We’re thrilled to present an exclusive glimpse into the creative journey of JaY JaMaL and his debut album, “Not For You to Like Me.” In a candid interview, JaY JaMaL shares the deeply personal inspiration behind his soulful project. Each track on the album, from the heartfelt “Letter to Her” to introspective pieces reflecting on past relationships, unveils layers of emotion and storytelling.
Recording everything from his home bedroom studio, JaY JaMaL crafted an album that resonates with authenticity and raw honesty. His musical evolution from a house music DJ to a dark R&B artist is evident, influenced by icons like Bryson Tiller and Tory Lanez. Through his music, JaY JaMaL invites listeners to connect with his journey of growth and self-discovery in a world shaped by love, loss, and personal triumphs.
Join us as we explore the profound narratives woven into “Not For You to Like Me,” promising a musical experience that speaks to the heart and soul of contemporary R&B.
Congratulations on your debut album, “Not For You to Like Me” Can you tell us about the creative process behind this project?
‘Not For You to Like Me’is one of my soulful and emotional project pieces that actually tells a sweet story about my previous relationship with my girl that happened to have try to move on and replace me in the order that the playlist is arranged.
It brings about meaning and a message to my sweet audience. I was inspired to make a project through that inspiration, and because it is rhythm and blues it blends well
You recorded everything for this album from your home bedroom studio. How did that setting influence the final product?
Well it was simple for me to create that art in my bedroom studio because mostly it’s my comfort zone and my room has a lot of memories that I share, though the songs with my girl and my journey of music is part of that too as I explained in my biography.
The album traverses through your experiences and emotions. Can you share a specific moment or story that significantly impacted one of the tracks?
Specifically the track ‘Letter to her’ is me explaining how I see the world today and how our fragile sister goes through relationship, basically I wrote it as like advice on how to avoid just like cruel boys behaviour. I like that song because I wrote it as in like am talking to my little sister or a daughter.
Your journey into music started at a young age. What was it about that encounter with a music composer in your hometown that sparked your interest?
My music journey was so so cool and I feel it was different because I grow up listening to dope house music in the likes of Black coffee, Black motion, Da Capo, DJ clock and Culoe De Song.
In those times it was house booming 2010 and I started to question how did a DJ or person learn how to create music or beats from the start until it became a full on song and so I did my research, and just like that was lucky to meet the guy who showed me how it’s done that week.
You transitioned from being a house music DJ to a dark R&B artist. What prompted this shift in your musical direction?
I felt like it was a blessing for me to actually become a DJ and house music producer in order to understand music in terms of melodies and keys while being creative in various songs; but because of the love of music and how I liked my music to have a story and a meaning, it contained a lot of tribal house which was an old song that was evolving to become electro or Afro tech. It was different and difficult for me to understand and it took me a short break of 6 months without attempting production because I lost courage.
Then when I first heard ‘Trapsoul’ by Bryson tiller, I enjoyed it and switched there and then, and now I am versatile in music because I dwell in a town where amapiano is booming everywhere, and they also accommodate my culture and personality which I produce as well and sing on.
You draw inspiration from artists like Bryson Tiller, Tory Lanez, and Chris Brown. How have these artists influenced your sound and style?
These artist I mentioned earlier inspired my style in a sense that they showed me that you are be able to do whatever with the voice you have and you could come up with your unique sounds and styles as long the music makes sense for your audience, but to remember that it’s difficult to start a new unheard style and if you like rap singing at the same time you can do it, nothing is holding you back and that’s actually what am doing, song like “we both know” made do “Cuff(a)”.
Authenticity seems to be a cornerstone of your artistry. How do you stay true to yourself and your roots in an industry that often demands change?
Firstly, my music represents me and I love using live and original sounds in my music as I feel that’s how my music should be. It’s not simple to change with the music each and every time because you have to understand the sound or find changes and try to fit in your style or rather signature that represents you and at the same time accommodates you fellow audience, which is why now am moving to amapiano so my South Africans can understand me better.
What has been the most challenging aspect of your musical journey so far, and how have you overcome it?
Well being an independent artist is difficult while you don get help from anyone and depressing more if you don’t have a team and label. I’m still working on that and I have overcome it just as yet because it’s a start of my career
You’ve been in the music scene for over a decade now. How has the South African music industry evolved since you first started?
It has evolved a lot, R&B is considered as much as house music where I am from. I mean from the banging of drums and flute in tribe house, to deep house, deep tech, Afro tech house and amapiano, so it safe to say that moving with what work is safe and my music is diverse.
What message or feeling do you hope listeners take away from your debut album?
I would not like for my audience to compare me to anyone else as I am doing what is best in terms of music and style. Plus my story is unique and it won’t be the same as other people cause we are living different lives and experiences, I hope that maybe a person some where can relate to what I wrote.
