Podcast Summary: Unhinged & Immoral

Episode: Jus10 is UNHINGED

Hosts: Jamila Bell & Mecca Evans
Guest: Just10 (Justin)
Date: December 17, 2025

Main Theme / Purpose

This vibrant episode of Unhinged & Immoral welcomes Atlanta-based multi-hyphenate artist Jus10 (Justin) to the Unplugged series. Jamila and Mecca, both steeped in PR and pop culture, invite Jus10 to unpack their journey from theater kid to rapper, poet, ballroom commentator, and viral influencer. The conversation explores blending queer and Black cultures in hip-hop, surviving the coldness of entertainment industries, pop culture hot takes, and the beauty of chosen family. The episode bursts with joyful banter, candid truths, and closes out with a showstopping live performance from Jus10.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Serendipity, Alignment, & Homecoming ([01:04–02:29])

• The group reminisces about meeting “sh-tfaced” at Spell House Homecoming, a full year prior, and marvel at alignment: “Isn’t that crazy? Alignment.” (Jamila, [02:24])
• Justin shares their clarity from taking a break from drinking, especially as a performer often surrounded by alcohol: “I have to learn how to have discipline in my career sustainably.” ([02:54])

2. Astrology, Healing, and Shadow Work ([03:43–06:46])

• Lighthearted talk about signs: Justin’s a Virgo with an Aries moon, Mecca and Jamila also Aries placements. Justin waxes poetic on healing:

  “I’m always healing. I think I’m always growing and developing. What’s not growing is dead.” (Jus10, [05:58])

• They discuss shadow work and actualized vs. unactualized signs, with jokes about dating Virgo men.

3. The Artist’s Origin Story ([07:02–10:27])

• Jus10’s musical roots: Jamaican-Chicagoan family, house music, karaoke, and emo roots via Guitar Hero.
• Shares how queer identity and rap intersected: “I would gain respect from my peers through rap, even more than poetry.” ([08:24])
• Traces journey from DePaul University theater student to Atlanta’s “Poetry on Peter” open mics and the rapid birth of their first EP.

  “This year, I...locked in with my friend Claude, C Squared, and we really developed the EP within like a month and some change, just put it out. Since then...shit has just taken off.” ([10:05])

4. Acting Breakthrough: Fight Night ([10:33–14:45])

• Discussion of starring in Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist alongside legends (Kevin Hart, Samuel L. Jackson, Taraji P. Henson).
• Justin recounts imposter syndrome, Kevin Hart’s mentorship, and “trusting that I was where I was supposed to be” ([12:05–13:12]).

  “Kevin told me, 'Don’t be afraid to ask for what you need. You belong here and do what you got to do.' After that, I really feel like I rested and sat in my greatness...” (Jus10, [13:13])

• Samuel L. Jackson’s legend status: “You could just be around them and the wisdom airdrop into your body.” (Jus10, [14:13])

5. Ballroom & Multi-hyphenate Identity ([15:08–19:15])

• Jus10’s social justice theater roots and the story of finding self and community through the ballroom scene:

  “People talk about coming out a lot, but they don’t talk about coming in… There’s coming out of the closet and then there’s coming into yourself.” (Jus10, [16:32])

• Hilarious and triumphant debut as ballroom commentator with a “dream” chant and instantly making finals.
• “I’m not the only commentator, but hopefully when I come in contact with more people, they can feel that divinity… That’s in ballroom too.” ([31:43])

6. Theater as Training Ground ([19:00–20:13])

• Panel agrees that theater builds fearlessness and self-awareness.
• Mecca’s “Precious Mama” monologue at Hampton University, followed by laughter.

7. Navigating the Industry: Rejection, Shady Business & Teams ([20:13–26:11])

• Rejection as fuel: “It really makes you not scared to say—like, that’s why I’m so okay with asking n— for money!” (Mecca, [20:25])
• Jus10 credits success to discipline, constantly learning, and having a team:

  “If people can finesse you, they will… But if I know I deserve the band and my team has the language to get me the band, we’re gonna get the band.” ([24:00])

• Industry coldness and the importance of knowing the rules, with anecdotes about family, NDAs, and learning-on-the-job.

8. Keke Palmer, Mainstream Recognition, and Ballroom x Hip-hop ([26:23–33:51])

• Jus10 lights up about collaborating with Keke Palmer: “She’s the multi-hyphenate queen.… She really respects queer people, queer artists, and ballroom.” ([27:10])
• Deep dive into ballroom’s historic role in hip-hop and queer erasure.

  “History demands justice...If you want liberation, you gotta get into the things that really happened, not just what the white patriarchal system wants you to think.” (Jus10, [28:50])

• Explores the elements: parallel “ballroom houses” and hip-hop “houses,” MCs, DJs, fashion as “graffiti,” the emotional core, and spiritual experience.

9. The Future of Hip-Hop & Ballroom ([32:11–35:20])

• Question: Will mainstream accept a queer rapper?

  “I don’t know if I’m meant to be mainstream...maybe that’s what’s special about it.” (Jus10, [32:24])

• Hopeful for more openness and recognition of queer influence, while embracing the power of “cult classic” intimacy.

10. Lighting Round: “CATEGORY IS: Jus10” Game ([35:24–41:18])

Fun, rapid-fire 10s or “Chop” verdicts on:

• Dating in Atlanta: “It’s a chop. No shade.” (Jus10, [36:07])
• Diana Ross or Stephanie Mills in The Wiz: “Unfortunately, I was introduced to The Wiz through Diana Ross...” ([36:33])
• Sugar in grits (“Yes. 10.”), threesomes (“10.”), morning sex (“10.”), chitlins (“Chop. I’m sorry.”), and dating apps (“Chop for me.”)
• Hilarious sidebar on dating tall men and family genetics.

11. Audience Acknowledgments & Closing Love ([41:29–42:12])

• Jus10 expresses authentic gratitude:

  “I’m so proud of y’all. I’m a fan of the show. Y’all are amazing.” (Jus10, [41:33])

• Jamila shares how Justin showed up at the last minute to save their recording.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “What’s not growing is dead.” (Jus10 on healing, [05:58])
• “You could just be around them and the wisdom airdrop into your body.” (Jus10 on Samuel L. Jackson, [14:13])
• “People talk about coming out a lot, but they don’t talk about coming in.” (Jus10, [16:32])
• “History demands justice. If you want liberation, you gotta get into the things that really happened.” (Jus10, [28:50])
• “I don’t know if I’m meant to be mainstream...but I feel like the girls that get it, get it.” (Jus10, [33:51])
• “If you can finesse you, they will.” (Jus10, [24:00])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 02:30 – Justin on clarity & discipline
• 05:58 – Healing journey
• 07:10 – Musical roots & first time at the mic
• 10:33 – Fight Night / acting stories
• 15:08 – Discovering ballroom & commentator debut
• 19:00 – Theater as life training
• 24:00 – Navigating shady business & having a team
• 27:10 – Working with Keke Palmer & importance of queer artistry
• 28:50 – Ballroom’s role in hip-hop history
• 32:24 – “Mainstream” vs. “cult classic” success
• 35:24 – CATEGORY IS: Lightning round
• 41:29 – Show love & authentic appreciation

Show-Stopping Performance ([43:55–49:57])

Jus10 delivers a high-energy blend of poetry, rap, ballroom commentary, and signature wit. The performance flows with bravado and vulnerability, referencing identity, artistry, and ballroom:

“Can y’all clap for me? … Tell the story cause I wanna see you illustrate… If you can’t rap, get a burrito bowl, what’s left?”
"I’m your class president veteran. Who better. Damn. Papa peach on Father Balenciaga and Residence. 4.0 intelligence icon in development. This Justin. I’m president.”
(Jus10, [43:55–49:57])

Closing & What’s Next ([42:17–43:07])

Jus10 teases new music and a self-written musical for 2026, potential movie appearance. Mecca and Jamila beam with pride and banter about Dreamgirls and legendary performances.

Takeaways

• Jus10 embodies fearless creativity and cross-cultural artistry, invoking the radical histories of hip-hop and ballroom.
• Healing and self-knowledge aren’t just personal but a political act, especially for queer Black artists.
• Authenticity, community, and chosen family are at the heart of artistry and, as the Unhinged & Immoral hosts say, “the girls that get it, get it.”

For more: Stream Jus10’s music, watch “Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist” on Peacock, and stay tuned for upcoming projects in 2026!