Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Jigstyle.
Hi Michael, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
So, the way I got into Entertainment was very interesting. My mother’s oldest sister, my Aunty Janet (God rest her soul) saw a raw talent in me before anyone else did, including myself, back when I was growing up in the Bronx, NY. When I moved to Florida, she knew how big of a fan I was of Michael Jackson and sent me a VHS tape of Michael Jackson’s “History” that included all of his biggest music video hits in his prime. This is what sparked me on becoming a dancer. I remember since elementary school, I was a very good singer as well, due to my musical background & ability to play the piano by ear. I wanted to perform in my first talent show but was not supported by my mother or the teachers to do it. This experience was discouraging. It broke my spirit and made me quit singing.
Fast Forward to high school, I saw many kids around my neighborhood dancing in the streets as well as school. I wasn’t the most coolest kid in school and was bullied a lot in my previous years. I was also hanging out with the wrong crowd, just so I could feel protected. One day, a friend of mine got me to dance on stage with him my 9th-grade year for black history month. Our showcase was a tribute to Michael Jackson, coincidently. After that day, all the students started treating me differently. The guys respected me, and the ladies adored me. This was when I felt reborn.
Finding my love for entertaining others become a part of me. I started dressing differently, walking & talking differently, and later earned the nickname “JIGSAW” the dancer. 10+Years go by, and I’ve manage to train myself and other students of mine, travel, dance on the cruise ships, win multiple dance competitions, such as World of Dance and ProAm Miami. In addition, being on a worldwide reality Tv competition show and winning the Universal Street Games at the X-Games (dance category)in Chicago.
Even with all the accomplishments, I was grateful to create for myself, something still felt incomplete. I later almost lost my life, due to a severe car accident and health issues. My life flashed before my eyes, and I realized maybe I should start using my voice again. Next thing you know, a #singingchallenge popped up on my social media and I decided to do it. I wrote an original verse and posted it on Facebook, not expecting anything to come from it. It went Viral! No one knew I could sing too. From there, I made my own beats, added more to the verse, and turned it into my first song that people still listen to today, called “If That’s Alright.” I was no longer just “Jigsaw the dancer” but was evolved into “Michael Jigstyle -The Entertainer.” CEO of Jigstyle Productions and NTSTRZ Ent. music Label on the rise.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
For anyone to have a smooth ride in the Entertainment business, is not going to be mentally strong for the business in the long run. I’ve gone through many obstacles such as no support from my parents to being called a “Biter” (copycat) in my neighborhood. I’ve been loved & supported by my city to being not cared about in my own city.
Between the years of 2016-2018, I moved my whole life around for someone I was in love with. That relationship turned sour and caused me to be homeless for a whole year. This later caused me to become diabetic and almost died with my blood sugar above 500. Now, this lead me to fall into a deep depression and a new toxic relationship I was not prepared for.
In 2019, I decided it was time to take my life back. Along this road, I cut ties with a lot of people that just weren’t healthy for me anymore. Got back close with God and Prayer.
Lost my grandmother during Covid lockdown in 2020 but took that loss and put it into my music and passion along with everything else. This later turned into a song called “QueenMomma.” I knew now music was my new Therapy.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Along this Journey as a Movement Artist and Producer, I have worked with one of the biggest technology companies in the world. I have grown from a Sales “Specialist” to a Genius Bar “Technician” since 2013. They have always been a support of my dreams and strive on respecting employees work Life balance.
I’ve learned what it is like to have a team. How to live by the credo that doesn’t just give you tips in your day-to-day workplace, but in life. Working for this company has definitely made me a better person.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
If it wasn’t for my prolonged music career, my dancing skills wouldn’t have been this highly trained and executed. I feel like no music artist in the industry can touch me in dancing now!!!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jigstyle_official/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JigstyleOfficial/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/Jigaman101
- SoundCloud: https://www.soundcloud.com/Jigstyle954
- Other: https://vm.tiktok.com/n5rnWC/
Image Credits
@visualsbymalonephotography
@viviimage
@lauriecaradonna
@mikesmarro.photography
@5six7co
