Today we’d like to introduce you to Justin Nealy.
Hi Justin, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
The story is long and complex. But I’ll try my best to understandingly paraphrase it. Like other young kids who want to be rich and famous, it started with a dream. On a busted up laptop with an old headphone mic. Looking like airline pilots trying to rap. Terrible sounding production. But if you truly listened, you hear how deeply great the music itself was. When others started to see the potential of what i was seeing. Then the dream was born. But over time.. I slowly went from craving the rich and famous part, to the love of the music I was writing. I stopped writing music because its what I thought people wanted to hear for money and fame. To eventually loving my own art. Lucky enough for me people started to like the music I made for myself over what I tried to make for everyone else.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has one hundred and seventy two percent not been a smooth path. Many many trials and error. Many many let downs. Many many times I have been scammed, talked down on or even told I don’t “fit the image”. I dont carry myself the same as a “typical rapper”. I dont talk or dress the same as a “typical rapper”. I remember one time I had a show in Atlanta. The promoter had left and I went to the Dj to give him my music. He was basically like “bro get out of here. This ain’t an open mic”. He told me to bring up the promoter, but he had already left. I told him to call him and the Dj told me “i don’t have time for this, so leave”. He didn’t want to hear anything I had to say because I didn’t “fit the image”. I’ve told that story and had people say “your music is good. But if you switch up your style, they will take you more serious as a rapper.”. But i don’t care, changing myself for money and fame isn’t who I am. If I change the image for the world. Yes, the money and fame may follow. But that doesn’t always mean the happiness will follow as well.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
As an entertainer of course my job is to appeal to people’s likes and dislikes. To catch their attention in whatever form they prefer. When I say appealing to people’s dislikes is understanding that some people actually like being angry. Its just the world we live in. Not every fan likes you. Some are fans thru hatred and jealousy. But, this is more about liking myself. Some people will do anything to be a famous entertainer. But my image as a person is unique and powerful. I think being myself thru all of this and all these years, is what I am most proud of. Not selling the person I am just for some money. Not selling the person I am just for a little word of mouth. Like I said earlier, if it’s supposed to happen. It will all follow the person that I’m happy to be.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
I believe that depends on your own perspective on risk taking. Not all risk taking is thru money. For some people it is. But some is risking your self respect. Sometimes it’s leaving a good job hoping the next job is going to be better. But then you make more money at that job, but you hate being there. You hate everyone you work with and work for. Sometimes it’s in the form of marriage. You risk a lifestyle because you believe that road will make you happier. For some it works, for some they have regrets. Sometimes you risk yourself just to please someone who treats you terribly. One thing you should never risk, is your happiness. Happiness is a difficult achievement, but its the greatest one of all.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @_nealy_21
- Facebook: @_nealy_21
- Twitter: @_nealy_21
- Youtube: @_nealy_21
