In a world where the beat never stops, Justin Wright, better known as the “Bearded Drummer,” seamlessly blends his passion for music with a career in education. From the gas stations of New Jersey to the bustling streets of DC, Justin’s journey is a testament to dedication, versatility, and an unwavering love for rhythm.
From Jersey to the Stage
Destiny: “I wrote a couple of questions down. And what I thought was interesting about your bio was that you’re from New Jersey? Didn’t know that. Did you learn to pump gas when you went to college? Just curious?”
Justin Wright: “Yeah, pretty much. I mean, I’ve been traveling, you know, I might do some traveling as a kid to some sort of Carolinas and stuff and I have family down here. So I was familiar with the different dynamics of the gas pumps.”
The moniker “Bearded Drummer” has become synonymous with Justin’s identity, both on and off the stage.
Destiny: “Where did your stage name Bearded Drummer come from?”
Justin Wright: “Oh, man, so, that’s a great question. So first of all, I’ve been growing a beard for a while. And when I started playing, I just always had it. And it was like yelling, it was like, go to the guy with the beard or the drummer, with the beard is here playing or whatever. Initially, my Instagram name was Justin Case…”
Destiny: “Oh, like, just in case, I don’t make it home tonight.”
Justin Wright: “So that was my initial account, and that was kind of catchy. But then, you know, our homeboy was like, ‘yo, you know, people always call you this and call that. You need to change that. make it so more people know you.’ Especially by that so?”
Destiny: “Well, I like the Bearded drummer. It’s easier. Well, that’s what I knew you as for a while.”
Justin Wright: “Yeah.”
Educator by Day, Drummer by Night
While Justin’s prowess on the drums is well-known, his dedication to shaping young minds is equally impressive.
Destiny: “What do you do outside of drumming as a profession?”
Justin Wright: “So, I teach eighth-grade history for DC public schools. I’ve been at the school right now since the pandemic. And I’ve been teaching for like 10 years or so. I did teach in Baltimore City before. I had a great experience. In a good way, it prepared me for any place I would encounter.”
His experience in Baltimore, a city known for its vibrant yet challenging environment, has left a lasting impact.
Justin Wright: “I met some good people. I had a third-grade class, and these kids listen, I saw it all. School 12, near Lakeland. Do you know anything about that area? It’s a very challenging area, by Patapsco flea market.”
Destiny: “Oh yeah. I know where Patapsco is.”
Justin Wright: “It’s right around that area. It was challenging, but all in all it was a good experience though. I’d do it again.”
A Lifelong Passion for Drumming
Justin’s love for drumming began at an early age, nurtured by his involvement in church.
Destiny: “So, how long have you been playing the drums?”
Justin Wright: “Man, since I started in church when I was about three or four. I would go on a drum set like after service and try to get on and play and when they would let me on I would cry every time to try to take the sticks from me and take me off at the end. I didn’t want to get off the drum. I would be crying my eyes out but yeah, like before it was I’m in a car, and while we drive, I’d beat on the back of the headrest crazy like, or I’m hitting on the side of the dashboard and everything. I started like that, and when I got older and being able to you know go to rehearsals and practice and things like that you know, they was like, cool you can you can really hold it down. So middle school, high school just started playing and continued with it.”
Despite his extensive experience, Justin continues to find new challenges in his musical journey.
Destiny: “So since you’ve been playing for so long, is it easy or do you still encounter some challenging experiences in trying to learn or play by ear?”
Justin Wright: “So, the thing about music is I’ve been blessed to be able to play pretty much anything I hear. But the thing about music, I feel like music is a whole different, respected language like science to me. For people who can sit, I’ve taken lessons before, but not like extensive, extensive extensive lessons where it’s been, for over a couple of years. Like I’ve done it, taking some basic lessons and things like that. But there are a few things that’s more difficult to play than others. Especially when it’s already like for what I do, especially when it’s already like so much. It’s like, a lot of live instrumentation. A song I don’t like to play, I’ll give you an example like the Just Blaze joint, the Jay Z get a drummer song. And you know, Jay, it’s already so many drums on that track. I’d be like, yo I don’t want to play that. Like I’ll play it if they play it, but I prefer not to. I like a challenge though, most of the things that I do play, there’s a certain pocket that I follow. I almost got to get into like the science of what you gotta do when you’re playing with a DJ. So yeah.”
Versatility in Music
Justin’s versatility shines through in his ability to play a variety of genres, each with its own unique rhythm and style.
Destiny: “So what’s your favorite genre to play to? Or to play in general?”
Justin Wright: “I mean, I do like r&b. I like smooth, steady, not like not like super duper slow. But like, a good steady. So one of my favorite songs to play right now is the On My Mama, you know something like that? Like some Jill cuts or some Erykah Badu Joints. I like that soul r&b vibe. I love playing that. Also, I like playing southern, that Southern trap. They got big drums on there. I like playing those. I like playing those tracks. Oh, I like playing house music. And I like playing club.”
Destiny: “I was literally gonna ask you, what do you like more now? Because you are from Jersey, but Baltimore got some good club music too. So…”
Justin Wright: “Yeah, no, I definitely love the rhythms. I love the fact that I can create within all of that. And that same, you know, close to that, is Amapiano, that Afrobeat. So I love playing in that too. I just love to create off of that, I just love that you can do so much with it rhythmically. I love playing those.”
Beyond the Drums
While drumming is his primary focus, Justin has aspirations beyond the stage.
Destiny: “Thank you. So can you play any other instruments? Or is it just drum? You give me you could do a little piano if you wanted to.”
Justin Wright: “I mean, I can’t sit down and play. If there’s a piano somewhere, I’m not the one that sits down and is like, Oh, who’s that playing back there? Nah, that’s not me. If I had to learn any other instrument I would do piano and it’s something about a horn.”
Destiny: “Or like a saxophone?”
Justin Wright: “Yeah, but, more horn vibes. I like those instruments. But just drums though, I just play drums.”
Memorable Performances
With years of experience under his belt, Justin has had his share of memorable performances.
Destiny: “So out of all the Join the Movement events thus far, what has been the most memorable for you? only one.”
Justin Wright: “Dang, I can only choose one.”
Destiny: “Because how long have you been working with Anwaa?”
Justin Wright: “I mean, we’ve been doing these events for three, four years now seems like.”
Destiny: “Hmmm, that means he likes you, okay!”
Justin Wright: “But nah, I came to him, I said look man on Instagram, my r&b hits get way more traction than, you know any other posts that I do. I was like, Yo, let me come play one night and the rest is history. But my most memorable, Okay, I gotta say, most memorable. I’m gonna have to say that Mya show.”
Destiny: “I knew you’re gonna say that.”
Justin Wright: “I gotta say the Mya show, because it was the whole thing. It was the whole experience. It was the email, they were emailing, and I was getting excited. Then she called my phone, I ain’t know how to act. I saw her you know, on our phones these days. Even if you don’t have a name, saved, it’ll come up, it’ll recognize the name or whatever. So the name came up and I was like oh snap, answer the phone. She’s like, Yeah, I’m playing tonight I can’t wait to soundcheck and yada yada. I was like you trying to be cool and everything on the phone. And then you know, I met her at Karma. And it went smoothly, she’s a professional. I mean, soundcheck, made sure everything was right. She’s one of the only artists that pretty much stayed there throughout the night, and made sure you know, everything was cool. She stayed in the dressing room in the back designing her own stuff. Making sure everything was on point. Came out, killed it. And just the follow-up too, because of that event, I was able to play with her on like three or four of her tour dates. So that was also an experience for me. That’s, that’s one reason why that’s memorable to me. I have some others but, you know, that was pretty dope.”
Destiny: “So would you think that that is your best performance of all time? Or do you have one that tops it?”
Justin Wright: “Nah, best performance-wise? I wouldn’t say, because I’m a big critique of myself. When I’m video recording myself, I go back and listen to and watch the videos and be like, alright Justin, you don’t need to do that next time in that little part. Or you did a little bit too much right here. Like you might need to chill when the next time that comes around. Because those are the things that you know, you got to do when it’s your craft. I think if you’re an artist in any way or creative in any way you critique your own work harder than anyone else does.”
Destiny: “Right.”
Justin Wright: “Some people might be like yo you killed it and I’d be like, Yeah, I felt like I did alright. I gotta say, was it the Mario show? It’s either Mario or Lloyd. I think I did an awesome job when Lloyd was there. Mya, I did a good job on the road. I thought I worked hard, and put a lot of work into that. But I did a good job with that too. I mean, we just talking about the r&b, I mean, because I played a Soca party before and that joint goes crazy. It’s just a whole different rhythmic vibe.”
Destiny: “I mean of all time.”
Justin Wright: “I mean of all time, I gotta put the CIAA Baltimore event at the top, last year, at Power Plant. Everything just worked. Everything just worked. That’s one show that I was nervous about at first. But I don’t get nervous usually. I was just anxious. Like I was just like, oh alright, it’s Showtime. It’s we ready to go! I get excited about you know, pretty much every show, but that one, it was just something about the energy. I was just like it’s either gonna hit hit or it’s either just going to do alright. But from the first song, Oh, it was crazy.”
Life Outside Music
Even with a busy schedule, Justin finds time for other passions, and one of them might surprise you.
Destiny: “Okay, thank you and my last question what’s an interesting fact that you wish people knew about the Bearded Drummer?”
Justin Wright: “I’m an only child but if I could have another career I would be a chef. I like food, I like food that much. I definitely would be a chef and like open up a food truck.”
Destiny: “What type of cuisine?”
Justin Wright: “It would have to be a mix of Southern and American. American with Southern flair or something like that. I just like good food.”
Destiny: “Would you put corn in your cornbread?”
Justin Wright: “I’ve had that before and I will have that as an option on the menu.”
Destiny: “Okay, that was a politically correct response, good job.”
Justin Wright: “You know what I’m saying with it, it’s an extra fifty-cent, sike nah, I’m playing. But no, I would be a chef.”
Destiny: “Well thank you so much for your time. I’m gonna stop recording.”
The Bearded Drummer’s Journey: A Harmonious Blend of Music and Teaching
From the gas stations of New Jersey to the classrooms of DC and stages across the country, Justin Wright’s journey as the Bearded Drummer is a symphony of passion, dedication, and versatility. Whether he’s shaping young minds or creating rhythms that move the soul, Justin’s story is one of inspiration, proving that with talent and tenacity, one can truly march to the beat of their own drum.