JAYO has certainly received a well-deserved warm welcome to the music industry. Having already been backed as a BBC Hotlisted artist and meeting acclaim from CLASH via their popular playlists, it’s clear that JAYO’s infectious sound and captivating melodies have gripped tastemakers and fans alike. However, he’s showcased an even more defined and mature sound in his latest offering Diamonds, showcasing that he’s still learning and developing as a musician. The track features East-London hailing Artist Kieron Boothe, who has been backed by Trench and GRM Daily.
Chip, Skepta, Bon Iver and Kendrick Lamar are all influences for JAYO and can be heard in the track, however, these influences are executed with his own JAYO goggles on. The track switches from hard-hitting bars to neat melodies that land on top of drill-esc beats. The mood changes that feature in the track, work hand in hand with JAYO’s well penned lyrics.
Discussing the release JAYO explains: “After watching the movie ‘Blood Diamond’, I was inspired to speak on the topic in my music. I addressed how Diamonds can often bestow and represent a different meaning when imported from Africa into Western culture. For some of us, they represent a high unattainable class. For others, they represent our hard work and labour, which can be ironically tied to the blood that was spilled to source the diamonds in Africa in the first place. For some, it’s sort of like reclaiming what their people are owed… It’s all down to interpretation”
With his father being a prominent music journalist, JAYO’s love of the arts came at an early age – and they’re clear to hear in his latest offering. With each release comes a new milestone hit for JAYO, and we think this is only the start.
