THELLO JAY

Born in Anniston, Alabama and raised on Chicago's South Side, Thello Jay is an independent recording artist, entrepreneur, and executive producer whose career spans more than a decade of live performance, collaboration, and independent releases. Through his mother, Vonnie, a vocalist and background singer, Thello was exposed to recording studios, live performances, and Chicago's music scene from an early age. As a child, he spent time in studio sessions while she worked with artists including R. Kelly and gospel recording artist Darius Brooks of SDM Inc., providing an early look into the professional side of music. His own career began at sixteen after selling out his first self-promoted performance while still in high school. Long before streaming became the industry's primary distribution model, Thello built his audience through live performances, direct-to-fan sales, and grassroots promotion throughout Chicago and the Midwest. While attending Rich South High School, Thello was part of a creative environment that included emerging Chicago artists and creatives such as Dreezy, Rello Dreamer, and videographer A Zae Production. Those early relationships extended beyond the classroom and later led to collaborations with Dreezy and Rello Dreamer on both released and unreleased records. In 2011, Thello connected with Chicago music entrepreneur Von “Chef Vino” Harris, who helped introduce him to artist promotion, marketing, and the independent music scene during the early stages of his career. During hip hop's influential blog era, Thello expanded his reach through independent releases, live performances, and collaborations. In 2014, he met with Roc Nation executive Lenny S in New York City as his music began attracting industry attention and growing media coverage. Versatile and known for drawing his material from lived experience, Thello has collaborated with Grammy Award-winning composer Rob Diggy, former Death Row Records vocalist Danny Boy Steward, Jon Connor of Aftermath Entertainment, Saba of Pivot Gang, and most recently Chicago recording artist YP (Backwood Jones). He has also shared stages with Hopsin, Logic, Machine Gun Kelly, Wiz Khalifa, King Los, Stalley, Chevy Woods, and other nationally touring artists. Beyond music, Thello has always run his career like a business owner. Earning a degree in Marketing sharpened the business principles he had already been applying throughout his career—creating opportunities, building relationships, and investing in long-term growth. That same drive led to the development of multiple ventures, including Virgil Holding LLC, Virgil Music Group, and most recently MSN Dynamics™, spanning business development, technology, and media. Production on Thello's catalog and upcoming releases has included contributions from Grammy-nominated producer RMB Justize, Billboard-charting producer Pyro The Space Boy of The Innovatorz, and Young Myke. Thello's work in music and business has earned recognition from outlets including The Source, Genius, AllHipHop, Hip Hop Since 1987, ThisIs50, The Hype Magazine, Howard University's The Hiltonian, Ruby Hornet, Fake Shore Drive, Elevator Magazine, CHIRP Radio, and Disrupt Magazine — sustaining a presence across music, live entertainment, and media for more than a decade.