Today we’d like to introduce you to Justin Johnson

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?

I’ve been a writer my whole life. As a child I was always reading books and making my own fan-fictions from the books I read. I got into poetry because I failed to have patience to be a rapper, but it worked out better this way! I’d like to thank my brief stint at university for not only reawakening my love for writing, but also helping me find a new love for poetry. If I hadn’t gone to the poetry show on campus I’m not really sure where I’d be creatively.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?

The biggest struggle is being consistent when life wants to get in the way. During covid I had to move out into an apartment I wasn’t finically ready to move into one. Which then opened new doors and stressors to learn and deal with. After finally getting the hang of living on my own during a pandemic, I got laid off February 2022 which brought on my biggest spell of depression I’ve faced to date. But I still managed to release my first book of poetry, make and record over 30 songs, start the recording process for a second book and finished my manuscript for the 2nd edition of my book. Could I have done more in better conditions? Sure, but I don’t think the story or art would have came out as great if I didn’t have all the drama giving me a new source to tap into creatively.

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?

I’m a poet, author and music artist. I’m mostly known for my poetry and spoken word performances in the NJ/NY area. I released my first book of poetry in 2021 called SCATTERED on Amazon. It’s one of my proudest moments in my creative career, because I had no intentions of releasing a book. Around 2018-19 people would come up to me after performances and tell me they like what they heard and wanted to buy my book. It was happening so frequently that I was like I need to figure out how to make this happen. I had a bunch of poems from 2012-2019 and went through many drafts trying to figure out what the book would be. Eventually SCATTERED was born in 2021. The 2nd edition came out in May 2023.

For the past 5 years I’ve been recording my poems over instrumentals and I’m so excited to finally start putting them out on streaming platforms. In March 2024 I dropped a single called MOOD ROOM produced by Ace Felli. And in April 2024 I released an EP called SAVE STATE produced by Savvy, The Savior. By the time people read this I will have another EP out called VERSACE VOL. 1 produced by my childhood friend Cevser. Also potentially a mixtape over some of my favorite artist’s beats.

Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?

Finding a mentor is easy. The key is finding someone who has done things you want to do or been in the places you’re trying to go. The person I’m seeking mentorship from not only has to show obvious signs of success in what I want to learn from them, but they have to be in the upper echelon of talent for me to even consider wanting to work with them. Social media makes it pretty easy to decieve people on who actually knows what they are doing. Ask your potential mentor a myriad of questions and if they have reviews of their services and coaching, read them. Above all else, make sure the chemistry is there.

What’s worked for me is taking workshops whether that’s writing, poetry or even personal finance and just keep in contact with the person who was teaching the class. Even if that person isn’t someone you mesh well with or they aren’t taking on mentees they probably know someone who is and can point you in the right direction.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Johnsonsoldout.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johnsonsoldout?igsh=MXcwOWVmeWxubHZ3ZQ==
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@johnsonsoldout?si=Ma0-FTFyxmCkbnx9
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-67559318

Image Credits

Elmer Quintero @Elmzqphotos