R&B King Jay-R in uncharted territory | GMANetwork.com - Radio - Articles

What new challenges does Jay-R face?

R&B King Jay-R in uncharted territory

By AEDRIANNE ACAR


 
The Philippines’ King of R&B is now in uncharted territory.

This time, instead of signing with an established record label, Jay-R bravely faces the odds of putting up his own recording company HomeWorkZ and proudly releases his latest album titled Elevated.

As Mama Belle’s co-DJ for a day in Sikat sa Barangay last Dec. 3, Jay-R admitted that going solo was a big challenge but it was all worthwhile.

Get to know more about Jay-R and the challenges he faces with his new album.

What makes your new album ‘Elevated’ different from the ones you did before?

Different siya kasi ‘etong ‘Elevated’ na album ko first album na ni-release ko under my own record label, HomeWorkZ, first time kong mag-release ng album na all-original na sarili kong distribution.

Was it hard putting up your own record label?

Yes, mas mahirap. Kasi ako ang gumagawa lahat eh - ‘yung mga scheduling ng mga radio show. Ako na ‘yung magkokontak sa mga Odyssey, Astro Vision, ako na lahat ang nagpa-packaging. Sa bahay ko na kami nagpa-packaging, nagfo-fold, nagshi-shrink wrap.

Jay-R added that the whole process is still very fulfilling, because he has full control of his own record label.

He added, “So mas mahirap talaga pero very fulfilling kasi lahat ng creative control talaga sa akin ‘yung I work at may pace, walang mga deadline. Tsaka that’s why it’s called Elevated kasi parang feeling ko parang na-elevate ako sa music scene na you know ako talaga gumawa ng album ko.

What is the genre of your album?

Well, it’s R&B. Definitely R&B. Pero you know the good thing about R&B is puwedeng paghalo-halo - puwedeng R&B ballad, tapos R&B pop. ‘Yung mga ganoon. So the base is all R&B pero iba-iba ‘yung mga tempo niyan.

How do you maintain your level of creativity?

It’s very pressuring din. Hindi rin lagi nakakagawa. Pero you know I have a very solid team sa HomeWorkZ. Lahat kami very creative. We’re all very creative so pag nauubusan na ako I turn to their direction and they help me they give me ideas.

What is your favorite track in your album ‘Elevated’?

Ang dami actually itong ‘Elevated’ na ‘to. Lahat paborito ko and it’s the first time I could say that in an album talaga.

Here's Jay-R in Parachute, one of the nine tracks in his new album, Elevated: