Meet New York-born UK Open Mic performer J. Tesfa:

Hi J. Tesfa, thanks for joining us! Let’s get into it:

Do you play solo only, or also in a group?

Solo

How old are you?

30

Where were you born?

New York

Where did you grow up?

Brooklyn

How did that place influence your music? (if at all!)

Jamal grew up in Brooklyn listening to his Father produce Reggae and was introduced to Hip Hop by his older Sister.

Where are you based now, and why?

Orlando

What got you into making music in the first place?

Jamal writes about his experiences and creates relatable songs from the heart and soul for everyday people.

What instrument/s do you play?

Singing
Rapping
Rapping
Music Producer
Beat Making

Who would be in your top 10 musical influences, and why?

Jamal grew up in NY where
most hip-hop heads listened to artists like Jay-Z and Biggie, Snoop Dogg was his first inspiration. This was his introduction to G-Funk and he credits Snoop for his funk curiosity. He then moved on to listen to
Parliament, Earth, Wind & Fire, Prince, & other funk artists which influenced his sound. Tesfa took a 7 year hiatus from music in 2010 to pursue other ventures. Because of his foundation growing up his unique style & sound is fused with Hip-Hop, Funk, Soul, Gospel, and Reggae. His words will take you on a lyrical rollercoaster by bringing light to relatable everyday life experiences from himself and others.

Do you write your own songs?

Yes

How many years have you been writing songs for?

13

How long have you been playing open mic nights?

2

Why did you get into playing them in the first place?

Sharing music, performance opportunities, and connecting with like-minded people.

If it’s not already, are you hoping to make music your full-time career?

Yes

Do you have your own music video, channel or playlist you’d like to share?

Do you have music on streaming? What’s you main streaming channel to send people to?

Where is the main place should people go to find out more about you?

https://www.youtube.com/@Jtesfaofficial

What other sites/profiles should people go to to find out more about you?

www.youtube.com/@Jtesfaofficial" target="_blank" rel="noopener">www.youtube.com/@Jtesfaofficial

We’re done! Anything else you want to share before we go?

No thanks!