We had the good fortune of connecting with Joy “Jahbee” Warren and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Joy “Jahbee”, what principle do you value most?
Integrity matters the most to me. It’s a building block for everything else in life. The seeds we sow in every form come back up to either bless or curse our lives, and I want to be a person that’s the same in the light and in the dark; a person who means what they say, and says what they mean. When you live like that you incur favor from God and man.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am a singer/songwriter by trade. As a singer I’ve traveled all over the world with artists from Tyrese to Maverick City. As a writer I’ve worked with popular artists such as Monica, Musiq Soulchild, Jonathan McReynolds, and television shows like BMF, and Greenleaf. I’ve even done some national jingles for major brands. But I am also building a lifestyle brand called “Kingdom Star” for faith-life creatives – birthed from my first published book. We create content, literature, and paraphernalia to inspire a higher mindset: “who you are, where you are, for His glory”.

I think this is a key thing that sets me apart – I try to remember that none of what I do is about me, it’s about God. It’s about love. It’s about helping others. True humility is hard to come by in the entertainment industry. It makes me proud that I’ve accomplished so much but I’m still making my moves from the right place: from the heart. I believe this is one of the things that has helped me into the doors I’ve walked through, as well. People have to want to work with you, no matter how good you are. (Favor for the win💯)

It has never been easy as a musician, and rejection happens extremely often. There’s so much competition and comparison in our social-media heavy culture, so it gets hard to stay focused on the mission. I’ve learned to overcome these challenges by breaking away from the proverbial hamster wheel ever-so-often and staying plugged into things that feed what’s most important to me. This includes staying connected to youth mentorship, spending time in creation, remaining spiritually grounded, and participating in music, art, and cultural events that inspire creativity.

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.
Here’s my itinerary:

1. Breakfast @ Buttermilk Kitchen, then shopping in Buckhead

2. History tour in the King district (shoutout to Unexpected Atlanta)

3. Graffiti, photos, & lunch on Krog Street

4. High Museum for some culture (or Trap Museum, depending on how ratchet I feel)

5. Scooters on the beltline to Jeni’s #morephotoopps

6. Skyline Park for views & drinks

7. Atlanta United game for the rush

8. MJQ to dance old school

9. Church @ Hillsong Atlanta then AYCE Soul Food Brunch @ Paschal’s

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I dedicate my shoutout to my parents, close friends, and most importantly, God. I am the result of grace, many prayers, sacrifices, and opportunities granted to me from all of the above.

Website: joywarren.com

Instagram: @_jahbee

Twitter: @_jahbee

Image Credits
Joshua Spruiel – @jsphotographyatl

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutAtlanta is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.