The “Beauty in Black” star is building something real behind the scenes.
Julian Horton is not slowing down. The Atlanta-based actor, recording artist and entrepreneur, known to music fans as J12, has released a new production through his label TMO Music Group. The track is called Uh Huhh, a new single from artist Dae2x featuring Timo, and it lands as another clear signal that Horton’s creative ambitions extend well beyond what audiences see on screen.
Most people know Julian Horton from his role as Roy on the Netflix series Beauty in Black. That visibility has been significant, but J12 represents a different side of his work entirely. Through TMO Music Group, which Horton founded himself, he has been quietly building an operation focused on developing new artists and creating long-term pathways within the music industry.
What makes Uh Huhh worth paying attention to
The record is built around a raw trap beat that hits with the kind of energy that fits the season. The hook sticks, the production has room to breathe, and Dae2x delivers throughout with a confidence that does not feel forced. His presence on the track is consistent from start to finish, which matters on a record like this where the energy has to carry.
Timo’s feature adds another layer without overcrowding the space. The overall feel is tight, high energy and built for replay. As a producer, J12 keeps things focused without letting the beat get in the way of what the artists are doing. That balance is harder to pull off than it sounds, and Uh Huhh does it well.
J12’s larger vision through TMO Music Group
What makes this release interesting is the context around it. Horton is not just putting out records for the sake of staying active. TMO Music Group is built around a specific idea: find artists with real potential, give them the infrastructure to grow, and create opportunities that last beyond a single release cycle.
Dae2x is the kind of artist that vision was built for. He arrives on Uh Huhh with something to prove, and the production gives him exactly the right environment to do it. For Horton, this is about more than one record. It is about establishing what TMO can do and what kind of label it is going to become.
Where Julian Horton goes from here
Horton’s position at the intersection of entertainment, music and entrepreneurship is rare. Actors who successfully transition into executive roles behind music do not come around often, and those who do it with genuine intent are rarer still. J12 is not a vanity project. It is a functioning label with a developing roster and a clear point of view about what kind of music it wants to put into the world.
Uh Huhh is available now through TMO Music Group. As the label continues to build and Dae2x continues to develop his profile, this release looks like an early marker on a longer road. Julian Horton has shown he can hold a scene on screen. The question now is how far he can take this behind it.