Meet Juss Singn | Singer/Songwriter

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

Hi Juss, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?

I always knew I was an artist since I was a little girl. The very first time I had a talent show at my elementary school, I was determined to put on a great show. I hosted rehearsals for my very first performance with two other young girls. In no time we became the cheetah girls and pulled off an amazing performance. Throughout my whole education; preschool, elementary, middle school, high school, and college career I never missed a chance to showcase my talent. Every family gathering, cookout, and function there I was singing. So I knew I had it in me. But knowing and deciding are two very different things. My decision to pursue my artistic and creative career was made much later in life.
When I got to college I had to make a decision like every other student who enrolled. And that was picking a major. Deep down I really wanted to study performing arts and my dad was very supportive in that as well, but after visiting a counselor’s office I became undecided for 1 year. The counselor planted a seed that really created doubt in my head. Saying things like “that’s not a very realistic career”. Needless to say I had a year to think about it and decided to major in exercise science and minor in bio because I decided I wanted to pursue exercise science as a prerequisite to physical therapy. My philosophy was that I’m never gonna stop singing so I could just study something where I could help people and be guaranteed a job. I’ll have something to fall back on.

It’s such a big decision when you go to college and I didn’t want to go another year being undecided. Money was also on the line and being a first generation college student, my parents never went to college and it was a lot of pressure. I wanted to be “responsible”, but I realize today that majoring in performing arts definitely would have been a great decision. Either way throughout my college career I still did musical theater, choir, talent shows, and many productions. I could not get away from it because it was what I loved and it’s what I was  meant to do.

Society puts so much emphasis on college and getting in debt for an education but the reality is you’re never really guaranteed the opportunity to make money once you graduate. Fast forwarding into my adult life, it was difficult finding a job that would pay me what I deserved. Yes they were looking at my degree, but also looking at how much experience I had. Which was not much. Had retail experience but that’s about it. I needed to go back to school in order to become a physical therapist and just the thought of that was daunting.

I attended college in Maryland, where I grew up. After graduation, breaking up with my boyfriend of 5 years, and losing my close friend who died during my college career; I moved to Atlanta with my big bro. This was a big decision and took a lot of courage for me to leave. But with overcoming my anxiety and taking a leap of faith, I made the move.

I went through many jobs and it started to get very old after a while. My brother introduced me to a Network Marketing business that offered personal growth and development seminars. I quickly started to dream again and learned about building the life I wanted. So that really sparked something in me and reminded me that I was made for much more than just working a 9-5. The busy business of life and having to take care of bills and responsibilities can really stop you from dreaming and realizing that you can do whatever it is you want and put your mind to. My brother and I shared a similar interest and that was music. He loved free styling and I loved to sing. When we were kids my parents used to always have us perform in front of the family, it never failed. So every chance we got we did just that. On every road trip to the personal growth and development seminars we would put on a little show for his team and it was awesome! So I kept building, working, learning, and singing. I had a moment one day where I wanted to decide if I really wanted to become a singer once again and realized that I was in my head about the industry and how dark it could be, which also deterred me. More doubts, anxiety, and excuses kept creeping in once again.

About a year later, I was encouraged by a very special person in my life who could see how talented I was, to start a Tik Tok account and start singing on there. He knew it was the next big thing. At this time I had no social media at all, so I didn’t know what to expect. I did think that it would be a great outlet while working a full time job and it would allow me to showcase my talent as well. So I finally decided to get out of my head and post my very first video. I really liked that I was able to do what I loved and feel free while doing it. I started a slogan after every one of my singing videos. I would say Juss Singn after every video. It started to catch on. This name stemmed from the concept of getting out of my own head and not allowing intrusive negative thoughts and anxiety stop me from doing what I was made to do. It encouraged me to stop overthinking and act upon whatever it is I wanted to do. I loved this and I continued to post.

One year for Mother’s Day, my brother and I were brainstorming on what we should get mom. I really had no idea. Then finally, he had challenged me to write mom a song and I accepted. I never wrote a song in my life so I thought it would be a challenge. I was very wrong. I couldn’t believe how natural it came to me. I simply chose an instrumental I wanted and started writing. I felt great and was so excited. I showed my brother what I wrote and he loved it so much that he wrote a verse on it. Soon after, we went to the studio and started recording the song. We played the song for mom on Mother’s Day and she cried. It was a gift like no other. After that I started writing non-stop.

With this new discovered talent, I started writing duets on TikTok, along with originals. It became my therapy and I wrote when I was happy and sad. I wrote when I wanted to encourage myself or be transparent. My single, Carpe Diem (Seize The Day) was written during a time I needed to uplift myself and encourage myself to keep going no matter what. Little did I know my transparency was gonna soon start an inspirational movement.

Carpe Diem (Seize The Day) and No Pride were recorded soon after. I was encouraged by someone special to make Juss Singn my artist name and that’s how it all started! I had these recorded songs, but it was like I was holding the hostage. I showed them to my family and friends, never really having the courage to release them. Until one family tragedy changed my life forever.

I am the second oldest of 9 and one of my younger brothers died, and it changed everything. About 3-4 months before I got the news, I showed him Carpe Diem (Seize The Day), and he asked me “why haven’t I released yet?”.  I didn’t have an answer for him. But I knew what I had to do. When I got the news my whole world stopped and I went back home to Maryland to be with my family for a while and had the funeral. This type of pain is one that no one can explain. Even though I was going through this I knew what had to happen. I had to go harder than ever to honor my brother and that’s what I did. I went back to Atlanta and released my first single, CARPE DIEM (Seize The Day) and No Pride soon after.

I had made my decision. Life is so precious and short! It doesn’t matter how long it takes and no matter how much work I will have to put in, I will go for my dreams the way my brother JC wanted me to. I know that he is always with me on my journey guiding me. I decided that I was going to pursue my independent artist career without fear. Overcoming whatever obstacle that may come my way; anxiety, full time job, industry, doubt etc. That’s what I’ve been doing and that is what I continue to do. Right now I have a movement going with my single Carpe Diem ( Seize The Day) and I am getting closer and closer to inspiring billions of people. Music Video will be coming out this year 2024 and it’s only up from here. My manifestations are becoming a reality, because I believe. This is my year!

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

I am an Afrobeat/Caribbean artist and singer/songwriter in Atlanta. I love to be transparent and vulnerable in the way I write to where people can relate and get inspired by my music. My single, “Carpe Diem (Seize The Day) “was written during a time I needed to uplift myself and encourage myself to keep moving towards my dreams no matter what life threw at me. At the time, I was dealing with a lot of anxiety and self criticism. I was in my head so much that it was actually paralyzing me. I would convince myself and make up excuses as to why I couldn’t do something. I got tired of being sick and tired. So I was done talking and started doing. As soon as I was done writing, I invested in myself and went to the studio to record. I released in 2022 and today I actually have a Carpe Diem (Seize The Day) movement where people are using my sound on social media. The highest human act is to inspire and that’s what I intend to do by posting my song until I inspire billions of people. The word is spreading and I’m excited. This is all because I’ve been marketing non-stop and sharing my music everywhere. One of the most important things to remember is if you don’t believe in yourself nobody else will. So I’m excited for my growth. I have the music video for Carpe Diem (Seize The Day) coming out this year, 2024. I wrote and recorded my second single “No Pride” soon after. “No Pride” really came about me feeling prideful and not being able to take criticism. I wanted to grow but I wasn’t being the sponge I needed to be. Sometimes we get in the way of our own greatness. It was a song to remind myself to get out of my own way. This was such a crucial lesson for me to learn. I released this single towards the end of 2022 and have started a marketing campaign.
I want people to know that it’s ok to use your own setbacks or shortcomings as inspiration. You never know who you will touch or inspire. It’s good to get out of your head and be free. When you eliminate all self judgment, that’s when you’re truly free.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love to dance, I love to eat, I love adventure, and I love nature. First we would definitely have to go see some nature and hike at Stone Mountain. Just get some fresh air, clear our minds, and get grounded. Then do something super cool like indoor skydiving at IFLY! It’s really fun. I would definitely go eat at Two Urban Licks. Food is delicious! Lastly, finish the night off dancing! I don’t like to just go to one place. So I would definitely pick Buford highway to party. My favorite music to dance to is Afrobeats and Latin music. Some cool places would be THE LIVING ROOM RESTAURANT AND LOUNGE, ACE ATLANTA, and CAFE CIRCA. Looking for Latin music?, then you have to check out PURA VIDA in Smyrna.

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

I would love to shout out to all my family and friends. All my siblings. My oldest brother Francisco for all his support and encouragement. All the mentorship and personal growth and development books that I was exposed to, thanks bro. My mom always believed in me since I was in diapers and seeing my light before anyone else. Both my dads for always providing and supporting my dreams. Leo for constantly encouraging me, supporting me, believing and investing in my talent. Thank you to my team at Linc Productions for all you do, and thank you for running with me until the finish line. Some books that have helped me are The Four Agreements, The Compound Effect, The 7 Spiritual Laws of Success, and The Secret.

Instagram: @Juss_Singn

Youtube: @Juss_Singn

Other: TikTok @juss_singn

Image Credits
Leo_free with Linc Productions @leo_free @lincproductions