Today we’d like to introduce you to J Termz.
Hi J, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I was about 15 when I moved in with my sister during High School. If you know my sister, she’s all about academics. So one day, she hit me with the ole “What do you plan on doing with your life”? At the time, I couldn’t think of anything. Growing up, I lied to everybody and said computer engineering because my cousin used to say that, and everybody left him alone, haha. But after a couple of weeks of thinking about it, I told my sister I wanted to pursue a music career. Seeing as all I did for those couple weeks was listen to music, I felt the question had already been answered. I told my sister I wanted to rap; she was full throttle from the get-go. That day I began writing raps. She asked me what I needed to start to get a headstart. All I could think of was a microphone, so I proceeded to do some research. I stumbled across the “Blue USB Microphone Snowball.” Once she ordered that and I had it, I started recording.
Throughout the rest of high school, I kept messing around with recording but was more focused on my lyrics, so I slowly shied away from recording for a while. I joined the military my senior year in high school, so I went off to training once I graduated. Once I got back from training, I considered attending the Art Institute of Atlanta but ended up attending the Nashville campus because of my sister’s wishes. My first year of school was a roller coaster in every aspect, from life to work to growth as a person/artist. This all stopped once I was kicked out of school due to paperwork issues with the military.
I returned from Summer training, AIT, and was headed out the door to attend a weekend trip with family. Walking up to the door, somebody slipped a note under my door and disappeared into thin air, haha. I went downstairs, and I didn’t hear or see a soul. The letter told me I had 48 hours to get off the premises and was withdrawing from all my classes. I ended up getting kicked out the morning of my 20 birthday.
Going through a drawn-out process of scratching and surviving, I got deployed in 2016. Deployment was mental torture for me the entire time, knowing that music was the basis of my everyday maneuvering. That’s why I promised myself that no matter what, I’m going as hard as I can when I get back in the country. Once I came home, I dropped my first project, “Golden Leaves.” I wrote the hold project throughout the deployment, which is a testament to me. Once that project dropped, a lot of life happened that kept me dropping consistently, as I would have hoped. Nonetheless, I’m finally current on where I am regarding creating music. The project that I just released is called “The Maverick.” This project is about understanding myself as an artist, but more importantly, as a person. It’s almost impossible to sum that up in one body of work, but I tried to give as much of myself as possible. That’s the most important part to me because the music I have lined up after this if you don’t understand “ME,” makes it harder to appreciate the message behind it.
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Musically, I haven’t had much adversity. My adversity has been more of life happening where a person might not want to continue. But as far as music, the only thing missing is the ears, so that’s a plus in my eyes.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I named my label “Monumentalz” because I want to build something so great of a stature that when it’s, all said a done, a monument would be erected in place to shed remembrance. Our brand will offer many things, from tangible merch to emphatic experiences. However, the most important offer is the message of what we stand for as a brand and the understanding of our journey to this point.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs, or other resources you think our readers should check?
My favorite app is undoubtedly my memo pad. My favorite podcast would have to be “Million Dollars Worth of Game.” My favorite book is “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.monumentalz.com/
- Instagram: @j_termz
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/jtermzmusic/?wtsid=rdr_03ohG8Hnj0gjJtsgb&mibextid=Zxz2cZ
- Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCHe82vMXPfeqQlfw8-IqQSw
