Joseph James

Every year since 2016, I have collected a huge amount of songs to produce a new musical sensation that shows a recap of the music of the year. This takes months of work—from listing down songs starting January, to putting down the last clip of the video around November. In 2023, I needed more time to finish its respective year-end mashup, even having moments where I wanted to give it up as I was already starting to lose interest. Nevertheless, I was able to push through and create Unshackled: 2023 Megamix, which I am most proud of and is arguably my best. Immediately after releasing it, I started working on my 2024 year-end mashup, though it was apparent that I was not as passionate in creating one as I used to be.

Over the past few years, making mashups has also been stacked with the pressure to stay relevant. I felt the need to make a mashup with something recently released. I felt the need to make a mashup with something recently popular. Though I have been authentic to making mashups of the type of music I actually listen to regular basis, the pressure affected my desire to continue making mashups. I was doing so with the hope that everything becomes a hit to help me stay relevant, especially as a channel with 90,000 subscribers.

My loss of interest in creating year-end mashups is not due to loss of interest in music. In fact, my relationship with music has only deepened. It is not due to lack of time either—I have simply been exploring more forms of creative expression. Since entering college as a student of multimedia arts and design, I have explored different art forms that keep my passion blazing: creative writing, film production, music production, graphic design, and more. For a while, I was sad that I was losing interest in making year-end mashups because I was afraid to break a tradition. This was something I had done for every year, even when it meant having to release it the August of the following year.

Eventually, I realized that while I lost interest in making year-end mashups, the reason I make them remains in my heart: to tell a story. No matter what form my creativity takes, what truly keep my passion blazing are connection and empathy through storytelling.

It might sound cliché, but while this is the end of an era, this is also the beginning of a new one. I am now a 20-year-old in the era of exploring opportunities to express myself in a way that is authentic but also connects with others. Although I will stop creating year-end mashups (and honestly, other huge megamixes) and likely be quieter in this channel, it will always remain open for me to post any mashup I create purely for the fun of it (I even have some lined up). If I wind up creating other original work I am proud of, then I am also keen to sharing it with the world, if it interests you all.

Before this tradition ends, here is the incomplete draft of my planned 2024 year-end mashup, called The Last One. Thank you all so much for the support.

7 months ago | [YT] | 51

Joseph James

Four months have passed since the release of Unshackled: 2023 Megamix but I forgot to ask one question:

What is your favorite section? (Some titles have been shortened to fit the character limit and paired to fit the choice limit)

I hope everyone's enjoying the Christmas season! Other incredibly talented mashup artists have released their 2024 year-end mashups and I've loved them a lot—make sure to check them out.

1 year ago | [YT] | 43

Joseph James

With the year-end season now upon us, it's time to announce that, once again, I will not be posting a 2024 year-end mashup by December. College still takes up a lot of my time, and I haven't gotten enough to formulate a concept for the mashup.

I still want to make one eventually and it might have a similar case to my 2023 year-end mashup where I post it a few months into the following year—however, nothing is certain. Meanwhile, you can check out other talented mashup artists as they release their 2024 year-end mashups. See you in 2025!

1 year ago | [YT] | 148

Joseph James

The video for my mashup "Chappell Roan & Paramore - HOT TO GO! / Still Into You (Mashup)" that was recently blocked worldwide is back up temporarily. Its state after a week is still blurry as my appeal is still being reviewed—hopefully, the video remains unblocked. For now, enjoy it while it's still up!

1 year ago | [YT] | 43

Joseph James

Unshackled: 2023 Megamix (A Year-End Mashup of 270+ Songs) | THUMBNAIL REVEAL
Watch the premiere on August 16, 2024, 9:00 AM CST!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNu_V...

1 year ago (edited) | [YT] | 156

Joseph James

Due to a scheduling issue, the release date for Unshackled: 2023 Megamix will be pushed to August 16, 2024, at 9:00 AM CST—a day earlier than originally announced. I apologize for the trouble; however, that means you will hear the megamix earlier! Check out the latest trailer below.

1 year ago | [YT] | 21

Joseph James

Come to the premiere of the talented ‪@justifymusicjin‬' upcoming year-end megamix for 2023! His effort and dedication are very evident, and I am honored to be the one to create the artwork for this incredible megamix.

2 years ago | [YT] | 76

Joseph James

At the beginning of 2023, I had planned to work on 2 huge megamixes: the usual year-end mashup and an artist megamix, which turned out to be Taylor Swift: The Complete Eras Megamix; the latter, unfortunately, got taken down. While I do not regret putting in time for it because it is something I am incredibly proud of, I did not initially intend for it to be a huge undertaking. The project ended up taking almost half of my year. As I eventually finished, I had much less time to work on a year-end mashup for 2023. At the same time, I started going to college and got even busier. I began working on the mashup because of the tradition, but I eventually realized that it is probably for the best that I take a break for this year. This does not mean that I will not be making them ever again; I still feel the motivation to create them in the upcoming years, but I have felt drained enough of energy and ideas for now, especially with the less time that I have.

That being said, I still look forward to creating more huge and exciting content in 2024. I have a few ideas on the drawing board and I am eager to work on them. Meanwhile, you can check out other talented mashup artists as they release their own year-end mashups!

2 years ago (edited) | [YT] | 499

Joseph James

This is way too long overdue, but here is the HD 1080p video for Taylor Swift: The Complete Eras Megamix, as promised, on Google Drive. I have tried to take action on getting the video back up on YouTube, but unfortunately, I do not think I can get it back up. Like I said before, I will not be reuploading the video in respect of TAS Rights Management's decision. While I do not have much control over other videos, I ask that there would be no further reuploads of this HD video, especially because I do not want any other channels being at risk.

Taylor Swift: The Complete Eras Megamix (Download Folder):
drive.google.com/drive/folders/172Bs6Or8H1gvHB4cuw…
(Includes audio, video, and artworks)

The mashup is still up on Bandcamp; you can also listen to it there:
josephjamesmashups.bandcamp.com/track/taylor-swift…

If you want to continue supporting me (anything is highly appreciated), you can donate through PayPal:
PayPal.Me/josephjamesssss

2 years ago (edited) | [YT] | 1,237

Joseph James

I regret to bring the news that unfortunately, Taylor Swift: The Complete Eras Megamix has been taken down by TAS Rights Management and I received a copyright strike. I will attempt to get the video back up, but I think it has a slim chance. My purpose in making this project was not to profit rather to celebrate her discography and expand the reach of her music. The video was monetized not by me but by Republic Records. I will not be reuploading the video if I'm not able to get it back up in respect of the management's decision. Below is the download link to the mashup if you want to continue listening to it. It's sad that my video got taken down, but I am truly thankful for all of the support I've received.

Download:
drive.google.com/drive/folders/172Bs6Or8H1gvHB4cuw…

If you want to continue supporting me (anything is highly appreciated), you can donate through PayPal:
PayPal.Me/josephjamesssss

2 years ago (edited) | [YT] | 1,566