Today we’d like to introduce you to J Ham
Hi J, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My name is Juwan Malik Davis, also known as my stage name “J Ham”. I was born into a very honorable family. My grandfather, W. Harry Davis was a civil rights activist, boxing coach and the first African-American to run for mayor in Minneapolis. Since he passed in 2006, it has always been my goal to honor his legacy and make a difference in Minneapolis like he did. After I graduated from high school, I moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in the entertainment industry. As I learned many important tools and gained a ton of experience in the process with appearances on commercials, music videos and hit TV shows. I realized that my heart was in music. As a young teenager, my friends and I would freestyle and make songs/YouTube videos for our friends at school. We would get thousands of views from our small community. I never imagined that these activities would lead me to creating and releasing my debut single ‘Vegas Nights”, and earning an appearance on Worldstarhiphop. After the success of that single and many open mics at Urban Lights, a record store and mecca for musicians, I dropped my album ‘Pink Eggs and Ham’ which is a small look into my life experiences that led me up to the release in 2020. Since then, I have performed at the Minnesota State Fair, as well as numerous venues in Georgia, Ohio and Iowa. My latest EP, ‘MPLS Finest, Vol. 1’ dropped on June 12th to showcase some of the most talented artists in the city of Minneapolis. My current focus is perfecting my craft with my forthcoming project, ‘Pink Panther Chronicles’ as well as evolving into the best version of myself. God and my family have helped me reach so many unimaginable heights, but when the standards are the accomplishments of my grandfather, W. Harry Davis, I have no choice but to reach for the stars.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The journey has been quite bumpy, teaching me the harsh reality of separating friendships from business. To truly support others in their success, it’s essential to establish clear boundaries. When you shoulder too much responsibility instead of clearly defining each collaborator’s role, disappointment often follows.
I’ve encountered scammers and artists who attempt to exploit ideas, finances, and trust. At times, I’ve even received threats for refusing to work with individuals whose morals and values clash with my own. Coming from a family that values integrity, I’ve learned the importance of letting actions speak louder than words. I used to give others the benefit of the doubt, but now I recognize the need to see through their false realities.
In this business, it’s crucial to avoid taking things personally and to remain true to yourself.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a rap artist, director, and actor, best known for my single “Vegas Nights,” released in 2020. This music video paid homage to the movie The Hangover and gained significant attention, appearing on Worldstarhiphop. Additionally, social media personality Joshua Henderson, known as “Pawgnationnn,” created a viral video using the song’s audio.
One of my proudest achievements is my editing and directing debut with my latest music video, “DAMNNNGINA!” I documented my brother-in-law’s bachelor party and turned that weekend into a music video in the process.
What sets me apart from other artists is my authenticity and creativity. I fully embrace my love for metaphors and my comedic personality, drawing inspiration from a diverse range of artists like Childish Gambino, Rick James, and 2 Chainz. I strive to make these influences evident in my work.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
The classic saying “scared money don’t make no money” rings true in the business world. One of my biggest risks was driving to Los Angeles at 18 to pursue my dreams. Additionally, my out-of-state shows presented significant challenges as well. Performing in a different state where I didn’t know anyone brought its share of stress and uncertainty, but I kept my faith in God, knowing that whatever lies ahead would be positive—whether it was gaining new fans or acquiring invaluable experience and lessons.
I find it incredibly fulfilling to take risks, as it’s always better to have taken a chance and failed than to never try at all and gain nothing. After all, failure is simply an early attempt at success.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jhammusic.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jham_onthegram/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JHamFBPage/
- Twitter: https://x.com/jhamxofficial
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jhamofficial
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/jham612
- Other: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/j-ham/1514180885
