RAP AND ROLL
Since his days with the Rishi Rich Project, Bhangra-R&B fusion singer Jay Sean’s solo albums have sold millions of copies. He spoke with Joanna Lobo about his family and upcoming tour
Q. Congratulations on being a father again! Do you feel fatherhood has changed you?
I love being a father. The unconditional love they give, not knowing or caring what daddy does, as long as daddy loves them, plays with them, makes them laugh—it puts life into perspective. It’s so easy to get caught up in this entertainment industry, concerned with what people think about you, it’s very self-centred. Now, with the privilege and responsibility of raising two children, I am no longer living for myself but for my family.
Q. Give us some a teaser about your upcoming tour. How is it going to be different?
This is not just a concert. I won’t just be singing all my hits over the past 15 years but providing a new experience, where my fans will feel like they are in a private party with me hosting it. My musical roots started with hip-hop; I was a rapper, a DJ, a beat boxer, a producer and a singer. I am bringing those elements into the show.
Q. Your latest single ‘Cherry Papers’ feels like a throwback to the sound that made you popular…
‘Cherry Papers’ was a nod to the slow sexy R ‘n B sound that my fans first heard on ‘Ride It’, ‘Stay’ and ‘Tears in the Ocean’. I want my fans to sit back and get them into their feelings. ‘Cherry Papers’ is one of those songs which will have you feeling many things.
Q. What else can fans expect from your upcoming R ‘n B album, 3?
This particular album is a marriage of three eras of R ‘n B—the 90s, the 2000s to the modern age. These are all the sounds I grew up on.
Q. You are one of the partners at Nama/Switch, an upcoming Broad Street restaurant. What got you interested in food?
I have wanted to diversify from the music scene for a while. I grew up on delicious Indian food and although nothing beats my daadi’s cooking, I love to eat Indian food. Nama/ Switch will provide a unique experience—this isn’t just about the food and cocktails but the atmosphere and enjoying a
night out.