Meet John Travis Lawson | Content Creator (Artist/Entertainer)

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

Hi John Travis, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Hi Shelly! Before we get started, I’d like to express my gratitude for you all reaching out, and, for your all’s genuine interest… it really means alot!

I’ll lead off with a bit of backstory just to, hopefully, provide a more concrete understanding of my transition into a new frontier. Up until about a year ago, I had “done life” everybody else’s way, or, typically, what societal “norms” would suggest. Upon graduating college, I moved back home to help my late father with our family’s sign business, which was, in all aspects, a thriving one! Unfortunately, in 2018, my family’s world would be turned upside down due to his unexpected passing. Despite the massive void left by this tragic event, I would go on to operate the business, albeit in a very reduced capacity, mainly relegated to doing work for the city and a very select few local businesses. It wasn’t long before I realized that, without my Dad being around, “work” was just never going to be the same, as he was, undoubtedly, the nucleus of the business. In fact, it got to a point where it felt haunting, almost tormenting even, just to step foot in our shop. Paired with those feelings, was the sad fact that the first thing out of our shop landlord’s mouth at my Dad’s wake was related to whether or not I was going to keep the shop running, (because, if so, he “had some bills up there” for me, and, was even nice enough to go up $100 a month on the rent!) With those kind of vibes, already, I knew I needed change of scenery, and, ultimately, made the difficult decision to pack 14 years of our little slice of the American Dream into the back of a tractor trailer.

Since then, I’ve taken a few other jobs, including working for a close friend of my Dad’s at his Farm and Fuel outfit, and, most recently, a managerial position at the sign company my father actually co-founded with another family friend before branching out on his own. However, despite the brand-new environment, and even receiving “Business of the Year” accolades in 2022 from our local Chamber of Commerce, changes in personnel, unfortunately, would lead to, yet, another work environment vibe shift not conducive for my best interests, and, that’s all I’ll say about that.

While having a traditional occupation was great on many levels, I took this unfortunate development as a sign of new beginnings! Back in 2021, I had my first taste of success as a content creator after I decided to go to Wal-Mart and get some yellow, oversized pipe cleaners, magic markers, and a box of Ferrero-Rocher chocolates (the ones with gold wrappers!) This was after I was scrolling through my “FYP” on TikTok, and, front-and-center, were these 2 kids rapping in a pool about being an “Island Boy”. After, installing my “wicks”, drawing on my “tats”, and putting my “grills” in my mouth, it was “Go Time!” I recorded a 15-second clip that, unbeknownst to me at the time, would have the entire app in a chokehold for months! Not even one hour later, Flyysoulja, one-half of the Island Boys tandem, dueted my parody and the rest is history. The 15-second shenanigans led to LADBible, a well-known social media group out of the UK, reaching out for me to sign a contract! Cameo, a popular app connecting celebrities of all walks of life with fans via personalized, 1-on-1 videos, inviting me to join their platform, and, many other places outside of TikTok, showing my video! Legendary singer/songwriter Jimmy Buffett even had commented on one of my “Island Boi” skits, in which I used his hit song “Tin Cup Chalice” as the sound. It was only after the culmination of all the aforementioned events that I realized I had the “sauce”, and that was just part-time!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

My career as a content creator has, since, evolved so much from that one 15-second clip. “Island Boi” was fun while it lasted, however, it was also a Catch-22, as I wanted to be well-known, but, not known for JUST that. Exacerbated by the numerous negative headlines the real Island Boys were making, and, the realization that I, more than likely, had quite a few younger eyes on my content at the time, I chose to pull the plug on the act for good last year.

(RIP “Island Boi” Oct. 2021 – July 2023)

Since putting the “Island Boi” persona to rest, I’ve performed a myriad of other parodies and pop-culture edits garnering attention from a number of other popular creators and celebrities, such as Whitney Cummings, Matt Rife, Theo Von, Jelly Roll, John Daly, Fat Joe, and, even receiving follows from DJ Khaled and ATL’s own D.C. Young Fly, Big Gipp, and the whole Goodie Mob! Just a quick, fun fact here, but, my creator name is based off of a popular phrase by two rappers which I still listen to religiously, and that’s none other than Atlanta’s very own Outkast… “ATL Shawty Yeah!” (Except my initials are “JTL”) I’m a big pop-culture guy, but, I also do news and current event-related skits and edits as well. Aside from that, I like to dabble in the food department whether it’s cooking or eating (reviews), which has landed me a few great collabs, such as one for a meat thermometer, (ThermoMaven) various cookware, more specifically, pots and pans (Michelangelo). Every now and then, I’ve been known to throw some “True Crime” mystery and investigative reporting content in the mix as well!

Back to the funny stuff! I’d have to say my sense of humor mostly comes from my late father. Everywhere we went, his friends would often tell me how funny he was and some even said that he was the funniest person they know of, famous or not! I lived and worked with him and was with him all the time, so, I guess I was just used to it, but, the more I thought about it, they were right! At the crux of it, my aspirations of being a successful creator stem directly from these realizations, and, I felt like if I can channel even a fraction of my late father’s humor and wit, while adding my own elements, I would be able to make a serious go at making content creation my new career, all the while keeping his legacy alive in that regard.

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 like to classify my work as art because, I believe, there IS sort of an art to getting people to laugh, react, feel, ETC.

I’m mostly known for doing parodies of celebrities and other social media personalities. I would say what, ultimately, sets me apart is my attention to detail with outfits, accessories, and the props I come up with… (They don’t call me the “King of Prop” for nothing!) Mainly, I’m known from that parody I did back in 2021 of the “Island Boys” and, with that video, I had started a trend that had put TikTok in a frenzy and it pretty much got me monetized overnight. LADBible, then reached out, and, actually, had me sign a contract! Next, Cameo was reaching out, and, despite, for personal reasons, not doing “Island Boys” content anymore, I still have a Cameo to this day, which I plan on rebranding a bit pretty soon!
Nothing has come easy, and, there sure have been some hiccups and lessons learned along the way. One major lesson was that if somebody reaches out trying to buy your video, definitely take SOME time, but, don’t take very long. I feel that the reason LADBible breached their contract and chose not to even post my video was because I took “too much time in the huddle” as my Dad would say. Keep in mind 1 day in the social media world equals about a week! But, through all the trials and tribulations, I still remain and I’m STILL looking to grow, so, if you would like to get “mobbed up” with a passionate, up-and-coming creator, please consider following “JTLShawtyYeah” on TikTok and IG, and subscribing to my YouTube!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
World’s Largest Drive-In – I would definitely make sure to take them Downtown to The “OG” Varsity location and get a simple, yet delicious combo of a Triple Bacon Cheeseburger, Onion Rings, and, of course, an ice-cold fountain Coca-Cola!
Speaking of Coca-Cola, if they’re in for a few days and have time to visit the World of Coca-Cola for some reasonably-priced educational fun!

College Football Hall of Fame – Not far from the World of Coca-Cola exists another must-see museum for any football fan!

Top Golf – Definitely an option if some form of Golf activity is desired, but, don’t necessarily want to deal with your clubs, also doubling as a great food option as well!

Shopping – If something on the fashion side of things is needed to be purchased on the trip, Lenox Square (Buckhead) is your place! Otherwise, if you’re willing travel, of course, there’s Mall of Georgia 30 minutes away!

Produce- Don’t forget the peaches!

Atlanta Farmers Markets (Any of them!)

They’re all world class, you won’t be disappointed!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to move a shoutout, first of all, to my parents: To the REALEST person I’ve ever known, my late Father, who always “kept it a Buck”, who’s vibes were always stellar no matter what he may have been going through… He continues to live on thanks to his many crazy stories and jokes retold!

Next, shoutout to the STRONGEST person I’ve ever known, and, still blessed to have around, my Mother, who continues to be my biggest fan! Without her unwavering support, I wouldn’t be able to pursue this passion of mine, and, I’m just VERY thankful for her support and belief in me.

Lastly, I’d like to move a shoutout to the whole “ShawtyMOB” a.k.a. my family of followers across all social media platforms (via JTLShawtyYeah) My cup runneth over from all your support and encouragement over the years, and, I would be remissed if I didn’t say that that positive reinforcement is a HUGE part of what keeps me going, so, Thank you! “Much love yall… ShawtyMOB”

Website: https://beacons.ai/jtlshawtyyeah

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

Twitter: https://x.com/JTLShawtyYeah

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

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/JTLShawtyYeah

Other: https://www.tiktok.com/jtlshawtyyeah

Check out my Cameo profile: https://www.cameo.com/jtlshawtyyeah