‘I love to sing and it makes me feel good’

JAYDEN ON HIS MUSICAL JOURNEY AND CHALLENGES HE FACED

by MITA MISTRY

BRITISH singing talent Jayden first connected to music through his parents listening to classic Bollywood songs by legends, including Kishore Kumar, Lata Mangeshkar and Mohammad Rafi.

This love for listening to film music led to him developing a passion for singing and releasing songs. He overcame a number of challenges and most recently signed a five-song project with major Indian record label Sa Re Ga Ma. The initial offering of his medley of Bollywood classics O Mere Dil Ke Chain and Mere Sapno Ki Rani have met with a positive response.

Eastern Eye caught up with Jayden to talk about his challenging journey so far, what led to him towards working with an Indian music giant and hopes for the future.

How would you describe your time in the music industry?

It has been tough, but I am feeling very blessed to be getting opportunities. I feel that a lot of media outlets claim to play and listen to diverse music, but in reality, many play the same type of music from the same artists, which makes it difficult to give newcomers a chance to showcase themselves.

What is the biggest challenge you have faced as an independent British Asian artist?

A lot of egos and insecurities around the industry. I have found that many are very possessive and territorial over people they work with. My motto is, music is an art and it is there to share.

Tell us, how have you kept yourself motivated?

What my motivation was before and now is very different. Before, my motivation was just my love for music as an art and how it made me feel. Now my motivation is still that, but added to that, it is to make sure I never feel inferior as an artist among my peers again.

What led towards you getting signed in India?

The signing in India was a complete whim. It was never my intention to reach out to a label with my classics. This came from a place where my partner at the time (also within the music industry, more senior and super talented) never shared my work, nor wanted me to be around her music endeavours. This made me feel very inferior, undervalued and insecure because if my partner cannot show me off then who will.

What happened next?

Then I just decided to send a song off to Sa Re Ga Ma in the hope they like it and offer me something, and prove to my partner that I can do it. Maybe, then she would take me seriously, be proud of me and share my work or at least want to work with me, but nothing happened. Luckily, Sa Re Ga Ma liked my initial offering and offered me a five-song project, which I am super grateful for.

What was the whole experience of working with the label been like?

Sa Re Ga Ma has been really supportive towards me. They are excellent with their communication and easy to work with. They are honest and transparent with me. They have not promised me the earth and underdelivered. They have been open and guided me in the right direction. I am very grateful towards them and hope that this grows from here.

What can we expect next from you?

It is to release some more classics (covers) over the next year as I am passionate about these types of songs. In addition, I will be releasing a handful of originals of both urban Asian and Bollywood style to create my own brand.

Who would you love to collaborate with?

(Laughs) I would have loved to collaborate with my ex-girlfriend, but that won’t happen. All jokes aside, I would love to collaborate with Arjun, Zack Knight, Raxstar, Dixi Patel, Ria Anjali and Sonna Rele from the urban Asian circuit. From Bollywood, I would love to work with Rishi Rich, Sonu Nigam, Shaan, Akhil and Shreya Ghoshal. I also love Spanish music a lot, so it would be amazing to work with some great artists such as Nicky Jam, Luis Fonsi, Becky G and Natti Natasha.

Who is your musical hero?

Sonu Nigam.

Tell us, what music dominates your playlist?

Spanish music. I love the melodies, beats and the way that the songs come together and just the overall production. It sounds fresh all the time.

Which Bollywood classics do you most enjoy singing?

O Mere Dil Ke Chain, Mere Sapnon Ki Rani and Kya Hua Tera Vaada, but there are so many others.

What inspires you as an artist?

I think my inspiration for music has always been, just because I just love to sing and it makes me feel good. If it makes me feel good and happy, then I can make others happy. On top of that, my story of not feeling supported and helped by my partner lit this flame inside me to ensure I never feel like that again. I also want to be at a place where I am strong enough musically to help give others opportunities without making them feel like they are using me. I want to be accessible and approachable by everyone, and inspire people to never give up on their dreams.

Twitter & Instagram:

@JaydenArtistUK