What started with a school laptop and a love for music at Mooresville High School has grown into a career that Colby Hall once only dreamed about.
Today, Hall, professionally known as Colby J., is a recording artist signed to Grapetree Records, a Christian hip-hop label with approximately 30 years of history. But behind the music and the accomplishments is a story that began right here in Mooresville.
“Mooresville is home to me,” Colby shared. “Growing up there taught me a lot about life, relationships, and staying grounded. I had a pretty normal childhood, but looking back, I can see how God was preparing me for things I couldn’t even imagine at the time.”
From 2009 to 2011, Colby attended Mooresville High School, where some of his favorite memories involve spending time with friends, laughing with classmates, and experimenting with music on school laptops.
He had always loved different styles of music and the way a song could tell a story. Those early recordings were simply a way to experiment, have fun, and discover his own sound.
“The songs probably weren’t the greatest, but that was the beginning of something special,” he recalled.
Like many teenagers with big dreams, Colby imagined what it might be like to become a professional recording artist, although he didn’t know how it would happen. Encouragement from family, friends, and mentors helped him continue pursuing his passion.
“I was just a kid with a laptop and a passion for music,” he said. “God had a much bigger picture than I could see.”
After leaving Mooresville High School, life took Colby through different cities, opportunities, and experiences that would eventually help shape his career.
He gained experience behind the scenes in the music industry, including working as a digital marketing intern with Reach Records. In 2022, he also attended the Grammy Awards in Las Vegas.
But the road wasn’t always easy.
Colby faced rejection, disappointment, and moments when he questioned whether things would ever work out. Through it all, he says his faith helped him remain focused.
“I learned that just because something isn’t happening on my timeline doesn’t mean God isn’t working.”
As his experience grew, so did his understanding of what he wanted to accomplish through music. It was no longer simply about creating songs or entertaining an audience. He wanted his music to mean something to the people listening.
That dedication, along with the relationships he built throughout the industry, eventually led to his signing with Grapetree Records.
For Colby, joining the Christian hip-hop label was especially meaningful because the people behind it understood both his faith and the message he wanted to share.
“Being part of that legacy is an honor because I’m not just representing myself,” he explained. “I’m helping carry forward something that opened doors for Christian hip-hop long before me.”
Colby describes his music as authentic hip-hop rooted in faith, real life, and personal experiences. Much of his inspiration comes from everyday moments, including marriage, fatherhood, personal struggles, and victories.
“I believe some of the greatest testimonies come from everyday experiences,” he said.
His faith remains at the center of everything he creates, and he hopes listeners walk away with more than just a song they enjoy.
“I’m not making music just to build a name for myself. I want my life and music to point people toward Jesus Christ. The message will always matter more than the recognition.”
One song that holds particular meaning for him is “Lead Me,” which he says represents a season of his life and reminds him why he continues creating music.
In 2024, Colby released his debut album, Untitled, which he says reached hundreds of thousands of streams organically. He’s also had opportunities to collaborate with gospel music legends and emerging artists, building relationships and gaining experience along the way.
While those accomplishments are important to him, one of the most rewarding parts of his journey has been discovering that his music is reaching people he’s never even met.
“Seeing listeners connect with something I created reminded me that this was bigger than just making songs.”
And despite the opportunities his career has brought, Colby hasn’t forgotten where it all began.
Mooresville remains an important part of his life, and returning to town brings back memories of his younger years. He remembers playing basketball at Liberty Park before its reconstruction, spending time at Mooresville High School, and visiting familiar places around the community.
“Sometimes just driving through the area brings back memories of being a teenager with no idea what life had ahead,” he shared.
He has also watched Mooresville change over the years and says it’s remarkable to see how much the town has grown.
For someone who once sat in a classroom making music on a school laptop, looking back on those early days carries special meaning.
When asked what he would tell that younger version of himself, Colby didn’t hesitate.
“Keep going. Don’t rush the process, don’t compare your journey to anybody else’s, and most importantly, keep God first. Everything you’re experiencing is preparing you for something.”
It’s a message he hopes will resonate with young people throughout Mooresville and Iredell County, especially those who have dreams but aren’t sure where to begin.
“Don’t let where you come from limit where you believe you can go. Stay consistent, be willing to learn, and don’t be afraid to start small. You don’t need everybody to believe in your dream. Just don’t stop working toward it.”
Colby would also welcome the opportunity to return to Mooresville for a hometown performance or to speak with students at Mooresville High School.
Being able to encourage students in the very school where he first began creating music would be especially meaningful to him.
And his own musical journey is continuing.
Colby is preparing to release his new mixtape, In The Meantime, on November 20, ahead of his second album, This Too Shall Pass. Both projects reflect different seasons of his life and what he says God has been teaching him along the way.
His music is available on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, and other major streaming platforms under Colby J. He can also be followed on Instagram at @iamcolbyjmusic.
From making his first songs on a school laptop to releasing an album that he says has reached hundreds of thousands of streams, Colby’s journey has taken him places he once only imagined.
But for him, the greatest reward isn’t simply the music or the recognition. It’s the possibility that sharing his experiences might encourage someone else to keep pursuing a dream of their own.
“Your beginning doesn’t determine your ending, and your circumstances don’t have to define your future,” Colby said.
“I’m just a regular guy from Mooresville who decided to trust God with what He placed in my heart. If my story encourages even one person to keep going, then it’s all worth it.”
