We were lucky to catch up with Justin “JC” Crowder recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Justin “JC”, thanks for joining us today. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?
My parents did a lot of things right. Overall, they instilled a baseline of positive values in me that have contributed to my success and development as a man. This includes spiritual, educational, emotional, financial, and more. They always called us The Cosby’s because people looked up to us. They taught me to always treat people right, to give, to work as hard as possible, and do the right thing; always. The biggest compliment I get is that I’m a good person. That seems to be my reputation and I’m ok with that.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I’m a chill guy. I was always pretty quiet, yet active as a kid. Very involved in school, sports, and music. I started singing at a very young age, primarily in a church youth chorus. Simultaneously, I sang in school choruses as well, then later was in a male singing group called Nu Image. We traveled frequently and performed locally on a regular basis. We even were featured on Showtime at the Apollo.
It wasn’t until college at Tennessee State University that I started to step out of my shell and perform solo. It took one talent show to start my solo career. I didn’t have an artist name, so the MC introduced me by m initials “JC”. Because I ended up winning, I kept the name. So although it’s simple, it has meaning.
I started my indie career with my friend TreDotStylz who’s a very reputable engineer. He taught me how to structure songs, record, perform, and pretty much everything associated with getting started; even the business side. We went from local shows with my band at the time, to driving to Atlanta every weekend and signing with Bad Boy South.
Today I’m more behind the scenes, focused on sync licensing, songwriting, and production. I don’t just work with major artists. I work with a little bit of every and anybody. I don’t just do R&B. I write all genres, even in different countries, such as Ghana, Bahrain, and all throughout Europe. Although, I’m more of a BTS guy; I’ve still managed to have a lot of success, preferably over the past 4 years.
I’m most proud of the fact that I have a great reputation throughout the industry. I’m known as a stand-up, humble guy.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
My focus now is Legacy Building. I want’ to leave something that those who come after me can pick up and carry the torch. It’s been a rough journey for me. I want to make it easier for them. I want to educate others on how to make significant income from music without even being famous. I want to show creatives that you can be successful without compromising your morals and values.
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
The best thing society can do for artists and creatives is support and share the music they love despite the status of the artist. A lot of people only feel inclined to repost famous artists. Sometimes they don’t even care for the music. They just get caught up in the hype. If you enjoy the music, let it be known. Don’t wait to jump on the bandwagon. Each time you share someone’s music, you contribute to their success.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.itsyaboyjc.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsyaboyjc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/isupportjc
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/ITSYABOYJC
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/itsyaboyjc1
- Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@itsyaboyjc1
Image Credits
Photos by: Shawn Renae & Shannon Laurine