Rising Stars: Meet Jack 13TH of Atlanta

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jack 13TH.

Hi Jack, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I am JaKaylen Smalls, but I create and perform under the name Jack 13TH.

I’ve always been drawn to storytelling, music, and creative expression. What started as a personal outlet gradually evolved into something much deeper. As Jack 13TH, I’ve spent years developing not only my sound, but also a larger artistic vision that blends music, storytelling, and visual expression.

My path hasn’t been traditional. Along the way I’ve balanced work, education, personal growth, and independent artistry while teaching myself how to write, record, produce, market, and build creative worlds from the ground up. Every project has challenged me to grow both as an artist and as a person.

My upcoming project, Act I: Behind the Veil, reflects much of that journey. The project explores revelation, becoming, and the tension between who we are and how we’re perceived. It’s the beginning of a larger story that examines vulnerability, spirituality, growth, and transformation through both music and visuals.

More than anything, my goal is to create work that allows people to see themselves in the process of becoming. I’m not documenting who I am as much as I’m documenting who I’m becoming.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. One of the biggest challenges has been learning how to trust myself and stay committed to a creative vision while navigating uncertainty. As an independent artist, there isn’t always a clear blueprint, so a lot of the journey involves moving forward even when you don’t have all the answers.

There have been many moments where I’ve doubted myself, questioned my direction, or felt disconnected from who I was becoming. In a lot of ways, my journey has been a constant process of forgetting myself and finding myself again. Every stage of growth reveals another layer of yourself that has to be understood, challenged, healed, or accepted. Growth isn’t a destination for me—it’s an ongoing process.

As an independent artist, you’re also wearing every hat at once—writer, performer, producer, marketer, videographer, and strategist. Balancing those responsibilities while continuing to create can be overwhelming at times, especially when you’re building something from the ground up and trying to remain true to your vision.

Looking back, though, those struggles became part of the foundation. They taught me resilience, faith, patience, and self-awareness. Many of the themes that appear in my music—identity, vulnerability, spirituality, rebellion, truth, and triumph—come directly from living through that process myself. In many ways, the challenges didn’t just shape my work; they shaped the person creating it.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Music has become more than just creating songs for me—it’s become a way to document growth. Every project reflects a different stage of my life, and I try to create work that feels immersive, cinematic, and emotionally honest. Through Jack 13TH, I blend music, visual storytelling, and symbolism to explore themes of identity, transformation, spirituality, and self-discovery.

My upcoming project, Act I: Behind the Veil, continues that exploration. It invites listeners into a world where revelation and mystery exist side by side, encouraging them to look beyond appearances and connect with their own journey of becoming. At the end of the day, I hope people leave my work feeling seen, understood, and inspired to embrace who they are.

In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
Over the next 5–10 years, I think technology will continue to reshape how music is created, distributed, and discovered. AI and other tools will become more common, but I believe people will always connect most deeply with truth. No matter how advanced the technology becomes, audiences can still tell when something comes from a real place.

One thing I hope to see is a return to artists being allowed to be imperfect, experimental, and unrestricted. Some of the most influential music and artistic movements came from people who were willing to take risks, break rules, and create without worrying about fitting a formula. Those artists didn’t just follow standards—they created new ones. What was once considered unconventional often became the blueprint for the next generation.

As music becomes more accessible and more saturated, I think authenticity will become even more valuable. The artists who stand out won’t necessarily be the most polished; they’ll be the ones with a clear vision, a genuine perspective, and the courage to share something honest. I also believe we’ll continue to see artists expand beyond music into film, fashion, visual art, and other forms of storytelling, creating complete worlds rather than isolated projects.

At its core, I think the future of the industry belongs to artists who are willing to tell the truth, trust their individuality, and create without fear of being different.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/threeteenjck/
• Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/@JCK13TH/videos