Today we’d like to introduce you to Jastin Artis.
Hi Jastin, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I never had a dream of being a music professional. It was never on my radar, though I was very involved in music. I played in band starting in elementary school, wrote poetry, and got published early. I was constantly being praised for my writing and my thinking.
I grew up with my twin sister, raised by a single mom in suburban Northern Virginia. There were a lot of things in me that I didn’t understand, but I was creative in how I put them together to deal with them.
Looking back, I realized I was around a lot of people who made music. My best friend Jared was a guitarist. My friend Chris was producing on the PlayStation. Family members were rapping and DJing, and some were getting started alongside people who are prominent celebrities now. My uncle Curtis worked in radio for more than 20 years. So I was around it, but it wasn’t until I heard “Stairway to Heaven” that something changed. That song made me want to learn guitar. I taught myself to play and started writing songs.
This was before social media, so I went to the library to learn the business. And I was sold. This was what I wanted to do.
It evolved from being behind the scenes as a producer and songwriter to working in A&R, teaching what I knew, and supporting people in finding their voice. Then, in the years since COVID, my chronic health challenges got worse. I was still finding a way to show up, but how I showed up became more about my philosophy, my structure, my discipline, and what I was building to sustain this work.
From the beginning, I always wanted to be a legend. It wasn’t so much about being praised for being good or successful. I wanted to do this for a long time.
Now, leading with the mission “Creatives are leaders,” it feels different. I’m not saying, “Hey, stream my album,” every two seconds. I don’t even care if you stream my album right now, because I believe you’ll get there. But listen to how I think. Listen to how I’m approaching things, the stories I’m telling, how I’ve evolved, and how I show up despite how my body is feeling.
And it feels freaking good in this very moment. It feels massively good. It’s still challenging, and I’m still building. But as I finalize products, prepare to release my first book, and work with new collaborators, it’s amazing to see how far I’ve come.
Twenty-five years ago, I was a guy who wanted to create music and maybe win a Grammy one day. Sure, I still want to do that. But now I want to build up the next generation of leaders. That’s part of what I want to leave with the world, and it feels great.
And I’m already building those leaders. In some ways, that started subconsciously, but I’ve always loved A&R, development, teaching, and mentoring. I was finding artists, building them up, sharing what I knew, pushing them, and asking questions that helped them think beyond, “Hey, I’m an artist. Buy my album.” More recently, people have been coming to me as a professional they want to learn from. I’ve taken on mentees, especially women, whose growth and opportunities I’m a big advocate for.
I’d always wanted to have a songwriting school, but through teaching and supporting artists, I started seeing a bigger need. A lot of artists are chasing the life of a celebrity. I represent the non-celebrity life of an artist who is still successful, still getting paid for what I do and what I know. I’m not exactly where I want to be yet, but I’m living the dream. So how do I help other artists understand what’s possible and get the support they need?
That’s how The Artis Pro Lab came to life. We’re working on our next pilot to explore how that transformation happens for artists. For me, it’s about creating something appropriately affordable that helps artists change their mindset and recognize the leaders they naturally are as creators. It’s the dopest job in the world, but even creators don’t always see themselves as leaders. I want to change that.
The Artis Pro Lab, ARTIS OS, and my creative leadership work all support that mission: asking the right questions, making better decisions, working with a team, navigating friction, and understanding where you stand as AI and technology keep moving, all while still making the art. That includes learning how to lead when your body is unpredictable. I’m very excited about what I’m building.
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?
There were challenges, and there still are. Even in 2026, you tell someone you’re a creative and people look at you funny, right? That’s part of what I’m here to change.
Years ago, I was a computer science major at North Carolina A&T State University. Aggie Pride! Then I switched to English and wanted to become an editorial writer. I didn’t really know where music was going to go. I just knew I had to create, but I also had to work.
Even as a creative writer, it was challenging to find opportunities. I had to make my own, just like I’m doing now. That took some getting used to because you go to school, take on these loans, and buy into the American dream: get an education, get the job you studied for, and work your way up the ladder. It didn’t work out like that for me.
Another challenge has been not always feeling fully supported or understood. There’s a kind of support where people think it’s cool that you do something, but they don’t really engage with it. Anytime I hear someone say their parents supported them when they wanted to pursue something creative, I get a little jealous. I’m not saying my mom wasn’t supportive, but it took her a long time to really see who I was in what I chose to pursue 25 years ago.
And as I’ve evolved, I still feel like some family members and friends don’t really understand what I do. It’s just dope that I do it and that I’m still doing it. I’ve seen people buy tickets and travel to a celebrity’s concert but not come to mine. That’s been challenging.
Then you add chronic health issues, fibromyalgia, and near-death experiences that have affected my body for over 13 years. It’s challenging to figure out how to show up, how to still be me, and how to laugh, smile, and find joy when every second of the day involves navigating my capacity and energy.
But I’m a man of faith, and I’m continuously building my relationship with God. Even with the tough days, I just don’t feel like I can quit. I keep finding a way forward.
There’s also the challenge of being an independent A&R professional. Earlier on, I had that dream of getting the big A&R job at a major label. Working independently has brought a different challenge: helping artists understand what A&R actually is and why development matters. Even seasoned artists have things they can learn, grow from, and grow into. Getting people to recognize the value of that support is an ongoing part of the work.
And the entrepreneur life isn’t roses every day. You’re constantly figuring out how to make everything work, establish your credibility, and present yourself in the best way. I think I’m doing a great job, but those questions keep coming back, week to week, month to month, and quarter to quarter.
A few practical changes that help me keep going are giving myself grace and remembering, “I’m not behind. I’m becoming.” I’m learning that commitments have a cost in energy and capacity, at least right now. I use my calendar and scheduling link to plan commitments because there’s a lot of anxiety in feeling like I have to give more than my body can offer. I pace myself every day, and I’m learning to rest and actually enjoy resting because it’s necessary for my health and treatment.
I’m also learning not to chase everything. As an entrepreneur, there’s always that question of where the next project will come from. But I’ve put in years of work, and I have support and avenues for representing me and my catalog. When I’m true to who I am and keep putting myself out there, opportunities come. The work now is discerning which ones align, instead of chasing every single thing that comes across my LinkedIn page. Restraint and discernment help me keep going, too.
It’s challenging to navigate all of it together, and even the individual pieces can be challenging on their own. But I love where I am, and I look forward to where I’m pushing to.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I’m the founder of The Artis Pro Lab, and I lead as an A&R Leadership Architect. I support artists in developing their creativity, business acumen, and ability to lead. I also work with labels, brands, companies, nonprofits, educators, and other organizations that want to educate their audiences, artists, teams, or communities and develop stronger strategies for their projects. At the center of that work is a simple belief: creatives are leaders.
The Artis Pro Lab is where I put that belief into practice through curriculum, strategy, artist development, and practical application. It’s about understanding yourself, learning how to lead yourself and others, and making decisions that support the work and the life you’re trying to build. Music gives us a place to practice those things, from finishing a record to navigating a team, handling friction, and following through.
I want to be known for helping artists get to their next level, but also for representing independent professionals who may not have platinum records or major awards and still have valuable knowledge, experience, and something to contribute. There are people doing incredible work outside the celebrity spotlight. I’m one of them, and I want more artists to understand what’s possible there.
What sets me apart is how I listen and how I care. I can hear a record and hear where it could go, where it fits, and how it could live in the world. Then I help the artist figure out how to get it there. But I care about more than the song. I care about the artist, the person, their capacity, and what they actually want. I want to be known for showing up with empathy and asking questions that help people see possibilities they hadn’t considered.
That support can take the form of strategy calls, A&R and artist development, songwriting, production, mixing and mastering, or sync strategy. My broader work also includes voiceover, speaking, and teaching creative leadership. These are different ways I use what I know to support people and projects.
I’m also developing resources that make that support more accessible, including my forthcoming creative leadership book and ARTIS OS products under A&R IN YOUR POCKET. ARTIS OS is an AI-supported system designed to help independent artists turn scattered ideas into clearer decisions, stronger release plans, and a next move that fits real life. The principle is simple: AI supports. The artist decides.
I serve as Strategic Growth Partner with U-Music, founded by Tim Young. My role spans business strategy, growth partnerships, positioning, A&R and creative strategy, and selected business development work. I also contribute creatively through music, mixing, and mastering. U-Music brings together instructional design and music technology to help people improve retention, deepen engagement, and apply what they’re learning in training and education. That connects naturally with my interest in teaching through music.
I also serve as Director of Audio Strategy and Head of Music at Inviktus, founded by Jordan Alston. We’re developing SVRN, a platform focused on discovery, representing underrepresented creatives, and helping them get paid fairly. We’re in the pre-seed stage and completing a few cohorts as we build. I oversee the music department, supporting music creatives, guiding music for internal projects, and helping shape content built around or utilizing music. Shout-out to Jordan for the vision and the work he’s putting into it.
Brand-wise, I’m proud of having a simple, effective, professional look and feel that’s still inviting and human. I naturally stand out, and I think that shows in my brand. But I’m also proud of finding my voice, developing it, and using it to communicate what I believe.
What I want readers to know is that you don’t have to fit the mold to build something meaningful. You can be aware of trends without letting them decide who you are. You can learn to use social media and understand algorithms while building a career that lasts beyond a viral moment. For me, music is the proof of what I practice, what I teach, and how I lead.
If you’re an artist looking for that kind of support, a label, brand, company, or nonprofit looking to educate your audience or artists, a training organization seeking new ways to build morale, engagement, and retention, a music buyer working across TV, film, or advertising, or an educator exploring more thoughtful ways to teach, reach out. If you’re a creative interested in exploring SVRN, supporting us as we build, or becoming a beta tester, I’d love to hear from you, too. Let’s talk about what you’re building, where you feel stuck, and what you need. I’ve built a network of independent professionals, so that conversation can also help identify who else you might need to connect with.
Doing it independently doesn’t mean doing it alone.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
The first thing is recognizing that you need a mentor and being open to support. There are people willing to share their knowledge and help you learn things faster than they did. It starts with being willing to receive that.
Not everybody feels that way. Some people think because they’ve had a viral moment or a hit song, they don’t need help. I would encourage you to change that thinking.
Also, be yourself. Be H.O.T.: honest, open, and transparent. Be vulnerable. Vulnerability is the flex. Understand who you are and where you are. When you’ve accepted that, I think it shows in how you approach someone who could be your mentor. We can see that you’ve put thought into it. It doesn’t mean you’re perfect or that you’ve reached your next checkpoint, but the intention shows. That’s part of the joy of mentoring and being mentored: recognizing that intention.
Put yourself out there and say, “This is what I know, but this is what I don’t know. This is what I want to learn more about, and I’d love to learn that from you.” That goes a long way. And remember to be human. If there’s a way you can support the person you’re asking to mentor you, that’s helpful, too.
Don’t assume that people with high-paying jobs, impressive titles, or status are the only ones who can help you. Your mentor could be the guy or girl up the street making more music than you in their parents’ basement. It doesn’t have to be so linear.
For networking, the biggest thing I’ll say is use LinkedIn. Use LinkedIn! It’s still underrated in the creative space. When you’re talking about being an entrepreneur and a leader, you want to be around other entrepreneurs and leaders. Not everyone takes that seriously, but a lot of people on LinkedIn do.
I joke that LinkedIn is like when you get older and stop going to the club. You’re like, “All right, I’m finally trying to get my life together. I’m finally ready to be ‘old.’” But I’m telling you, getting comfortable in that space early, especially when you’re younger, and building relationships with people in the places you want to be can change the game.
It’s worked well for me because I get to meet dope people at different stages: peers, people further along, and people just starting out who I can support. There’s value in all of those relationships.
And update your profiles! LinkedIn or whatever platforms you’re using, complete them and make sure they’re cohesive. Write something that helps people understand who you are and what you do. Have a photo. Different platforms allow for different approaches, but especially on LinkedIn, use a professional photo. And really, that starts with letting us see your face.
I know some people think they’re being cool by putting one vague sentence in their bio, but bruh, you could be missing opportunities. As an independent A&R professional, it’s frustrating to find good music and then not be able to learn anything about the artist or figure out how to contact them. Whether they’re being too cool for school or just haven’t put time into it, the result can be the same. “My music is great, so people will reach out” isn’t enough. Sometimes we move on to the next person whose information is actually there.
Answer your communications, too. Respond to your emails and DMs, and check your message requests and spam folders at least once a week. Opportunities can land in those places, and you can miss them simply because you aren’t checking. These things are hugely important.
Understand your capacity and energy, too. Networking can become hustle and bustle, and even addictive, whether it’s online, in person, or both. Pace yourself, but definitely do it. It’s a big part of the business. You can’t put all that work into creating, writing songs, mixing, mastering, and production without also putting work into building relationships. It’s another significant part of the work.
The first advice my Uncle Curtis ever gave me about the business was, “It’s all about relationships and your reputation.”
Pricing:
- ARTIS OS products, including the Song Readiness + Release Checklist: Coming soon. Launch pricing will be announced.
- Creative leadership book: Coming soon. Pricing and preorder details will be announced.
- Strategy calls: Contact to discuss your needs, scope, and budget.
- The Artis Pro Lab programs and custom services: Contact for current availability as we prepare for the next pilot.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jastinartis.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/jastinartis
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/jastinartis
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jastinartis/
- Twitter: https://x.com/jastinartis
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@thejastinartis
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/jastin-artis
