Ahoy there! key: skim-read/click link
Welcome to J3TSY.com, the online home of me, Benjamin Oluwarotimi Jean-Luc Nuga - or Ben Timi Nuga for short.
I'm a multi-hyphenate creative chap who gets his kicks from story-telling, problem-solving, and spending time with loved ones!
I believe that every creative medium is a new language through which I can express myself, and my pursuit of artistic polyglotery has taken me down many different paths. My nomadic relationship with the arts perhaps lends itself in part to the fact that I'm neurodivergent!
Much of my skill-set has been born from the intersection between circumstantial necessity, child-like curiosity, and a desire for catharsis. Whether creating a poem reflecting an unguarded emotion, a photo capturing a fleeting moment, or a song that speaks to a relatable experience, I tend to gravitate towards exploring themes of inter-personal connection in my creative work.
This website is my attempt to showcase my personal and professional doings in an easily navigable manner. Quite like a guided tour, if you will. I've tried the A4 CV thing, but I always run out of space!
What I do!
I've had an unorthodox career so far. As such, being asked 'what exactly it is that I do’ often leads to interesting conversations!
I graduated from the University of Warwick with a degree in French and Mandarin, spending a year at Université Paris-Sorbonne studying linguistics - which honed my French, though my Mandarin is still a work in progress. During my time at university, I discovered my love of journalistic media, and co-hosted an award-winning radio show. I’ve published two books, including a top 10 Amazon best-selling poetry collection and Branding with IMPACT, which delves into the art of leaving your mark.
In 2022, I made my debut as both playwright and director with Small Fish, a semi-autobiographical play exploring the challenges of school life. I’ve also earned a production credit for work on BBC One's Marriage, starring Sean Bean and Nicola Walker, and have appeared on Channel 4’s Countdown. Beyond writing, I’m the founder and editor of two publications - j3tzine, where I spotlight diverse talent, and the groupchat Magazine, a pan-topical publication fostering conversation-based journalism.
My creative interests extend into music, where I perform chilled rap under the name J3TSY, and a cappella spoken word, under my own. I’ve worked in asset management at Capital Group as a Senior Associate, and remain involved in the industry as an active member of the GAIN (Group for Autism, Insurance, Investment, and Neurodiversity) working group.
I’m passionate about giving back and currently volunteer as brand and creative director for Hip Hop to Help, a charity offering free community dance classes, and have supported the marketing team at Youth Talk, which provides free psychodynamic counselling for young people. I have tutored Maths and Verbal Reasoning, and have mentored school children with Envision, where I was selected as Mentor of the Year for my work with South London's Addey and Stanhope School.
I am also a self-taught web and graphic designer, photographer, and creative writer, and offer these services on a freelance basis. Outside of work, I’m likely found on the football pitch (Arsenal Fan), watching Disney movies, doing crossword puzzles, or eating spaghetti. Sometimes, I sleep.
FAQs!
What does J3TSY mean? J3TSY (jet-see), my artistic pseudonym, is derived from my family's initials: J: Julius, Julianne, Jean-Luc 3: 3 Js and 3 Ts, also kinda looks like a B for Ben? T: Taiye, Titi, Timi S: Simbo Y: You, reading this right now 🤯
Why don't you pick one art form and stick to it? Variety is the spice of life! (ADHD)
If you were a fruit, what would you be? A dear friend recently told me that I'd be a mango, and I'm too flattered to argue.