Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to JayT Russell. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
JayT, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.
I have three. Working on The Equalizer and having my first on screen television scene with Queen Latifah was HUGE FOR ME. It has been a Christmas tradition of mine to watch Last Holiday with my parents every year. That movie with She and LL Cool J inspired me to want to become an actor. To go from being a kid watching her on tv to having my TV debut on her show that she produced was life changing and affirming of GODs hand on my life. The other two would be working on my new EP “8” and Starring on Relative Race season 13
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
For those who are now just getting to know me. I am the proud 3rd great grandson of Liberia’s 10th President Alfred Francis Russell the fifth cousin of United States First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln and a relative of Liberia’s 11th and 20th presidents President Hilary Johnson and President William Tolbert I am a top ten charting singer/songwriter and performer with over 5 million streams on Spotify and YouTube alone. I have appeared in major movies such as Sweethearts which was the number 3 movie on HBO Max. It was the first of many films to come where I had my first lines in a film. I also starred in BYU TV/Amazon Prime hit TV show Relative Race Season 13. I have appeared on tv shows everywhere from Netflix, BET, CBS, NBC to CW. I have opened up and shared the stage with Pop and R&B/Hip Hop icons such as Tamar Braxton, JoJo, PnB Rock and Jesse McCartney
Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?
I would say watching how Tyler Perry, Issa Rae and Oprah took control of their names, narrative and brand has inspired to be a strong and unwavering businessman and brand. Ownership is key to longevity and success and I pride myself on owning my masters and my brand
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
I am guided by my faith in GOD and my faith in myself. Knowing that no dream of mine is too big because GOD has equipped me with everything I need to be everything I am and will be. I’ve seen myself on Billboards in time square. Becoming the first Liberian American male singer to appear on two. I became the first Liberian American Artist to chart top ten in the Philippines on Spotify viral Philippines chart and the first to reach the top 60 on Spotify’s GLOBAL charts. All of this was done as an independent artist who could have sold away my genius but chose to honor GOD through ownership so that young black boys and men coming after me can see that you can do things GOD’s way and still impact the world.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://Instagram.com/jayt.music
- Twitter: Instagram.com/jaytmusiq
- Youtube: https://YouTube.com/jaytofficial
Image Credits
Pix 11 NY Living Tv Show
Mitson Joseph
JayT