Jermaine George, better known as MayJ-C, is a rare force in the music industry ā an artist whose depth of knowledge, technical prowess, and raw talent transcends the ordinary.
Born visually impaired, MayJ-C had to reimagine the world around him, forging his own unique path in a society built for the sighted.
Rather than seeing his blindness as a limitation, he turned it into a superpower.
His mission is clear: to level the playing field for blind and partially sighted individuals, ensuring they have equal access and opportunities within the industry. By merging physical and technological advancements, he envisions a future where talentānot limitationsādetermines success.
With an impeccable ear for sound and a masterful grip on production, he doesnāt just make music; he shapes sonic landscapes.
His expertise extends beyond compositionāhe writes, produces, and provides critical insight into the intricate relationship between music and film. The gifted pianist uses his instrumental skills to refine vocal performances and enhance his productions.
But his talent doesnāt stop at music-makingāhis influence spans the entire pre- and post-production process. MayJ-Cās razor-sharp instincts in audio mastering allow him to sculpt and perfect any sound, ensuring each track resonates with precision and emotion.
Q&A with Mayj-C
Sasha-Lee: Whatās one thing that people donāt know about your journey?
Mayj-C: When I first had the idea of becoming who I am today, there wasnāt a 'how.' No technology, no roadmap, no one to show me where to start. I had to dream it all into existence.
SL: How has being blind shaped your experience in the music industry?
The most obvious challenge is people not taking me seriously. They see my disability before they see my work. Itās crazyālast year, I was submitting music for Grammy consideration, yet people are more interested in how I make dinner or send texts from my phone.
Accessibility, in general, is the biggest struggle. I get that we live in a visually driven world, but basic things like getting gig info, reaching promoters, and especially applying for government funding have been massive hurdles.
That said, Iāve always done my own thing, regardless of whatās happening around me. Somehow, Iāve managed to bypass a lot of obstacles while overcoming others.
SL: The creative processāhow do you approach making music?
Writing and producing is me expressing myself in the rawest, most honest, and vulnerable way I know how.I'm inspired by lifeāwomen, relationships, good vibes, great music. Drake is definitely someone I listen to a lot.
SL: Tell us about your upcoming project.
Throughout my career, Iāve had to constantly reinvent myself. Iāve helped break several artists since 2015ārappers, R&B singersāsome went far, others thought they could do better without me. Eventually, I realized, if Iāve done this for so many people, why not do it for myself? Iāve always wanted to make a rap/hip-hop project, but I never liked what my peers were making.
The lead single, Mercedes, explores that moment just before you break throughāthe transition to the life youāve always dreamed of. SPWL is just a bop, with a few jabs thrown in.And thereās a track that captures my experiences as a blind artist in the club sceneājust life from my perspective.
SL: Do you think the SA music industry is inclusive enough?
The last mainstream artist with the same disability as mine was the late Steve Kekana. That was decades ago. Thereās been a lot of change since then, but in terms of real inclusion? Not much.
I guess the torch belongs to me now. Awareness is key, but I also think people with disabilities need to speak up more. A lot of us arenāt given a voiceāweāve been conditioned to let family or others speak for us.
IOL