We were lucky to catch up with Jae Artiste recently and have shared our conversation below.
Jae, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you share an important lesson you learned in a prior job that’s helped you in your career afterwards?
One important lesson that I learned at my previous job was the importance of being present as YOURSELF. At all times. Know what you want from it, what you want from and for yourself, know what you bring to the table, don’t wait on anyone to give you value or praise, because you can be waiting all your life for that. I found myself saying often “this job don’t know what to do with me,” but a job is gonna be just that so you don’t wait on them to know how to use YOUR capabilities and skills. You let them know where you stand. You walk in that certainty of yourself at all times so NO ONE can get in the way of what you contribute to any room. Walk in your self worth, value, and confidence wherever you go- and I live by that everyday knowing that what I bring to any table and any room, you won’t find anywhere. And sure people can do what I’m doing but they can’t do what I do, how I do it! And I stand behind that. In return, has built a lot of confidence and that confidence makes it easy for me to do whatever I chose!
Jae, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
Growing up, creative art has always been my go to for coping. Being an outgoing introvert, I wasn’t always vocal about my internal battles and how things made me feel. In turn, I would engage with all different creative art styles as forms of self expression- fashion, hair, makeup, drawing/painting, creating, as well as singing- music was always a thing for me.
I currently work as a Booking Agent with Mor Bookings Agency. What we do is scout talent and provide opportunities for artists including but not limited to: producing events during sxsw, rolling loud weekend, Grammy Weekend, BET Awards, etc. as well as curate , tours, showcases and more throughout the United States! In addition, We have been able to get artist in front of, open for and work with reps from Atlantic Records, Interscope, Hot 97, Power 105.1, Empire, Roc nation, 300 ent, Quality Control, as well as work with & get artists in front of Capella Grey, Coi Leray, Da Baby, Trev Mulah, K Goddess, Latto, just to name a few.
What drew me to this role was my passion for creativity, self expression, and simply being a motivational force in one of the things I love: music. In theses rooms, I see A lot of humans choosing a creative route, choosing art to release from their internal and even external battles. I think so many underestimate the power of being able to say “okay let me put this energy somewhere I can create a masterpiece!” It’s to be commended as there’s so many ways we can take, use, and abuse our energy.
I also always wish I had a me, growing up. Someone as supportive, Genuine, sincere, inspiring, motivating, loving- I knew I wanted to be that for others. This is what sets me a part from anyone else: is that my genuineness and my customer service are literally core values- it’s what I pride myself in, who I am at heart. That outshines in anything- I genuinely want what’s best for people. I’m not money hungry or greedy- I literally want what’s best for all the artists and creatives I work with!
Since adapting into this role, I am most proud of the artists themselves. It’s a privilege to watch them unfold and walk in the power of being their best artistically creative versions. It’s a privilege to be able to support them with pure intent and get them into the rooms they want to be in. Not only do I witness them grow into unstoppable artists but It makes them better as people and that in itself is rewarding for me to be a part of. I’m also proud to be able to watch the Agency continue to scale and to be a part of a genuine movement!
I look forward to continuing to reach and help such dedicated artists to soar in real life as well as in their social media presence through digital marketing.
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.
Whew! I’m going to speak on this from a ‘creative block’ perspective. When I experienced a severe creative block, all I could do was THINK instead of being able to think AND produce. This kept me stagnant for so long that truthfully, now I am just coming out of it. Being in a creative block help me to understand why life can be more difficult as a non-creative.
Living as a creative involves being able to step out of your head and put things in front of your eyes where you can see them! This is also a constant behavior that has to happen every single day. Everyday you have to take some sort of action to bringing a physical result to what you think about. Many don’t understand or can’t wrap their head around for that matter- but it HAS to be done or you will sink here! I have so many thoughts and plans written from 1-3 years ago and I’m like at this point I can’t keep rewriting these plans and never seeing what will actually work. So now everyday it is a MUST, that I physically engage with my thoughts because like Kobe said “I WANT TO SEE IF I CAN. I DON’T KNOW IF I CAN. I WANT TO FIND OUT. I WANT TO SEE. I’M GOING TO DO WHAT I ALWAYS DO: I’M GOING TO BREAK IT DOWN TO ITS smallest form, smallest detail. AND GO AFTER IT. DAY BY DAY, ONE DAY AT A TIME.”
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
One of my big motivations is my three nieces, Za’Niyah, Mariah, and Zi’yah! It is my mission to break generational curses right here for them. I want them to look at their TeeTee and know that they can be whatever their creative hearts desire. That we don’t have to be products of our environment- that more to life is possible. It’s in us AND on us! My mission has always been beyond me- I’ve always wanted to be able to teach them, provide them with things that they wouldn’t need to struggle finding on their own, to be able to “pass the torch.” We don’t have many entrepreneurs in our family nor, sad to say, have many of our generations been set up for success. But that changes with me! I’ve experienced so much so they won’t have to when it’s their turn. That is also why I have so much more to learn and explore. If it is God’s will, stopping will never be an option on this journey! I have to see it through!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScepeAr-bQi8lyXDr0IIXzD-ZaKP0A4Ef6QXPmLj3s6PXMd8Q/viewform?fbclid=PAAabI5bUeZIH8kOP-nsSJVSNI8AiO_o5JQkv_wJsuXmNBDbbs695-Fmfkqek_aem_AV3H-O3T1HPTfP4eiVrrpDy7cw5V-kyocTUDUKSwsDGTNHtB6ymcyCVkMR3GOOfk4xY
- Instagram: https://Instagram.com/dadolldon
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- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@downwithdadon
Image Credits
Cloud9Visuals