THELLO JAY

Thello Jay is an American recording artist, songwriter, producer, and entrepreneur whose career spans music, technology, marketing, and media. Born in Anniston, Alabama, and raised on Chicago’s South Side, Thello was introduced to recording through his mother, Vonnie, a vocalist and background singer who worked with R. Kelly and gospel artist Darius Brooks of SDM Inc. By sixteen, he had sold out his first self-promoted show and was building a regional audience through live performances, direct music sales, and grassroots promotion. While attending Rich South High School, Thello became part of a creative circle that included Dreezy, Rello Dreamer, and A Zae Production. Those relationships later led to both released and unreleased collaborations. In 2011, following the success of his first show, he connected with Chicago music promoter Von “Chef Vino” Harris. Through that relationship, Thello gained firsthand experience in artist development and the business of music. This period led to Thello’s first mixtape, His Era, hosted by DJ O-Zone and recorded at Classick Studios in Chicago. His growing momentum during hip-hop’s blog era eventually led to a 2014 meeting with Roc Nation executive Lenny S. in New York City. Thello’s collaborators include Grammy Award-winning composer Rob Diggy, former Death Row Records vocalist Danny Boy Steward, Jon Connor, Saba, Pivot Gang, YP—also known as Backwood Jones—and others. As part of the Midwest XXL Tour, he shared stages with artists including Hopsin, Logic, Machine Gun Kelly, Wiz Khalifa, King Los, Stalley, and Chevy Woods. His catalog also features production from RMB Justize, Pyro The Space Boy, Young Myke, and additional producers. After years of recording, performing, and building his presence in music, Thello stepped back to continue his education and broaden his understanding of business. He later earned a degree in marketing, laying the foundation for his expansion beyond the music industry. Building on that experience, Thello founded Virgil Holding LLC, Virgil Music Group, and MSN Dynamics™. His work has been featured by The Source, Genius, AllHipHop, The Hype Magazine, Fake Shore Drive, Elevator Magazine, Ruby Hornet, ThisIs50, 2DopeBoyz, and Howard University’s The Hilltop. More than a decade into his career, Thello continues to unite creative work, ownership, and business strategy while building across industries.