Today we’d like to introduce you to 3rdShift.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I started recording music at 18 years old, but my passion for music began long before that. Certain songs always had a way of warming my spirit and connecting with me on a deeper level. Singing is in my blood—my father was a gospel singer at his church, so music has always been a part of my life.
My career began to evolve after I recorded my first mixtape, “Flightrisk.” After releasing the project, I connected with a blogger from New York City who introduced me to Picasso, CEO of UpAndOn1 Records, which at the time was affiliated with Atlantic Records/Sony. Picasso saw something special in my artistry and helped get me booked for SXSW in Texas in 2019.
After seeing my performance at SXSW, Picasso was impressed enough to help me secure a deal with Sony/Orchard. In 2020, while performing under the name Johnny PE, we released a two-song EP titled “Testers.”
Today, I’m an independent artist with distribution through EMPIRE, focused on building my career on my own terms. I’m currently working on my first full-length album, an R&B project entirely produced by MCV, a platinum-selling producer, and Scott Cupolo.
This album represents the next chapter of my journey—bringing together everything I’ve experienced, learned, and lived through to create music that connects with people on a deeper level.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. One of the biggest challenges has been navigating the business side of the music industry and the politics that come with it. Making music is the easy part for me because it’s what I love, but turning that creativity into a sustainable career comes with a lot of obstacles, setbacks, and lessons.
I’ve experienced situations where opportunities didn’t work out the way I expected, and there have been times when I had to be patient and keep going even when things felt like they were moving slowly. But every setback has taught me something about the industry, about business, and about myself as an artist.
I wouldn’t change any of it. Anything worth having isn’t easy, and I believe the challenges are part of the journey. At the end of the day, I make music because I genuinely love the art. Even if I never made a dollar from it, I would still create because music gives me a way to express myself, tell my story, and connect with people. That’s something no obstacle can take away from me.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I consider myself a singer-songwriter first and foremost, and what really separates me is my songwriting. I have the ability to be extremely detailed with my lyrics and melodies while still making the music feel natural and relatable. I don’t just hear music—I actually see it. I can visualize melodies, emotions, arrangements, and how I want a song to feel before I even put it together.
I also have a very unique voice and what I consider an unlimited range of melodies. I’m constantly experimenting with different vocal pockets, harmonies, melodies, and ways of delivering a story. I never want to sound like I’m simply following what’s already popular.
I also consider myself somewhat of a pioneer when it comes to song structure. Around 2014, I started creating songs built around one verse, focusing more on the overall emotion, melody, and replay value rather than following the traditional verse-hook-verse format. At the time, that wasn’t something you heard as often, and I saw it as another way to make music differently.
Ultimately, I think what makes me different is that I’m not just trying to make songs—I’m trying to create experiences. My goal is for people to hear something I wrote and immediately feel the emotion behind it.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
There are several people who deserve credit for the journey I’m on. First and foremost, I give all glory to God for blessing me with the talent, creativity, and ability to make music. Without that gift, none of this would be possible.
I also have to thank my mother and father for always supporting my dreams and believing in me, even when the path wasn’t always clear. Their support gave me the confidence to keep pursuing music.
I want to recognize my former manager, AZ, for believing in me early in my career and helping me see the potential in myself as an artist. I’m also grateful to Picasso, who played a major role in my career by believing in my talent and helping me secure my first record deal and music check. That was a major milestone in my journey.
And finally, I have to give a tremendous amount of credit to my current producer, MCV, who is more than just a producer to me—he’s like a brother from another mother, a business partner, and an investor in my vision. He took a chance on me and continues to believe in what I’m building. Having someone willing to invest their time, resources, creativity, and belief into your vision means everything.
I’m grateful for every person who has played a role in my journey, because none of us gets where we’re going completely alone
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/official3rdshift
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@official3rdshift
- Other: https://music.apple.com/us/album/birds-single/1835040465
