JT (rapper)
{{short description|American rapper (born 1992)}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = JT
| image = Jt at the 2022 BET Awards.jpg
| caption = JT at the BET Awards 2022
| birth_name = Jatavia Shakara Johnson
| alias = City Cinderella
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1992|12|03}}
| birth_place = Miami, Florida, U.S.
| genre = {{hlist|Southern hip-hop}}
| occupation = {{hlist|Rapper|singer|songwriter}}
| years_active = 2017–present
| label = {{flatlist|
- Quality Control
- Universal
- Motown
- Capitol {{small|(2018—2020)}}
}}
| past_member_of = City Girls
| partner = Lil Uzi Vert (2019–present)
| website = {{URL|thegirljtworld.com}}
}}
Jatavia Shakara Johnson (born December 3, 1992), better known by her stage name JT, is an American rapper and singer-songwriter. She formed the Miami, Florida-based hip hop duo City Girls with Yung Miami in 2017, and began her solo career in 2023. She co-performed on Summer Walker's 2021 single "Ex for a Reason", which peaked within the top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100 and marked her first entry on the chart as a solo act. Her 2024 single, "Okay", peaked at number 72 on the chart and preceded her debut solo mixtape, City Cinderella (2024).
Life and career
JT was born and raised in Miami, growing up in Carol City and Liberty City.{{Cite web |last=Apindi |first=Cyprine |date=2021-12-07 |title=Jatavia Shakara Johnson's biography: age, height, parents, baby |url=https://www.legit.ng/ask-legit/biographies/1445363-jatavia-shakara-johnsons-biography-age-height-parents-baby/ |access-date=2024-09-08 |website=Legit.ng - Nigeria news. |language=en}} JT is the eldest of her mother’s three children and among the youngest of her father’s 16, the rest of whom were her stepmother’s children.When she was about five years old, JT’s mother was incarcerated, and she went to live with her father and stepmother in Carol City, where she often felt ostracized. “I always felt like I was the black sheep in my family,” JT told Angie Martinez in a 2023 interview. But despite that, she found a way to connect with her siblings.
JT was in a rap group when she was a little girl, called The Protegees, with her sisters and brothers. Throughout her teens, JT alternated between living with her aunt in Liberty City and sleeping on the couches of her friends' homes. One such friend was Caresha Brownlee, also known as Yung Miami, who would eventually make up the other half of the City Girls.{{Cite web |last=Lockett |first=Dee |date=2018-11-29 |title=How City Girls Scammed Their Way Into Rap |url=https://www.vulture.com/2018/11/city-girls-on-scamming-drake-and-jt-going-to-prison.html |access-date=2024-09-08 |website=Vulture |language=en}} JT was known among her friends for the freestyle raps she would come up with in her car and occasionally post on social media. Knowing she had potential but too shy to record and release a song all by herself, JT recruited Brownlee to rap with her. JT and Yung Miami uploaded their first song, “Fuck Dat Nigga,” to SoundCloud in August 2017.{{Cite web |title=Artist Search for "city girls" |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/city-girls-mn0003706669 |access-date=2024-09-08 |website=AllMusic |language=en}} The song was a diss track towards their ex-boyfriends for not giving them money when they asked. The song went viral, leading them to sign with Quality Control Music.
In her early 20s, JT studied Fashion Merchandising with dreams of becoming a designer. But she wasn't a fan of the broke college student lifestyle, and her dreams weren’t panning out as quickly as she’d hoped. JT worked jobs at the Miami Seaquarium, Burger King and Whole Foods, but the jobs simply weren't paying enough. Her friends would borrow her car for the weekend and mysteriously return with bags full of designer clothes and shoes obtained through credit card scams, one day, JT joined them.
=2017–2023: With City Girls=
The City Girls released their debut mixtape, Period, in May 2018.{{Cite magazine |last=Zellner |first=Xander |date=2018-11-29 |title=City Girls Debut On Emerging Artist Chart, Billie Eilish Spends Fifth Week at No. 1 |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/city-girls-debut-emerging-artist-chart/ |access-date=2024-04-06 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}} In July 2018, the duo were launched into mainstream recognition after an uncredited feature on Drake's "In My Feelings."{{Cite magazine |last=Spanos |first=Brittany |date=2018-11-01 |title=City Girls Announce Sophomore Album 'Girl Code' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/city-girls-girl-code-album-jt-yung-miami-drake-period-750866/ |access-date=2024-04-06 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}} In November 2018, the City Girls released their debut album, which included features from Cardi B, Lil Baby and Jacquees. On June 19, 2020, City Girls' second studio album, City on Lock, leaked in its entirety online.{{Cite web |date=June 19, 2020 |title=City Girls "City On Lock" Album Reportedly Leaks In Full |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/city-girls-city-on-lock-album-reportedly-leaks-in-full-news.112875.html |access-date=June 20, 2020 |website=HotNewHipHop |language=en}} It was officially released the following day.{{cite web |last=Hussey |first=Allison |date=June 20, 2020 |title=City Girls Release New Album City on Lock: Listen |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/city-girls-announce-new-album-city-on-lock-share-new-video-watch/ |accessdate=June 20, 2020 |website=Pitchfork}} The album's first single, "Jobs", was released hours before the album alongside a music video.{{Cite web |date=June 19, 2020 |title=City Girls Drop "Jobs" Single & Visual Following Album Leak |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/city-girls-drop-jobs-single-and-visual-following-album-leak-new-song.1987623.html |access-date=June 20, 2020 |website=HotNewHipHop}} The album includes guest appearances from Yo Gotti, Doja Cat, Lil Durk and Lil Baby. Their third studio album, RAW, was released in October 2023.
=2023–present: Solo career=
JT's debut single as a solo artist, "No Bars", was released on July 14, 2023.{{Cite web |last=Powell |first=Jon |title=JT is ready to add to the summer heat with "No Bars" single |url=https://www.revolt.tv/article/2023-07-11/314859/jt-announces-no-bars-single-on-social-media |access-date=2024-04-06 |website=REVOLT}} It is her second solo song altogether, her first being "JT First Day Out" in 2019. It placed at #25 on the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart.{{Cite tweet |number=1683801773511778304 |user=chartdata |title=Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100: #25(new) No Bars, JT (@ThegirlJT). |date=July 25, 2023}}{{Better source needed|reason=The current source is insufficiently reliable (WP:NOTRS).|date=July 2024}} No Bars also served as the fourth single for RAW. In February 2024, JT released her single "Sideways", which debuted at #7 on the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100.{{Cite tweet |number=1757431315388084241 |user=chartdata |title= Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100: #7(new) Sideways, JT (@ThegirlJT). |date=February 13, 2024}}{{Better source needed|reason=The current source is insufficiently reliable (WP:NOTRS).|date=July 2024}}
JT also features as a solo artist on records including Summer Walker's "Ex for a Reason" (2021), the "Queen Mix" of Nicki Minaj's "Super Freaky Girl" (2022), and Kali Uchis' "Muñekita" (2023).{{Cite web |last=Sadler |first=Armon |date=2023-07-11 |title=City Girls' JT Announces New Single "No Bars" Out This Week |url=https://www.vibe.com/music/music-news/city-girls-jt-announces-new-single-no-bars-1234771320/ |access-date=2024-02-18 |website=Vibe|language=en-US}}
On March 9, 2024, JT announced her 14-show solo tour, starting on March 23 in Houston, Texas, and ending April 27 in Kansas City, Missouri.{{Cite web |last=Velasquez |first=Angelina |title=JT announces 14-show tour ahead of solo album debut |url=https://www.revolt.tv/article/jt-announces-14-show-tour-ahead-of-solo-album-debut |access-date=2024-04-06 |website=REVOLT}}
On March 24, 2024, JT announced her debut solo mixtape, City Cinderella.{{Cite web |date=2024-03-25 |title=City Girls' JT Announces City Cinderella Her Debut Solo Mixtape |url=https://uproxx.com/music/jt-city-cinderella-debut-solo-mixtape/ |access-date=2024-04-06 |website=Uproxx |language=en-US}} On March 29, 2024, JT and Doechii released their collaboration single "Alter Ego".{{Cite web |last=Mendez |first=Chris Malone |title=Doechii And JT Bring Out Their 'Alter Ego' In New Collab |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/cmalone/2024/03/29/doechii-and-jt-join-forces-for-alter-ego-collab/ |access-date=2024-04-06 |website=Forbes |language=en}} JT teased a snippet of her single "Okay" as a part of her tour, which later went viral on social media.{{Cite web |last=Trapp |first=Malcolm |title=JT keeps the momentum going with promising music teaser for "Okay" |url=https://www.revolt.tv/article/jt-teases-upcoming-single-okay-ahead-of-debut-ep |access-date=2024-04-26 |website=REVOLT}} "Okay" was released on April 26.{{cite web |last1=Mendez |first1=Chris Malone |date=April 27, 2024 |title=JT Drops New Single 'Okay' From Debut Mixtape City Cinderella |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/cmalone/2024/04/27/jt-drops-new-single-okay-from-debut-mixtape-city-cinderella/ |access-date=14 July 2024 |website=Forbes}} On May 7, 2024, "Okay" charted on the Billboard Hot 100 at #74, marking JT's first ever solo charting record.{{Cite web |date=2024-05-07 |title=Rapper JT Makes Solo Billboard Hot 100 Debut with 'OKAY' at Number 74 - Juce Magazine |url=https://www.jucemagazine.com/rapper-jt-makes-solo-billboard-hot-100-debut-with-okay-at-number-74/ |access-date=2024-05-20 |language=en-US}} An extended version with an extra verse was released three days later to celebrate this and further generate anticipation for City Cinderella.{{cite web |last1=Turner-Williams |first1=Jaelani |title=JT Unleashes Extended Version of "Okay," Claps Back at Sukihana and Other Rappers |url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/jaelaniturnerwilliams/jt-extended-version-okay |website=Complex |access-date=2 July 2024}} On June 28, 2024, JT released a remix of "Okay" featuring a verse from rapper Jeezy.{{cite web |last1=Horvath |first1=Zachary |date=June 28, 2024 |title=JT Grabs The Trap Rap OG Jeezy For Remix Of "OKAY" |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/820413-jt-jeezy-okay-remix-stream |access-date=14 July 2024 |website=HotNewHipHop}} City Cinderella was released on July 19, 2024.{{Cite magazine |last=Mamo |first=Heran |date=2024-07-19 |title=JT Crowns Herself 'City Cinderella' in Debut Solo Mixtape: Stream It Now |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/jt-city-cinderella-mixtape-stream-1235734252/ |access-date=2024-07-25 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}
Personal life
JT has been dating rapper Lil Uzi Vert since 2019. Her younger brother died in December 2024.{{Cite web |last=Ocho |first=Alex |title=Lil Uzi Vert Calls JT 'My Baby Mom' as She Adds Uzi's Last Name to Her IG Page |url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/alex-ocho/lil-uzi-vert-calls-jt-my-baby-mom-adds-last-name-instagram |access-date=2024-04-06 |website=Complex |language=en-us}}{{Cite web |title=JT Mourns Death Of Little Brother On Social Media |url=https://www.vibe.com/news/entertainment/jt-mourns-death-little-brother-social-media-1234956601/ |access-date=2024-12-07 |website=Vibe |date=6 December 2024 }}
In summer 2023, JT launched the merchandising retailer and lifestyle brand, thegirljtworld.{{Cite web |date=2023-09-11 |title=City Girls Rapper JT Is a Rising Fashion Fixture |url=https://www.vogue.com/article/city-girls-jt-fashion |access-date=2024-04-06 |website=Vogue |language=en-US}}
=Criminal conviction=
Shortly after the release of the 2017 debut single, "Fuck Dat Nigga", JT was arrested and convicted of aggravated identity theft on fraudulent credit card charges, and was sentenced to 2 years in federal prison. Following a pushback of her surrender date, JT turned herself in to the authorities on June 29, 2018, and began serving her sentence at FCI Tallahassee in July 2018.{{Cite magazine |last1=Saponara |first1=Michael |date=July 2, 2018 |title=City Girls Member JT Begins Serving Jail Sentence for Fraud Charges |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8463594/city-girls-jt-begins-jail-sentence-fraud |access-date=April 25, 2019 |magazine=Billboard}} She was slated to be released March 21, 2020. As she awaited her release, JT was transferred from FCI Tallahassee to a halfway house in Atlanta on October 8, 2019.{{Cite web |date=October 9, 2019 |title=City Girls' JT Released to Halfway House |url=https://www.rap-up.com/2019/10/09/city-girls-jt-released-to-halfway-house/ |access-date=October 10, 2019 |website=Rap-Up}} To celebrate her transfer, JT released a track titled "JT First Day Out".{{Cite web |date=October 8, 2019 |title=JT of City Girls Celebrates Her 'First Day Out' on New Song |url=https://www.rap-up.com/2019/10/08/city-girls-jt-first-day-out/ |access-date=October 10, 2019 |website=Rap-Up}} During her stay in the halfway house, she was able to leave during the day to work and visit family and friends. JT was released from federal custody on March 7, 2020.{{cite web |last=Centeno |first=Tony M. |date=March 9, 2020 |title=City Girls' JT released from federal custody, no longer in halfway house |url=https://www.xxlmag.com/news/2020/03/city-girls-jt-released-federal-custody-halfway-house/ |access-date=March 9, 2020 |work=XXL}}
Discography
{{For|JT'S works as part of City Girls|City Girls discography}}
=Mixtapes=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+ List of mixtapes, with selected chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:16em;"| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:20em;"| Mixtape details ! scope="col" colspan="3"| Peak chart positions |
| scope="col" style="width:2.75em;font-size:90%;"| US {{cite tweet|user=billboardcharts|number=1817960716294345119|title=Debuts on this week's #Billboard200...|date=July 29, 2024|access-date=July 30, 2024}} ! scope="col" style="width:2.75em;font-size:90%;"| US ! scope="col" style="width:2.75em;font-size:90%;"| US |
|---|
| scope="row" |City Cinderella
|
| 27 | 5 | 3 |
= Singles =
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+List of singles, with selected chart positions, showing year released and album name ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Year ! scope="col" colspan="6"| Peak chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Certifications ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Album |
| scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%"| US {{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/2024-07-13/|title=Billboard Hot 100: Week of July 13, 2024|magazine=Billboard|access-date=May 7, 2024}} ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%"| US
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| CAN
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%"| NZ ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%"| UK
! scope="col" style="width:3em; font-size:90%"| WW
|
|---|
| scope="row" |"JT First Day Out" {{small|(with City Girls)}} | 2019 | — || — || — || — || — || — | | {{Non-album single}} |
| scope="row" |"Ex for a Reason" {{small|(with Summer Walker)}} | 2021 | 33 || 12 || 75 || 18 || 42 || 51 |
|
| scope="row"| "No Bars" {{small|(with City Girls)}} | rowspan="2"| 2023 | —{{efn|group=upper-alpha|"No Bars" did not enter the Billboard Hot 100, but peaked at number 25 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart.}} || 38 || — || — || — || — | | RAW |
| scope="row"| "Muñekita" {{small|(with Kali Uchis and El Alfa)}} | — || — || — || 39 || — || — | |
| scope="row"| "Sideways"
| rowspan="2"| 2024 | —{{efn|group=upper-alpha|"Sideways" did not enter the Billboard Hot 100, but peaked at number 7 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart.}} || 43 || — || — || — || — | | rowspan="2"| City Cinderella |
| scope="row" |"Okay" {{small|(solo or remix with Jeezy)}} | 72 || 22 || — || 38 || —{{efn|group=upper-alpha|"Okay" did not enter the UK Singles Chart, but peaked at number 90 on the UK Singles Downloads Chart.}} || — | |
| scope="row" |"Ran Out"{{Cite web |date=March 21, 2025 |title=JT Doesn't Hold Back on "Ran Out" |url=https://hypebeast.com/2025/3/jt-ran-out-single-music-video |access-date=March 24, 2025 |website=Hypebeast}}
| 2025 | — || — || — || — || — || — | | {{Non-album single}} |
| colspan="17" style="font-size:85%;" | "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |
= Guest appearances =
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+List of guest appearances, with other performing artists, showing year released and album name ! scope="col" style="width:18em;"| Title ! scope="col"| Year ! scope="col"| Other artist(s) ! scope="col"| Album |
| scope="row"| "F.N.F. (Let's Go) (Remix)"
| rowspan="2"| 2022 | Renegade |
|---|
| scope="row"| "Super Freaky Girl (Queen Mix)"
| Nicki Minaj, Bia, Katie Got Bandz, Akbar V, Maliibu Miitch |
| scope="row"| "Like Dat (Remix)"
| 2023 | Stunna Girl | rowspan="2" {{Non-album singles}} |
| scope="row"| "Alter Ego"
| rowspan="3"| 2024 | Doechii |
| scope="row"| "Dade County Dreaming"
| C,XOXO |
| scope="row"| "Chanel Bag"
| Gucci Mane | Greatest of All Trappers (Gangsta Grillz Edition) |
Accolades
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|+ List of awards and nominations ! scope="col" | Award ! scope="col" | Year{{efn-ua|Indicates the year of ceremony. Each year is linked to the article about the awards held that year, wherever possible.}} ! scope="col" | Recipient(s) and nominee(s) ! scope="col" | Category ! scope="col" | Result ! scope="col" class="unsortable"| {{Abbr|Ref.|References}} |
| scope="row" |Premios Juventud
| 2024 | "Muñekita" {{small|(with Kali Uchis & El Alfa)}} | OMG Collaboration | {{nom}} | style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2"| {{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/latin/premios-juventud-2024-nominations-complete-list-1235716507/|title=Carín León, Maluma & Peso Pluma Lead Premios Juventud 2024 Nominations: See the Complete List|magazine=Billboard|first=Griselda|last=Flores|date=June 25, 2024|accessdate=June 25, 2024}} |
|---|
Notes
{{notelist-ua}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{JT}}
{{City Girls}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:JT}}
Category:21st-century American women rappers
Category:21st-century American rappers
Category:21st-century American women singers
Category:21st-century American singer-songwriters
Category:African-American women rappers
Category:African-American women singer-songwriters
Category:American women singer-songwriters
Category:American women hip-hop singers
Category:Southern hip-hop musicians