Rap-Up
Exclusive: Justine Skye Opens Up About Domestic Abuse
Justine Skye is using her voice to raise awareness about domestic violence.
In the video for her new single “Build” featuring Arin Ray, which was released in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the 23-year-old singer documents a violent relationship, which was inspired by real life. In a candid interview with Rap-Up, she opens up about her own experience with domestic abuse.
“Towards the end of the relationship, I was just in a bad mental place and he was just watching me crumble and it was so confusing,” she reveals. “I didn’t know what to do. I literally just wanted to give up on everything. I knew I couldn’t though. Something was telling me, just keep going. This song is going to be more powerful than you could ever imagine.”
While Justine has not shared her ex’s name publicly, she says that the six-month relationship was “very recent” and “very private.” “It got really intense very fast,” she adds. “In the beginning, you think he really cares about me, he loves me, he doesn’t want any guys talking to me. And then it becomes, ‘Oh, you liked this person’s picture.’ It was ridiculous and I was like, ‘He’s trippin’.’ And then it started to get physical.”
Justine admits that she never thought she would be in a situation like this. “I was one of those girls that thought like, ‘There’s no reason a guy would ever put their hands on me.’ … That’s what you think until it’s happening to you. You don’t want to believe that it’s true.”
By sharing her story, she hopes to help other women struggling with domestic abuse. “I’m not trying to seek revenge,” she says. “This is about making sure that women protect themselves and are more conscious of the signs and understand that they deserve way, way more.”
Through her music, she has been able to heal. She is now in the studio finishing a new project, her first since her January debut Ultraviolet. “I’m really excited about this direction that I’m going,” she says. “I feel like I’m actually truly coming in to my artistry. I learned a lot about myself through this experience and I’m 23 now, and I’m feeling more of an adult.”