The (City) Cinderella Effect: JT's Solo Grind

A time like no other. A coming-of-age moment. An ending that’s also a prequel to a new beginning. As one-half of City Girls, the former female rap duo that coined this pop culture catchphrase, all aforementioned accounts of a “period” can represent something or another for Miami rapper JT’s current state. Ahead of the release of her solo music efforts over the past year, JT embarked on a journey that a platinum-selling artist would typically shy away from: going back to the drawing board in search of something all her own. ?In recent history, we’ve witnessed it with their labelmates, the members of Migos, and now we have beheld yet another age-old tale of a group that splits when individuality becomes a requirement rather than a request. This unraveling hit a little too close to home for me - literally. As a Miami native, the rift between JT and Yung Miami felt like that of the American Civil War. (Too drastic?) Or dare I say it, a tale of two cities? (Hm, that’s more like it.) Nevertheless, both ladies have moved forward with separate ventures and JT continues on with incremental advancements toward her initial goal – female rap royalty. Her decision to rebuild from the ground up and reestablish herself in the music industry has undoubtedly positioned her as a promising solo act.

?Fresh off their last album “RAW”, released in October 2023, The City Girls found themselves engulfed in mixed reviews from fans and a sales performance that was met with a thud. Debuting at #117 on the Billboard 200 album chart, even the duo themselves referred to the album as a rushed half-effort with an uncalculated rollout. However, what did stand out about the project was JT’s first standalone record “No Bars”, acting as one of the singles and taking on a life of its own across social media and live performances. On the road to the release of her debut mixtape “City Cinderella”, JT released two strong follow-up singles “Sideways” and “Okay”, with the latter breaking the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart at #79. She also unveiled a promotional tour with venues around the country that included clubs, lounges, and outdoor events. Not certain that she was prepared for the backlash to come, but this run of events sent detractors into a social media frenzy. JT quickly became the subject of scrutiny, with rap rivals and internet trolls calling her club-run a lineup of “backyard BBQ” shows – as if she was the first artist to perform in an intimate setting.

?JT would eventually address the backlash she received in her documentary “JT: The Makings of City Cinderella”, released in the days leading up to her mixtape. She states that it didn’t matter what the size of the venue was or if she “was performing to ten people. [she] was putting in the work.” This was her way of reconnecting with the people who championed her come-up while also creating buzz around her name - respective of the City Girls. It seems to be a rare occurrence for artists today to take the initiative, create their own momentum, and choose to understand the importance of self-promotion, making her movement all the more reminiscent of the early 2000s rap scene. JT leveraged a multifaceted guerilla marketing approach to promote her music which included pop-up shops with signed CDs and exclusive merchandise at meetups on her promo run. These grassroots efforts not only strengthened her connection with fans but also boosted her visibility on and off social media. With this consistency and risk-taking deployed, JT’s “City Cinderella” made a solid debut at #27 on the Billboard 200, surpassing the first-week sales and chart position of any City Girls project — a triumph that portrays the potential of her career ahead.

Taking note of JT's solo grind thus far, I took away a handful of lessons that can be adhered to in business (and life in general):

·?????? Bet on yourself and never be afraid to start over.?JT’s choice to launch a solo career after success with City Girls demonstrates the importance of self-confidence and resilience. She took an honest assessment of where she was in her career to rebuild in the ways that made the most sense: no entitlement, no peer pressure, and no fear of failure taking the lead in the decision-making process.

·?????? Don’t rest on your laurels.?Continually push your mission forward, recognizing that popularity alone isn't enough to ensure long-term success. While dating another famous rapper and sitting front row at award shows, JT could have easily fallen into the trap of feeling that she had already arrived. However, the most important part of her journey so far required her to step outside of internet fame and past success.

·?????? Stay committed to your long-term objectives.?Make decisions that align with your vision, even if they’re challenging in the short term. JT's focus on building her fanbase, despite external opinions, is a testament to this. Temporary moments of ridicule mean nothing in the grand scheme of it all. If you are mindful of your overarching goals, temporary setbacks will be easier to surmount.

The “City Cinderella”, as she has artistically branded herself, is more than just a monarch’s moniker. It’s a mission with a message and one that fans have witnessed JT bring to fruition. In a recent interview with Angie Martinez, she summed up her experience and why she chose to identify with the story of Cinderella. Here, she describes herself as the girl who was overlooked and underestimated often, "someone that people shunned" because they don’t expect to see you advance, only for you “to still be chosen in the end. The shoe fits you.” From the humble beginnings that led her to form a rap group with a childhood friend to prevailing over the physical barriers of incarceration and mental hurdles like the anxiety that she often speaks to, JT’s rise has been nothing short of encouragement for those in search of their own glass slipper. A Cinderella story, indeed.