Justyce
JUSTYCE | ||
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JUSTYCE in 2020 | ||
Background information | ||
Born | June 25, 1992 | |
Origin | Rockwood, Tennessee, US | |
Genre | Pop | |
Years active | 2013-present | |
Label | Fusion Records | |
Associated acts | ||
JUSTYCE (born Justyn Wolfe; June 25, 1994)
Career[edit | edit source]
JUSTYCE rose to fame on the second season of The URAPS Factor in the UK, being mentored by Kleo. He made history when he became the first male contestant to reach the top 4 but was subsequently voted out the same week. JUSTYCE was one of the favourites to win the show, having never been placed in the bottom 3 in the entire run of the series. He made headlines after the show when he revealed that he was in fact the younger brother of superstars Syd Wolfe & Taylor. It caused some controversy as he had already been signed with Fusion Records and made an album before entering the talent show. He later confirmed that he asked to be released from his contract with Fusion Records before going on the show. When he was voted off the show, Fusion Records reinstated their deal.
Early life[edit | edit source]
2014: Kickstart[edit | edit source]
The album he had recorded previously had been scrapped and, upon leaving The URAPS Factor, began writing new material for his debut album. 6 months after the show ended, JUSTYCE released his debut single 'Lazerbeamz'. Written by himself and produced by Dr Luke & Cirkut, it was an electro pop track. However, critics called the production dated but commended JUSTYCE's interesting lyrics. Despite the big name producers and his family connections, radio didn't get on board with the single due to lack of promotion and the track peaked at #21 on radio and #7 on the official UK charts. It sold 175k and went silver.
It wasn't until February 2014, when the participants for 2014's Tango Challenge were announced, that we heard from JUSTYCE. He was partnered with Cassie Fox and, this time, armed with a rigorous promotional campaign by Fusion Records. They began early with their campaign 'He's A Wolfe, She's A Fox' and became early front runners to win before their song had been premiered. The duo premiered the track on Capital FM on March 1, 2014 and confirmed the single was titled 'These Are The Nights'. Upon premiering the single, bookmakers BetFred and Ladbrokes raised the duos odds to win to 2:1. The stakes were raised again when the duo confirmed, after much speculation, that they had began dating during the course of their promotional trail. The track was released on March 31, 2014 and reached #1 on April 6, 2014, selling 140,000 copies in the first week and 400,000 overall, being certified platinum.
Wanting to strike while the iron was hot, Fusion pushed a new single almost straight after 'These Are The Nights' had charted. JUSTYCE-mania was in full swing and pre-orders for his next single 'Kill The Beat' crashed iTunes. On release week, JUSTYCE travelled the UK for several single signings, striking a deal with high-street music retailer HMV to stock his CD & DVD singles and offering them for a bundled price. The DVD single included the video to the song which reached #1 on the UKTV airplay charts. It depicted JUSTYCE as a superhero of the night, much like the DC Comics character 'Green Arrow'. When JUSTYCE visited the Leeds branch of HMV, police had to be called as over 2,500 fans turned up to meet the singer who was only prepared to meet 1,000 fans. When staff began turning fans away, they began to stampede into the store which caused damage and police came to caution the crowds. The single reached #1 on May 4, 2014, just 5 weeks after 'These Are The Nights' and sold over 600,000 copies.
When 'Kill The Beat' was announced to be #1, JUSTYCE confirmed the release of his debut album 'Kickstart' and his next single 'Addict'. They were scheduled and released on July 21, 2014. The promotional campaign focused primarily on promoting the album. 'Kickstart' includes features from hit female artists Loretta Lambert & Aimee Lyons. JUSTYCE also joined Lyons on tour as an opening act. A deluxe version of the album was made available, featuring a shirtless JUSTYCE. This was one of the rare few occasions where a deluxe version of the album sold almost 80% of the physical CD sales. His debut single 'Lazerbeamz' was featured only on the deluxe edition as a bonus track. A tour titled 'A Kickstart of Clarity Tour' was booked in July for October and was a co-headlining tour with Cassie Fox, tickets sold out within minutes of going on sale. In August, the duo split up but were committed to the tour. The album & single reached #1 on July 27, 2014. The album opened with almost 150,000 copies, the single opened with over 110,000.
A fourth single from the album, 'Echo' was announced on August 23, 2014 for release on October 13, 2014; while JUSTYCE was on tour. The Ammo-produced track was the singers first foray into almost-ballad territory and combined a neo soul element to his usual pop beats. Lyrically, the song was also JUSTYCE's first 'love song'. Critics were impressed by the sound and maturity in the lyrics. It was during promotion for 'Echo' that JUSTYCE admitted that Fusion Records had pushed him to start a romantic relationship with Cassie Fox in order to 'sell records' and that the relationship was fake. Fox stayed silent on that matter, but confirmed that the pair were no longer on speaking terms. The tour 'A Kickstart of Clarity' began on October 3, 2014. The opening night reviews were glowing for the singers, many citing JUSTYCE as 'spectacular' and 'show stopping'. They also focussed heavily on JUSTYCE's finale which saw the entire stage engulfed in flames as he stands in the middle and fireworks erupt around him for 'Kill The Beat'. This was also the set that caused his accident. Despite the disaster, Cassie Fox continued and completed the tour after Fusion granted their permission. Fans were offered a refund on tickets if they had come specifically for JUSTYCE and URAPS Daily reported that over 40% of ticket-holders returned their tickets for the show. 'Echo' went ahead as planned and on October 19, 2014 charted at #1 on the official UK singles chart.
Current events[edit | edit source]
In only the second night of the show on October 4, 2014, disaster struck the singer in Dublin, Northern Ireland as during the finale, one of the pyrotechnic fireworks fell over during ignition and hit JUSTYCE in the face before erupting. The scene happened in front of 11,000 screaming fans and an unconscious JUSTYCE was carried off stage by a first aid team. He was rushed to a hospital in Dublin where he was treated for a fractured nose and second degree burns to the face, which resulted in the singer needing a skin graft from his thigh. Statements confirmed that JUSTYCE was doing well and was recovering back in London. Doctors confirmed that JUSTYCE would look considerably different to how he had looked previously, but the procedures had been a complete success and was shocked but please to confirm that at that time there was absolutely no scarring.
Discography[edit | edit source]
Main Article: JUSTYCE Discography
Albums[edit | edit source]
- 2014: Kickstart
Singles[edit | edit source]
- 2013: "Lazerbeamz" September 23, 2013
- 2014: "These Are The Nights" with Cassie Fox
- 2014: "Kill The Beat"
- 2014: "Addict"
- 2014: "Echo"