Jeremih: Making HiStory

Published in Bronzeville Life (August/September 2022)

Nearly a decade ago, one of the breakout songs of the cuffing season was “Birthday Sex,”—a song by Chicago artist and songwriter Jeremih. Not since the early 1990s have we heard songs from another Chicago R&B singer in a similar fashion that captured the audience in this way.

In 2009, a new era of young artists was paving the way, with Jeremih as the poster child. As parents ran to cover their children’s ears and grandparents clutched their pearls, Jeremih’s breakout song was just a glimmer into his ability to capture younger listeners across the city, and with a newly signed deal with Def Jam Music Group—he crossed over nationwide. Several complete projects and multiple collaborations later, including albums, Jeremih; All About You; mixtape, Late Nights with Jeremih; Late Night: The Album; MihTy, and a plethora of hits—Jeremih was in demand as both a singer and songwriter.

As a student, Jeremy Felton was a member of Morgan Park High School’s marching band, and by his junior year, his skills as a musician earned him a spot in the Latin Jazz band. Later he would go on to attend Columbia College in pursuit of a music career. His musical partnership with producer Mick Schultz would transform Jeremy into Jeremih—jump-starting a successful career featuring collaborations with 50 Cent, Future, Twista, YG, Ty Dolla, Chance the Rapper, DJ Khaled, Lil Wayne, and many others.

“I live by what I practiced especially being a brand for the last decade. This past week, I reconnected with my original partner, Mick Schultz. I've been at his house in Tanzania (California), away from all my distractions at my crib. For the past week, we have been in the studio,” he says. “It gave me some peace, more than I thought it was going to give me. I'm not out here just waking up and doing nothing; my job is to find a job.”

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