Entertainment / Up Close: Jay Sean

Up Close: Jay Sean

Entertainment Jun 10, 2013

by Tessa Johnson

Jay Sean is no stranger to the music industry. With seven years in the music business, he has transformed into the well seasoned and in-demand artist that he is today. With a huge following from his UK success, the next stepping stone in his career naturally, was to join forces with heavy hitters Cash Money/Universal Republic as part of his introduction into the mainstream music scene. Now he is setting the global music charts on fire with his number one hit “Down” and his latest released track “Do You Remember”.

Before hitting the stage here in Toronto—the final stop of his international tour—Jay Sean sits down with ANOKHI to talk about his pretty fabulous year.

Tessa Johnson: How would you describe your sound?

Jay Sean: It’s definitely music which I would say is very real in terms of topics I talk about. I like to strike a chord with humanity the best way of doing that is to write from the heart, and be honest.I think the biggest compliment I have ever received so far about my music is a number of people will come to me and say “Man you have literally written my life story in that song.” That is really cool to hear and that is why I like to write melodic songs with meaning.

TJ: As a South Asian artist, what challenges did you face (if any) with respect to breaking free from what the industry may expect from a South Asian artist in terms of music?

JS: America was a really different process, they did not look too deep into anything they just took the music for what is was which I think is the best thing to do, that’s what it should be about, it’s about music. When they heard the songs, they thought ‘Great! What is his name?’ Let’s play more of it.’ and the more and more they played the bigger and bigger it got.

He continues to remain close to his cultural roots and would love to pursue the possibility of recording for a Bollywood movie soundtrack in addition to collaborating on future projects with pop artists such as Rihanna, Taylor Swift and even Hip-Hop giants such as Jay-Z and Eminem.

TJ: Any advice for budding singer/songwriters who are trying break into the mainstream music industry?

JS: Yes definitely, this industry is highly competitive. You really need to be up on your A-game, see who your competition is and try to be the best you can be. It is very important to have people in your life that will be very honest with you. No matter how successful you think you are, they will always be the one to be real with you.

TJ: Any last words for ANOKHI fans?

JS: Yes of course! For me it is very important where I have come from and where I have grown from. I did an interview with ANOKHI four to five years ago. Way back in the day before the American success and I feel it is very important to let you know how much I appreciate your success and how you have given me your support throughout the years. Without you, I would not be here today.

We too, will keep our eyes on Jay Sean as his success clearly is far from over.

BY: TESSA JOHNSON

_{Source: youtube.com and cashmoney-records.com}

Tessa Johnson

Author

Tessa (@tessajstyle) holds a diploma in Fashion Business Management from George Brown College and has Fashion Coordination and Styling certification from Ryerson University. She has been ANOKHI Magazine’s Fashion Editor for the last four years covering the runways from Toronto to India. Her love...

COMMENTS

Interview With Samit Kakkad, Writer And Director Of Aayna Ka Bayna

Q&A With The Director Of The Sound That Broke The Silence

Premiere Of The New Song And Trailer For The Film FUKREY

ANOKHI & A Decent Arrangement at the ReelWorld Film Festival

Arshad Khan, Filmmaker

STANGE ADDICTIONS

Frieda Pinto & Director Kashyap At The 11TH Annual Indian Film Festival Of L.A.

Mustang Productions Ghazal Night In Aid Of CARE Pakistan

Interview With The Reluctant Fundamentalist Director Mira Nair

TV Fun Facts

TOIFA Winners Thrill 38,000 At BC Place

Sunny Leone's Item Song 'Laila' In Shootout At Wadala

Award-winning Documentary Blood Relative Premieres At Hot Docs

The Manhattan Cocktail Classic Opening Night Gala

Bollywood Film: Gippi

Madonna In Malawi

Deepa Mehta's Behind-The-Scenes Look At Her Latest Film Midnight's Children

Sir Ben Kingsley, Nicole Scherzinger, Anupam Kher & More Honoured At 3rd Annual 'The Asian Awards'

The NYC Red Carpet Premiere for MIDNIGHT'S CHILDREN

Justin Timberlake's 'Mirror" Music Video

Pitbull Performs At The IPL 6 Opening Ceremony

Man Of Steel Trailer

ANOKHI'S 10th Anniversary "All-Star" Event Was A Night To Remember!

Bulletproof Backpacks For Your Kids: Extreme Safety Measure Or Necessity?

11th Annual Asian Music Series

Kai Po Che Film Review

Celebrity Birthdays In June

Music, Movies And Gossip In Bollystar A Brand New Board Game

Wellesley Wives

Move To The Ragas And Rhythms

Our Chat With '90s Bollywood Star Raveena Tandon

Making The Biggest Beats With DJ-A-Slam

9th Annual HSBC City Of Bhangra Festival 2013

Tips On Having The Perfect Girls' Night In!

Public Speaking Toastmasters' Style

Film Review: Patang (The Kite)

DesiFest 2012 Rocks It Alright!

Indian Filmmaker Rituparno Ghosh Dead At 49

Summer Camp Time!

Roshni- The Light Of South Asia (Vol.2)

The Book Of Mormon Brilliantly Breathes New Life Into Musical Theatre

Karan Brar Makes Waves In The World Of Disney

Let's Learn Salsa!

Celebrity Domestic Violence- Laughable, Enjoyable, Cashable

Little Mosque On The Prairie

The Dhol Revolution

Up Close With Rohan Fernando

Interview With Dan Lin, Producer Of Sherlock Holmes: A Game Of Shadows

Up Close: A Chat With Actress Vidya Balan

Lady Gaga's Ist Trip To India!

New Gear, New Year!

Holiday Special: Ode To Regifting

Crazy World Records

Russel Brand Live In Toronto

Much Music Awards 2013: Red Carpet And Winners

The Ugly Face Of Fame

Trials and Tribulations Of Celebrity Parenthood!

The Ultimate Price For Cheap Fashion

Unique and Bizarre Celebrity Baby Names

Celebrity Birthdays In July

Ajay Devgn and Kareena Kapoor attend UK Trailer Launch of UTV Motion Pictures' Satyagraha

IIFA 2013: IIFA Celebrations Begin At Macau

'Jatt & Juliet 2' Takes International Box Office By Storm!

Priyanka Chopra Soars High In 'Planes'

IIFA 2013: DAY 2 IIFA Rocks Pays Tribute To 100 Years Of Indian Cinema

IIFA Awards 2013: The Winners Are Finally Here!

Summer Fun Facts

Priyanka Chopra's Video 'Exotic' Released

Film Review: Lootera Is Not Your Typical Song And Dance Bollywood Love Story !

Jay Sean Releases His New Album 'NEON'

RAMAIYA VASTAVAIYA - World Premiere This Friday July 19

Famous Celebrity Tantrums

Couple Jailed for Ripping Off Sikh's Turban

Preview: Once Upon A Time In Mumbai Again!

Mira Nair Boycotts Haifa Film Festival

Famous Celebrity Babies

Up Close: Jay Sean

by Tessa Johnson

Tessa Johnson

COMMENTS

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE