BIO
My name is Jean Atem, I’m 19 year olds and born on a small island called Saint Lucian in the Caribbean. I am a rapper/singer in the world of hip-hop and R&B. I started my music career at the age of 16 with my first video/song release titled “Drop”. “Drop” came out on February 6th, 2015, which is the same year I got signed to my manager, Eliot Bailey, under the company LucianStyle Music Group (LMG). Ever since our first release I have been working to make the best music I can as I grow. As of August 11th, 2016, my latest song titled “Phony” has been released, coming off my upcoming joint mixtape with Rayvon (R&B singer/label mate) titled “When The Summer Dies”. To be released on August 22nd, 2016.
What is your background? tell us where you grew up and some information about your upbringing/experiences as a youth:
I was born and raised in Saint Lucia. I’m Saint Lucian/Haitian/Syrian. Growing up is quite different in the Caribbean it’s like, everything is a culture. Musically, it’s different what i’m doing because our main genres here are Dancehall/Soca, but I was still heavily driven by the rap and r&b craft.
At what moment did you know that music was part of your life and what feelings did you have towards making an active impact with your music?
When i’m just secluded, in my room all day writing 10-15 songs a day is when I definitely knew this drive was something to take serious. Time after time I became more confident and realized it was time to show the world my sound, my creativity, and I was a little nervous because no one ever knew what I was doing before I actually released my first song. But when that time came, I knew I was ready for everything that faced me. This a lifestyle right here.
What artists inspired/influences you and if you could collaborate with any artist (alive or passed) who would it be and why?
Lil Wayne was the reason I started rapping. The new wave been inspiring me heavily for the past few years. I feel like the melodies and sounds coming out has given me a stronger, more free minded creative process. Now I just paint what I want. I would definitely love to collaborate with PARTYNEXTDOOR especially, that boy got the melodies and the rhythms that would make me go back to a song and be like, is this enough? He’s definitely a contribution to my inspirations.
What do you think about the current state of hip hop/mainstream music?
Some people might not agree, but I love the path hip-hop has gone down. It’s new, it’s growth, it’s bound to happen musically because there are so many different types of people who create. Living in the past can only get you so far.
Currently, what projects do you have in the works that you are most excited about?
I have a joint mixtape with Rayvon titled “When The Summer Dies” dropping August 22nd. We’ve been working on it since December just perfecting our craft, making sure everything was timeless & unique. You can’t find a similar melody in any of the songs. It’s so diverse and different and I think that’s extremely important nowadays.
What are your short term career goals within the next 6-10 months?
To have a big enough fan base where I can just share my music and know a good amount of people are going to listen to it, and then see how far it goes. I see big things in my future because of how hard I work at this, for sure. Both Rayvon & I are constantly making new music, and making sure every song is bigger and better. I’m sure that’ll speak for itself.
What are your long term career goals within the next 2-5 years?
To be a superstar. I’ve promised myself that i’d continue to grow as an artist, and make the best music I can so that I can achieve my dreams & goals one day.
If you had one song out of the catalogue you have created to show a person what song would it be and why?
I would say this intro song on the mixtape called “Sin City”. It’s a song I made over a year ago and I still love it more day after day. Knowing how timeless it feels to me, I think it would be a good first impression.
To the person who had never heard of you what is it about your music and story that you would tell them to entice them to be a supporter?
All I’m passionate about is the music. The energy & soul I put into this is incomparable, which means that I won’t stop until all my haters become my fans. We’re hungry for the dream.
If your music could be described in five words what would those five words be?
Confusing, interesting, conflicted, melodic & energetic.
What do you bring to the game that is unique and different?
New sounds, new styles, new conversation. I feel like everyone can talk about the same heartbreak or whatever for example. It’s how you do it in detail that catches people’s ears. I make sure I don’t leave any detail out. You won’t expect what line comes next.
To the aspiring artist who is considering a career as a musician what lessons or advice would you give them to inspire them or to uplift them in the journey?
I would say, it’s all or nothing. You can’t put half of your heart into this it just won’t work on a level you’d imagine it to. This is something that takes time & strong work ethic.
What are your social media profiles and where can people purchase/download your music?
Everything I have out right now is on my soundcloud (jeanatem). A lot of new music on the way.
What are your final words you would like to say to people that you have left out?
Stay tuned. When The Summer Dies on the way, be ready.