Interview: J Slught Liberia’s Hip-Hop revelation

The recording artist, performer and entertainer, best known for his chart-topping single 'Don’t Jeck', originally with the group Dreams Come True (DCT) boys. He started his professional career in 2016 with his single 'True Love.'

Real name, Joseph Wessah Tah III, J Slught gained recognition with his 2018 song 'Sweet Love' released on BeeVonne Recordz label, the single brought him to the spotlight in the Liberian music industry. He has collaborated with Liberian stars that include Cjay, TFloyd, Nuchie Meek, Pascal and others, also featured in a joint performance organised by UK singer Joss Stone. His upcoming project The Home And Beyond EP is billed to be released towards the end of April.

The Liberian star from Bassa County discussed winning the awards, his music his plans in an exclusive interview with Music In Africa;

What does winning the award of the 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 or made me understand and realize that the journey of success has just begun.

How would you rate the Liberian Afrobeats scene

The journey to success, the Liberian Afrobeats scene for me is rated 100% because I believe we have the best sounds, the talent, our sounds have all of the African culture or the original African culture within them. It’s just a matter of time to be exposed to the world.

You won two awards, were you expecting to win?

Yea I was expecting to win the two, my Team and I Beevonne Recordz put in a lot of work, we knew we would bring home the two awards. The two awards are awards that I had in mind to win this year. So I have always believed I was a winner and my dreams came to reality.

What should fans be expecting from you next?

The best ever EP on the planet, The Home And Beyond Ep to be released on 24 April worldwide, It’s my first ever EP

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 slangs.

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 are looking forward to working with?

Davido and patoranking

What is a day like for J Slught?

Wake in the morning say my prayers, 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 many singles do you have out there?

Apart from features 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) and watch out for the HomeAndBeyond EP out in April. I love you all.