Julian DeShaun Smith was born August 28th, 1992 in the small town of Bolton, North Carolina. His parents, Ellen & Thelbert Smith Jr., lived in a cul-de-sac surrounded by family. DeShaun Jay, the 4th of 5 children, has two older sisters (LaShanta & Shada), an older brother (Donte), and a younger brother (Jordan). He grew up during the era of Cash Money Hot Boys, Fabolous, Dip Set, and the emerging of 50 Cent’s Get Rich or Die Trying Album. With his family relocating to San Antonio, Texas, Jay has been able to use those influences and experiences to put together a great sound with a good combination of the dirty south meets east coast. His drive and ambition is like no other, spending countless hours of making sure everything is in place for him and his crew. In late 2012 DeShaun Jay formulated a group of friends, who are all musically inclined, to become the talented Flourish Gang. Within Flourish Gang there are five artist in total: Mooch, Illest Champloo, Tha Anthem, David Christian, and himself. During this process DeShaun Jay has managed to record over 100 songs with hits like Sativa Dreams, The Process, and newly released song/video The Groove. The Groove is the first single of his debut mixtape First Night Out. The Groove has also had recent internet radio spins on Indie Castle Radio and Next To Blow Radio. He has been quite successful for being an independent artist in a city not known for their musical talents.

DeShaun Jay has had numerous performances from open mic nights at San Antonio’s ER Bar to PlayBoi Carti at the SA Hotbox to opening for Wiz Khalifa at the Coast to Coast 2015 SXSW Event. He is currently working on his sophomore mixtape entitled No Chasers, with 3 exclusive tracks before the mixtape’s release Testimony, Focus, & King.

He’s a man who knows what he wants, and if he wants it he’s going to get. In his words:

 

“In order to succeed, you must Flourish!” – DeShaun Jay