Jamal Josef, an Oakland, CA native, was raised in a family of entertainment.  With his father as a professional musician and entertainer, he developed the gifts of singing and dancing.  At age eleven, he began to express his artistry in church, involving himself in the church choir and dance team, and performing in musicals and plays.  His first major stage performance was at  12-year-old as Jesus in a musical adaptation of the story of Jesus Christ called The Promise by Jan Dargatz & Gary Rhodes.  

In his teen years, Jamal Josef had the opportunities to perform with gospel artists Kirk Franklin, Brent Jones, and Tonex.  As a member of Ritmos Urbanos, his high school dance team, he performed for a national championship soccer game in 2006.  He also founded his high school step team, The DeSoto Steppers.  It was at this point that he began to recognize his passion for dance.

      Jamal Josef received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communications from Voorhees College in 2010.  At Voorhees, he directed the model troupe and the school dance team, and was president of his fraternity chapter, the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., in which he was elected step master.  After graduation he moved to Atlanta to begin a professional career in the performing arts.  He studied at and performed with the Ballethnic Dance Company, dancing in the piece Jazzy Sleeping Beauty and in the company’s world premiere ballet, Flyin’ West.  In Atlanta, he studied classical voice under Dr. Uzee Brown and began to act in local theaters.  Credits include his role as George in the play Sisters by Bradley Candie.  Jamal Josef has also danced in the music video for the song “MindKontrol Freak” by electronic artist ElectrKPrincess.

      Currently residing in New York City, Jamal Josef is furthering his growth and mastering his talents.  He has recently danced in the music video for the song “Louder” by international pop artist Ceresia. Recently Jamal Josef has begun to make an imprint in New York City. Performing in Kat Wildish NY Performance showcase, doing a scene from Romeo & Juliet and a scene from Giselle, that opened a lot of doors. He since then began teach dance, art and stepping throughout the boroughs of New York, choreographing his first major piece Man vs. Earth. Mixing the styles of West African and Stepping, he broke through to the audience, bringing a new style of performance. Through stepping and his high energy of hip hop he recently has performed with various choreographers such as Rick Long (tribute to Frank Hatchett), Janaine Michelliti, Victor Sho and many more choreographers. Now Jamal Josef has the opportunity to sub at Broadway Dance Center teaching Stepping, where he is also training and growing to become a stronger dancer and choreographer. Driven, motivated and passionate, J. Rasheed is determined to foster his versatile artistry, and looks forward to future opportunities. He has recently relocated to Los Angeles, Ca. Where he has worked with choreographers such as Chuck Maldanado and Joe Brown. He also performed for Leah Daniels Butler's (casting director for Empire) 50th surprise birthday party. He is continuing to strive and be great in his craft.