We were lucky to catch up with Jamond King recently and have shared our conversation below.

Jamond, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your creative career sooner or later?

I started producing when I was about 13 years old, so I actually got started early. I just wish I wouldn’t have gave up so many times because I thought it was difficult. Plenty of times I figured that music production wasn’t for me and that I should find another path, but I stuck with it and I’m here getting recognition for my hard work and talent. It’s cool to reminisce back when I was 13 and didn’t have much in the world to worry about like money, putting food on the table, etc., so to be 22 years old doing what I’m doing now is incredible.

Jamond, 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?

Well, first off, my producer name is “Amazing Star”, and I’m from Thibodaux, Louisiana. I got introduced to music at an early age, seeing my older relatives come to my apartment when I was younger and making songs over other rappers beats and all. I always thought it was cool to hear someone I know over an instrumental that the whole world may know. As for me, I became a music producer from watching them and having older cousins who also produce show me how to make beats, samples, etc. Eventually I put time into it outside of school and tried it out for myself. After a while of trial and error, I released my first beattape at the age of seventeen years old while I was in my senior year of high school at Thibodaux High. I called it G.U.M (God Understands Me), and I gained a little attention at school for what I was doing outside of it, but I never tried to make it known to everyone.

I currently just make beats/loops, but I plan on getting back into mixing and mastering and also learning how to design cover arts for artists, etc. I’d like to be a jack of all trades, seeing as it’d make me very valuable for what I can do.

I’m proud to say that I, along with some others, am bringing recognition to Thibodaux and the surrounding areas, or just the 985 and Louisiana in general. Being from where I’m from, it’s a lot of trials and tribulations and starting over. I almost gave up on the music for good plenty of times, so to get recognition in my city, state, and even all over the world, it’s a honor. My biggest achievement so far is just being able to say I’m a producer and that I can hear artists from all over on MY work. That’s really amazing, and I don’t think people realize how great that is.

I think what sets me apart from other producers and musicians is my honesty and my humbleness. I lost people near and dear to me, and I used it as motivation to get here. I never tried to downplay the next person because they’re doing better than me, I always want to see those around me exceed expectations and make something of themselves. I know the talent that I possess and that I’m blessed to have it, but I would be lying if I said that I sometimes feel like it’s a curse and a blessing. Those around me know that I have a sense of humor, I’m humble, honest, etc, but I’m lovable, tangible, and I’m true to myself. The music just helps people see all sides of me and it reflects in my different styles of beats and songs that I am capable of producing.

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

After leaving high school, I got into a relationship with my now ex-girlfriend about a month and a half after I graduated. A month into our relationship, I left to attend LSU and focus on Mass Communications (I wanted to be a sports analyst). Well, I started off doing good on campus, everything was going swell, then I started hanging around the wrong crowds, slacking, and not making the right decisions. Some of my actions started affecting those around me, seeing as my ex wanted what’s best for me and she lectured me on my behaviors and such. Well, skip over some time, and I failed the first semester after the great start I had, and I failed the second. I was placed on academic probation, I couldn’t attend LSU for the next fall semester, I didn’t have much money, no place to stay except my mom and grandmother’s home, no vehicle, license, etc., and my relationship was having issues due to my decision making. I came back and started becoming a man, making mistakes along the way as we all do, hoping that I’ll find something that’ll stick. I was working two jobs, walking to work, being prideful and stubborn since I didn’t wanna ask those around me for a ride, and I kept on telling myself I’ll figure it out. Skip ahead some months and I had three deaths near me hit in four days. I had a cousin die on Christmas, my little brother & little sisters (on my mom’s side) cousin got killed, and my great grandfather died two days after that suddenly. I just felt numb and over it, feeling like I just couldn’t win. My ex and her family was there to motivate me, but my pride didn’t want to let someone else help me out during my time of need and grievance. So with all of these factors going on, on top of the fact that I have no vehicle, my job wasn’t paying much and I couldn’t bring my ex out for dates, etc., I realized it was time to become a man and really utilize my talents. Now I’m here in 2022, making a name for myself and I won’t stop until I take over, one way or another.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

A lesson I had to unlearn is the difference between a hand out and a helping hand. I always used to despise hand outs, seeing as I never had much coming up in school. I always saw those around me with nice things while I attended school with “hand-me-down” clothing and more, so I view it differently now that I’m older. There’s nothing wrong with someone receiving a helping hand, we’re human and issues arise. There’s also nothing wrong with hand outs from time to time, it’s just what you do with it that counts. My dad taught me that and I forever thank him for it, even though we don’t talk much since he’s locked up.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prodbyamazingstar/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Amazing-Star-110868645073526
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/prodamazingstar
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCMZ-wn9P_IFYAciKB0W8geg

Image Credits
Kerry Gros