Today we’d like to introduce you to Jathan Blake
Hi Jathan, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Born and raised in Bowie, Maryland by two loving parents, I grew up in a faith filled household with my older sister where education and my Christian faith were anchors to everything we did. I was an optimistic and adventurous kid with a huge imagination and a curiosity for life. So being observant and like a sponge, I absorbed a lot of what was happening in my environment and the interactions I had with others. I was a shy kid but deep down I was way too expressive and energetic to sit still and keep quiet. So much of my earliest childhood memories was being active. Not only did my parents help give me the opportunity to play an array of sports like basketball, soccer, football, gymnastics, and track but I just genuinely loved being outdoors and playing all day.
It instilled a level of confidence and determination that with hard work and much training I was able to go to the Junior Olympics and place twice. While it seemed like sports was my main drive as a child, music became an integral part of my journey.
I grew up in an extensive musical family where there was always a song to be sung or played in the house. I grew to enjoy singing in my school and church choirs as a child. Music felt like an outlet to fully express myself when words couldn’t quite capture how I felt especially when it came to performing. When my sister and I were younger, we would come up with choreographed routines and put on mini performances for our family and friends for different occasions. In my teen years, after doing school musicals, plays, talent show competitions, and doing a lot of creative writing, it began to feel like sports and music was a tug of war. I was no longer fantasizing or creating imaginary artists in my head but I wanted to become one not knowing how I would do it.
After graduating high school, I knew the arts was something I wanted to continue pursuing. However, my college experience would challenge my confidence and the determination I had when I was younger. The real world was beginning to set in and the mindset of trying to find stability versus pursuing your passion was always a challenge. After switching majors and a couple schools, I thought college wasn’t for me. So much life, harsh truths and the reality of my dreams became experiences I would write about as I learned so much during that time period. I held on to my anchors, my faith and the ability to continue learning beyond book studies that motivated me to graduate from Stevenson University in 2019 with a Bachelor’s in Business Communications. With the help of my family and some of the Stevenson University faculty, I was also able to have the opportunity to fulfill an Internship at Walt Disney World to round up my college experience. The lessons learned, hardships faced, and life experiences helped reinvigorate my love for entertainment again and kept the momentum going.
After college, I became a part of Six Flags America’s entertainment as a singer and dancer for six months and then auditioned and got the opportunity to be a character performer at Disney World in 2020. Shortly after, COVD-19 changed everything for all performers and I was let go, sent back home without a job, and concerned about what the future entailed for not only me but everyone else. With so much reflection about my journey so far during lock down, it gave me the courage to encourage other people with my gifts and talents. I performed virtually for a non-profit organization for healing in the arts, created my own content on Youtube to positively motivate people through music and performing, and gave back what I had to different communities when things were dire. Which eventually led me to release my first EP as an indie artist in 2022, entitled “Newstalgia” discussing topics and themes on chasing your dreams, finding community, and learning how to navigate hardships and relationships in life.
My goal and intention as an artist is to take my life experiences and turn them into something great that creates opportunity for innovation and inspiration. I want to continue to reflect the times and positively push culture forward through the medium of entertainment whether that be through music, film, and the business in general. I want to help others to feel their best selves, feel liberated in vulnerability, and motivated to create a difference. Life is like music, having different rhythms, highs and lows, and learning in time. But knowing that with every part, there is a story to be told . There is so much in store for the future and I hope you follow me on this musical journey called life together.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Breaking outside the norm of what it means to be an artist that creates pop music but still be anchored in my christian faith.
Feeling like a lone soldier and not really having a solid core group of friends in my journey so far.
The battle of financial stability versus pursuing my passion.
Investing in my mental health.
Managing and doing a lot by myself for my career.
Being fearless.
Overcoming being a perfectionist and a people pleaser.
Learning how to pivot when life happens (COVID 19 for ex.).
Fighting through racial experiences and injustices.
Overcoming hurt and loss of people coming and going out of my life.
Balancing work and music career life.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
My name is Jathan Blake and I’m an artist, singer/songwriter, performer, and content creator. As an artist/creative I’ve edited, arranged multiple music medleys on my YouTube channel, performed at open mics and local talent show competitions.
I specialize in creating music that blends elements of pop, percussive aspects of R&B, and electronica. I use inspiration from the past while combining modern styles that reflect the times. I believe in the concept of cultivating a story with my music. I work with a producer but I’m also learning to produce my own music. Furthermore, I’m a music visual storyteller that blends elements of film with the content I create on social media, the music I write, and the performance I bring to the stage.
I believe in incorporating a lot of different musical and creative elements to form something that’s very unique and personal to me but also relatable to everyone else. I use nostalgic elements within pop culture and incorporate it with my style of content that’s relevant to today. Last, I’m very versatile in how I arrange, perform and execute my music and performances and I do it with quality.
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
God is in control.
I’ve learned to embrace my flaws and weaknesses.
I’ve learned how to manage conflict with close family and friends.
I’ve learned that it’s okay to be vulnerable and it actually shows my uniqueness.
I’ve learned to be grateful for who I am, everything I have, and the people that support me.
I’ve learned that you have to learn to love yourself to love others.
I’ve learned to set boundaries.
I’ve learned to treat myself and take breaks.
I’ve learned and am still learning how to quiet the noise in my head and the world around me by practicing mindfulness (i.e. take walks, and enjoy nature).
Daily Reflections are keys to help self improvement.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jathanblakemusic.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jathanblake/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JathanBlakemusic/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jathanblake/videos
