Today we’d like to introduce you to J. Irja.
J., please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My first memory is me on stage with a microphone in my hand, its like I was destined to do music. Growing up in Canada, I was aware of the struggles my parents faced with a seven-person family struggling in poverty, it was tough. I used to write music and sing songs into my TalkGIrl recording system as a release, an escape from all the sadness.
All through my youth, music was the only thing that comforted me. I was the awkward loner chunky immigrant kid with acne who didn’t ever fit in once we moved to United States. I used to skip lunch and classes to go to the band rehearsal room to play my flute & piccolo and write original songs. I was also published for poetry at a young age, it was about a kid who wanted to commit suicide, I just never told anyone that imaginary kid I wrote about was me.
I was tired of being poor and an outcast, I wanted to show myself and everyone else that I was a Boss, that I was awesome, that I could be anyone. Eminem really inspired me, I knew if he could grow to tell his story, that I could too. I used to sneak and listen to Eminem and memorize all his lyrics. I used to fantasize that I was on stage rapping my own words to an audience and sharing my story. After I graduated early, I decided I was going to go for it, all in.
I needed money, so I started dancing and traveling all over the country, funny enough I ended up in Detroit and as a little white girl in a really bad area it was ironic that it was there I started freestyling. I think thats what kept me alive in such a bad area, they saw some kind of spark and fight in me, they used to say, ‘man you’re like a female Eminem or something”
After that, I was hooked on rapping. I would practice and write all night and day and bust a flow for anyone who would listen. I fell in love with major fire spitting legends and studied their craft. I would listen to Twista, Tech N9ne, Busta, E-40 on repeat and rap until it was perfect. Everyone who ran into me saw the fire in my eyes. which was a good and bad thing.
I ran into a few really janky managers, who saw I would do anything to make it and took advantage of me. They extorted me and were very abusive mentally, emotionally and even physically, one of them even sex trafficked me, it was a horrifying and terrible experience that I can barely talk about even to this day.
But I didn’t give up, I used it as motivation to continue independently making move across the U.S. until I finally found a Manager who believed in me and is truly behind me. It was a perfect fit, my manager Kenny ‘Kinfolk’ Adams is the Street Team Leader for Strange Music in DFW and we got together and been moving full steam ahead since we met.
Together, as Team Sexy Psycho, we have recorded with major artists and just dropped the album ‘The Sexy Psycho Vol 1’ featuring Lil Flip, Paul Wall, Bubba Sparxxx, Bizarre of D12 and Stevie Stone & JL B Hood of Strange Music. It’s available on all streaming platforms. We’ve opened for Tech N9ne, Rittz, King Lil G and other majors. We also have Future collabs with Rittz, Twista, Gorilla Zoe, Caskey and more already recorded and ready to go.
Currently, we are working on videos from the first album and also putting together the second album and third mixtape. Plus, getting ready to officially launch the non-profit Female Empowerment Movement which we have been running for some time through donating and helping different causes and charities which help women and children who are in need which is inspired by my amazing daughter.
As you can see, we are on a mission and we are moving forward without looking back. We have a dream, chasing and turning it into a reality, step by step. The future is bright.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Looking back on my journey, at times, I’m amazed that I am even alive. I had two severe head injuries, the first one was in 5th grade which really added to my outcast status and made me feel so self-conscious, then another really bad one at 20 where one of my girlfriends smashed my head with a huge ashtray when she was blacked out. It was so scary, I almost died of blood loss that day and it impacted my mental functioning so sometimes, it’s hard to live a normal life.
In addition, I’ve been homeless on the street with no food or money, just the clothes on my back having to fend for myself, but I made it out. I’ve been robbed and gunpoint twice and literally saw my life flash before my eyes. I was sex trafficked by a man who promised to protect me and take care of me but all he did was extort me and take all my money.
I could go on and on because I have literally been through hell to get to this point, but I think the hardest part even through all of that has been mental, because after the abuse I endured at the hands of people I believed loved me, it scarred me for life. Sometimes, I have flashbacks and nightmares that are debilitating. However, I never let that get me down because I use it for fuel.
One of the major struggles in the hip hop industry is being a tiny 5’0″ female in a male-dominated industry. I have to work 10x harder than the men to gain respect, and I have to fight for every ounce of it. Many men are intimidated that I am a little white girl beating them at their own game, but that comes with the territory and makes every victory that much sweeter because I know I earned it.
But all of this is what makes me so strong and unwilling to give up. I am so thankful for my struggles because it shaped me into the warrior I am today, crusading for Female Empowerment and equality for all especially those who have been abused or have a mental illness or injury. So, the road has been anything but smooth, but I wouldn’t trade my journey for the world.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into The Sexy Psycho story. Tell us more about it.
The Sexy Psycho Brand motto is “Be You, Do You, No Apologies,” it is a whole lifestyle about motivating people to embrace their flaws, imperfections, and past and not be ashamed of it but to use it as fuel to become whoever they dream to be! I am so proud of the number of people I have been blessed enough to touch and inspire with my story.
The brand consists of my music, videos, and performances but is so much more and includes a whole line of merch including head to toe women’s gear and an expanding men’s line. Everything is available on the website www.thesexypsycho.com
The Sexy Psycho Brand is different from other companies in the outfield because we aren’t out to impress people, we Keep It ALL The Way Real! No Wishlist rapping, tall tales or any other embellishments. We are all about being who we REALLY ARE and not some image for the industry. Also, as a founder, I approve all designs for merch and write all my music lyrics myself. Pure authenticity.
Currently, we also have features for sale. For the artist who takes their career seriously and has a budget, I’ll get on your track and promote to my strong social media following. I will help you make a banger and help you get more of the attention you deserve for your music, gaining new fans in the process.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I have never had good luck. I’ve had to work hard for every break and piece of success I’ve gotten, literally. After working so hard, I deserve everything I’ve gotten and more. I’m excited to see what’s around the corner because I know I have earned a rising spot in my industry and I am remaining humble and open to accepting it.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thesexypsycho.com
- Phone: 8722339158
- Email: j.irja.music@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/j.irja/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jirjathesexypsycho/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/J_Irja?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGryX11kkZzkUHKphtG7r9Q
Image Credit:
Slick Multimedia, Ben-g Films, Beardo Photography, Avent Printing, Hazey Eyes Photography
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