Jay Sean has been a hot commodity in London for almost seven years, but when the UK pop and R&B transplant signed on with the hottest label in hip-hop, Cash Money/Young Money, he put himself on the fast track to superstardom in the States. It’s a dream come true for the singer-songwriter, and he relishes the opportunity to make a name for himself in the country that musically inspired him as a child in England.
How important was American music on your development?
I grew up listening to American R&B and hip-hop music — since the early ‘90s when I was a little kid. I’d be watching “Yo! MTV Raps” with Ed Lover and Dr. Dre. I was fascinated by it. That’s what I took on and that’s what I started to really emulate. That’s why I [wanted to be] an artist, I admired these people so much. Living in England [and] being so far away from it, we became super-fans of this music.
How would you describe London’s R&B scene?
The R&B scene in England is tiny. There’s about four or five of us, and that’s it. That’s crazy compared to how many R&B artists there are in America. And even our R&B isn’t what you guys would call R&B. For us, we consider Ne-Yo, Justin and myself as R&B; your R&B is deep, heavy R&B, Maxwell, Dwele, Musiq Soulchild. So the labels are slightly different. Hip-hop there is thriving now.
How have American audiences received you?
The audiences are different. England’s had me for seven years and they’re amazing fans, but their fanaticism is different because it’s more from an area of pride. When they see me doing what I’m doing in America, it’s more like ‘Go Jay! That’s our boy!’ The American fans are brand new, they’re just discovering something new and they’re really into it. It’s nice to have that.
What type of release does songwriting provide for you?
Songwriting is probably my favorite part of my job. That moment when you’re in the studio and you’re about to come up with something that may potentially change peoples lives or bring some joy into someone’s life — whatever it is — that’s a privilege. Nothing upsets me more than when I hear a song on radio and [think] ‘Really? You had three minutes and that was what you said?’ That doesn’t mean every lyric I write is powerful, but I try to write songs that I feel can resonate with people. –todd williams
