BY JERMAINE CRUICSHANK
J ANGEL is a humble and simple person. Born in Arima and raised on the Eastside of Trinidad, she came from very humble beginnings. Yet she was fueled by big dreams, unfathomable passion, and a hunger to achieve them. She believes deeply in using the talents Jehovah God gifted her, guided by faith and not controlled by man.
Many of her fans often tell her they believe she is one of the most underrated talents to come out of Trinbago, especially given her powerful vocal ability as both a singer and a professional voice actor. While she hears and appreciates that support, J Angel feels that in some cases she is more misunderstood than underrated. Because of how she looks, some people assume she grew up sheltered, which she says is far from the truth. She grew up in a very unstable environment and started working from childhood, selling fruits and vegetables in the market and on the streets. By age 14, she had experienced abuse, something that took many years to heal from mentally. There were periods in her life where she had to work to help send herself to school, while also stepping into the role of a mother for her younger siblings. Life was not easy, but her passion for her talents, combined with hope and faith, carried her through. She always believed God would take her out of her environment using the gifts He gave her.
Over time, J Angel has managed to carve out her own niche and build a growing organic fanbase, and she credits that success to authenticity. She believes her supporters connect with her because she is real what you see is what you get. In a world where many people post illusions on social media, she does not. Whether good or bad, she shows up as her true self, and her J Nation fanbase respects and loves her for that honesty.
Yes, J Angel admits she has an emotional side, but she has learned how to balance it with grace. The person who sees that side the most is God, especially during moments of prayer, sometimes even in the early hours of the morning. Her confidence, she says, comes from knowing where she came from and recognising that although she grew up in an unstable environment, she did not become her environment—she came out of it. That journey gives her the confidence to push toward conquering anything, believing that time will ultimately determine when she reaches the level of success she is working toward. On stage, she embraces alter egos, describing herself more as a performance artist than just a performing artist, leaning into theatrical expression as part of her craft.
Her viral moment…(continues online, see below)
Angel has two releases lined up — “Hot Gyal Army”, a party song for the ladies, and “Leggo”, her first Road March contribution. This year, she is promoting both songs through a new character and alter ego called “General J,” a more militant persona reflected in her onstage fashion and performance style. Rather than releasing a large volume of music, she is focusing on pushing “Leggo”, supported by an existing catalog that strengthens her live performances.
When it comes to collaborations, locally her dream pairing is Bunji Garlin. Being from the east side herself and often called the Eastside Queen by fans, she feels the connection is only fitting, especially since she grew up inspired by his music. Globally, she names Jay-Z, admiring his creative genius and his journey from humble beginnings to global icon, a story that helped her believe in herself long before she became known as J Angel.
Relationshipwise, J Angel says she is currently single, joking that she barely has time to sleep, much less manage a relationship. Between being a creative entertainer, managing herself and her team, and running J Angel Productions along with JAV Booking and Consultant Agency, she stays fully focused. She believes relationships can either make or break a person, so she is careful about choosing a partner who would complement, not compete with, her goals.
Her favourite food is her mother’s pelau, and while she doesn’t indulge much in guilty treats, she admits she could eat pineapple every day. Among her most memorable performances are opening for Spice, Skeng, and Skillibeng at a Tobago Great Fete weekend, where a crowd of over 5,000 responded instantly to her music, chanting along and celebrating with her long after she left the stage. Another standout moment was performing during New York City’s Labor Day weekend on a Sugar Candy Mas Band truck for over one million people, where the crowd erupted as soon as she dropped her hit “No Money No Honey”.
In her quiet time, J Angel finds peace by the ocean, especially at sunset, describing herself as a water baby who could swim for hours. She believes the best part of the entertainment industry is being able to create from imagination and place that creation into the hearts of people through music, giving them moments of joy and escape. The worst part, she says, is the systematic gatekeeping within the industry—where decisions are made about who should or shouldn’t succeed. She believes all artists deserve fair play and the freedom to create without scrutiny.
If forced to choose between love and career, J Angel says she would choose her career, believing it allows her to take care of everyone she loves and fulfil her purpose in life. What keeps her motivated is knowing she has people depending on her—from her aging parents to her team—and realising the impact she has on fans who share how her journey inspires them. What keeps her positive through it all remains constant.
