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 Jay Sean was recently in Hong Kong on Diwali Day to entertain hundreds of Fans in Wanchai. Arun R. aka DJ Guru got an exclusive interview with him just before he left the city.
Read on to find out more about the UK born Indian artist.
If you could Jay, please attempt to describe yourself in just 5 words. With a slight grin on his face… J: As an artist, I have a different persona which people are more interested to get to know about. However in my day to day to life, it’s different. I don’t have to do things like this! That persona still brings out my character and who I am. So I would say I’m “fun-loving”, “easy-going”, and “ambitious”. And a bit about your background growing up? J: I’m born and raised in England, from an Indian family. Even though I was brought up in Southall, which is known as the Little India of England, I used to go to a private school where it was majority non-Asians. And because of that, I was able to interact and communicate with people who weren’t exactly like me, and I think that’s important for me working in the music industry. My friends are from all walks of life, and that keeps me open minded. Who or what in the music field inspired you to simply do what you do? J: I fell in love in with Hip Hop when I was quite young, and started listening to guys like Tribe Called Quest and NBN (Naughty by Nature), and that inspired me to write lyrics. So when I was about 12 or 13 years old, I was writing my own lyrics. It got me into rhyming and writing what I think. When you’re out of the studio and not performing all over the world, what does Jay Sean do to keep himself busy, whilst being “fun-loving”, “easy-going” and “ambitious”? J : I love films, I’m truly a film geek. It’s definitely about the psychological thrillers for me! I enjoy keeping fit and going to the gym. I love my family and my friends, and try and spend as much time as I can with them. It’s the people who you’ve grown up with who really stick with you. You gave us a few words describing yourself. Can you give us 5 of your personal favourite tunes? J : Oh.. oh! Don’t know how I’m going to answer that! Okay then. How about just 3? (Being an Indian too, I’m sure he’ll go for the bargain!) Alright then! Off the top of my head, Stevie Wonder’s Ribbons in the Sky, Boyz II Men’s Water Runs and Naughty By Nature’s Hip Hop Hooray.
How would you define your musical style?
J : It’s basically RnB and Hip Hop. That’s the best way I can define it. It’s all in English, rapped in English, but there is that thread of Indian / ethnic sounds. And I think it’s that sound that gave it a chance to resonate to so many kids throughout the Middle East and Asia. Did you see yourself getting into this particular genre? It is after all a new sub-culture of music which you are a key play a key role in. J : I don’t like breaking music down to such specific genres. My background has always been Hip Hop and RnB, and I feel like I’ve stuck with that. The only thing Asian about it is me. If you think on the contrary, you could then say that Eminem is white Hip Hop! It all comes down to being part of that niche. Would you consider yourself as a global or niche artist? Again, defining music too specifically doesn’t work for me. My approach is a global one, and I write music for whoever wants to listen to it. About your gig in Hong Kong… I loved it! The gig was amazing! It was energetic and exciting. One of the good things was that there was no fighting! Unlike in England, when you get a lot Asians together. But this was nice, the crowd was great and chilled out. I really liked it. A few thoughts on your trip to Hong Kong… The people here seem to be quite passive. There’s no aggression, they’re really friendly. The shopping’s great out here too! Jay Sean rocked over 300 ecstatic Hong Kong fans on Diwali Day. On behalf of everyone who came to see and support you, we welcome you back to Hong Kong any time to show us more of your love and language of music.
Interview by Arun R. |
