In this On Purpose episode, Jay Shetty welcomed Jay Sean, a British Indian singer whose hit "Down" was number one on Billboard Hot 100.
Moreover, he was the first Asian artist to have a Billboard number one in America and the first British and Asian artist to have two simultaneous top 10 Billboard singles.
Dreaming Big Since Childhood
Jay Sean admits to Jay Shetty that he has always been highly driven from a young age, which he attributes to his parents' influence. Sean's parents made significant sacrifices to send him to a private school, believing it would offer better opportunities despite their modest background.
Sean talks about how his upbringing in a competitive yet creative school environment influenced him. The school's emphasis on being more than just academically proficient encouraged him to develop other skills and interests. He stresses the importance of having a unique talent or skill to stand out, which, in his case, was music.
The standard expectation in many Asian families is for children to pursue traditional professional paths like medicine, engineering, or law. Sean explains to Jay Shetty that this stereotype often stems from immigrant backgrounds where practical and stable careers are prioritized. However, his interest in medicine was self-driven rather than imposed by his parents. He was genuinely interested in science and pursued a degree in psychology and biology, later switching to medicine.
Yet Sean's passion for music was also strong. From a young age, he recalls his fascination with hip-hop; he started writing and performing rap music. He excelled in both by having a wide array of interests in science and music. The principle of applying himself and working hard in all endeavors guided Sean throughout his life.
Interests Evolve Over Time
As he celebrates nearly 20 years as an artist, Jay Sean admits to Jay Shetty his desire to explore other passions. Music doesn't define all his interests, although it has played a significant role in his life. Sean loves restaurants and bars. He often explores local cuisines and venues is a priority whenever he travels. This interest led him to open his restaurant, Noma, and a Switch bar, allowing him to engage in entrepreneurial activities and make decisions outside the music industry.
Moreover, Sean mentions his involvement in a yoga studio run by his wife, Tara. He stresses the importance of pursuing varied interests to keep life exciting while being mindful not to become a "jack of all trades, master of none." Sean's recent focus has been on entrepreneurial endeavors, using different skills, and exploring new opportunities.
Nothing Is Impossible
Jay Sean reflects on his upbringing and how cultural expectations affected him as a British Indian. He remembers how Indian culture is widely accepted and integrated in England. However, he contrasts this with his experiences in the U.S., where he faced the challenge of breaking stereotypes in the music industry.
Sean used to participate in talent competitions while studying medicine, where he discovered his passion for hip hop and R&B. Initially, he was motivated to compete solely due to his love for music, with no intention of seeking fame or a record deal. He didn't let being the only South Asian participant at Brixton Academy discourage him. Yet his success in these competitions gave him the confidence to take music more seriously.
It took the musician great courage to put himself out there at such a young age. He told Jay Shetty that, unlike today's social media era, feedback was more personal and direct, without the overwhelming public scrutiny.
Moreover, Sean also talks about the dangers of losing oneself while pursuing commercial success. He openly shares how chasing pop hits and industry trends led him to a point where he was no longer enjoying his music, which his fans could sense. This period taught him the significance of staying true to his passion and authenticity, as he believes people can feel when something isn't genuine.
A New Music Genre
Authenticity is paramount in the creative process, and Sean describes his approach to music to Jay Shetty as feeling-based. He jumps up and down in the studio excitedly when producing music. He believes a song is only worth releasing if he's eager to record it immediately after writing it.
His collaboration with Rishi Rich was instrumental in blending fast rap with singing, creating a unique style. Sean highlights how their music combined various influences such as hip hop, R&B, Bollywood, and Bhangra into a singular, relatable sound for the South Asian youth in England.
Sean shares with Jay Shetty his admiration for Drake's blending of singing and rapping. He relates this to his journey of not wanting to be limited to a specific musical style. He argues that an artist's unique offering makes them stand out and be loved by fans.
Humility
Sean told Jay Shetty about his experience entering the U.S. music scene when he used to behave somewhat arrogant due to his international success. He recounted a story of an immigration officer not recognizing him upon arrival in the country. That was a humbling encounter and reminded him of the work ahead.
Sometimes, artists become stereotyped in their careers and must take breaks to reinvent themselves. Matthew McConaughey is an example, who used to be known as the "romcom guy" before being cast into more complex roles. Sean relates this to his experience in the music industry, where he constantly tries to engage his audience and avoid being limited to a particular musical style.
Artist Rather Than a Hit Machine
Artists often need help maintaining their artistic integrity in the face of commercial success. Sean told Jay Shetty about how artists evolve, beginning with pure creativity and passion and then transitioning into becoming a "hit machine," where the focus shifts to creating popular music. However, this phase can often lead to a lack of fulfillment, as the art no longer aligns with the artist's original passion and vision.
Sean compares his career's ups and downs to a Rocky story. He admires Sylvester Stallone for creating roles that suited him when the Hollywood system didn't offer what he wanted. Similarly, Sean began his career writing music from the heart without overthinking or mimicking other successful songs, which resonated with his audience and brought him success.
Moreover, Sean opens up to Jay Shetty about the emotional states of artists, who can oscillate between feeling unbeatable at their best and utterly doubting themselves at their worst, with the most challenging place being just "alright." Staying true to yourself and the original love for the art is crucial, rather than getting caught up in the expectations and pressures of fame and success.
Random Encounter at the Right Time
Jay Sean shares his artistic journey with Jay Shetty, particularly around his album Me Against Myself. The title reflects his internal struggle between different facets of his artistry, such as the rapper versus the singer and the R&B artist versus the pop artist. He also talks about his challenges as a South Asian artist in the mainstream industry and how he has often felt like an outsider.
The album helped Sean express his difficulties with the industry. His song Good Enough, which appears to be a love song, is, in fact, a disguised open letter to the music industry, describing his struggle for acceptance despite his different racial background.
Sean shares a particularly challenging period after his first album with Jay Shetty, where he felt lost and uncertain about his career. Despite his previous success, he faced a crisis of confidence, doubting his choices and feeling isolated. Then, he met a young fan who gave him a demo CD with a catchy tune on it.
Inspired by the fan's music, Sean collaborated with him, creating the song Ride It. This collaboration marked a turning point in his life, pulling him out of a dark phase and reigniting his career. So, Ride It holds special significance for Sean, symbolizing a comeback from his lowest point and inspiring others.
Being open can bring about unexpected opportunities in life, yet the ego can often hinder creativity and personal growth. To Sean, self-awareness and using humor and intelligence to tackle challenges are crucial in the music industry.
Genuine Passion and Dedication
Jay Sean reflected on the sources that have ignited his passion over the years and how he can continue to find inspiration in the future. He told Jay Shetty that he needs constant stimulation and challenge to stay motivated, which has led him to venture into various business endeavors.
Sean's most significant source of inspiration has been the emerging generation of South Asian musicians. He has observed a shift in the music industry where traditional album releases have become less relevant, and there is a preference for continuous music content.
Inspired by his observation of young and talented artists in India, Jay Sean recorded an album with them. Collaborating with the new generation of artists in India marks a full circle in his career, reconnecting him with the joy of creating music.
Nostalgia and Reminiscing About Old Times
Jay Shetty and Jay Sean discuss the importance of reinvention, nostalgia, and staying connected to one's roots. Sean addresses how the music industry's approach to aging differs from other professions. In the entertainment industry, especially in music, adapting to changing times and audience expectations is a survival skill.
Moreover, the musician acknowledges Jay Shetty the challenge of letting go of former identities that were successful in the past. Nostalgia plays a significant role in music, with audiences often seeking to relive moments from their past through songs.
Embrace Your Past, Present, and Future Self
Well-known artists like Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger embrace their iconic roles (like Rocky and Terminator) with pride instead of resenting being associated with past successes. It is essential to appreciate these milestones while still evolving as an artist.
However, artists reject their past work and wish to distance themselves from their iconic images. However, this may disappoint their fans, who cherish those classic moments. It is, therefore, crucial to possess a healthy dose of self-awareness and the ability to embrace your evolving identity over time.
Jay Shetty shares his personal experience of change since leaving the monastery. While he evolved as a person from the time he was a monk, it is necessary to allow himself to evolve while honoring his past. Your evolution must incorporate your past into your present.
More From Jay Shetty
Listen to the entire On Purpose with Jay Shetty podcast episode on “Jay Sean ON Master This Skill to Unblock Your Potential & Get to the Next Level in Your Creative Process” now in the iTunes store or on Spotify. For more inspirational stories and messages like this, check out Jay’s website at jayshetty.me.
