Tanzania’s pride, rising talent Jay Melody is on top of his game with a fresh new single “Nitasema”. Melodic, charming, and fun as always, Jay Melody’s music is captivating, and “Nitasema” is no exception. It’s full of emotions and dynamic energy, taking the concept of afrobeat music further than has ever been imagined before. We’ve had the chance to ask him a few questions about his most recent single, artistic influences, background, and much more!
Hi Jay! Thanks for taking the time to answer a few questions!
What’s your background and what sparked your desire to become an artist? Did your surroundings growing-up help you towards this realization?
My background sparked my desire to become an artist because I am from a family that loves to listen to music and mostly all music genres and also after my streets and schoolmates knew that I am talented they used to tell me to sing to them most of the time we met and by doing so I was falling in love with music and that made me who I am today.
How did your latest single “Nitasema” come to life? What’s the main message behind it?
Nitasema beat was produced by GeniousjiniX66 who has been producing most of my songs some of them being “nakupenda,” “huba hulu,” “najieka” and other unreleased projects, on the time he sent me this beat I had other beats but I found this different and I liked it most and decide to do it first.
This song was not priority in releasing schedule because I had so many other songs that I was hoping to release first, after I did it I said to myself this song will stay as a reserve though was not a priority it was among the songs that was early written and then after giving it a second thought I decide to record it.
I wrote about NITASEMA because I have witnessed in our society people who happen to love someone and yet fail to tell them, so the aim of this song is to give hope to such people that one day they will have the guts to tell that they are in love.
In your opinion, what is the number one quality an artist must possess to meet success in today’s music industry?
Thea artist has to possess the followings in order to meet success in today’s music industry:
- Musical ear; he should have an ear that knows what is a good sound and this will help him in selection of songs.
- Knowing when to release and what to release based on sessional needs, he should know when to release a banger and when to release a listenable slow song.
- Musical eye for knowing a good visual for the videos.
What artists have influenced you the most? How do these influences translate into your own music?
I got exposed to different music genres because at home everyone had preference for a certain genre; my brother loves reggae music, my father loved Congo /Lingala music and my mother loved Taarab and I the Indian music. I grew up listening to all kinds of genres and that is what made Jay Melody today, when you listen to my music you will hear compositions of those named genres.
Are you more of a recording artist, a performer or both?
I am both a good recording artist and a great performer.
What’s your favorite single from your own music?
“NAKUPENDA” is my favorite single and that’s due to the performance made by that single, “nakupenda” expose me to a lot of opportunities and through it I was able to be featured in music playlists in the country and globally, it the single that made me among artists who has done well in the year 2022.
Besides music, what are some of your favorite hobbies?
My other favorite hobbies are watching movies and football. I even aspired to become a footballer but music takes over the passion for football, so apart from music I love movies and football.
What’s next for Jay Melody?
The next project is the “Nitasema” video followed by another single before the end of March. Also this year I will release an EP followed by an official Album. I will do other projects as well like our very own project UNIFRIENDS TOUR that will be announced later when and where it will take place.
Thank you!