Jason D. Harris’ Biography

Born on November 23, 1985, in St. Louis, Missouri, Jason Harris discovered his passion for music early in life. By the age of five, he was already a key contributor to the musical scene at his church, the Celestial Temple of Peace, playing both organ and percussion. His home was a melting pot of musical influences, blending church music with secular sounds, sparking his diverse interests.

At just twelve years old, Harris began experimenting with FL Studio, marking the start of his music production journey. His older brother, Rautu Robert Harris, played a pivotal role in his development, introducing him to the professional side of the industry. Rautu's career as a dancer for icons like Destiny’s Child and Tamia served as both inspiration and proof that success in the arts was within reach.

While at Pattonville High School, Harris began honing his craft, forming a rap group called "The Criticals" with his cousins and performing throughout the city. His creativity flourished, leading him to earn a Bachelor's degree in Digital Film New Media from the Kansas City Art Institute in 2009. There, mentors like Andrea Khan and Patrick Clancy helped shape his artistic vision as he prepared for graduate studies at Mills College, where he learned from avant-garde legends like Roscoe Mitchell and John Bischoff.

In 2012, Harris returned to St. Louis with a desire to give back to his community. He founded a summer camp music program at his church, targeting inner-city youth, and hosted back-to-school drives featuring live performances. His community engagement extended further with the production of the music video for ‘Trayvon Martin – No More Guns,’ promoting peace and unity.

That same year, Harris married Alexis, and together they started a family, welcoming two children, Zariah and Jayden. His work in the community went hand-in-hand with his career as a Registered Behavioral Technician at the Great Circle Residential Facility, where he helped children with Autism achieve their goals.

In 2017, Harris took his talents to Los Angeles, where he quickly became a sought-after playback engineer, working with big-name artists like Jennifer Lopez, Ciara, Taraji P. Henson, Kid Cudi, and Lupe Fiasco. By 2022, his work was gaining major recognition. He was featured in *Billboard* magazine as a GRAMMY contender for his work on “The Essence of Hope,” a spoken word poetry album performed by PoeticMoment and composed by Harris and Brandon Forte. His composition for PoeticMoment’s project *Flooded Daisies* earned official selections at prestigious festivals, including Outfest Los Angeles and the Chicago International Children's Film Festival.

Harris’s talents extend beyond music into the film world. He worked on the audio tech + music design teams for filmmaker Taylor Aguilar’s highly- acclaimed short films *Dandelions* and *SOL*, which premiered at notable events, including Cannes American Pavilion. Taylor is a filmmaker who lost her version is 2020, yet still remains committed to producing and directing films.

His dedication to education also shines through his roles in the Los Angeles Unified School System, where he worked as a Behavior Interventionist and Visual Art teacher. He’s also a partner with The Village Nation, a groundbreaking initiative praised by Oprah for its efforts in closing the achievement gap for African American students. Each year, Harris shares his journey and lessons learned in the music industry with youth at The UCLA Uni Village Nation Session Summer Camp.

In 2020, he launched his independent record label, Mind of the Noise (M.O.T.N.) Records, bringing together a team of creative professionals to work with rising artists like Nat Stephens. A partnership with Universal Music Group/InGrooves followed, leading to the release of his album *American Detox Vol. 1* and the single "The Mind of the Noise." His flagship program, "Beat School with Mr. J," launched in 2023 at Citizens of the World Hollywood, enrolling 80 students in its first year.

For media inquiries or booking, contact Jason Harris at Mindofthenoise@gmail.com.