Meet Just Alex of Atlanta

Today we’d like to introduce you to Just Alex.

Hi Just, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
This all started in church. Typical southern singer story right? I was born Christian Alexandria Keith; and from an early age, I’ve had a pretty eventful life. As the youngest daughter of my mother’s 5 girls, I had to grow up pretty fast. Experiencing abuse as a child, verbally, sexually and physically; dealing with bullies and the inability to focus on school work due to undiagnosed ADHD, I couldn’t find resolve anywhere. Now with my grades slipping and afraid of my own shadow, I had to learn survival techniques and coping mechanisms that I carried for years after. My only comfort was music. Jill Scott, Erykah Badu, Jhene Aiko and Tank filled my heart and soul with hopes and dreams that everyone around me tried to tell me were impossible to even think about, let alone accomplish; but it didn’t stop me from being optimistic. As time passed, my mother became less and less stable and I needed to figure out a way to take care of myself. I started selling snacks and baked goods in middle school to earn some extra cash, then eventually got a job working at Sonic when I turned 16. With my grades still at its lowest point, I eventually took a break from High School for 2 years to work 3 jobs. Deciding later that getting my High School Diploma was something I refused to give up on, I eventually went back, finished 2 years worth of high school in a matter of 3 months online, and graduated at the age of 21. Years later, I decided to move to Virginia to be closer to my Dad’s side of the family that included 4 bonus sisters. I then partnered with my manager at the time, to move to Atlanta to pursue music full time. I moved into a house with 5 other musicians who were all men, but treated me like the little sister they never had. Eventually we all went our separate ways but still kept in touch. Coming to Atlanta has definitely been a huge eye opener. Leaving a small city where television and the internet only give you a small percentage of what actually goes on in the music industry, keeps you from being able to fully prepare for whats to come and the work ahead. Being in rooms consistently full of amazing artists and musicians became intimidating. Developing a sense of imposters syndrome, I became a workaholic; sleeping in the studio and creating dozens of records at a time, but too afraid to release any except a few records. Eventually my manager and I split, and I was on my own. Lost without the financial backing needed to continue or a plan, I became stagnate and doubtful. In 2023 I saw a light at the end of the tunnel. Financially getting back on my feet; I moved into my dream apartment, got a new car and a new job and set out to conquer the world. A few months into the year it all started to fall apart. I began to get behind on my bills, the music became an after thought and I was running from depression. Soon, the promoters stopped calling for performances, I’d lost my apartment and then my job. At the end of the year my car stopped working and the man I thought I’d eventually marry, betrayed my trust and the relationship took a nose dive quickly. The day after my birthday, January 2nd, I gotten into a disagreement with 2 of the closest people to me who I considered my best friends, basically family, ending those relationships as well. Losing everything in a matter of months sent me into a depressive state. The 3rd week in January of 2024, I attempted to take my own life, twice. Once being me jumping out of a moving car on the highway. I’d lost my desire to complete the mission I was placed on this earth to accomplish and it broke my heart all over again. I’d done the one thing I’d swore I’d never do…I was giving up. I took a two week vacation to go back to Virginia to visit family and remember why I started this journey in the first place. I was reminded of just that. I moved in with my younger sister and started a much needed reset. Eventually everything started to pick back up and now I’m preparing to travel the world doing the thing that I love for the next 4 months.

My whole life I’ve felt this tug at my heart to help people. I’ve even put myself in harms way to make sure others were safe. Music has been my therapy and I want to give that to everyone I come in contact with. The safety and freedom to just be, that is. I want to use my story as a beacon to those who are truly lost or don’t know how to cope with the things they’re dealing with. I’ve got a million and one lessons I’d like to share and my biggest goal is to reach as many as possible during this human experience to give them just that. The hope that has come from these experiences.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I wouldn’t know a smooth road if I slept on it. LOL! I’ve been through a lot trying to get to a place of success and stability, and I’m still in the midst of struggling but nowhere near where I was when I decided to pursue music as an artist. My family and I grew up in poverty. We don’t really know what it looks like to pursue our dreams and thrive in them. Everyone chose the safest route to stability and stuck to it. Get a job, go to school, marry rich. They tried to instill safety nets into me but I’ve always known my life was meant for way more than what fit in the box they kept trying to shove me in. I was ridiculed for it but I did NOT care. I wanted this [music] more than I wanted to breathe at one point in my life. I’ve been homeless more times than I’ve been housed.. abused and knocked down so much that I can tell you the difference between the taste of soil and sand. I was an addict and recovered without the help of facilities or therapy. I almost died in 2017 and in 2024 an yet none of this has been significant enough for me to quit. That’s purpose. That’s God! I will say this.. I think the BIGGEST struggle I’ve had to deal with thus far hasn’t been the drugs, the homeless, the loneliness or isolation.. its been pushing through my own doubts in the quiet seasons. You have to have a level of strength, discipline and determination to fight YOURSELF and win.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I sing a little. lol. Honestly? I’d like to think of myself as a story teller.. I use music to express some of the deepest, most intimate thoughts and experiences in my life and that’s my superpower. I think the thing that I’m most proud of is my ability to capture the attention of an audience and hold it captive until I wanna let go. How I can move a room… set the frequency and share my experiences so vividly, you’d believe you went through it with me. A lot of artists are good at what they do.. amazing at creating but the crowd control? only a few of us possess the power and I’m proud to say I hold that with both hands and a humble heart.

What do you like and dislike about the city?
I think the BEST thing about Atlanta is the foooood!!!! Oh my God Atlanta knows how cook baby!! haha! I’m such a “Mom-n-Pop” restaurant lover; I literally seek them out when I can. Now sometimes I’m sitting on a “Cook at the house” budget, but honey when I’m able to spend a little coin? Mr. Diddys, BGR Grille, and Slim n Husky’s are FIRST on the list. Now my least favorite part is tied between the over saturation of artists and the traffic. Because why does EVERYONE has somewhere to be at 3:45 in the afternoon????!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/JustAlexforever?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=27264021-4222-46da-ae47-508d86a50974
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justalexforever
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/justalexforver
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/justalexforever

Image Credits
KDShotthat
The.Vxsionary
TyWill