Meet Holleylujahh | Music artist & Entrepreneur

We had the good fortune of connecting with Holleylujahh and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Holleylujahh, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
From a young age, I always found myself thinking of how I can create something for myself. I would always look at companies or concepts and would generate ideas for how I could make it better or what I would have done if I was in the position. My thought process grew into an obsession of trying to figure out how to make these ideas a reality as well as find out the information to make this obtainable. Everyday I continue to find new interest and try to learn as much information I can so that when the time was right, it would be an easier transition to start building the foundation. As far as music goes, I have had a love and passion for music since before I was born as crazy as that may sound. My mother told me growing up that when she was pregnant with me, whenever music would come on she could feel me bouncing around assuming I was dancing in her stomach. When sports ended for me, it was an easy decision to pick up music and put my story and expression into my music much like many of the artists have before me which led to this love in the first place.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am an up and coming independent music artist. I have interest in fashion as well but I wanted to focus on one thing first and get that established before starting something else so music being one of my first loves was my first choice. What I feel separates me from other artist is my sound. While I try to be versatile in my sound to be able to expand myself to other genres, I try to make music that people can relate to or just music to make people feel good and motivate people to want more. My music comes from my life and what I’m going through at the time as well as my mood during the day and what the beat makes me feel or what it reminds me of. I also like to make music based on current events to give voices to things that might not get represented or highlighted enough as well as the reality of life. I get most excited when I play songs for people and they can get something from each song but still say they feel something different from each song or that no song sounds exactly the same because it means that the work I put in on my music is growing and actually doing what its supposed to. I was a former football player at the University of Florida and had a chance to reach the NFL. I had two hip surgeries which hindered that dream but I was still able to graduate. I realized from a young age that the cubical life wasn’t for me but I had to figure out what I was passionate about that I could do that wouldn’t feel like work and could create opportunities and I Immediately thought music. Being an independent and up and coming artist, it is not easy to reach the top level and there are many obstacles you may face like funds, finding your brand, building your team, marketing and etc. What I have learned is that keeping your head down, making smart moves and taking risk that make sense are beneficial if you want to get anywhere in life whether music or anything else. Some of the biggest companies weren’t built overnight so why would you think that your work would just blow up overnight. Work has to be put in and dedication and believing in yourself has to be there to see the vision through until the end or you might give up when you were a couple feet from the finish line. I’m not where I want to be yet, but I continue to believe in myself and put in the work and I’m most definitely seeing the progress. My brand is about overcoming obstacles to be great and have fun while you’re doing it. Live life like a movie and you’re the main character.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m from NYC so it’s always a movie outside if you know where to go. If it was summer time, we definitely out to Dyckman for basketball and a good nutcracker for a lituation. After that we can hit LES for a burger from Smashed with a good milkshake or Lil Frankies for the Italian eats. If you wanted to go shopping we can definitely hit SOHO, LES or 5th ave if you’re trying to spend a little money. Late night eats we’re definitely having a sandwich from Cristina’s Deli or Mama’s Empanadas for the flavors. As far as interesting people, it’s NYC so you can find characters anywhere anytime if you just walk the streets.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to give major recognition to my mother. Through all of my endeavors, whether it was me pursuing a possible chance at the NFL before injury to me trying to pursue music and my own business, she always tries to find ways to support even when she doesn’t understand everything I do from a technical standpoint. I also want to shoutout my small group of friends who have continued to stand by and support me from my transition from athlete to business person. A lot of people changed on me and stopped believing in me when I put sports down so the people that stayed and they know who they are, they are truly appreciated. I would also like to shoutout family members that have pushed me to be me and strive for nothing but the best and remind me that things get better through tough times.

Website: https://linktr.ee/Holleylujahh

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamholleylujahh/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-holley-000912104/

Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/Holleylujahh

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iamholleylujahh/

Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCvRS0j4QFwzjY–S34MsxRA