Today we’d like to introduce you to Lj The Angel
Hi Lj, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Yeah I got started as a sophomore in college. I had an idea that I wanted to make music so I began teaching myself how to do it. I started taking classes that were geared toward creative writing and English studies like poetry and African American literature to learn how I could improve my lyricism. I learned a lot as a part of my university’s poetry club and I met so many people who were likeminded who I am still friends with today.
I continued to grow as an artist by performing at open mics where I would experiment with how to perform in front of crowds, how to be comfortable interacting with other artists, and planning out sets and timing.
Starting around May of 2024, I began to write music which reflected my newfound faith. It was a tough transition because at first, I didn’t want to make Christian music. But I eventually gave in to God’s call for my life and now I’m here making music that I pray glorifies His name.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
This road has been anything but smooth. I dropped out of school for music, which was extremely disappointing to my parents. I just felt like school wasn’t meant for me at the time. I joined and was kicked out of a band. There were multiple times when I had less than $100 in my bank account and sometimes when I had less than $20.
I’ve gone through droughts where I wasn’t able to perform and times when literally no one would listen to the music I made. I’ve had terrible performances, times when I’ve wanted to give up and constant disappointments. But the key to all success is consistency, self discipline, hope and faith.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
In recent years, I have branched out to multiple different forms of expression. When it comes to music, I specialize in Christian rap, which has been a blessing to my life. In January 2023, I began to teach myself how to sketch and create visual art. This year, in 2024, I began taking modeling and acting classes at La Crème in NJ. I’ve also written scripts for short films and am currently working on a feature length script.
I would say that I am most proud of my music because I have put in so much effort into growing as a musician in such a short amount of time (7 years) and it has opened so many doors for me. I have met so many amazing people and connected with so many amazing artists over time and I attribute it to God placing me in spots that would lead me in the direction of glorifying Him.
What sets me apart is God’s love, favor, and grace. I would not be where I am today without Him. As a result, I have given my life to Him so He can use me how He sees fit. And since I have, I can truly say that my life has changed for the better.
How do you define success?
I think success is determined by each individual’s goals. Often times, we look at people and we deem them as successful, when in actuality, they haven’t reached the goals they’ve set for themselves. And I believe that in order to be successful, a person has to have a passion for something. Without passion or drive, success can’t be measured.
For me personally, my definition of success is being able to support myself and my family with my artistry. And if I’m being honest, I don’t see myself as successful at this moment. So I am constantly working and challenging myself in order to reach that goal soon.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lj_the_angel/profilecard/?igsh=OWFrOHJxOXJqeGc0
- Soundcloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/GUcAYSMMSp29BJgh8
- Other: https://linktr.ee/ljthealien?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaZoFg1cMc5hVaQY2nfiRHnnM9dvWGSNLt7x7XFAKcZySNMm3KzeW4QqG2s_aem_j0_R0x5QP6bM2DHt9vKmxg
Image Credits
Kore Richards