help of management outsourcing. We’ll see how my new management does. I’ve worked with The Northface, Meta, JBL, Amazon, Bumble, and Crocs to name a few. All of the work I put into my art is not for nothing – it sets me apart and makes me irreplaceable. Brands cannot simply “find someone else”. My point is, if you are an upcoming creative and are struggling to make it work financially, I encourage every single one of you to do your best and then wait for your time. It’s YOU vs. YOU.

Though the work is fun, nothing beats experiencing appreciation for your art. And it’s great to know that it’s making people happy in the process. I want to keep making more money so that after I buy my house, I can use all other income to be a light in this world. I want to and will travel to suffering countries and organize help teams and show it to my audience so that in such a negative and narcissistic world, I may be able to turn some things around. I know God has been helping me so that I can realize this dream. And it will come true.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Honestly, a huge part of the reason I do what I do was for my girlfriend. I had loved her to the core, and I wanted to make sure we would be okay no matter what. Money, time, and availability makes and breaks relationships and I needed to make sure I’d have those things to make sure we’d be happy.

Well, I did everything I could, but we still split. And I felt very lost. She was half my motivation – so it took me a very, very long time to pivot and mentally shift on why I was working so hard. I was doing it for us, but I made up half of that, so I WORKED internally to make sure to look out for what was left: me. And I sure did. I kept pushing myself. I picked myself up when I would fall. And beyond those years, I stand up on my two feet successfully doing this for me and the people who I’ll help in the future.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

I just wanted to be free financially and from a 9-5. I wanted to do what I liked doing. And I wanted to change the world by being a light. I want to make a huge difference on this planet for the better. Somebody’s gotta do it and I can’t stop till it’s fully realized.

Contact Info:

• Website: Tiktok.com/@legendaryjay_
• Instagram: Instagram.com/llegendaryjay
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100066776385836&mibextid=LQQJ4d
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jay-mckenzie-992036142
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@llegendaryjay