There's an old adage in the music industry that an artist has their whole life to create their debut album – a statement that certainly applies to Jay Prince. A remarkably inventive figure from the UK, his work spans various genres, with his debut album moving between London and Los Angeles, blending impactful hip-hop with reflective soul. Set to be released this coming April, ‘Shine’ is a rich auditory experience, featuring collaborations with jazz drummer Yussef Dayes and R&B sensation Estelle, while also affirming his distinctive voice.
The album was developed over the course of the entire pandemic, and when CLASH speaks with Jay Prince just days before the big reveal, he radiates happiness and assurance. “It’s just relief,” he shares; “Relief that it’s finally happening!”
The songs on his debut album were crafted over several years, spanning pre-pandemic sessions in London, his transformative relocation to Los Angeles, and his return home with a new perspective as a man. “It was a good time,” he reflects. “It wasn't something I did intentionally; I kind of stumbled into it. It was incredible; I learned so much about other people's processes and how I can incorporate that into my own. It was great training. It’s just another reason to make music.”
The intro ‘Nation’ was created “before I even realized I was making an album! When it came time to put the album together, I already knew it would be the first track.”
From the outset, ‘Shine’ is purposeful; grounded in hip-hop, Jay Prince adeptly navigates between soulful R&B loops and jazz brilliance without missing a beat. “It’s a showcase of my musicality,” he explains. “In my previous works, I’ve sprinkled in my musicality here and there. I feel like I’ve never showcased all the aspects of my creativity in one project before. So for this album, that’s what I aimed to highlight. It was very much intentional.”
“There were definitely times when I felt lost! But in those moments, you often discover what you really want to express, which pushed me to move with even greater intention. Every element connected to the next. It’s a project where I had to challenge myself, but also believe in myself.”
There are a few surprises tucked in as well. Take ‘Cold Hearted’ – developed with Dominique Sanders, it delivers “alternative-sounding music” influenced by Tame Impala. With each track, Jay Prince is willing to experiment and see where his inspirations lead him.
Having spent his career avoiding being categorized, the range in this debut album may astonish even his staunchest supporters. “I consider my music experimental,” he notes. “In that it draws from as many different influences as I can gather from the genres I enjoy. I create music that I would listen to even if I wasn't the one making it – whether it's jazz, soul, or indie, I explore all of it.”
“Everything I’ve done has always been rooted in hip-hop,” he insists. “That’s the genre I initially connected with. And hip-hop can branch into numerous other genres, crossing over into soul, pop, and so much more.”
The London artist’s debut album certainly offers a crossover experience. Take the powerful ‘Us’ – driven by Yussef Dayes' drums, it draws inspiration from the work of Ghanian artist Ebo Taylor. “It just made sense,” he recalls about the inspiring session that led to its creation. “I was invited into a session with Yussef and shared this song with him – he loved it! I felt like it’s probably one of my most ambitious records. So seeing it actually come together was incredibly gratifying.”
His stay in Los Angeles also played a crucial role in bringing the record to fruition. He formed a crew out there, connecting with fellow Londoners through five-a-side football matches, sharing a taste of the UK on the West Coast. At a party, actor and close friend Daniel Kaluuya introduced him to R&B star Estelle.
“We just hit it off!” Jay recalls. “Daniel spoke very highly of me. He was like, 'You guys need to collaborate!'”
“It felt effortless,” he beams. “But I thought: oh my gosh, should I even mention the album to her?! I realized, you only get one chance in life. I reached out and told her I’d love for her to be part of the album. She replied, ‘Let’s do it.’”
“I’ll always remember the Estelle I met at the party versus the Estelle who worked in the studio!” he says. “I’m telling you: she has class. That’s all I can say. She came in professional, focused, and locked in. She didn’t miss a beat. I felt like a kid in there, chuckling at every joke she made!”
“This whole album, in its entirety, is about
The Moonlandingz and Nadine Shah collaborate on the new single 'Roustabout'. The underground project makes a comeback with their upcoming album 'No Rocket Required' scheduled for release on
CLASH Deputy Editor Shahzaib Hussain explores the universe of the latest and most crucial alternative releases in this Astral Realm segment; a
Dutch songwriter Judy Blank has released a new three-track single titled 'Lil' Mood'. The artist is currently based in Nashville, known as Music City, which enables the
A new EP by the late Marianne Faithfull has been announced. The passing of the English artist earlier this year greatly affected the music community, with fans from
Having just released their seventh studio album ‘Asphodels,’ Finn Andrews of The Veils discusses the new nine-track LP and his intrigue with exploring themes of love and death in his writing.
renforshort has released an exciting new single titled 'pretend to like me.' Available now, this track builds on the momentum from her recent headline tour in the UK, which includes
There's an age-old adage in the music business that an artist has their whole life to create their first album – and that's definitely applicable to Jay.