Today we’d like to introduce you to Jason Carey.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Jason. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I started as a hip-hop artist. Followed what I call the “American Blueprint” graduated from NC A&T State University (#AggiePride) with honors, came back to Richmond, VA, to land a job in my field and began post-College life. My passions and desires were elsewhere, though. Writing, recording, acting and performing since I was in middle school. I’ve been a part of multiple independent labels, released a ton of music, had success and wanted more. I decided I didn’t want to get old and look back on my life disappointed at the chances I DIDN”T take. So I left my corporate job and strategically moved to Atlanta, GA.
Fast forward, utilizing my experience and skill as an actor, Hip-Hop MC, and performer, quick wit developed “cracking” (Joining, playing the dozens, etc.) in the neighborhood, and the fact that my parents made me speak in front of every possible crowd growing up. I was able to easily transition into live event hosting. I joined the Playdate US team in Atlanta almost immediately upon moving to Atlanta. An opportunity I seized from the desire to build my personal brand. Through the work, the owners had put in before I joined and the collective work we put in together across the country, the Playdate brand grew and so did the opportunities. Now professionally I’m a dynamic multi-media personality covering the gamut of television, commercials, voice-overs, film, radio, podcasting, music, live event & wedding hosting. I have worked with some great people and still have great teammates supporting the things I do. I have gotten this far from relationship building, great partners, drive, and a Champions Mentality. I believe success begins in the mind first. I call it the “Mind of a Champion.”
Great, 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?
Smooth… HECK NO!! you have to understand a few things, what I did was totally against my parent’s plan for me, I had no road map or mentor, and its a bunch of things I didn’t know or account for. Again I prepared my mind for the losses through and boy did they come! Lost just about everything, went homeless for a bit, lost friends, my families confidence for a while. The journey was financially and emotionally taxing. It took and takes tremendous strength to stay this course, especially with no real guidance. No one I knew had done what I’m doing or knows how to get where I want to go, Another challenge is as much as I create my own “shot” there are few shots on platforms that I don’t control that I would like a crack at.
I plan to make so much noise that those that do have control HAVE to pay attention. Now we’re dealing with the development of the “new normal” post-Covid and my industry is really uncertain. It’s possible I’ll be facing the toughest time in my journey, which is hard to believe, but I’m excited about it. The challenges is where you find out who is really talented, who can innovate, who wants to work hard, who wants it more. I hope people are paying attention!!! During this time, I haven’t stopped putting out content, my two radio/podcast shows (Running the Point w/Jason Carey & Minds of Mischief) have continued to provide people with hours of information, laughs and entertainment. Check your streaming services. I been rocking and documenting this historic moment since it started. So I’m enjoying this particular challenge but its a challenge nonetheless.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
Though I am “The Voice of the Brands,” the product and the brand is Jason Carey {Big Smile}. It’s hard to answer about myself because I’m just doing what I know but I can say what I have been told about me. That I am a super talented, professional, high energy, well dressed, witty, charismatic personality with the “It” factor. People come to me because I’m easy to work with, I’m reliable, I work hard, always well dressed, and I always deliver. I haven’t been in front of an audience I can’t connect with. I aim to eliminate the concern of how the event will flow, entertain guest, or how your brand will look or sound. Having the understanding of the client’s goals, the audience, and that it’s not about the host (me) makes all the difference.
Fifty thousand people to 50 people I come to give you the same high energy show everytime (of course when the job requires high energy). Simply put, I’m the one that you hire to make a good event/show undeniably GREAT! Like I always say, “hire a professional.” I believe the experience I have, not just professional but educational, personal, life experience, where I was raised, by whom I was raised, all contributes to that “it factor.” Again, I’m only repeating what I have been told. I’m aware of myself but when you talk about yourself, people think you’re bragging {Laughs}. I like to let the show do the talking. I really enjoy what I do, making people happy. Making people have an experience often times outside of themselves that they will never forget. Whether I’m in the studio, on-air, on stage, or on set, I’m focusing all of my superpowers on bringing the heat.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
To even begin listing everything would take up the whole article (laughs). But I do take a brief moment to reflect on each milestone, award, or accomplishment so I’m proud of it all. The stages at Essence Festival, mentoring other personalities, creating successful Radio shows & podcast, Minds of Mischief, putting out Hip-Hop albums, Adidas commercial, writing a sitcom/web series, Tom Joyner Cruise, Steve Harvey Hoodie Awards, The Falcons, Playdate, Velocity Ride, Weddings with DJ Tay Productions, Radio work, National Commercials, Voiceovers, creating events, Genius and Jason “From Da Club 2 Tha Living Room”, Radio Nation DJs I mean all of it, I recently was having a conversation with a friend looking back on the journey. I think the proudest moment of my career is the fact that I even HAVE a career.
Remember, I told you this journey started with music and evolved as planned just earlier than expected. It’s also developed in more directions than I envisioned. I do not have a road map for this, especially from where I’m from so I’m constantly cutting the path. I’m proud I’ve been doing this for over ten years, through the ups and downs but I have been doing most of what I set out to do. This is what people know me for. I could switch gears today, look back and say I did it. I don’t personally know many people who shot their shot basically blindly like this and hit. I have SO much more I want to do. I don’t let any of the outside noise distract me or hinder my drive. I’m super proud of that.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.jasoncarey.net
- Phone: 404-477-4906
- Email: info@jasoncarey.net
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/Jason804
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/Jason804brand
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/Jason804
Image Credit:
Lajoy Cox @lajoyphotographyllc
Torrey Rogers @tr_shoots
Itan Images @_itanimages
Phrozen Memories @phrozenmemories
JC Squared Promotions @jcsquaredlife
Suggest a story: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
