- Title: USA: Pop star Jay Sean gets back to his roots for his fourth studio album
- Date: 31st July 2013
- Summary: JAY SEAN PERFORMING "MARS" LIVE IN STUDIO
- Embargoed: 15th August 2013 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Usa
- Country: USA
- Reuters ID: LVA7KWBM14CJAN60TLFSUTDGH0YR
- Story Text: After landing success in the dance music genre, singer Jay Sean is back after four years and reintroducing himself as an artist with soul.
"I care about integrity, you know, I care about my product. I care about - it's my life here. I was going to be a doctor. That's how I was going to spend my life. And I quit for music. So I had to do something I was proud of," said Sean as he talked about why it took so long to finish his new album "Neon".
"This album was not giving me that. I was making generic pop music and to satisfy audiences, to satisfy sales. And I was like, 'that's not what I signed up for,'" he added.
The British-born singer first found success in the UK with a more R&B sound.
In 2009 he found his way to the U.S. and signed with Cash Money Records, where his label mates include rappers Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj and Drake.
He first topped the Billboard Hot 100 charts with the popular dance track "Down". According to press notes he is "the most successful British/European male urban artist in U.S. chart history".
"I had commercial success with fun party records. And I did not know that this is a dangerous zone because once you get that that's all people want from you. They are like, 'no, but you're fun party guy, right? Give us that song again. ' And You're like, 'yeah I am, that's one part of me, but I'm also a lover and a fighter and a romantic guy and someone who is sensitive and someone who thinks about all these deep issues. Can I not get to talk about that? Can I not get to sing about that?' 'No, because you're party guy and that's what's you do, right?' I'm like, man," he told Reuters.
After the success Sean made the decision to step away and come back with another type of music.
"If you are away for a minute it's kind of scary, of course it is. But what gave me that cushion, what gave me a comfort, you know, was the fact that, you know, I had a fan base that who was so loyal, dedicated and waited. Just waiting like, 'Alright Jay, I think we know what's going on, just give it to us when we are ready.' And that's why I'm still here, you know, 10 years down the line," said Sean.
His first single "Mars" features Miami rapper Rick Ross and is a clear departure from his last album.
As for what's next for the 32-year-old, Sean said he hopes to follow in the footsteps of his music idols.
"There is more than this. You know what I'm saying? When I look at Jay Z and those guys I look up to them. And when I look at Cash Money and the empire they've created. It's more than just being an artist. Birdman (Bryan "Birdman" Williams, co-founder or Cash Money Records) is an artist but look what he created, you know what I mean? That's kind of my vision," said Sean, who recently founded an entertainment company.
"Neon" was released in the U.S. on July 30, 2013. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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