We were lucky to catch up with Jevi Pesci recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Jevi thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?
I grew up in the eastcoast tri state during the late 90’s and early 2000’s a prime era of hip hop. Influenced by the culture at an early age using it as a therapeutic outlet to escape the surroundings of a crime filled drug related environment. I began with studying & mastering each element expressing myself through graffiti art breakdancing Djing and rapping. My family although very supportive was financially less fortunate while working hard to make ends meet battling struggles of alcoholism and addiction i was raised to be more independent than others my age and gravitated towards and older crowd for friendship and wisdom.
Before the rise of technology i was a bboy breakdancing in basements schools and street corners and writing poetry every chance i got. I filled countless composition books with rhymes as an outlet performing at house parties and local talent shows i gathered like minded individuals including my brother Philosphy forming a crew we named Shiest Villainz releasing a few projects under the name selling mixtapes out of car trunks and local music stores accumulating a name for ourselves. As time progressed the hardships of life circumstances seperated us. I continued to overcome obstacles developing the craft as my only release. As my parent’s divorced i watched my family fall apart when i began selling drugs as a means of survival. Expelled from two high schools before dropping out in 11th grade following years of stints between incarceration probation mental illness and government facilities i never gave up. I could tell you many stories about bad decisions trauma heartbreak violence and loss but this is a story of perseverance.
Now a four time convicted felon who had lost everything i began to reinvent myself into who i would become today. Promising myself I wouldn’t be a victim of recidivism i made a vow to not waste my talent and become a cycle breaker so as to never allow my past or environment to define me and continue to overcome challenges and made the choice to take a chance to make a change no matter the sacrifice. Released from jail I gave up hustling and headed to the midwest to start over and complete my probation a year later while working multiple minimum wage jobs to get by. Using my future wife’s laptop in my spare time taught myself how to record produce mix and master the poetry i spent countless years accumulating. Fast forward i found myself back on the eastcoast again promoting my talents putting together music showcases performing at venues. I started JEVIPESCI PRODUCTIONS an independent production company in 2016 reuniting with a former Shiest Villainz member Axcell formed Lvstovdavillainz music group and clothing line in 2017.
Continuing to learn adapt and elevate while releasing multiple projects the following years independently moved south to expand my creative horizons. Pursuing another way to overcome my past against all odds i fought the same system that persecuted me years later and was granted a full pardon for my felonies in 2019. I then went on to face the DBPR in the state of florida telling my story was given permission to take and pass the state exam achieving my real estate license in 2021. Constantly breaking barriers finding new ways to give back to the community i was awarded “Producer of the year” for Ocoee Florida in 2022 stardom magazine 2023 and featured in the Orlando Voyager. Always progressing this year created KAR Real Estate Group a real estate investment company yet another way to give back and provide affordable housing opportunities to the communities that support us. Accomplishing a life long dream with my wife and co-owner Ashley Roberts who i could not have imagined accomplishing any of this without her by my side for the past 14 years along my jouney.
I am asked by people all the time how did you do it? How did you overcome all these obstacles and have never given up. All i remember is looking up at a panel of 8 federal court judges in Dover DE my life flashing before my eyes having seen every convict before me being sentenced to life in prison and my lawyer telling me he could not represent me at the last minute as the state had already ruled in the prosecutors favor against me but would still give me a chance to speak for mysef. Thinking to myself i had no chance & that i was going to be a convicted felon struggling for the rest of my life i held my head high stood before them and confidently answered all questions about my past, after finishing my story they asked me how did i do it? Like it was a miracle or a trick question, they wanted me to help them understand how so they could help change the structure of the criminal justice system by helping other convicted felons such as my self in recovery and to lower the recidivism rate. As i looked around all i could see were the crying faces of everyone in the courtroom who had just heard my story and i thought… them.. and said i could not have done it without the positive support system created by my wifes family that took me in and believed in me when i had nothing or noone. It would have been impossible without that. The courtroom stood and clapped as the judge pounded the gavel for silence with no objections from the state i was surprisingly granted my feedom! The feeling was monumental like a gigantic weight had been lifted after years of being crushed down i was free. From then on i would let nothing stand
In my way ever again. I have experienced loss tragedy homelessness poverty addiction mental illness countless battles with life in prisons hospitals governments and have persevered through it all and will continue to persevere through any battles to come. One thing we all have in common is time and time does not stop meaning nothing lasts even the most longed for. If i could tell my younger self anything or anyone out there going through something that makes them think life is over i would say god gives his hardest battles to his toughest angels and true success is measured by the obstacles which one has overcome without pain you would never know glory without loss you would never know strength without struggle there is no progress what you go through in life will define you and you have the opportunity to let it make you who you want to be. You cant stop what happens to you but you can decide how you respond. As long as there is breath in your lungs you will always have a chance to win so never give up.
Jevi, 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?
My name is Kenneth Andrew Roberts aka Lonjevity aka JEVI PE$CI which is an akronym for Judgement Environment Violence and Instinct. I am an independent artist music producer creator real estate agent and multiple business owner.
Gaining reputable notoriety from the local music community started JEVIPESCI Productions an independent Hip Hop company specializing in musical artist talent services including recording engineering promotion marketing & distribution. To give back opportunities & open avenues for young artists an alternate to the streets & share their talent with the world operating without the funding from outside major record labels.
Currently based out of Orlando Florida KAR Real Estate Group is a real estate investment group focused on Florida home rehab restoration giving back to communities one key at a time.
As previously mentioned i am a self proclaimed cycle breaker after growing up in an impoverished household divided and family separated by alcoholism & drug abuse within a crime filled environment. Growing up an ACOA and habitual offender I decided i would not be a victim and refused to be confined to becoming a product of my environment like so many before me. I am proud that i have been able to overcome multiple obstacles to put myself in a position to be able to do so.
As an artist music and art will always be my therapuetic outlet. Since i could remember, my father would play old records of the Beatles Led Zeppelin and Ben E King and my mother would play piano and listen to Moonlight Sonata i grew up with music all around me but it wasn’t until i saw wild style that i became infatuated with hip hop. I thought to myself the era of a new music culture is happening in my backyard two hrs away in New York and i wanted to be apart of it! It was about the freedom to express myself creatively, the structure of the elements the unity, style, dedication and conjoined love of a lifestyle that was magnetic and something i wanted to be able to share with everyone around me. Breakdancing and graffiti art captivated me and writing rhymes was like medicine for my soul. My new album J.E.V.I 2 is available now.
As a real estate agent I’d like to say I don’t deal in real estate I deal in happiness because i live to create a joyful experience through one of the most memorable moments in someone’s life.
I grew up in a low income environment & at times was homeless, which in turn made me stronger and gave me the dream of one day selling real estate but from that humble beginning I also gained a huge respect for the feeling & value of having a home. I can passionately say I understand & empathize with the emotional process involved behind real estate.
It has been my pleasure meeting and taking care of people from all over the globe as a 10 plus year veteran lodging leader in the hospitality industry working with some of the most respected companies in the world earning national recognition achieving dozens of awards & hundreds of positive online testimonies transitioned me into the ultimate goal of helping people on a higher level.
Now as a certified Realtor I proudly strive to give clients the greatest experience through one of the most memorable moments in their lives.”
Let me do the stressing for you!
PASSIONATE. I care about giving back to clients in the communities I serve
HUMBLE. I never forget that I owe everything to the families, and our clients
INTEGRITY. I promise to always do the right thing for my team, our business, and our clients, resulting in mutual success
RESPECT & TRUST. To treat clients and each other with dignity and respect at all times
SOLUTION-BASED. Resourceful, always seeking to discover a solution and providing options for any concerns that arise
UNITY: have fun, encourage and celebrate the journey TOGETHER!
Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?
I am a normal human being at the end of the day like anyone faced with abnormal circumstances who chose to be resilient and overcome obstacles with extreme passion and perseverance like many people before me with common goals of survival facing the path of time life and death. Its how we handle it that defines us. I see the world understanding as we all did not choose to be born, we didn’t choose our parents race or religion but can choose who we want to be and how we become what we want and how we are remembered in others lives. I see everyday struggles as an opportunity to learn and grow also learning early on to fight for what i love and to never give up on your dreams.
Growing up less fortunate it was normal to be told no even with limitless potential and talent, monetary value limited accessible capability & growth. Through years of sheer will & determination becoming self-taught constantly adapting & overcoming obstacles by making my own access in turn creating inspiration and opening possibilities for struggling artists or individuals faced with similar challenges. Giving back to the communities gave me purpose & priceless opportunity.
From struggle come progress & failure is the greatest teacher, I believe success is truly measured by the obstacles which one has overcome in life so each relationship is distinctive providing consumers a unique perspective to maximize growth potential based on these principles gives invaluable motivation you can’t teach or pay to learn in schools.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
My goal is to document my life’s journey and leave behind a musical legacy to create inspiration & hope for future generations to come.
Our time here is precious and i believe time is the most valuable asset everyone is blessed with the freedom to do with it as you will. Growing old is a privilege experienced by few Time is free, but priceless. You can’t own it, you can use it but can’t keep it, you can spend it unlike money once its lost you can never get it back Time is one thing that even the richest can’t own One day, we realize just how precious time really is & that just because someone is here today doesn’t mean they will be here tomorrow. We realize that arguments are a waste of time that each moment spent with loved ones will be cherished forever in our hearts Time is the most undefinable of things; the past is gone, the future has not come, the present becomes the past, even while we attempt to define it. The universe is full of mysteries, but none are quite so baffling It’s one of the only things I can think of that is happening right now yet is both over & yet to come. Inconsistency is the only thing that’s consistent about time. We all experience a minute differently A minute spent in pain seems to last a lifetime, while one spent in bliss is over in an instant Time is too slow for those who wait, too swift for those who fear, too long for those who grieve, too short for those who rejoice, but for those who love, time is eternity It is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring to life in the lives of people you love. Look back to those days that flew by What were you doing who were you with? Those happy memories are time’s way of teaching you what matters most to you.
You’ll never regret the moments spent cherishing loved ones Or moments that you spent doing something that you love If you’re happy, then it’s time well spent Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped living with the results of other people’s businesses or thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice most important, have the courage to follow your heart & intuition manifest happiness into existence for the legacy you leave is defined by the memories in moments you choose to create in others with every second that passes We can never relive the same moment twice. For if we could it wouldn’t be special.
Please feel free to reach out connect and enjoy my catalog at the link below thanks for reading and always stay living for longevity!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/JEVIPESCI
Image Credits
Ashley Roberts