Today we’d like to introduce you to Curtis James Jr.
Hi Curtis, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Curtis James Jr, a young CEO, entertainer, and songwriter. I was born in Orlando, Florida and raised on the Southside of Atlanta. Growing up, I always had a pure talent for music, as a child, it all started off with the love of dance. Being raised in a household filled with the sounds of Prince, Micheal Jackson, and Outkast had a major effect on the entertainer I am today. I was always the kid at the family functions and school events that got called out or pushed into “the circle” to show off my moves. Years of “Curt, do that little dance” began to build my passion for music into songwriting.
What started off as secret poems from the shy kid in class turned into 16 bar verses with the help of a young elementary school teacher who saw the gift in me at an early age. Rapping was art that had me addictive at first sight. I fell in love with using my words to tell stories, change lives, and speak my mind over soul-moving beats. Still an introvert, I added lyricism to my talent arsenal as I got older, which helped with my confidence as would soon become a proficient musician. I attended Riverdale High School and Played percussion in the marching band. Marching Band is a highly underrated art form. It not only teaches music, it shows young inner-city kids like myself that there are other ways to make it out of the hood. That’s exactly how I saw it.
I sharpened my percussion well enough to earn a scholarship to one of the most prestigious HBCUs in the country, the great Bethune-Cookman University. Where I continued my musicianship by performing with the legendary Marching Wildcats, this is where I traveled places I never dreamed of, met celebrities I idolized and learned more about the music business than ever. Also, during these years is when I finally began to step out of my bubble as a musical artist. It started with performances at school events, shooting our own music videos and lead to me winning BET college tour rap battle. With the knowledge I gained about independent musicians, I thought to myself, “Why not me?” so in 2016, I decided to take the leap of faith and start my own entertainment business, Highly Dedicated LLC. Fast forward five years later today, and my small dream is blossoming into my dream reality.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
This journey has been far from smooth as a musician and business owner. As an indie artist in Atlanta, I think the biggest struggles are identifying janky promoters and staying original. Going into this indie journey wide-eyed and innocent will get you swallowed in Atlanta. You have to gain the knowledge or being willing to, or else you’ll get taken advantage of. You’ll find yourself giving someone hundreds of dollars all for the promise of “exposure.” Setbacks like these can begin to deter an artist from their original dream or sound, to the extent where they start making music that sounds like everybody else just to make some money to survive. As an artist who is truly in love with music, I could never let these two struggles stop me from conquering my dreams nor from being who I truly am.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a songwriter and choreographer specializing in hip-hop. I’m most known around the indie circuit of Atlanta for my debut single, “He Don’t.” The freaknik-inspired old school feel-good jam has gained me many opportunities, such as opening up for major artists like Pastor Troy, The Nappy Roots, Kodak Black, Tech N9ne, and even blessed with the opportunity to opening up at the 2019 Freak-Nik Festival in front of thousands of Atliens. Along with performances at SXSW, A3C, and Sweet Auburn Fest, entertaining is what I’m most proud of. The talent to move and control a crowd with impeccable stage presence is what sets me apart from others on the indie grind.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts, or blogs that help you do your best?
The books that inspire me the most are: “Memoirs of a genius” by Kendall Jackson, “Muse” by Erica Nicole Walker, “You got me facted up” by Dr. James Bush, “Str8 up facts” by Dr. James Bush.
Contact Info:
- Email: Highlydedicatedllc@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/curtwoodj/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iAmCurtwoodJ
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/CURTWOODJ
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOmBg_cKqB-BOPc4XCRv7cw
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/curtwoodj
Image Credits
Photography by Kendall Rucker
