Today we’d like to introduce you to Jak Starzin.
Hi Jak, We are so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was raised in a very strict bubble by Christian parents (dad was more closed-minded, not religious); even with school, it was a private Christian Academy. We were only allowed to listen to predominantly Christian music. Around my final year of elementary school, my dad went home one day with a Wii and the “Just Dance” game. Just Dancered one of my biggest influences through this game: Katy Perry. Until then, the only” Secular” superstar I knew was Michael Jackson; my dad was a fan, so I grew up listening to his music, but my mom was always cautious. I would secretly listen to the songs from dance in the middle of the night and practice my dance moves. When I started middle school, we had switched to a public school, and the environment was completely different. I quickly realized how different I was from everybody else and how far behind I was socially. That was also the year my parents bought me an iPod touch. My dad’s friend downloaded whatever music was trending at the time, and although my mother was upset, my dad said it was OK. I discovered more music from Katy Perry and other artists and learned how much I truly loved music. It started by copying Katy Perry’s outfits at school; I drew candy on cardboard papers and glued them to my shirts for no uniform days; I even tried to dye my hair blue with food coloring and Kool-Aid. Eventually, I realized this was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life; I wanted to make people feel how Katy Perry had made me think; I tried to awaken that creativity in people. So I began pursuing my dream and creating my stage name; Jak Starzin came from my love of the game Jak & Daxter. I was always getting in trouble at this school, so I was always in ISS (in-school suspension), and the teacher in charge of it was one of my favorites. His name was Mr. Stravinsky, and I liked that, so I took his name.
I started roughly; I would get bullied in school because I couldn’t sing, but I manifested my voice by refusing to take no for an answer and perusing it. Throughout high school, I began taking singing lessons and perfecting my technique. My parents would always force us to go to church on Wednesdays and Sundays, and several times, I would have random people come up to me and tell me I was going to do great things; one time, I was writing a song, and I had this gentleman approach me and tell me “you’re going to be very influential one day; use that power wisely for good” I got chills in my spine. I started performing at my school talent shows and quickly realized how much I loved it; I was always obsessed with artist tours and would memorize the setlists and outfits. I come from a family of hard-working people. We moved to Florida from Puerto Rico, and my parents had to sell almost everything they had. I specifically remember us sleeping on blankets on the floor with black trash bags as curtains in an apartment, my father working 2 jobs to take care of us while my mother stayed home to raise me and my younger brother. My parents always taught me that working incredibly hard and dedicating yourself is how to achieve your goals. As soon as I turned 18, I picked up a full-time job at a school as a teacher assistant, and I began spending the money to work with professionals, but I quickly realized how expensive music had become. Unfortunately, I didn’t have the budget, so I began to teach myself everything I needed to know so that if I couldn’t afford it, I would do it myself. In that process, I learned to write my songs, mix and master, make my clothes, direct my music videos, create content/manage socials, properly market my music, and more.
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned? Looking back, has it been easy or smooth in retrospect?
One of my biggest hurdles is my perfectionism. I tend to be my worst enemy; insecurity has plagued me ever since I was a little boy due to how I was raised and some of the things I went through. Life has taught me many things, and I’ve grown much as an artist and an individual. Rejection is also challenging at first, but you become used to it and use it to your advantage. Finances have also been an enormous hurdle for me; my visions tend to be so extensive and intricate that I’m only sometimes able to make them happen precisely how they appear in my head. I’m in a lot of debt, but at least I do what I love wholeheartedly.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might need to become more familiar with what you do, what can you tell them about what you do?
I carry myself boldly; I feel more comfortable dressing outside the box than trying to fit the norm. I grew up with influences like Michael Jackson, Katy Perry, Daft Punk, and Lady Gaga, and I always admired how different they were from everyone else, fashionably and artistically. I like to be involved in every detail, from the music, outfits, videos, and concerts, designing every aspect to create an immersive experience. I have really bad ADHD, and most things don’t catch my attention, so when I am creating, I make sure to stimulate all the senses. My goal is to inspire others through how hard I am chasing my dreams.; I want people to realize someone with the same mental struggles as them, somebody with a 9 to 5; someone with financial struggles who still lives with their parents, can create these things and pursue his dreams. I want people not to be scared to pursue their dreams because they can also do so.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
In my life, I realized perfectionism can prevent us from expressing ourselves authentically and wholeheartedly. Mistakes make us human; some people’s mistakes become their most incredible artwork. I made a promise to myself at the beginning of the year. I didn’t care how much money it would cost, how much debt I would get into, or how much sleep I would lose, but I’m going 200% into my dream this year. I have a schedule of steady releases, videos, and events, and I can’t wait to grow and share what I’ve been working on with you guys.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jakstarzinofficial.univer.se/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialjakstarzin?igsh=Mno2Z3E4Z2puOGEy&utm_source=qr
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@jakstarzin?si=Ii4COOuklwPpppNj
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6Qmxr4XSCRBNYj1MLH1qto?si=Bvz1EmD-R3-hu541xoLFiw
