Meet J Cameron | Recording Artist

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

Hi J, other than deciding to work for yourself, what was the single most important decision you made that contributed to your success?
That I understood that I would have to sacrifice everything in order to get to where I wanted to be. Even if that meant losing sleep, relationships, and even money to pursue a vision that I feel in my mind is achievable. Sacrifice is a word that not a lot of individuals truly understand. Nothing is given without sacrifice, you cannot have everything and not give up something in order to have everything. It is just the way of life, and it took me a while to understand that. With music, there will always be sacrifice involved because this is a career that demands a lot of you, and there is not “clock out” time. There is always someone coming right behind you in this industry ready to take your position who wants the glory just as bad as you, if not more. That mentality is something you have to have on your mind all the time in this industry. Without sacrifice you will never be better than your competition, without sacrifice you will never achieve the things you desire.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am an independent R&B recording artist with my roots in Saint Louis, MO, but I grew up in the northern area of Atlanta, GA. My love for music stems from my family, who have strong musical backgrounds. My uncle is a talented guitarist, and my mother is a singer herself. While music was a hobby for my family, for my generation, it has a deeper connection. The abundance of music videos, streaming services, and influential content has made the music industry more accessible and captivating than ever before. As a young child, I would stay up late watching music videos of artists like Lil Wayne, Chris Brown, Aaliyah, Usher, and Justin Bieber. Their creativity and artistry spoke to me profoundly, and I aspired to be like them not for the fame, but for the art they represented.

Music has a unique way of speaking to us, especially as musicians. It’s challenging to explain, but once it captures your interest, it becomes an integral part of your life. From a young age, I knew I wanted to pursue a career in music. My mother, uncle, and a fellow recording artist named Playe, whom I went to school with, all encouraged me to explore my singing abilities. Initially, singing was something I did to impress others, particularly women, without considering it as a business or a product tied to a brand. I never thought of myself as a songwriter; I was simply the kid who would sing a song if you asked me to, and then go about my day.

In 2017, I started contemplating the possibility of becoming one of the artists I admired on television. Music consumed my thoughts from the moment I woke up until I fell asleep. Melodies and song ideas would constantly flood my mind, likely because I spent so much time immersed in music during my free time. This newfound passion drove me to question what it would take to become a recording artist like the ones I admired. I dedicated countless days and nights to studying the music business and the necessary steps for success.

I invested in the essential equipment and began teaching myself the process of recording. Through networking in Atlanta’s vibrant music scene, I connected with other unsigned artists and learned valuable industry skills, such as marketing and promotion, particularly on social media. These skills played a crucial role in shaping the artist I am today.

However, the journey to where I am now was far from easy. Balancing a regular 9-5 job with a music career is challenging enough, but navigating an industry filled with fierce competition and uncertainty is downright daunting. Walking into this industry without any prior knowledge can feel like stumbling around blindfolded, expected to learn through trial and error. Unfortunately, this industry doesn’t come with a step-by-step guidebook; you have to gain experience through experimentation and learn from what works and what doesn’t. Often, this comes at the expense of hard-earned money. The music business is just that—a business. It takes financial investment to make progress. You must be willing to invest every dollar you earn into yourself to make strides in this field.

The remarkable aspect is that if you approach your moves strategically and continuously educate yourself about the business, you can navigate the ever-changing landscape. This industry evolves each year, and staying on top of your profession is essential. If not, you risk being left behind, labeled as another “starving artist.” In my opinion, the music industry is one of the toughest career choices because there’s no resume that guarantees success. You are judged by the people, and it’s their attention and support that propels you forward. Without capturing the people’s attention, the road to success becomes arduous.

Understanding these realities fuels my daily drive to elevate my brand and push my team to new levels they may not yet realize we can reach. I hope the world sees J Cameron as a young man with a vision who pursued it relentlessly. Along my journey, I never stopped or complained; I simply did what was necessary. The one constant was my belief in myself. I hope that my story inspires other artists who come after me to chase their dreams, no matter how challenging they may seem, and to believe that they too can achieve anything they desire. It all starts with believing in yourself.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I think one of my favorite spots for a good time with friends is Ponce City Market rooftop. It has a good vibe, a lot of games to play, and good drinks (if you are of age). It is in the city of Atlanta on a rooftop so it’s the perfect place to get a sense of what the city brings as far as nightlife.

I like sneakers and vintage clothing a lot, so I would take my friends to a few sneaker and clothing stores like Full Circle and Hype 24/7. Both locations have amazing selections of clothing and sneakers. You even may catch a celebrity in the stores from time to time so its a cool experience if you are not from Atlanta.

Atlanta really has so many places around the city that it’s difficult to say where I would take a group of friends, The possibilities in the city are endless.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Playe

Tracey Brown

Derrick Brown

Canton Jones

Corey Stayton

Ronald Anderson

Manny Reyes

Website: https://linktr.ee/jcameronuniverse?fbclid=PAAaZX0mHBfI2-WVRKzDxEbezoOzJmVUy5EnteDMLD6YCRTB3Zlts5df4XzwM

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jcameronuniverse/?hl=en

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jcameronworld

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

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_Q4tngbv4XQNBYC45J14nA

Other: https://genius.com/artists/J-cameron

Image Credits
Tyreq Goode Anitra Isler