Meet Jon Madray of JonOne in Hollywood by VOYAGELA MAGAZINE
Today we’d like to introduce you to Jon Madray.
Jon, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Also known by the stage name, JonOne. I am a 26 years old DJ/Producer and recently aspiring actor. I have been DJing for 13 years, producing music for eight years and acting for four years.
Has it been a smooth road?
The road to success will always be a rocky road, especially for someone in the entertainment industry. You will have many ups and SO MANY downs, but it’s your mindset that will get you through it. If you’re passionate about what you do, you will strive no matter what the struggle. Consistency is key. Some achieve their goals in a few months and others in years; everyone has their own pace, but remaining consistent will almost ensure you achieve those goals.
The most prominent struggles for me however, have been financial stability and finding that balance between having a constant source of income while balancing my entertainment career. During the 13 years of music, I’ve still balanced school being a full-time student and worked a part-time job. While school and work took up a large portion of my time, I had to still dedicate whatever time I had left toward my craft. The reason I decided to finish college was to have the degree as a backup (and to make my parents proud.) I still had to be practical on this journey.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
The stage name JonOne was formed when I was 13 years old. I DJed for various parties throughout the years and eventually clubs and shows. Around the age of 18, I started dabbling in music production and produced electronic dance music. I grew in the ‘EDM’ world and what set me apart in my opinion, was that I tried to incorporate my culture into my music. Both of my parents are from Guyana, so I decided to incorporate Caribbean elements in my music, although EDM was considered a mainstream genre. Instead of electronic dance music, you can categorize my music as CDM, (Caribbean Dance Music.) A fusion of Caribbean elements and EDM beats brings something fresh to the table, and having that signature sound as an artist is essential for growth!
Aside from music, I have recently been exploring the film world. My segway into film began when I started doing comedy skits on Instagram. I have had five videos break a million views so far, with my biggest video hitting 10.8 million views! I loved filming and directing and these days I am trying to branch off into TV and movies. That is the goal.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city — what do you like the most and least?
I absolutely love Hollywood! What I like best has to be the hustle in the air. In NY, everyone is rushing and focused on that work grind. I noticed Hollywood has a similar hustle, but a more creative hustle. People aren’t necessarily rushing, but they’re still hustling to CREATE. To create projects and a lot, within the entertainment industry. I don’t think I have any dislikes to be honest, the vibes, the weather, people, food, and the hustle makes it my ideal location.
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Originally published at http://voyagela.com on July 22, 2019.
