Jay Productions - 10 Questions
Jay Productions, an international music producer, singer and songwriter from West London, who has already had success on the airwaves, and is heavily supported by DJ’s and radio stations such as DJ Limelight and Kan D Man on BBC Asian Network, BBC Radio 1, Westside Radio’s Bhavotelli and DJ Kizzi, and many more.
He has produced successful singles for OFFCOURSE & Rish Rai (‘Mr.’), which has reached over 100k views on YouTube to date, and was aired on BBC Asian Network, BBC Radio 1 and many more radio stations. His most recent single ‘Don’t You Know’ with Ibbz Awan, which has over 150k views on Link Up TV, was aired on BBC Asian Network and Westside Radio. Perhaps Jay’s biggest single in terms of numbers is ‘We Ain’t The Same’, released on 64K Records, featuring Asian singer Sukhraj, alongside rappers Mars and Ello S. The track is a heavyweight trapesque rap banger produced by Jay Productions, and is an embodiment of the cultures that Jay Productions and co have grown up surrounded by, especially with Jay’s Indian heritage and the UK Rap culture and lifestyle that he has become accustomed to. The single has done exceptionally well, being aired on BBC Asian Network and Westside Radio, with the video currently on over 300k views via YouTube.
Jay Productions sat down with Wordplay Magazine to answer our infamous 10 Questions:
1. So tell me, how did it all begin? What sparked your love for music?
Since of a young age music had always been a part of me. Growing up my parents used to have music on and we used to do family karaoke nights just singing along to any genre of music. My dad loved reggae using so growing up I used to hear a lot of that whilst my mum used to listen to a lot of Indian Music so was a big mixture between cultures of music.
At the age of 18 I went on to X Factor where you meet the producers first (so wasn't recorded or anything) as my mum wanted to help push my career as she felt I had a great voice. I never carried on to pursue with X Factor as my grandmother had fallen seriously ill.
I made a small studio with the old PC monitors that looked like a box back then lol and I would use a headphone mic and record me singing. I took it further by wanting to learn music so I self taught how to play the piano by watching a lot of YouTube channels and took it further by applying those skills onto Garageband (Apple App) to create music.
I hadn't realised I had such a great talent for making music and so for my birthday my family purchased Logic Pro X (DAW) as they knew I was constantly making music and so that really helped escalate my music:
Video of Jay’s family surprising him on his birthday with Logic Pro x.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CCfF_7jpRn2/?utm_medium=copy_link
2. Who are some artists that influence you and that you want to work with in the future?
Growing up I used to listen to a lot of different types of genres of music so I've never had 1 specific person I'd be influenced by as my passion for music came from many different cultures. I would love to work with many UK artists as well and artists in America and other countries.
Jay Productions with X Factor star Fleur East.
3. What are some of the problems you have faced making and releasing the music during the corona virus pandemic?
You have many setbacks in any industry so I wouldn't say any of them caused any problems as you come across all types of people in any industry so if anything has happened it would always teach me and I'd learn by any setbacks I may of had.
During the pandemic was actually great because I was in the studio 24/7 making music producing new beats and really growing my sound. I actually released two songs which did very well during the pandemic:
A. I produced successful singles for OFFCOURSE & Rish Rai (‘Mr.’), which has reached over 100k views on YouTube to date, and was aired on BBC Asian Network, BBC Radio 1 and many more radio stations.
B. Earlier this year, Jay Productions teamed up with fellow UK artist, rapper Mars, for a collaborative track entitled ‘Made It’, a melodious UK Drill song with Mars delivering impactful, punchy verses over a gully yet bouncy production, the lyrical content reflecting the luxurious lifestyle that they are aspiring to achieve. Mars showcases superb wordplay as he exuberates self-confidence and conveys a positive mindset, believing in his own talent to be able to achieve his dream life. ‘Made It’ was chosen by USA Rapper The Game to be featured on his mixtape ‘End Games Vol. 3′. As well as The Game showing support for the track on Instagram, the track was included on the “Banger Of the Week” tracklist in March 2021, via Bhavotelli’s Bangers N Mash show on Westside Radio.
https://topmixtapes.com/mixtapes/play/518448/306089
4. How would you describe your sound?
This has always been a tricky answer for me because I know many producers who have a fixed sound but because my music is so versatile I have ever categorised my genre as my sound can go from reggae to UK Drill or even slow RnB so the best way to describe it I would say is unique.
UK Drill single ‘Don’t You Know’ with Ibbz Awan, which has over 150k views on Link Up TV, was aired on BBC Asian Network and Westside Radio.
5. What's your proudest moment to date so far as an artist?
The last few years have been a breakthrough for Jay Productions in so many ways, but working under the guidance of British singer-songwriter and Reggae DJ Apache Indian, has opened many doors for Jay, taking him on a musical journey. The Apache Indian Music Academy, winner of the National Diversity award, opened up in Apache’s hometown of Handsworth at South and City College, around November 2013. Aiming to give back to the community, for people of all ages, races and backgrounds, the academy teaches life skills to people from all walks of life. Jay Productions got involved in the academy after paying a visit, and eventually joined the team, helping out with the talented youth, and spreading the positivity, thriving off of the energy and vibes.
Jay Productions at the A.I.M Academy alongside Apache Indian.
Jay Productions has previously flew out to Philadelphia with Apache Indian, to vibe with Jim Beanz, co-writer of the winning entry of the Eurovision Song Contest 2008, ‘Believe’, featuring Dima Bilan. As a vocal producer, actor, singer/songwriter and record producer, he has worked with Timbaland, Nelly Furtado, Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears, Destiny’s Child and many more. Jim Beanz wrote and produced songs for the first season of the mega hit FOX TV series EMPIRE, and portrayed rapper “Titan” on the show.
Jay Productions would go on to work in the studio with Apache Indian, joining him at various shows and concerts, hanging backstage and absorbing knowledge passed on to him about the music industry. The result was the chance for Jay to produce 3 songs on Apache Indian’s 2020 album ‘What’s Not To Love’, for ‘Stronger’, ‘Angelina’, and ‘Ay Papi’ featuring Nadia Isabel. The album from the Reggae icon, released via Sunset Entertainment Group, has been aired internationally.
Working with like-minded, positive, creatives in the music industry, Jay Productions has set himself on a trajectory to global status already, joining Apache Indian on the red carpet at the BritAsia Music Awards 2019, as well as rubbing shoulders with Fleur East of The X Factor fame on BBC’s The One Show for a feature on the AI Music Academy. As well as working with various talented artists across many genres across the globe, Jay Productions is a talented song writer himself, and aims to bring a fresh new sound of music to the forefront, that reflects his own culture and upbringing, staying true to himself and spreading nothing but positive vibes.
Jay Productions in Apache Indians studio.
6. Do you have any advice for our readers who may be trying to play the mad game of music?
If you are trying to making a breakthrough in the music industry I am more than happy to help you to try succeed. Get in touch with me through Instagram.
https://instagram.com/jay_productions_?utm_medium=copy_link
No matter what challenges you face keep trying and believe in yourself.
7. Are there any artists on your radar at the moment that we should check out?
One of my artist that I am currently working on a EP with is Mars. We've put out a few songs together but I believe this EP we are working on is a game changer. I won't say too much right now but do remember his name.
Jay Productions (left) Mars (middle) on set for 'We Ain't The Same'.
8. What songs are on heavy rotation on your Spotify playlist currently?
I listen to a wide variety of music I would say DJ Khaled & Drake for now.
9. What do you like to do when you're not making music?
I like to play a lot of football and try stay active, I often like to spend time with close friends and loved ones.
10. Name Three things you can't live without when in the studio?
Got to stay hydrated so water is a must, pen and paper always to jot down new ideas or any lyrics and my voice for voice recorder I always record on my phone just jamming sessions to think of any ideas I came up with so I don't miss them.
Jay Productions Studio in West London.