I met Jonathan by a lucky coincidence, if it were left up to me I might have never had the chance to work with him. This past summer a cinematographer named Cece Hubbard reached out to me about directing a music video for a Milwaukee artist called Babyboy. I hadn’t heard of JJ’s music before but I had heard of Cece and I was dying to work on a set with her however I could. So I agreed. Sometime during preproduction, I realized that JJ had messaged me a few months earlier about working with him but it landed in my message requests and I never took a second glance. Once I finally had the opportunity to get on set with JJ, the wave of “you’re so lucky this worked out” really washed over me.

Before meeting him, I thought of the project as a little one and done. I was only hoping to enjoy it, make connections, and create something JJ could be proud of. When he sent over the very first outline of his hopes for the video, well I was overwhelmed for sure. But I also found the concept really exciting. Before Cece and I talked him down a bit, JJ’s dreams for the video were lofty, but not obnoxious. There was no way we could get it all done in one day but the storyline was strong, it was interesting, more of a short film or an episode than a music video. It wouldn’t work out for our single day shoot but it got me thinking about the kind of artist I was about to meet and hoping he might be as charming as his scriptwriting was.

JJ showed up on set so calm and collected, I was honestly a little bit worried about getting some fun energy on camera. I wasn’t sure yet if he would be willing to be silly or how confident anyone could really be performing in front of a crew they were almost entirely unfamiliar with, but when we called action on our first shot it was obvious how meant for all of this Jonathan really was. He gave off electricity and then some, it was like a switch. The more we listened to his track throughout the day it really struck me. By the end of the day a team of total strangers had really started to connect all because of this one artist that brought them all together.

I’m lucky to have crossed paths with JJ, I think sometimes the stars align, and Jonathan just has an incredible atmosphere surrounding him. He’s back in Milwaukee, making music, working on his artistry, and hoping to connect with other local artists with heart. If you have the opportunity to, listen to his first single C’Mon Baby and be on the lookout for the release of his first album. If you’re into rich 70’s sounding melodies, poetic lyrics and rhymes, and artwork you can hear the love in behind every beat, you might just fall in love with an artist I met this summer named Jonathan Hudson.

Where are you from? What’s your relationship to the city you live in now?

I’m from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I recently moved back after graduating from The University of Oklahoma and it feels great to be back! It was cool, but it’s pretty boring. There’s nothing really out there other than dirt, tumbleweeds and The Thunder.

What are some things you enjoy about being an artist in Milwaukee?

Some of the things I enjoy most about being an artist from Milwaukee is how supportive the community is and how kind my peers have been. I’ve been able to connect with some local radio stations, producers, DJs and artists from the city and collaborating has never been this fun and exciting!

How long have you been making music? What got you into it?

I’ve loved music since I was a little kid. I would sing and dance to Micheal Jackson and James Brown videos and practice their moves for hours, but I first started writing songs in middle school. I would write different songs and raps about the video games I liked to play and share them with my friends at lunch. I also make beats, which I started in high school. There was a producer at my school, who was really good and I wanted to work with them, but we never ended up collaborating. So, I started teaching myself how to make them. I spent hours watching YouTube tutorials and practicing on Logic and eventually saved up for a Roland SP404SX sampler and a record player that I use to this day. I began chopping samples from my Grandma’s vinyl collection filled with artists like; Smokey Robinson, Peabo Bryson, The Temptations and a world of new genres. I attribute a lot of my music taste to her and to this day you can catch me at your local record shop searching for more dope records.

Who are some of your favorite musicians and filmmakers you draw inspiration from?
My favorite producer to listen to is and forever will be JDilla. He is one of the greatest hip hop producers, because you can feel the soul and passion in each of his beats. Not only was his ear impeccable, had very creative chopping techniques, but he prioritized “the feel” over being perfect, which is something I strive to live by.

My favorite filmmakers on the other hand changes depending on the mood I’m in. However, I can give you my favorite film, Forrest Gump. I have seen that movie about 100 times and can quote it front to back. As I’ve grown with this movie I can still pull different things from it, both as an actor and as a person. 10 out of 10, no notes!

Do you have a favorite soundtrack from a film?

The obvious and only answer to this question is the Shrek 2 soundtrack, c’mon now! But, a soundtrack that means a lot to me is the one for the Avatar the Last Airbender series. Not only did that show make the bending elements culture look real, but they made it sound real. From the Air Temple to Ba Sing Se you get immersed into that world and they also had some slaps. Secret Tunnel is a banger!

Your first music video had a really well thought out visual story, almost a short film. How important to you is the visual element of story telling in representing your music?

Awe, thank you! I have always loved albums, video games and music videos with fun themes and deeper contexts. While I was in the film program at OU I was able to learn how different camera angles, lighting techniques and framing can envoke different emotions from the viewer. This started me on a quest to find what I have to add to this world and figure out new and creative ways to share it. I believe that combining both my passions for music and film into something special is what I’ve been born to do and I’m blessed that I have the opportunity to do it!

What has been some of the inspiration behind this first album? What helped you decide now was the time to go for it?

My album is titled; “Don’t Give Up on Love.” For the past five years, I devoted my life to a place I believed represented love, faith, and community. But behind closed doors, there were things happening that were far from that. I was pressured and forced into things that changed the way I understood what faith and love was. I was discouraged from making music, having friends at school, finding love, and talking to my family.

In April of this year, I finally found the courage to pack up my things and leave. Walking away from the friendships I had, the connections I made for work, and leaving behind a huge part of my life. I’ve learned that love is multifaceted. It can be beautiful and healing, but it can also be twisted into control, fear, and pain. I’m still learning what it truly means to love myself, to love others and even to love those who have hurt me without allowing their actions to define me.

There were moments when I questioned whether life was worth living at all. That’s what Don’t Give Up on Love means to me. It’s about refusing to let what hurt you convince you that love isn’t worth finding. My goal is to encourage those who have been hurt, betrayed, controlled, or made to feel unworthy of love that they deserve it in abundance. Choose yourself and don’t be afraid to begin again.

You mentioned wanting to work on a short film of your own and you have some experience acting on camera. What about the world of filmmaking interests you? If you consider yourself both a musician and a filmmaker, which world did you fall in love with first?

When I was in my situation, acting became something that helped me escape. I have to give a big shoutout to a friend of mine, Kylr Coffman! He has an acting studio in Oklahoma called; OFA Studios where he has created a fun and professional environment for actors to hone their craft and start putting themselves out there. Here, I was able to express myself fully without any restraints and found a love for it! I believe that is what filmmaking can do for their viewers as well, give them a place to escape and enjoy themselves. Being able to create healthy outlets for people to bring them joy and peace is truly a precious gift. Since then I’ve been watching hundreds of movies, taking notes, reading scripts and began writing my own. Music may have been my first love, but I’m learning that film isn’t that much different from the music industry.

Do you have any advice for a younger version of yourself?
I would tell my younger self that you don’t need anyone’s permission to be yourself.

Any projects you’re currently working on? Things you’re hoping to do next?

I can’t give away too much yet, but I’ll say that I’ve been able to collaborate with some dope artists from the city and we’ve got some heat coming really soon!

You can find more of JJ at:

IG: YourBrotherJJ

YouTube: YourBrotherJJ

Into independent film? Want to learn more?

Learn more about Jolee Mallman