Jatavia Shakara Johnson, widely known by her stage name JT, was born on December 3, 1992, in Miami, Florida. Growing up in the challenging neighborhoods of Carol City and Liberty City, JT faced a tumultuous childhood marked by her mother’s addiction. Despite these hardships, she found solace in music, rapping alongside her father from an early age. This early exposure to hip-hop would set the foundation for her future career.
In 2017, JT, alongside her high school best friend Yung Miami, formed the hip-hop duo City Girls. The duo quickly gained attention with their debut track “Fuck Dat Nigga,” a diss track aimed at their ex-boyfriends, which went viral on SoundCloud. This initial success caught the attention of Quality Control Music, leading to their signing with the label. City Girls released their debut mixtape, Period, in May 2018, which laid the groundwork for their growing popularity. Their uncredited feature on Drake’s chart-topping single “In My Feelings” in July 2018 catapulted them into mainstream recognition.
November 2018 saw the release of City Girls’ debut studio album, Girl Code, featuring notable artists like Cardi B, Lil Baby, and Jacquees. The album solidified their presence in the hip-hop scene. However, their journey was not without its challenges. JT faced legal issues and served time in federal prison for credit card fraud. Despite this setback, the duo continued to thrive, releasing their second studio album, City on Lock, in June 2020. The album, which had leaked online a day before its official release, featured artists such as Yo Gotti, Doja Cat, Lil Durk, and Lil Baby. The lead single “Jobs” became an instant hit, further cementing their influence in the music industry.
City Girls released their third studio album, RAW, in October 2023, continuing their streak of success. Amid the group’s achievements, JT began to carve out her path as a solo artist. Her solo debut came with the track “JT First Day Out” in 2019, followed by “No Bars” in July 2023, which peaked at #25 on the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart. This marked her re-emergence as a solo performer, and “No Bars” also served as the fourth single for City Girls’ album RAW.
JT’s collaborations as a solo artist have also garnered significant attention. Her feature on Summer Walker’s 2021 single “Ex for a Reason” marked her first entry into the Billboard Hot 100 as a solo act. In addition, she appeared on the “Queen Mix” of Nicki Minaj’s “Super Freaky Girl” in 2022 and collaborated with Kali Uchis on “Muñekita” in 2023.
In early 2024, JT announced her 14-show solo tour, starting on March 23 in Houston, Texas, and culminating on April 27 in Kansas City, Missouri. During this period, she also released her debut solo mixtape, City Cinderella, on July 19, 2024. Leading up to the mixtape’s release, JT dropped several singles, including “Sideways,” which debuted at #7 on the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100, and “Okay,” which peaked at #72 on the Billboard Hot 100. To celebrate the success of “Okay,” JT released an extended version with an extra verse and later, a remix featuring rapper Jeezy.
JT’s journey from the streets of Miami to the top of the hip-hop charts is a testament to her resilience and talent. Her evolution from one half of City Girls to a successful solo artist demonstrates her versatility and enduring appeal in the music industry. With her mixtape City Cinderella and ongoing solo endeavors, JT continues to solidify her place as a formidable force in hip-hop.