A MUSICIAN from Southend has teamed up with a record label after finding fame on a BBC Three show.

Jon-Michael Compton, 24, known by his stage name, J Lucia, took part in the BAFTA-nominated The Rap Game UK, where seven unsigned artists competed against each other to become the first ever signing for UK rap legends Krept and Konan’s record label.

Despite not winning the show, J Lucia gained a massive following from appearing on the show and was snapped up by Paradine Global where he has recently released his debut single, “Loco” featuring St Lucian singer, Tori-Elle.

J Lucia was born and raised in St Lucia, in the Caribbean, but moved to the UK when he was 13 years old. His style of music mixes his St Lucian roots with UK Urban music.

He said: “I started off writing poetry since the age of nine. I used to perform spoken word in various venues in London and in St Lucia.

“I played the piano and drums in school. Since I was two, my Nan can remember me making drum beats – I’ve always been musically inclined.

“I didn’t really think of myself as a musical artist though, but at the same time I would always rap and sing here and there.”

J Lucia only started taking music more seriously around four years ago and began making songs in the studio, before deciding to drop everything and focus solely on music.

J Lucia saw the show was advertising for applicants on Instagram but didn’t think he would have a chance as he isn’t predominantly a rapper.

But after his friends kept tagging him on social media and urging him to apply, he took a lead of faith – and it certainly paid off.

He said: “I just applied online and had to send a video to explain why I think I would make a good candidate for the show.

“I went through the phone interview and meetings and psychotherapy, and got through every round and made it through to the show.

“The show gave me what I needed to take my music career to the next level and gave me a platform to reach out to people who might not have listened to me before.

“It was difficult but I loved every minute of it.

“I would say I’m the most improved from the show since it aired and if I were to do it again I would have won.

“After the show everyone rushed to release music but I wanted to go back to the drawing board and restructure myself as an artist and develop a sound that is unique to me and then present something to the world where no one has anything bad to say.

“That’s when we released the project and the EP is called “My Turn” because it is my turn now.”

The EP is out now on all digital platforms.

Instagram: @iamjlucia