For Justin Crowder, it’s about making music that people will remember
and relate to, invoking an unforgettable feeling. For his more popularly known moniker, JC, it’s all about
“swagg.”
“Wouldn’t you get tired if I just woke up playing the piano and singing all the time,” JC asks jokingly. “So
many of these dudes just rehearse what they think an R&B guy should be but even women want variety; they want
something a little edgier sometimes and that comes with being a certain type of person, having a certain kind of
swagg.” He’s talking about his first release, “Nobody Gotta Know” the heavily rotated jingle that spews politely
arrogant verses about taking a girl from her guy.
Yet, its not arrogance. Its character built confidence. The 20-something singer/songwriter has many colorful
tales surrounding his entry into the business…common, yet, vividly unusual stories of being cheated, of being
broke, death threats and politics that tried to cut his progress short. But JC doesn’t break stride. The
Nashville, TN native and Atlanta, GA resident understands that it’s all a part of the process.
Even still, he has managed to work with some of music’s heaviest hitters. Names like, Rick Ross and Yung Joc and
sharing the stage with artists like Young Jeezy, Usher, Kayne West, and many more; performing at everything from
school pep rally’s to radio station and community events to major concerts including Atlanta’s largest show,
Birthday Bash. JC is pleasant, humble, quite witty and even a little shy. But one thing stands above all these
traits…JC is a STAR!
What separates the singer and songwriter from the droves of R&B hopefuls is he didn’t have to choose this path.
Though he has been belting gospel classics professionally since he was 9, JC graduated Magna Cum Laude from
Tennessee State University with a bachelor’s in business administration followed by a Master’s with a highly
impressive 4.0 GPA and was teaching high school as Justin Crowder by day and exploiting his creative talents as
JC by night. JC utters, “A plan B is great but my heart is with the music.”
He has many, “And then…” moments, things that should have made him throw in the towel but JC hung .. gutting out
a passenger van, filling it with his belongings, he and writer/producer Tre Stylz (his friend and partner in
their company Blu2ooth Productions) began the short yet seemingly uncertain trek from Nashville to Atlanta.
Being shuffled in and out of meetings when they arrived and literally leaving the city coveting and speechless
at his natural abilities from live shows, writing, and the indie release of “Nobody Gotta Know”, JC was always
content with being an “independent” singer/songwriter until “the right deal” presented itself.
“You just don’t understand what I’ve been through,” he says finally relieved. “But I’ve just never been able to
give up. I’m too competitive. It’s like quitting in the 4th quarter or dropping out of school your 2nd semester,
senior year. Even if no one sees you quit, why would you? I’m just too close to give up…no matter what has
happened on the way here.” With the help of manager Kerry Carter, JC has further made his mark in the industry
writing for several major artists/producers and creating a demand for himself from a surplus of major record
labels.
Where sex and scandal ravage through the airwaves, JC offers sensuality and feeling, and at times his music can
merely be described as “cool.” His music is littered with hidden meanings and innuendos but it’s always backed
with chart topping production and the stuff that hit songs are made of. His boyish good looks wont make it hard
for his fans to fall in love on sight, but its his ability to regurgitate his soul on wax that will cement his
position and make him truly UNFORGETTABLE.