Today we’d like to introduce you to Justin Dejesus.
Hi Justin, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My name is Justin Dejesus, but everyone knows me better as SwizZy B. I am a Puerto Rican Hip Hop Artist, Songwriter, Producer as well as the Founder & Owner of Independent Record Label & Hip Hop/Rap Group “LoUd Life Crew”. I was born in Brooklyn, NY & Moved to Florida at the age of 5. I started off writing poetry at the age of 12, which later turned into writing songs by the time I was 16. At first, writing for me was a way to cope with my anger & resentment as I grew up as a very troubled teen with no real world guidance. It wasn’t until I was 18 years old when I was inspired by some of my favorite artist as well as the Greats like Jay-Z, Master P, Diddy, Birdman, J Prince & Many more to establish my own business via an independent record label. I was fascinated by the drive, Hustle & work ethic and more importantly I loved the idea of running my own company.
It wasn’t until I was 21 years old it was the beginning of 2016 when I decided that making music, Being an artist as well as running a label is what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I was 1000% sure that’s what I wanted. It wasn’t easy getting to where I am today. A lot of people just see the huge sold out shows and tours and think this happened overnight for me or it was easy to obtain. I put in thousands of hours of not only work in creating but also researching, learning and taking in as much knowledge as possible about the actual business side of the music business from rolling out and album to developing a new artist there wasn’t a topic I didn’t study. In the beginning no one wanted to give me an opportunity I had to create my own. I went to 100s of open mics and local show cases for about a year straight and I mean 4-5 shows a week every show I was networking with everyone from the DJ to the promoter to the venue owners and other artist that were performing and that was the beginning of how I was able to start to establish the following and fan base that I have today. in 2017 was when I created my first buzz and started becoming a public figure.
With 100s of shows under my belt, I was now able to get into way bigger shows and start opening up for bigger national touring artist whenever they came to town. I was hand selling tickets to people to secure my slot. I told every promoter I worked with I can bring a crowd and I never let them down, I now had the reputation of the local artist that can sell mass amounts of tickets and that was huge for me because at that point I started getting called to do shows all over the country. Now I am finally able to tour with some of my favorite artist as well as headline my own concerts across the country. There was so many trials and tribulations in between but the number one thing is I never gave up because I truly believe in myself to the most extreme you can imagine. I was always the underdog growing up so the support from close friends and family was never there. I got more love and support from strangers at first. But honestly, it wouldn’t have mattered if I had only 1 fan I would of still gave it my all because music, writing and creating is my biggest passion and saved my life.
I was going down a dark road of a trouble teen until music came into my life and that’s why I say music saved me. I’m going to be the one to break my family curse and create generational wealth. It’s amazing to look back because when I first started I told myself I will be doing huge tours and sold out shows way before I even did my first show and I recently just did a 10 city tour where every show was wall to wall packed with my fans. If it wasn’t for LoUd Life Crew which is my team I also wouldn’t have the skills I have today for developing an artist and also being a true leader. When I first started I knew nothing now I run a very successful label with multiple artist on it and as for myself 2022 is going to be my breakout year. We already having meetings with Major record labels and are working on music with Platinum selling artist. My story is a story of true self belief, being the person to lift yourself up even when it feels like the world is against you positivity, hard work and setting goals will always overcome.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
It definitely has not been a smooth road. I believe I went through all of the worst things an upcoming artist can go through from working with scam companies & promoters from other artists bashing and making fun of how I look and my music. When you are an artist and you step into this game you have to have tough skin and be prepared to run across some shady businessmen every once in a while. It was also very hard to get on shows when I first started I had to go to small bars that are doing open mic nights and that’s how I started performing and luckily I met a few promoters doing that and from there I was slowly able to work my way up to bigger and bigger shows the more I did.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I specialize in Entertaining the Masses. I mainly am a Hip Hop artist and Producer that’s always first but I honestly do everything from songwriting, performing & producing to hosting, acting, Booking & modeling. Not to mention Coordinating events with LoUd Life Crew to bring extraordinary opportunities for other upcoming artist & producers on a daily basis. That’s what I have been doing lately. I help a lot of other artists get on their first big shows opening up for national artists and tours I also coordinate These contests once a month for huge prizes.
That’s just a small part of what I do what I’m truly known for is crowd surfing!! putting on some of the most high energy and highly engaging live performances in the industry. If you ask anyone who’s been to one of my shows they might call me “Orlando’s Crowd Surfer” because of how I stage dive and crowd surf at all my live shows that’s definitely what I’m known for in Orlando for sure I have the best concerts in the city.
I’m most proud of being a true independent artist and being able to say that I have accomplished everything with No Management company & No huge record label or investor putting money behind me. I did everything on my own with me and LoUd Life Crew. We funded everything, Networked, marketed and did literally everything ourselves with no outside help.
I think what sets me apart from others is simply my work ethic, I am able to accomplish on my own what an entire label with a full staff can accomplish. I can Book and Route a full tour for my artist, I can market music to niche audiences and also grow all social media platforms with the most organic and active following. There’s only a very small number of artists that are able to do that and to no surprise, they are some of the biggest names in the world, That’s how I know I’m on the right path to my goals.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
I like using my Instagram and Facebook fan page but that’s mainly just to connect with my fans. I don’t read often as I’m usually busy but when I do get the chance I always grab “The 48 Laws of Power” by Robert Greene I might have read that book about 1000 times by now.
Contact Info:
- Email: loudlifecrewbooking@gmail.com
- Website: https://www.loudlifecrew.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealswizzyb/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheRealSwizZyB/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/therealswizzyb
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheRealSwizZyB
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/therealswizzyb
Image Credits
Desiree Fourquet
Victor Manuel Sanchez
Jacob Stoll
Kristen Gasdick
