Today we’d like to introduce you to Jaron Smalls.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Jaron. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
As an independent artist, I create music in Charlotte, North Carolina and Atlanta, Georgia by way of Bowie, Maryland. My sound is encompassed primarily around Hip-Hop and R&B/Soul, which is attributed to my apprenticeship under the Justus League’s Hip-Hop Project including 9th Wonder, Chaundon, and Cesar Comanche and my experience as a background vocalist for BET’s first syndicated gospel music program, Bobby Jones Gospel Hour. With the knowledge gained over the years, I now collaborate with record labels, independent record labels, artists, and brands for business consultations, creative direction, production, songwriting, and musical engineering.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
In being an independent creative, the type of foundation set for yourself dictates the type of infrastructure that can be built upon it, regardless of what blueprints have been made for it or not. The music industry is a business first, which prompted me to encompass everything a label could provide in order to truly leverage any opportunities presented. In my pursuit of establishing this solid foundation, I had to experience great loss, being homeless, having no money, being betrayed, self-doubt, and destructive criticism. However, God kept me through it all, and each trial created more of a drive in me to perfect my craft and grow.
Tell us about your music– what should we know?
My sound is encompassed primarily around Hip-Hop and R&B/Soul, but I collaborate with record labels, independent record labels, artists, and brands for business consultations, creative direction, production, songwriting, and musical engineering. Unlike many creatives who are represented by other entities, I represent myself.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My success is attributed to God, my family, my apprenticeship under the Justus League’s Hip-Hop Project including 9th Wonder, Chaundon, and Cesar Comanche, my experience as a background vocalist for BET’s first syndicated gospel music program, Bobby Jones Gospel Hour, my apprenticeship under Multi-Platinum producer T2 Bassline and Grammy Nominated producer DJ Moon, collaborations with producers CMO FLEXX and Prolific, visual production from TooCozyy, artwork creation from Matthew Clayburn, Infinite8Vision, and LordPhly.
Contact Info:
- Website: JaronSmalls.com
- Email: jaronwnd@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamjaronsmalls
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iamjaronsmalls
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/iamjaronsmalls
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXzpxJ3EzFdscQCVNpNBoUA
Image Credit:
Matthew Clayburn, Stevanni Melton, and TooCozyy
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