Drummer Jawann Blanchey Talks Experiencing Homelessness in LA to Working With the Likes of Kanye West & Robert Glasper

Taking a leap of faith and moving to Los Angeles -  also known as the “Entertainment Capital of the World” -  and being far away from your hometown takes a lot of courage. But when you have big dreams to become a musician, moving to a city that is essentially the hub for opportunities in the entertainment industry would be ideal. For drummer Jawann Blanchey, LA made the most sense, and after his first gig in 2017, he knew it was where he needed to be. In his career, Blanchey has worked with the likes of Kanye West, Robert Glasper, Mali Music, Ledisi, and is currently on tour with 80s band The English Beat with Dave Wakling. It can be hard to believe that just a few years ago he was homeless and sleeping in his car. Now, years later, he is not afraid to share his journey with others. 

Born and raised in Seattle, Washington, Blanchey grew up in a loving household consisting of his mom, dad, and younger sister. His love for music began at a young age. As a child, his parents would always play Gospel music in the car, and he wasn’t allowed to listen to secular music until he was in middle school. At two years old, Blanchey started playing the drums. He was inspired by a cousin (Kenneth), who would play at church which he calls his “favorite person in the world.”

“But I was playing at a very young age and was really good at recognizing rhythm and playing exactly what I heard,” he continued. “At five years old I went to a drum school and the teacher said I played like a 10 year old. From then I realized that it was a gift from God and knew I had to nurture it and had to make something out of it.”

And that he did!

As a child he and his family would vacation in California often. The beach, sun, city lights, and the California vibe can definitely influence anyone to want to make that move. Anytime the young musician would visit, he would never want to leave. He learned quite early on that California is what he calls the “mecca for music.” So, after his first gig on December 1, 2017, he knew that if he wanted to pursue music, he would have to call Cali his new home. 

“When I first came to LA, I just felt like it was just right,” he recalled. “The weather was exactly what I wanted, and I knew the potential and the endless possibilities ahead of me in California. Rather than being in Seattle.” 

Living in a city like LA is extremely expensive. With the high cost of living and employment scarcity, it can become challenging for anyone to find secure housing. This unfortunately leads to a lot of people having to resort to spending a good chunk of money on hotels, staying with friends and/or family, and sadly for some, being homeless altogether. It can be very disheartening for those who made the huge transition to move to create a better future for themselves. 

His journey began with him “disobeying God” and returning to California sooner than he (God) wanted him to. He traveled to his hometown of Seattle to pick up a car his pastor at the time had blessed him with.

“I was playing for someone at the time in LA and they told me if I didn’t come back soon, that I would be “fired,” he said. “This was when Covid first started and I was living in the dorms. While I was in Seattle I ignored every sign God allowed to keep me from returning to LA. When I came back the person I was playing for quit all together and decided to become a model. Like 😑…that was my only source of income at the time. One thing led to another, got majorly injured in a fatal car accident and became homeless.”

Being homeless can have a deep impact on your mental and emotional health. It can increase anxiety and stress having to always be on your toes to essentially survive; not to mention, the toll it can have on your self-esteem. Blanchey admits that being homeless definitely had a major impact on his mental health, and his artistry.

“I play what I feel, and I felt like a fake,” he stated. “I wasn’t able to practice so I was sloppy with my playing and was mentally confused because I was playing with some of my favorite musicians, but had to drive to a 24 hour fitness parking lot to sleep.”

Blanchey is a God fearing man who proudly emphasized that experiencing homelessness taught him that he can do all things through Christ that strengthens him, and to always persevere no matter what the situation is.

When asked about the moment he got his big break, he credits his good friend D Simone, who he says put in a good word for him and referred him for a tour, which happened suddenly. 

“God came through and blessed me with a tour which allowed me to pay for everything I needed to pay for and put a down payment on a place to stay,” he praised.

Blanchey admits that he wasn’t always positive and describes his journey as very hard and terrible.

“But God is a God of peace,” he assured. “He would never put more on you than you can bear. I found my peace in him and it kept me sane.”

To stay updated with Blanchey, follow him on Instagram.