Growing up in Alabama as the fifth child in a family of eight, struggling with the tragic loss of a father and the hardships of an impoverished background, Jesse Means was bred in adversity. A childhood of financial strain could not stifle the nascent talent within Means, who had begun singing at the tender age of seven. Having worked his away through a plethora of odd jobs as he pursued his love for electronics, creative writing and poetry, this promising singer/songwriter reflects a poignant commitment to his passion as he continues to dominate the music scene with more than 4,000 songs and 2,300 poems.
Means’ education took him from Gilmore-Bell Vocational School, where he studied Electronics, to Alabama A&M University where he majored in Sociology and English Literature. Exploring his love for literature and creative writing, he spent his years at Alabama A&M University honing his ability to craft lyrics. He further honed his craft as a member of the 4-H Club Public Speaking Program in Lowndes County in Hayneville, Alabama, where he repeatedly took 1st place in numerous competitions.
Beyond his successful academic journey, Means’ work in the aviation industry as an operations specialist at Birmingham Shuttlesworth Airport gave him further insight into the disciplined rigors of the real world. After 12 years in the industry, he decided to further his career in Germany. Despite working what he describes as ‘odd jobs,’ Means never lost sight of his aspirations for music, poetry, and songwriting.
Behind the melodies of his music, Means’ main ambition is to inspire others to confront and transcend their given circumstances. Through his songs, he hopes to inspire his listeners with the courage to be authentic, to embrace their personal identities, and to unapologetically love themselves. As an ‘Alternative Pop with a chillwave vibe” artist, Means aims to transport his listeners to a liminal space brimming with possibilities.
For listeners eagerly awaiting new releases, his latest single, “Be Yourself,” is set to be aired on ‘New Fangled radio’ in the UK and ‘562 Live‘ in the US and will be available for download and streaming on all platforms on February 1, 2024. Additionally, fans can look forward to the ‘Be Yourself’ Music Video, currently in production and to be released shortly after the music launch, brought to you by Tunecore.
Means draws inspiration from powerful stories of perseverance and determination like that of Mariah Carey’s struggle to make her mark in the music industry. Resonating with her journey, he hopes to infuse his songs with a similar message of resilience and belief in oneself. Among his many achievements, Means has performed at various local hotspots and clubs, toured internationally, and even holds a patent invention that improves safety on airport runways.
Despite achieving enormous success and recognition, Jesse Means remains determined to continue making music regardless of a recording deal. This stoic belief in his work is testament to his dedication and passion for music that transcends commercial gain. With a flourishing music career, and several chart-topping songs to his name, Jesse Means is a testament that with sheer persistence and belief, dreams can indeed turn into reality.
For more on Jesse Means’ journey and upcoming projects, visit his website and Instagram.
