StaJe releases his brand new single entitled ‘UP’.
Justin Payne, also known as StaJe has been on quite the journey, a journey that for some would be deemed as too much, when the trials, obstacles and hard times are all but never ending, some perish, some turn back and others crumble under the pressure of life’s darkest corners.
However Justin Payne did the opposite. Born in Columbia South Carolina, the artist has always had a knack for music. It was his early years that he credits to his initial exposure into music, his mother being a highly talented vocalist, StaJe reminisces on early moments spent in front of the TV with his mother singing to old classics together.
A talented athlete also, the artist realized his true calling resided in his inner passion and drive for music, as such the artist had some tough and significantly life changing decisions to make. The main decision being to move away from everything he knew in search of his dreams and goals.
Justin left for the entertainment metropolis known as Los Angeles, a city scoped in history of darker stories and not just bright movie lights. The artist found out the hard way that this was not going to be an easy task by any stretch of the imagination. StaJe then ended up in Los Angeles’s most unforgiving and soul destroying place of refuge, Skid Row. An unthinkable place for most people, Justin had nothing but a dream, he stayed there for months, miraculously finding food when he needed it. Living life day by day, pushing through the internal torment with a clear vision of one day, making it, one day becoming something, he refused to give up.
Incredibly an old friend from Justin’s college days had moved into town and the two reconnected, Justin was kindly given his sofa as a place to stay, then within a short time found a job. In a sudden and unbelievable turn of events Justin was finally in a better place. He exceeded in his job, whilst still keeping music as the centerpiece of focus. The artist was earning a good income which then enabled him the opportunity to focus on what was important. Music.
Opening up his own recording studio and Launching his record label Fam Entertainment. StaJe, has many exciting plans when it comes to music. After releasing his Debut Single “Keisha” and landing #15 on the Top 150 Indi Global Billboard Charts and #54 on the Top 100 Global Billboard Charts a lot has changed for the former homeless man. Expanding his area of expertise to also support, nurture and grow upcoming talent, artists can most definitely learn a thing or two from StaJe. What’s most impressive though is not just StaJe’s musical talent but his undeniable and breathtaking story, that will inspire for generations.
Previous Interview with Jake Grammy
The new single from ‘StaJe‘ is entitled ‘UP’ and gives you all the elements of Michael Jackson, The Weeknd, and a subtle taste of Prince all in one!
Mid last year StaJe released his debut single “Keisha” which quickly entered on the billboard charts top 100. After taking a listen to that track and listening to his up coming release of UP, we’re all wondered if this was actually the same artist. See, Keisha is full of southern melodic twang in a rap sequence. Due to our confusion we reached out to the artist himself and had a few questions for him.
“Is this indeed the same artist that released Keisha?”
StaJe “Yes”
“Well first and foremost, congrats on all your new found success. How did “UP” come about?”
StaJe “We all were in the studio; Me, Andy, Taylor, and Bobby. They started playing this dancehall track and told me to freestyle. So I first was like, nah man skip that one. They insisted that I at least try, so I did. Andy picked up my phone and went live on Instagram to obviously embarrass me. Ha, nah Andy’s a good guy. But I had a fan comment saying that I should actually write to this song! That it was amazing and she would play it everyday. So I went home and sat with the song for a couple days then came up with the hook and here we are today about it today.
Thankful to Kristiine for pushing me to finish it”
Grammy (Jake) “That’s so inspiring and amazing! Crazy how people you don’t know can come in your life and create memories that last forever. Is there a music video in the works?
StaJe “Absolutely! We are working with an extremely talented Special Effects make up artist Crista Llewellyn and her team. Also Moonman Ent. will be shooting the video. We have a lot in store for this one! It’s going to be epic.”
Grammy (Jake) We look forward to seeing this one!
Well StaJe we have one last question, why the change in your sound and music? I mean we love it don’t get me wrong but I’m sure people are going to wonder after they hear this track, why did you change?”
StaJe “I mean singing is who I am. I’ve grown up singing in the shower, singing to all my ex girls, and learning from watching my mom sing oldies. It’s just who I am. Rapping is fun and definitely for the culture but my true form of me is with R&B elements. I can actually feel the words and the instruments.”
Grammy (Jake) “Staje before we let you go we have one question for you. You think this could eventually be on our nomination list this year?
StaJe “Absolutely! With the help of my amazing managers Andy & Bobby and the visuals that Moonman Ent will be given us, anything can happen from here! Thank you to God because without him none of this is possible. Thank you to Fam Ent Kerttu Reggie Ronald Chris Angel Payne and everyone who has had my back over the years”
Grammy (Jake) “StaJe thank you for your time and we look forward to this release and the music video! This one will have a lot of people calling. We also hope we can have you in attendance at our next Grammy Ceremony.”
We had a great conversation with StaJe and hope we see this nominated as the year goes along. Its a good one! Until then, be on the look out for his new single “UP”! It will make you love music again!