Today we’d like to introduce you to Jay 5th.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Growing up on the Eastside of South Central Los Angeles was NO JOKE! The section I was from was called the “Low Bottoms”. It was the slums and lower and more underprivileged part of South Central. Although people on the other side of that 110 fwy looked down on us, The Low Bottoms was home! It was the place that shaped and made me who I am today! I started off doing music at the age of 14 years old, 10th grade at John C. Fremont High School. I helped formed a rap group called “Da Untouchable Rydaz” with my High School bestfriends (BillCatt, Al Beezy, S-Beezy and 3rd Dimension). We performed at talent shows throughout High School and after that we transitioned into college then the lineup changed to just four core members. We performed all throughout Los Angeles and continued to do music. In the midst of us doing music, we also did countless amount of solo projects we independently release on our label Ryda 4 Life Recordz.
In 2005, I was blessed to be featured on MTV’s Pimp My Ride, then early 2006, I was also featured on MTV’s Yo Momma then later that year went on to join the cast of the hit show BET’s College Hill: Virgin Islands. In 2007, upon the show’s airing, life took a drastic turn when I had to learn how to navigate stardom, a relationship of four years and many hardships. At the end of the year in 2007, I attempted to commit suicide in my Pimp My Ride car but the gun got jammed. Moments before my attempt, I had a conversation with the devil and wanted to end my life because I felt I served no purpose and felt extremely alone. After the gun jammed, I had a conversation with GOD and here I stand today! That following, 2008, I solidified Ryda 4 Life Recordz and Filmz as a corporation and continued making music and started doing films.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road hasn’t been smooth at all and don’t desire for it to be smooth. Because where there’s no challenges, there’s no growth! Smooth road equals an easy ride and if the ride I easy, that means everyone can travel down it. As Hip-Hop Emcee, Film Director, CEO and Father, there will always been challenges and obstacles along the way. GOD makes roadblocks so we can learn how to drive. There were many days and nights were I felt like things wasn’t going to work or the odds were stacked against me. Some nights I wanted to run away, quit, give it all up and succumb to negative thoughts of people but my desire for greatness never allowed me to stop. I wanted to be great in any and everything I did! So whenever challenges came and I was faced with obstacles, I knew the blessing was right around the corner wrapped up in growth.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m Hip-Hop Emcee who specializes in Lyricism, High Quality Performance and Song Writing. Music is my DNA and lifeline. I am also a Film Director who creates film that are thought-provoking to the mind and soul-touching to the spirit. Under that, I’m known for directing award-winning films such as “Hands Up Don’t Shoot”. “Frank BLUE” and “The Council”. As the Founder and CEO of Ryda 4 Life Filmz, we specialize in doing films, soundtracks and projects that move the community.
Outside of being a Father, I’m proud of being able to help others reach their higher selves and become the true superheroes they are. I’m proud of my expertise in Music and Film. I’m proud of being able to reach back to the people others left for dead.
As an Emcee, what sets me apart is my realness, versatility, style and character, Fans appreciate an honest artist whose music is impactful. It’s the same with Filmmaking, I don’t create just because it’s trending, I create for change. And, as a CEO, what makes me different is, I lead from the front and not the back. I lead by example and not by force and I labor in love. What sets me apart overall is my passion and dedication to be great and making everyone great around me.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
I have a lot of great childhood memories, many of them are surrounded by music and film. I remember performing in front of an imaginative audience in my livingroom. Those were great memories that trained me how to perform. But my greatest childhood memory is going to the Cashmoney/Ruff Ryder tour concert in Anaheim in 99′ to see my favorite lyricist DMX. It was life-changing and the day I decided to become a rapper.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.Ryda4LifeFilmz.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamjay5th/?hl=en
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/JayteeThompson
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/Jay5th
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/jay-5th-519768232
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0dH7d5yN1iO7G7EEdlbtwq
