Today we’d like to introduce you to Les J.
Hi Les, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Les J – A Messenger Born from Fire
Les J, born Stanley Lester Jr., is not just a new name on the scene he’s the sound of a shift. A bold voice rising from the ashes, merging gritty reality with divine purpose. Rapper. Singer. Songwriter. Producer. Record executive. In 2025, he’s not just entering the music industry he’s taking it by storm.
But his story almost ended before it began.
In 2001, Stanley flatlined spiritually, physically collapsing under the weight of a drug-laced joint. His soul slipped into darkness. What followed was an encounter with hell itself. “I left my body,” he says. “I felt fire. Pure torment. My flesh melted, grew back, and melted again over and over. I cried out, and God answered.”
That moment became the foundation of his mission.
Les J didn’t just survive he was sent back. A messenger. A man forged in fire, called to wake the world with his words. His music is not entertainment it’s evidence. Evidence that God still saves. That purpose still lives, even when death knocks.
Now, in 2025, Les J is making his official debut as a fresh West Coast powerhouse with his highly anticipated single, “God Did It.” Produced by Grammy Award-winning producer Jovan Dawkins, the track delivers an anthemic fusion of timeless West Coast soul and street gospel. It’s not just a hit it’s a moment. The beginning of a movement.
Les J’s artistry is multi-dimensional he raps, sings, writes, and produces, building every record from conviction and lived experience. But he’s not just focused on his own sound. In 2024, he launched Not My Will Music Group, a bold new label rooted in purpose over profit, truth over trend. It will be a home for artists called, not just talented.
Off stage, Les J is a devoted husband to Alicia and a proud father to his daughters, Trinity, Spiritual, and Grace. Whether he’s in the studio, on the mic, or with his family, every moment is a reminder that life is a gift, and purpose is sacred.
Les J is here, and the message is clear.
From fire to faith, from pain to platform – God did it.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
No, it definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but every challenge has shaped me into the artist and man I am today.
I’ve been pursuing music independently, funding everything myself through hard work and sacrifice. There have been moments when I questioned whether the investment, the late nights, and the setbacks would ever pay off. As an independent artist, you don’t have a major label writing checks, you wear every hat. You’re the artist, the marketer, the business owner, and often the financier.
The journey has also been deeply personal. There was a season in my life where my own immaturity and unresolved issues nearly cost me my marriage and my family. I had to stop pointing fingers and allow God to transform me from the inside out. That process changed not only the husband and father I strive to be, but also the artist I became. Today, my music comes from a place of healing, gratitude, and purpose rather than just ambition.
There have been financial sacrifices too. Building Not My Will Music Group, investing in professional production, radio promotion, videos, marketing, and travel has required faith and discipline. There were plenty of moments where the easier option would have been to quit, but I believed God had given me an assignment that was bigger than immediate results.
Being a Black independent Christian hip-hop artist also comes with unique challenges. You’re navigating multiple worlds at once, trying to reach people with a message of hope while competing in an industry where visibility often depends on resources and relationships. I’ve had to learn patience, professionalism, and the importance of building a lasting career instead of chasing quick success.
Today, seeing my single “God Did It” receive national digital radio support is encouraging, but I don’t see it as the finish line. I see it as proof that God honors faithfulness. Every setback, every closed door, every sacrifice, and every lesson has become part of my testimony.
If my journey teaches anything, it’s this: success isn’t about avoiding struggles, it’s about refusing to let them define you. My story isn’t one of having everything go according to plan. It’s a story of God’s grace, persistence, and choosing to keep moving forward when quitting would have been easier. That’s why I can honestly say, “God did it.”
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am an independent Christian hip-hop artist, songwriter, pastor, worship leader, entrepreneur, and founder of Not My Will Music Group. My mission is simple: to create music that reaches people where they are while pointing them to the hope, grace, and transforming power of Jesus Christ.
My music blends West Coast hip-hop with authentic storytelling and faith. I don’t believe Christian music has to sacrifice excellence or authenticity. I want every song to be musically competitive while carrying a message that inspires people to overcome life’s struggles. Whether someone is battling addiction, depression, broken relationships, or simply searching for purpose, I want them to know there is hope in Christ.
One of the things I’m most proud of is building my career independently. Every song, every music video, every radio campaign, and every opportunity has been funded through hard work, faith, and perseverance. Watching my single “God Did It” gain national digital radio support has been incredibly rewarding because it represents years of sacrifice and trusting God’s timing.
Beyond music, I’m most proud of my family. Being a husband and a father has taught me that success means very little if you lose the people God entrusted to you. My personal journey of growth, healing, and restoration has shaped not only the man I am today but also the message I share through my music.
What sets me apart is that I don’t just perform songs, I live the message I’m sharing. I’m not trying to build a platform around myself; I’m trying to build a legacy that points people toward Christ. My life has been marked by challenges, failures, redemption, and God’s faithfulness, and that’s what gives my music its authenticity. Every lyric comes from real-life experience, and every opportunity I receive is another chance to encourage someone that no matter what they’ve faced, with faith, perseverance, and God’s grace, their story isn’t over.
At the end of the day, I want people to remember me not just as an artist, but as someone who used every gift God gave him to serve others with excellence, integrity, and purpose.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up, I was ambitious, energetic, and always dreamed bigger than my circumstances. I was raised in Tacoma’s Hilltop community, where I learned early that life wasn’t always easy, but resilience was important. I loved music from a young age, especially hip-hop and R&B, because it gave people a voice to tell their stories. Even then, I was drawn to creativity, leadership, and finding ways to encourage the people around me.
Like a lot of young people, I made mistakes and had seasons where I was immature and trying to figure out who I was. Those experiences taught me lessons that no classroom ever could. Looking back, I realize God was using even the difficult moments to shape my character and prepare me for the purpose He had for my life.
As I grew older, my interests expanded beyond music. I developed a passion for leadership, mentoring others, ministry, and helping people discover their potential. Whether in the workplace, the church, or through my music, I’ve always been driven by the desire to make a positive impact and leave people better than I found them.
Today, I’m still ambitious, but my motivation has changed. When I was younger, success was about proving myself. Now it’s about fulfilling God’s purpose for my life, being the best husband and father I can be, serving others with excellence, and creating music that points people to hope in Christ.
If I had to describe myself growing up and now, I’d say I’ve always been a dreamer. The difference is that today my dreams are grounded in faith, shaped by experience, and focused on making a lasting impact rather than simply making a name for myself.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.notmywillmusicgroup.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lesjthejourney/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lesjthejourney/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@LesJTheJourney
- Other: https://music.apple.com/us/album/god-did-it/1883763322?i=1883763745
