Today we’d like to introduce you to J. Irja.
Hi J. Irja, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Music has always been my life. We were poor growing up, and music was my escape. Me and my little sister used to write songs and even imagine and act out how the music video would be. I taught myself how to read and write sheet music and even won awards for classical music in school. When I got kicked out of my house before I was 18, I started dancing and got discovered by someone I met in the club. I went through some horrific music “managers” but never gave up on making music. Now I use my music to tell my story and inspire others, especially women, showing them they can do anything they put their mind to.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Nothing in my life ever came easy. Growing up poor and then immigrating to the United States was strange for me. I got a severe head injury in 5th grade that scarred and partially disfigured my face which gave me anxiety and made me very socially awkward. I was homeless more than once, even as a minor, and that exposed me to people who preyed on my innocence at the time and my lack of resources. All I wanted to do was make it in the music industry, and they saw that. I was abused, trafficked, even got another head injury when I was older. I got heavy into alcohol for years and it destroyed me. There’s so many stories I could tell you that sound like a sad Lifetime Movie Network movie, and they’re all true. I used to cry and wonder why I was suffering so much, why I always got the short end of the stick. Then, once I finally found myself and got sober, I realized all of the horrible things I endured shaped my story and who I am today, which allows me to help others that are in a dark place. I had very few people who helped me along the way, and nothing makes me more happy than getting inboxes and having listeners come up to me at shows telling me how much I inspired them to chase their dreams and become better. That’s the whole reason I do this.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a multi-faceted entertainer and creator. I write all my own music and come up with concepts for my songs from the ground up. I can record music, edit videos, all of it. I have a business and branding degree and help other artists/models etc. build their brand and elevate in the industry. I caught attention for my rapid-fire style rapping and am not mixing in more of my singing style, as I was in gospel choir and have decades of singing experience. I aspire to always be myself and inspire others to do the same, my motto is: “Be You, Do You, NO Apologies.” I’m most proud of how far I’ve come. I can remember burning CDs one by one sitting on the carpet, I couldn’t even get on a show, let alone sell tickets to one. People used to literally laugh at me when I said I would do songs with people like Twista, Royce, Young Buck, and artists like them. Now I have songs with almost every artist I’ve ever dreamed of. Now I’ve performed in front of thousands of people all over the country, co-headlined shows with platinum artists, and am constantly improving and bettering myself. This serious dark hole I pulled myself out of and how I didn’t let it blacken my heart is one thing that sets me apart from others. I’m doing the impossible and showing others they can do it too. When I win, all the underdogs in the fight win.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
Happiness is a state of mind. True happiness is being able to fulfill a bigger purpose, loving who you truly are, and following your path. I used to think money would make me happy, but it was really the freedom that comes with having money and the ability to use money the right way that actually brought me satisfactions. Money means nothing without direction in life and the ones you love to share that journey with.
Pricing:
- Features – Contact Management
- Music Videos – Starting at 500
- Social Media Promotion – Starting at 250
- Brand Consultation – Packages starting at 500
- 10-minute Brand Assessment call – 50 for limited time only
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thesexypsycho.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/j.irja/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thesexypsycho/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/j_irja?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGryX11kkZzkUHKphtG7r9Q
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@psychojirja?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc
Image Credits
Josh Davis
