The Visionary

The Visionary a.k.a. Justin Blake was born twenty-two years ago on October 2, 1987 and was raised in the heart of New Jersey. His music can be branded as a blend of smart rap, original groundbreaking beats, and silky delivery mixed with savvy production. The Visionary quickly found his calling in music as he wrote and recorded his first song “Just Do It” in 1995 at just 8 years old. From there, under the moniker “DaStar”, he released his first full-length underground album titled “Journey Through Your Mind” in October of 1999 at 12 years old. The musical odyssey of this prodigy was just merely beginning.
Soon after, in a matter of five months came his second full-length underground album titled “The Notorious Return” in March of 2000. On this album, he took a co-executive producer role while writing extremely compelling material at such a young age. Half of the album was produced by then up-and-coming producer Mac. The growth of the musical kingpin was just beginning to show its face.
In the year of 2001, The Visionary took a step back from album-making and took a keen interest in producing music that continuously ensued. He has described himself as always being interested in the breaking down of the elements of a song and what makes it great. To date, he has produced a grand total of 415 full-length beats, an astounding number for just a nine-year period. Many acclaimed beats sit in his personal library still for personal endearment.
From 1999 to 2010, The Visionary made numerous guest appearances on other material and albums, while producing still remained his passion. Many feel that the breakout song of The Visionary's career was on the infamous track titled "The Crusades." Nevertheless, in the summer of 2004, The Visionary felt compelled to write. He wrote 16 songs to be released on his own produced beats under the tentative title of “Paradise Dreams.” However, in a twist of fate, this project remained shelved until the summer of 2008 when The Visionary utilized all of those lyrics for his mixtape so the world could see life through the eyes of a young 16 year old.
After a lengthy hiatus from studio work, on July 7, 2007, The Visionary launched his music page and released “The hELIUm Experiment” cleverly symbolizing the initials of each song title. The one track that people across the world clung on to was the critically acclaimed “Island.” These four songs were written, produced, and recorded by The Visionary after a long tenured absence and shook up the industry and let the world know he was coming back to the forefront of music. It was around this time that the music label known as Illumina Records attempted to sign him, but The Visionary rebuffed the offer in order to pursue other interests.
Soon thereafter, he began working on an epic and groundbreaking album, his first studio album, titled “December Reign” which was his first full-length effort since the year 2000. Again, The Visionary produced, wrote, and mixed every track, and this is the album that was praised across the board for its musical wizardry and lyrical mastery. Each of the 13 songs had its own concept and The Visionary’s perseverance really shined on this particular album. “To say it blew people’s minds is a demeaning understatement, this is what I consider to be the first album of my career and what a breakthrough it was”, says the executive producer known as The Visionary. “December Reign” was released in the late night hours of mischief night, October 30, 2007 leading into Halloween, a perfectly timed cue.
Then on March 16, 2008, the day leading into St. Patrick's day, The Visionary's second studio album, "Relying On A Moment" was released to the world. This sophomore album has a very cool, laid back, edge to it as it is more fun-loving and adventurous than the former. It contains 10 tracks set in a one night stand, riveting performance in front of a ballroom of blue-collar patrons atmosphere. Hailed as a perfect album to complement the spring by critics, "Relying On A Moment" was a sure turn-of-the-season hit.
In what The Visionary and critics call his magnum opus, The Visionary released arguably the greatest album of all time on July 3, 2008 titled "The Winds Of Change." Each of the 18 tracks are astonishing, artistic, innovative, and brilliant all throughout. The Visionary informs, "I will never top this album, this is my precious golden masterpiece that will stand the test of time; generations later people will still be listening to this album." It can be argued that no one in the industry will ever top the lyrical excellence, brilliant beats, and cunning flow of "The Winds Of Change." In short, the masterpiece, career defining work is complete as The Visionary sits back and enjoys the fruits of his labor knowing all of his hard work has paid off on just his third studio album.
In blockbuster news late in the summer of 2008, The Visionary reached a revolutionary agreement with Pure Play Radio to play several of his songs overseas in Europe. And to close out the summer of 2008, the music titan produced and performed the underground "Reprise Of The After Hours Mixtape" which was released to the world on August 8, 2008. This was a 27 track raw and uncut compilation that satisfied the world's hunger for more. For being such a minutely publicized release, this mixtape was met with positive fan reaction.
After a busy summer, on September 3, 2008, The Visionary launched his own record label known as Luxury Box Records. He said, "it defines the prestige of the music masterwork that comes from our empire. The music is only getting better, we're expanding different boundaries, creating our own genres, and writing our souls off. We sit on top of the industry from our luxury box and oversee quality music." In addition to the figurehead boss, already signed artists include Mac, Jake Tower, and Allison Cambridge. But, he was not done handing out prestigious contracts. Soon thereafter to follow the label movement were newcomers Vayne Stargrave, Umberto Mastrado, DJ Tragic, and S.H.O.C.K. Additionally, signing in late 2009 were Rah Sega and Kwasi Olenu to add to the luster of global domination.
Months of silence ensued after the announcement of Luxury Box Records as The Visionary recharged, retooled, and refined his musical prospectus. However, after several months of speculation, rumors, and hearsay, The Visionary confirmed an album name and release date for his fourth studio installment. The title of this revolutionary progressive work was "Avant Garde" and it was released on May 26, 2009. For those that do not know, "Avant Garde" is a term used to refer to people or works that are innovative, experimental, and ahead of the majority. With that concept in hand, "Avant Garde", the first Luxury Box Records release, was lauded as a musical clinic that fused different ideas and genres together. The Visionary touched on many personal topics that he had not yet previously talked about, all the while crafting a smooth and potent record.
Immediately following was The Visionary's fifth studio album titled "The Substance Of Pressure" which was released on July 8, 2009. Some critics say that this album is the true masterpiece and best work from The Visionary's catalog. Others argue it is a close second to "The Winds Of Change" in the race for being the best album ever made. "The Substance Of Pressure" took the world by storm and really notates The Visionary's maturity, ever-excelling production, and growth as an artist. The album contains a myriad of varying intangibles that propels mainstream appeal and certifies longevity amongst the classics.
Continuing with his frantic creative pace, The Visionary released "December Reign II: The Limelight" on September 9, 2009. This was the first ever sequel album done by the young beat master who hails from Ambassador Studios. Albeit just 13 tracks like its predecessor, this album delivered a perfect finish to close out the summer and put to rest an unfinished chapter to the career of the great one. This was to be the most personal album yet done by The Visionary as he allowed the audience to peer into his closely veiled life. Showing vulnerability, wisdom, and a reminder of his domination of the music industry - he again dealt the public another classic.
To close out the star-studded year of 2009, The Visionary released "Greatest Hits" which came with a four track "Luxury Box Records Sampler" which featured all members and associates of the label on the fateful day of December 28, 2009. On "Greatest Hits" was his personally selected best work from each of his existing albums for a total of 20 amazing tracks. On that same day, December 28, he released a mash-up album titled "Reimaginings" which featured new production on notable past verses on the 22 track revolutionary project. Both releases were met with notable press coverage.
What's next for The Visionary? More details have emerged about an epic double album that The Visionary has been working on since September of 2009. We do know that The Visionary regards this as the newly annointed greatest piece of musical embodiment that has ever been known to mankind. The name of this chef-d'oeuvre is "The Crown That Time Forgot" and it is set to be released on April 2, 2010. More details to follow as they break.
Career-capsule wise, it is estimated that The Visionary has produced, wrote, and appeared on over 500 songs in his 10 year career span. Various people from across the world have fell in love with The Visionary’s truly unique trademark style and intriguing beats. They can relate to the messages being sent out by the young entrepreneur. His music has been heard and played on every continent in the world except Antarctica. His fan base grows with each passing day and his music becomes more renown with each hit. The Visionary loves and draws inspiration from all different kinds of music as he feels music is the very entity of life. He is quoted as saying, "Ambassador Studios is my home of beautiful music-making therapy" and that revelation is fully supported by his constant hard work and dedication.
“I was always told that I have a good ear for music and a good eye for art. I feel that I hear music differently than everyone else, I hear things that people do not usually hear. To me, that diffusion and study of meticulously analyzing music has significantly shaped the artist that I am today.” -- The Visionary