Newly signed Sony Music artist StaJe is living up to his own expectations and inspiring independent artists
“My friend Peter worked with me at Mercedes-Benz back in 2019 and came to one of my performances. There might have been 3 people at the club in downtown Los Angeles that night but he saw me the next morning at work and said I was such a star lol. I was going by the name JPayne at the time but he told me I needed to change my name that fits my performance style. After a few minutes of deliberation he said Stage! That kind of stuck with me but I changed the G to a J so it still reflected some origination following that my first name is Justin.”
Originally from the rough streets of South Carolina, his musical sound embodies a “southern twang” that he feels best aligns with who he is. He reminisces on growing up in church and singing his first ever song “I Believe I Can Fly” by R. Kelly. StaJe says, “I never knew I wanted to be a musician as football was always the focal point of my life. But it’s just crazy to look back and see that music played a role in all forms of my life.” We wanted to dive deeper into how the rising star grew into his music career.
What ultimately inspired you to dedicate yourself to a music career?
I’ve always been inspired to be a musician. Even in college I’d have football practice everyday but always go back to my dorm and write a new song. I’d collab with a few team mates for fun. I think music has always been a part of everything I’ve done even if it wasn’t the focus. I couldn’t shake it!
What’s one reason you are passionate about music?
I love to create! I love to make things out of nothing! The truest form of being a creator is already seeing the finished product of things before you even start to create it.
Who in your life and your music has influenced you the most?
My uncle Jr aka Kevlar! He used to open up for cash money back in the day. It was so cool and he was just such a cool man. He had a crazy rapping style. I would say he had the rapping sound of my singing. It’s just in our dna. He just always motivated me and kept me in line no matter what I was doing in my life as a kid. He truly inspired me to want to be great!
I’d say being able to create and collab with so many dope artists in LA. When you put the business side of music away for a moment and just live in the creative world for a session it’s so refreshing and beautiful. Plus there’s so much talent out in LA! So many people from different walks of the world are just chasing their dreams.
The artist opened up to say before a career in music that not only was he a flight attendant for American Airlines but he also played football at Alabama State.
Tell us the name of the project you are currently promoting? What inspired this project?
“Sunrise” – I honestly woke up one morning and the sun with in my face. I felt this crazy feeling immediately to just start writing. I write based off of experience. But “Sunrise” is just touching on the fact that everyday you get a chance to feel love. It all starts in the morning for all of us! You go throughout your day not knowing that what happens as soon as you wake up mostly reflects how your day will turn out. So I chose to wake up feeling loved and valued as we all should.
Is there a specific lyric on this track that speaks to you most?
“I know that you’re trying to find your love, maybe I’m not who you thought I was but there’s plenty of time to find the right one for you”. In this life you should always always always be you. Most of us wear a mask in all facets of our life. We have our work mask, our family mask, our relationship mask, our friend mask and so on. I never wear a mask. I’m very open and honest with my emotions. That’s what this line is speaking on.
Well I’ve written an Amazon best seller “5 easy steps to success in music”. It’s a short read but I touch on key points that will help the younger artist not waste time in the wrong areas. I’ve been in Budlight, Michelob ultra, Mercedes-Benz commercials. I’m signed to Dream Work Management for acting. I’ve been in movies like Chasing Unicorns, which is an international movie. I run 5 miles a day 6 days a week.
What’s next for you?
Well I just did a distribution deal with Sony Music. We released “Sunrise”! I’m also releasing a full Spanish song “Oceano” for all my Spanish fans! I’m very excited about that record! Got to work with Tailor Made Productions on that one. I’m also releasing a collab album in December and going to Korea for a 2 week tour with Sammy Sam from public enemy.
What message do you hope fans take away from your music and from this project?
Just that I’m a serious artist! I’m not a social media guy, I’m not some autotune guy or someone who just jotted a couple lyrics together and called myself a singer or musician. I’m a legit artist! I write a lot! Constantly! Even when I worked at Mercedes-Benz for 3 years every single day I’d take a 1hr lunch break just to go to the used car lot and listen to beats and write a song while I’m at work. I’m a hustler and put my heart into the industry because it makes me feel so free and so me.
There you have it, don’t sleep on a rare artist like StaJe! The one of a kind artist is continuously releasing new music to feed your soul. Check him out:
All social media platforms: @Stajeofficial
TikTok @realstaje
