Liberian hip-hop sensation, J Slught has been winning big and gaining recognition for his musical talent. Last February, he won the Best RnB/Soul Artist of the Year and Best Collaboration awards at the TunesLiberia Music Awards, confirming his status as one of Liberia’s top artists.
The recording artist, performer and entertainer is best known for his chart-topping single ‘Don’t Jeck’, originally with the group Dreams Come True (DCT) Boys. J Slught started his professional career in 2016 with his single ‘True Love.’
Real name, Joseph Wessah Tah III, J Slught made waves with his 2018 song ‘Sweet Love’ released on BeeVonne Recordz label, the single put him in the spotlight in the Liberian music industry. He has collaborated with Liberian stars including Cjay, TFloyd, Nuchie Meek, Pascal and others and featured in a joint performance organised by UK singer Joss Stone.
‘Lorpu’, a track off his upcoming EP King of The Jungle is billed to be released anytime soon. The Liberian star from Bassa County discussed winning the awards and his plans in an exclusive interview with Eyes of a Lagos Boy.
What does winning the award of best RnB soul vocalist at the Tunesliberia awards mean to you?
J Slught: “It means the world to me, in the sense that it showed me that my journey of success has just begun.
You won two awards, were you expecting to win?
Yeah, I was expecting to win both, my team and BeeVonne Recordz put in a lot of work, we knew we would bring home the two awards. I had in mind to win this year. I have always believed I was a winner and my dreams became reality.
Who are the artists that inspire you?
The late Quincy B (from here, Liberia), Patoranking, Davido, Fireboy DML.
How did you start music?
I started music from Grade school, at a very young age singing with my school’s male chorus choir, till my friends and I formed our own group. After a while, I was introduced to a producer called Jackie Russ. I did my first song with him titled ‘Can’t believe’ ft my team at that time the DCT (Dreams Come True). From the day we released that song on Campus, my career started.
What do you think can make Liberian music stand out in the crowded Afrobeats scene?
Our originality, style and culture blended with our sound to bring out the Liberian in the music. For the style, it has to do with the swag, the language or slang.
Who are the artists you have worked with?
I have worked with Cjay, TFloyd, Nuchie Meek, Pascal (all Liberian artists) and a pending collaboration with Jizzle (Gambia).
How can you explain your style of music?
My style of music is unique, it speaks to individuals in different ways, it is a mix sound wherein I blend afrobeats, RnB, soul, Gbema, highlife, solo, rap all in one to bring out the best and to show the diversity.
Who are the artists you would like to work with?
Davido and Patoranking.
What is a day like for J Slught?
Wake up in the morning, freshen up, look for something to eat, go to the studio, by afternoon take a break for lunch and back to the studio, the rest of the day is studio and internet.
How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected the music industry in Liberia? How are you coping?
It has affected us hugely because there are no bookings and we can’t do concerts or host our own shows anymore. So now the only way to reach out to fans out of the country is through the internet. Well I’ve just been indoors and recording more songs cause I got a studio at home , that’s how I’m coping.
Your EP Home and Beyond was released in April during the lockdown, how has it been received by fans?
I received lots of love from my fans all over the world and everyone appreciates the sound, they just made me realize that I can move mountains once I stay focused. I believe that I can make a difference for my country.
What next should fans be expecting from you?
‘Lorpu’ is the next single from my upcoming five-track EP King of the Jungle, it will be dropping anytime soon. It’s a club banger,a viable song, a song that appreciates Liberian ladies as a whole.
How many singles do you have out there?
Apart from collaborations with other artists, I have 11 singles out; ‘Don’t Jeck’, ‘Sweet Love’, ‘Keeper’, ‘4oi dei boi’, ‘Amazing’, ‘No Money’, ‘Forgive me’, ‘Tempting’, ‘Sarafina’ and ‘I Do.’
Any message to your fans?
To all of my family out there, because I don’t refer to you guys as fans, thanks for your support, I appreciate you a lot. Keep following me, keep following Liberian music, African music. I love you all.
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