Track 3: Die First

This is the first track I want to share because currently it is getting me through a tough time.

The song is probably about 4 years old: as in the foundation. At it's origin I was working with two great artists; a guy and a girl. I was basically using our session as a development session for them. So I asked them to write something. The guy played some cool chords and the girl wrote the first lyric; "I have to die first ...to get get to my destiny". At that point the song was born. I added some piano. Later from that day the girl and I wrote our verses. We got the guy to write his verse later too. But nothing ever came of the song.

So roughly about a year or more ago I reopened the session. At the point I still felt the same way; the song had to come out! But I had to reproduce it. I had to get my voice ready. Then I had to see if my partners were on board again.

Musically I had to learn what the guitar was doing. Once I did that I had to make the chords full. Then I learned the piano. Then I had to make new drum patterns. Sadly my partners weren't able to do their verses again. So I had to pray about what I would do. How could I still do the song because I knew people needed the message.

So somehow I decided to make a rap version. I wrote the hook very swiftly. It embody the same essence of the hook from before but there was even more substance; the idea of the flesh dying was hitting a different chord now. I loved that.

Then I wrote my verse but had no idea if I was going to sing on the song as before or what. But again after more prayer I got a good friend of mine to feature on the song. And the most brilliant idea on the album was to take the old hook and make it the bridge. Moreover, I ended up writing this great chant like hook that expressed all the things that could prosper when my flesh would die: my spirit, my destiny, & my wife.

So the song really came together. But even just a week ago I felt something was missing and the song needed more. So I forgot since my guy couldn't do his guitar part I had to create my own. Once I added guitars and solos the song jumped to another dimension.

In dying first I know it is daily. We have to know God created opportunities for you to use His word by moving by the spirit and not by flesh. And when we can do that more often than not many things in ourselves and things around us can prosper.

Die first!


Peace & Love,
Jastin Artis

This Journey

It has been months since my last blog. But I will say I’m back. So many good and challenging things have happened. The next series of blogs will be about the journey, the behind the scenes, the lyrics, the story behind the man, and any other random but inviting things I’d like to share about my new album This Journey. I will write about each song on the album sharing what it took to create the song. Of course, yes this is a way to promote my album...but hopefully fun and interesting for you. So let me get to it.


The album This Journey is truly about the road taken, the quest, the journey, up until this point. Five years ago today is when I officially started my journey as Jastin Artis. Now “Jastin Artis” is my first and middle name. This took something to get use to because I never went by my middle name. Something I also had to get use to was gospel music, how I flowed, the music I wanted to create, the brand I wanted to represent, and so many other things.


This Journey really marks a great place in my life. The album expresses the exact music I want to create. There is a lot of weight on urban gospel music but there is another weight for me because God asked me to create something new even within the gospel music and music period called hip-hop renaissance. This is a blend of gospel, hip-hop, acoustic/electric guitar, and spoken-word. YEAHHHHH RIGHT!! Over the last four projects each project was an attempt to really hit the mark of the hip-hop renaissance sound. Each time it was a great time creating. It was fun. But it was also frustrating because so many times I didn’t want to do certain things; I had enough people telling me what to make; and just listening to God and no one else could hear Him but me was difficult. But with This Journey I really created what God created in me.


Like any great brand before something comes out to the masses you get people to try and test out your product. Well, I’ve had about 20 people listen to this new album. Humbly, there was nothing but great feedback. One person said it was like a hip-hop worship album. Many of my followers from the first project said it was by far the best work I’ve created. You could hear growth.


The last thing I will share about This Journey is I created the album by accident. This was not planned. After I finished trying to promote my last project Brand with Purpose EP in spring 2013 I really just took a break. I was preparing to have my first child. I had only been married for maybe six months and being a father to two-step children; there was so much going on. My break was from being an artist but I dove back into producing. So I just created music. Learning from all the musicians I knew over the years was actually being put into my music. The biggest thing I can remember is using the knowledge my best friend and wife had taught me about drums. The biggest part of the hip-hop renaissance sound is it’s live, not a lot of syths and plug-ins. Since I’m a guitarist I trained harder. I really learned the piano. I’m an engineer as well so I trained really hard in that area too. Just every area it takes to create a song I really stepped out and just absorbed as much knowledge as I could. After awhile I began creating songs with music I had created but still no purpose to make an album. But one day I heard God say, “It’s time...I need you to make an album.”


This Journey is about the process, about purpose, about truly believing God’s word. It’s about growing and learning. It’s about dreaming. It’s about identity; knowing where you came from, where you are, whom you are, where you are going, and who you want to be as the journey continues. This Journey is an experience that keeps going.
There is so much more I would like to share but I’ll just leave you with the track list. Thank you for reading.


This Journey Track List:
1. Intro
2. Sin
3. Die First
4. Not This Time
5. I’m So Strong
6. Why Me Lord? (1st single)
7. Truth As Is
8. Clear Headed
9. Numb by Life
10. Dead Man’s Chest
11. Wonder
12. Reflect
13. Reflect Interlude
14. Glitch
15. You
16. Pushing Forward


Peace & Love,
Jastin Artis

Support Your Own

No matter our culture, race, and perception on life being supportive is apart of every one's life. How we support is what I want to discuss.

I'm one of those supportive people that will do my best to show up to your function; if I can't show up I'll promote it and tell someone; if it's a business idea you might have to sit me down because I'm willing to help where/when needed and with what I know how to do.

There is no fee for support just like love. But in my own life I've seen a lack of support and it can be damaging. Yes sure I'm strong and can do many things alone (so can you) without acknowledgement, love, support, and a care in the world by anyone BUT should I have too? Should you have to?

Many of us grow to know the word "support" by the time we leave high school. Your experience with that word sets the tone of how you receive your support and how you give it.

Right now I challenge you to be FULLY SUPPORTIVE in the ways you know how and even step up to do things outside of your norm. Sometimes you just show support to a person you don't know. Moreover, be supportive to those that need it most and feel they don't have it. These are the closest people to you that you say you love and care about. Show that care, that love by truly supporting each person in your circle.

Sometimes it's just listening and encouraging that person. It's not always about giving money but give with good intensions. The big brands you know gain heavy support (financial & counsel) to be the big companies you know. Of course, time is much more valuable. Your words of wisdom turns into a million dollars!!!

Support how you would like to be supported for your business, getting your degree, having kids, going to the hospital, losing a friend, and all the many things any one person goes through in the year. Support your own.

- Peace & Love

Do It When Ready

A man elevated is truly about being a man of God. It's a mindset. I know more than a few may think they can't me a "Christian" or "believer" or a man elevated...but you can...when you're ready to do it.

I never grew up going to every Sunday service, every Wednesday for bible study, and whatever revival or special service. As a teenager I had a choice to go to service when my mom did. Sometimes I'd go and other times I wouldn't. I did consider there had to be a higher power though if something created me. I guess it could be called God but I knew it was something. And what made me know there was a God was because I finally had an experience with God. Even after a few experiences I was never ready to be a Christian. I knew his spirit but was not ready to know His full character & principles.

A man elevated is another defined way to be better. It requires a new standard. The bar raises and never falls. We may fall but not the standard. But to be a man elevated is to be a man who is ready...ready to believe when you have every reason not to...ready to hold yourself fully accountable...ready to be honest...ready to own your truth (right or wrong) & speak it...ready to submit to a power higher than you.

Mr. Brian Johnson used a word picture to relate to this topic; working a job. Here is the shorten version. When you are ready and able to work you seek a job and you get that job. You spend everyday fulfilling your job description and hopefully doing a great job. You do a great job because the pay is good, great benefits, and hopefully one day you can retire. When you need more you work more. Some of us work 2 to 3 jobs. Co-workers can get on our nerves but we stay focused on making our dollar and moving up in the company. I could go on and on but I'm sure you get the principle.

Now I ask every man to consider this, when you ready to get that chick (ladies forgive the expression) you do everything possible to get her. Your whole swag changes, it elevates 'cause you are ready to get her. Whether it be a ho or wifey material. You buy flowers, or talk game (game changes depending on which brand of woman you are conversing with), get the car clean, tell the fellas what chick you are about to get (similar to professing about your God), get your hair cut, thinking of the right things to say to get what you want, and whatever else us men do. Even when the chick not trying to hear it we try something else till we get what we want 'cause we ready!! Even when we are ready to get wifey material we become elevated. Everyone knows we are changing from what we use to be because we are more defined, controlled, thoughtful, mature, & so on.

The examples I explain are the same principles of building a sure relationship with God to become a man elevated. But the key to your confused lock on your mind is to be ready. Stop over thinking and making reasons to fit to why you can't be a man elevated but reasons of why you CAN be a man elevated.

Everything we exist in today was based off of God's principles, man just changed it to fit what want; us humans do that.

If you believe in yourself you are really saying you believe in God. If you love your family and ya homies you really love God, just cut out all the man made stuff, violence, hatred, and what's left; peace and love.

But only when you're ready. When you are ready to do it you will become a man elevated.

(Listen to "My Experience": www.soundcloud.com/jastin-artis/my-experience)

- Peace & Love

Find Your Cause

As men we are fulfilled with a joy when people need us. But our biggest joy comes from our purpose or finding our cause in life. Sure most of us were taught to provide the money and protect those around us but honestly is that enough?

When you find your cause in life you begin to live a joy that is past happiness. Most guys love food, women, and of course sex. But when you know what you were meant to do in life those joys become very secondary. I know some may not believe it but it is true. It doesn't mean these things don't give you any enjoyment but they don't become the forefront of your life.

Finding your cause is like finding gold, or finding the right woman, or conquering something you never thought you could.

We all search to find that one or the few things that is in our realm that fulfills us every single day; no matter the challenge or difficulty from time to time. But somehow during the search "life happens" or we settle. Brothers (and sisters) we must not allow others to find our cause for us. We must not settle because it seems unreachable mainly because no one around us has done it. Be the first to do it all...start history.

Finding your cause and fulfilling your purpose brings a different mindset to your life too. You become more of a critical thinker and more passionate. This means you treat yourself differently as well as others. The key to the cause is using everything that makes you. You can't use what others are made of if you aren't made of the same thing. Your cause may not be the same as your mom's cause but your cause is just as great!

So stop & think, what is your cause in life? Seek it. Find it. Believe in it because its believing in you too.

Find your cause.



- Peace & Love

Your City of Gold

In watching National Treasures 2 featuring Nicolas Cage after morning church service I said I wish I could find a City of Gold, literally! Then my daughter said, "no no I don't want to. I'm not going through all of that". In the movie they used clues to get to a final location which was the discovery of the "City of Gold". Once they were under ground and literally moments away in finding the city there were traps and you had to use critical thinking to basically stay alive and hopefully find the treasure they were looking for. I then realized your dreams, goals, and success is your "City of Gold".

My daughter stated she didn't want to find no city of gold because she wasn't going through the danger. It was too much for her. And I said well then you don't want to be a success and be the great person you are because reaching your "City of Gold" means there will be traps, closed doors, & danger. You have to use the knowledge God gave you to reach your "City of Gold".

What we must all realize is our life is a "City of Gold"; the great things in your life are the gold. God has prepared it so but if you cannot use what you have to get to where you want to go; use your valuable knowledge; seek what you want; and be lead by the spirit it will be hard to fully reach your "City of Gold".

My city is continually being built now as I've grown into a better spiritual man, I have found my virtuous woman, I am privileged to create another human being when I thought it was not really possible due to a testicle accident, I have family and friends, & Im living out a passion as a music artist; just to name a few.

Be encouraged as you build and build your "City of Gold".


- Peace & Love

Passion Leaks Out

Passionate people live. Passion thrives when you don't feel like it. Passion is the speed that drives the dream.

Growing up I was taught to do what you love; wake up to your passion. But the same person that shared that valuable knowledge with me didn't accept my passion for writing and later music. I enjoyed so many other things but writing and creating music were my passions. And no matter what others thought my passion kept me close to the higher power and kept me sane. It leaked out of me.

Passion is the true motivator to everything. If you respect and love your craft, respectfully, the work ethic, love, & patience (to name a few) you illustrate for your craft/passion will show in your relationships, working the day job, & other areas in your life. One passion can feed another passion you may not know you're passionate about.

True passion will show itself not only in what you "love to do" but in all things!! I love creating music but I also have a passion to help people find their true selves.

Your passion allows you to feel the inner worth of yourself. If you are not feeling then your not living. And passionate people live!

- Peace & Love