IAA SPOTLIGHT: GET TO KNOW – STAR AKA J BRAVO – INDIANA’S HOTTEST STAR!

Music has been Star aka J Bravo’s passion since he was a child. At the tender age of four,  Star would entertain himself singing or rapping in front of  the mirror. Even at the kitchen table while his mother was preparing a meal he would take a plates, glasses, pots and pans to make a beat. Early on Star’s inspirations were the Motown greats such as, Marvin Gaye, The Temptations, The Dells, and Smokey. Then he transitioned to the music he grew up on such as N.W.A, Biggie Smalls, Scarface, 8 Ball & MJG and Jay- Z who all proved to be great inspiration for Star. Armed with strong lyrical content, delivery, and raw talent Star is in a league of his own and ready to follow in the footsteps of those who paved the way for him. 

IAA:  What is your music background?

STAR AKA J BRAVO:  Well since the age of 4, I’ve been in music classes, learning music as well as being vocally coached.  I sang in plays, concerts, and choirs until the age of 14, where I signed to a local record label as a vocalist and songwriter.  After two years I started a quartet named Reign, where we performed in local venues even Starlight for Mike Singleterry Charity Luncheon.  Once I reached the age of 18, I had already been rapping for a year. I had been songwriting for regional artists for 4 years. I also started deejaying and managing artists since I had left the local label I was with.  I moved to Evansville, where I was noticed, and it was there I was sent to meet Scarface aka Brad Jordan at the All-Star Weekend in Atlanta.  His team gave me a lot of direction and motivation to push forward even though my sound was along the lines of what they did. I came back to Indiana, started LOD which is Lion’s Den Entertainment and continued to make music.

IAA:  Why do you want to record and release your own music?

STAR AKA J BRAVO:  Being in the music industry at the underground and regional level for 16 plus years has given me all types of experiences.  I picked up on how not to make music and more importantly the correct way to properly make a song.  Being able to understand music is like an artist or painter learning how to blend colors and shade.  I was fortunate enough to watch engineers from all over the globe, and while in the process pick up tricks and techniques. With countless hours of trial and error, I developed all of the skills to be able to write and record myself. This allows me total creativity without outside interference, and without someone trying to manufacture my music to sound like what’s out on the radio.  Plus, it allows me to be able to set my own deadlines and release dates. This allows me to not force music.  I like to be able to give my fans 100% of me, instead of me with someone else’s agenda.  With that said, I can also release music everyday, 365 days a year if I choose too as well. It just grants me freedom to have the ability to deliver music however I choose to the fans, which allows for more of a personal connection.

IAA:  What are your songs about?

STAR AKA J BRAVO:  My music is about my life, what I’ve lived, felt, and experienced.  My songs are my outlet to the world, my journal; my story to be heard and my music to live on once I’m gone.  I have my moments of joy and pain, but they’re all based on a true story.  Even when I do features, I look for the memory that relates to the theme and I go from there.  I lived and experienced a lot so there’s not much I can’t speak on.

IAA:  Who are your musical influences?

STAR AKA J BRAVO:  Well, of course Michael Jackson is first and foremost because he was always able to step out of the box and draw you with him. Plus, he was an amazing songwriter.  Outkast were the first artists I met in person. Just seeing two young cats doing something different and adding flavor to me was amazing.  Jay-Z, simply because he beat the odds, defied the laws, broke barriers, and made the public pay attention to his accomplishments.  Scarface because his music was so deep that you could feel and see what he was saying as if you were there.  Marvin Gaye was just an amazing performer the way he commanded the crowd with his voice.  Joe Budden was a big influence for me once he started “Mood Music.” It to me changed the way music could be translated.  The way Joe B. was able to describe to his listeners and fans how losing a life could feel and what addiction was like. This to me was exactly how you want to have a personal relationship with your fans. So it set an example for me.

IAA:  How would you describe your music to people?

STAR AKA J BRAVO:  I say its motivation music; Midwestern poetry over southern tracks.  There’s always a song for someone or some moment in life.  It’s Life Music, for the hustler, business man, person going through rough times, the people out just trying to have a good time, the loud smokers, and for the lyrical assassins.

IAA:  What makes you stand out from other artist?

STAR AKA J BRAVO:  My delivery, my demeanor, my talent, my ambition, and my drive separate me from all of the rest.  I can write, record, mix, and master my own project.  I have what is needed to be around for another 15-20 years.  I have what every A&R and record label is looking for.  I’m not just an artist, I’m an International Business.

IAA:  Tell us about one of the hardest challenges you had to face in your music career and how did you overcome?

STAR AKA J BRAVO:  In 2003 I was signed to a production company out of Chicago that used my materials to ink a distribution deal with Bad Boy.  Once the check was cut for the deal, the company disappeared.  So I was left in a situation where my company had taken the money and left me without pay, work, or a place to record.  I grabbed all of my equipment, with the understanding I still had a year left under my contract before I could perform and release my own music freely.  So I moved south and started moving the promos I had left. I also kept doing feature after feature and quietly recording as much of my own music as I possibly could. Once my contract was up, I would let the flood gates open and release my own music from me and my camp.

IAA:  What are some upcoming projects you are currently working on?

STAR AKA J BRAVO:  Well I’m currently working on LT3; The Prequel (Life Times of John Fetti vol 3) the 3^rd vol of the John Fetti mixtape series due to drop July 16^th.  Also, I’m gearing up for Continuity the Hiatus (12/3/13); part 2 to the Thank God for 4 the block album that dropped 12/12/11.

IAA:  What are your career goals? Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

STAR AKA J BRAVO:  My goal is to be known as one of the greats of my time and not just a one hit wonder or a “whatever happened to him” type of artist.  I want to sell 10 million records; and sell out a venue in a day, and be able to perform for a Super Bowl Halftime show, no matter it’s a feature or headliner.  Also, I want to do a song with Missy or Janet Jackson.  Ten years from now, I see myself as a respected artist in the industry with fans from all around the world. I also hope to mentor younger artists and show them the ropes of the industry so they can achieve what I have and then some.

IAA:  How can your fans access your music and contact you?

STAR AKA J BRAVO:  I’m on facebook under Star aka J Bravo, and on twitter as @StarakaJbravo, on instagram as @Bravitos_way. My music in on iTunes under Star and Star aka J Bravo. My mixtapes are on datpiff.com, and if all fails you can Google Star aka J Bravo.