The newly released track ‘What You Like’ is a collaboration between the two artists, and is the first single from their forthcoming album “Call Me At Midnight.” 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 significant life-changing decisions to make. The main decision was 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 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 formerly homeless man. His most recent single, “UP” charted at #95 on Itunes Pop (US), #13 Itunes Pop (Africa), and #50 on Itunes All Genre (Africa) and he most recently won “Best New Artist” at the 2021 HAPA Music Awards.
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 generations.
Taylor Owen (left), also known as Tailor, has had a life that in no way, shape or form, has been easy. Filled to the brim with abuse, bullying, self-doubt, and just very hard times, Taylor somehow made it out. Born on Camp Pendleton in Oceanside California, Taylor and his family moved to a small town in Iowa when he was only a couple of months old. Born with a speech impediment that would still have a hold on his life to this day, made elementary, middle, and high school not the easiest thing in the world. However the only time he did not stutter, or stammer, was when he was singing. After a school project in Junior year, he decided to go to school for music production. Traveling to Los Angeles, California to attend Musician’s Institute, he learned what he needed to, to bring his emotions and thoughts out of his mind. But due to bad choices and mistakes, he became homeless.
After accepting what he did, and the consequences of his actions, his sister recommended to attend McNally Smith College of Music, a private music college located in Saint Paul, Minnesota. He attended for three years learning engineering from some of the best in the business until the school shockingly closed down a semester before he would graduate. After being forced to move back home, working two jobs, Taylor had a decision to make.
Being raised in a small town in rural Iowa is dangerous for an artist. Everyone seems to be okay with finding love in their high school sweetheart, living on the same property their family has had for generations, and not going out to learn and absorb the world around them. That scared Taylor to the bone. One night while working one of his two jobs, he decided he didn’t want to be here anymore. He found roommates that night and moved back to LA two weeks later.
Since being here Taylor found his calling. Engineering, vocal producing, and surprisingly singing. After three years. He has made connection after connection slowly building his rolodex on people in this industry. Taking the mantle of head engineer at the new studio, Parallel Sound, and producing artists to create the best songs they are capable of making, he is hoping this will lead to unending support for his fiancee Jacky, stepson Andrew, and his daughter, Elena.
Taylor finally found his voice in TailorMade Productions, as Tailor, and as himself. One that doesn’t stutter or stammer.
For further information on each artist, visit:
Images courtesy of Miles Lindon
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