Rising Stars: Meet Jessie Spartano

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessie Spartano.

Hi Jessie, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I’ve always been a performer! When I was little I did gymnastics, figure skating and dance. In middle school, I was introduced to theatre and shortly after that learned about musical theatre where my whole world changed. Singing, acting AND dancing?? Yes please! This opened up my love for music not only as a fan but as a performer.

Instead of writing in a diary, I wrote songs. I would walk the neighborhood at night when my family fell asleep and blast my Walkman. I would even lay in bed at night and picture my music video to other people’s songs.

One thing led to another and I moved across the country to attend The University of California for Theatre and Music Industry. I covered my dorm room walls with magazine ads that had any and everything to do with music. I was obsessed but I wasn’t exactly sure how I would fit in the industry. I enjoyed singing but felt like my calling was different.

After graduation, I was filming a movie when the director and I started chatting about rap music. He said he had a band and would love to bring me to the studio. The day I stepped foot in the studio and put those headphones on was the day I quit acting and pursued music full time.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely has not been a smooth road. Giving up everything and everyone you know to move across the country is rather difficult let alone pursuing a dream that feels too big to reach most days. I had a migraine every day for a year during my first year at USC because I was soooo scared!

In the music industry, you have to be and act and look a certain way for anyone to care about what you have to say. With that said, to be a female rapper you need to have tough skin and move rather quickly or you’ll be lost in the crowd. In order to keep up with other female artists, you have to have a certain sex appeal that sells and actually enjoys being classified as such. Well, I don’t work that way.

I keep my photos blurry for a reason. I don’t want you hung up on how I look, instead, I’d rather you listen to what I have to say. This is why I make it harder for you to see me so that you’re forced to listen. I’m not a sex icon. I’m trying to speak life back into the world in a more realistic way. Kids are listening to our lyrics and it’s our job to feed them the truth and not fantasy 24/7. So going against the grain is tough but it’s also extremely liberating to be paving my own way.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’ve come up with the term “inspirational rapper” to best describe me. Through rap, I inspire. It’s really that simple.

I’m most proud of the fact that I have kept my ground (through faith and family) and have stuck with my instincts. I refuse to degrade myself and trash my beliefs for fame. I like to keep it low-key while making an immense impact.

My music will always lift you up, even if I have to pull you down for a moment. I will always stay true to my fans and to myself. My lyrics are clean and I intend to keep it that way!

Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
I love the vast amount of opportunity this city provides anyone pursuing anything. It’s ridiculous how much you can accomplish here as long as you try hard. If you find yourself to be lazy then this city is not for you.

While the opportunity here is present, it comes with a cost. I really dislike how expensive it is to live here in the sunny city of Los Angeles. Rent is high and mortgages are even higher! I always tell people we aren’t paying for land we are paying for the sunshine.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.jessiespartano.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessiespartano/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/JessieSpartano
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7sikJ2L7tlBsUl845QQvsC?si=FklLiyieSLWwN3UuT3Ma3A

Image Credits
Jessie Spartano, Matthew Hautamaki, Mike Anderson