Today we’d like to introduce you to JVaughn (Steezy) Payne.
Hi JVaughn (Steezy), we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Well, first, I would like to thank you all for this recognition and opportunity to share my story, big shout out to y’all. Now my story is a little different from most people, I think, in the entertainment and nightlife industry. I’m J’Vaughn Payne, but I’m well known as “Steezy”. I was born in Honolulu, Hawaii and raised on the Eastside of Atlanta, all the way from Lithonia to Glenwood Rd. Growing up on the East was not the easiest, but I always made a way to do whatever I wanted, even if it wasn’t “the regular” where I’m from. I’ve always had an outgoing personality and a very creative and unique way of doing things. I was big on art. As I earned my nickname in high school, I began to be known as the “lit” young guy, being that I was always the youngest out of the crew. I was invited to all the upperclassman parties and get togethers and became well known with them. Once I became an upperclassman, I was very known around Dekalb county and made a stamp being turnt in every party. I think this is when it began. I finished high school and made my way to Georgia Southern University to attend school, however, I had no idea that the school was a well-known party school. My freshman year, I was already known from my older homies telling everyone I was coming and would be the littest young guy at the school, and boy were they right! I was always the life of some of the biggest parties and kickbacks GA Southern had to offer. Everything was great, I was at a great college, I was very well known and I had my sh*t together.
Unfortunately, it all came to an abrupt stop. One night, me and my homies through one of the biggest & best parties GA Southern had ever seen, the Lua Party, September 2013. The day that changed my life drastically. To make a long story a lot shorter, the police came to shut the party down with more than 20 police officers, this wasn’t the problem. As we’re cleaning and packing everything up to leave, I then realized I left my shirt in the beach house. I gave my brother the box of liquor I was carrying and ran in, just to see a group of police standing there. Me, not thinking I did anything wrong, stated that I was coming to get my shirt and they let me through. Moments later, an officer that was familiar with me ran behind me & detained me. Needless to say, I ended up in jail that night & did not return until two years later, I won’t go into details of the case. March 2016, it was a new day. I was released and ready to get back on my feet. I worked a couple warehouse jobs, and those shifts and that routine was not for me. Maybe a year after my release, I got a call. “Hey, you Steezy, that used to throw parties at GA Southern?” “Uhh, Yea, what’s up?” “You interested in throwing parties in the city, I have a lounge I want you at, its called Luv2 Lounge.” We then set the meeting, I viewed the venue, came to terms and began throwing parties not knowing what I was doing, but I was determined to learn everything about the numbers and system at hand. I started a business (Power Play Connects LLC) with my brother and built a team of DJ’s, host, promoters, photographer/videographers and ran with it.
After maybe a full year at Luv2, I finally got another call from another club, then another, and another, and another. It was literally a trickle effect. I remained consistent and took my business seriously until my name and company were brands of themselves. I dreamed of being able to throw parties of some of the biggest clubs in Atlanta and just kept telling myself the opportunity would come when I was ready: and it sure did. I then discovered I was actually good at hosting on the mic and I loved the power and responsibility of control I had and continued. To this day, I have and still host of the biggest parties in Atlanta with some of the most influential people in our day and age, such as Future, Young Thug, Megan The Stallion, Quavo, Renni Rucci, Clermont Twins, YFN Lucci, Boosie, Trouble, King Von (RIP), and many many more. I can say my journey has been a very wild one but I am still active and still hungry for more. I have big plans and am very excited of what’s in store. Consider this a forewarning, I am nowhere near done. Follow me on IG @steezy.bra @powerplayconnects and tell a friend to tell a friend that you love to #PartyWitLilDaddySteez.
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?
No, I can honestly say this hasn’t been a smooth road. I think the hardest part of this journey has been staying so consistent, even when your team starts to quit, even when parties start to get slow, and money has to start coming out of my own pockets. Other than that, I love what I do, it comes natural for me, so that makes things a lot easier and fun for me.
As you know, we’re big fans of Power Play Connects LLC. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Power Play Connects LLC or PPC was started in August 2017. My brother, Levaun Scott and I came up with this name when we was managing artist and our radio host/personality at the time. We started with intentions to make it a management company but left it as an event coordinating company. We started with small events such as local car washes, hosting and sponsoring book signing events, charity events and more. We became known for events, not necessarily parties, but the parties kinda stuck and we gain brand awareness through that. Working with us, PPC, you’d find out that we’re about helping lift our peers up to become their own bosses with their own brands, which makes us a lot different from the other party groups. We never make you feel inferior while working with us, everyone has their own job and objective and in that category, you are the boss. We stay connected so everything we ever need is always one call away. “1 connect is all it takes!”
What makes you happy?
This is a great question. Many things make me happy; money, my family being taken care of, music, all sorts of things. But in this field, I think what makes me happy the most is hustling and seeing things work perfect. Execution. I love getting things done and seeing the results. To feel accomplished, proud is what makes me happy.
Contact Info:
- Email: powerplayconnects1@gmail.com
- Instagram: @steezy.bra @powerplayconnects
- Twitter: @steezybra @powerplaycnects
Image Credits
Photo credits: Gdud, FleaFilmz, Eventsnappers, Atl Pics, RD Photography, TruBandzTV, and some of the homies, s/o to y’all.
