Jay Sean

Jay Sean Artistfacts

  • March 26, 1981
  • His real name is Kamaljit Singh Jhooti. Born in London, he is Punjabi by race and Sikh by religion. He took the first name Jay as a variation on his last name Jhooti, and his grandmother used to call him Shaan, which is where Sean comes from.
  • The song "Down" from his third album All or Nothing (2009) was his debut single on the American scene and it made him the first solo artist of South Asian origin and first UK urban act to top Billboard Hot 100. He talks about his American success with The Independent, saying, "I'm a novelty to them. A brown-skinned man who isn't a Muslim, and doesn't speak like the stereotypical cornershop-owning Indian."
  • He makes a special appearance with his song "Dil Mera" in a Bollywood movie called Kyaa Kool Hai Hum (2005). He is a big fan of Bollywood, saying, "I love the way the films offer everything - emotions and comedy and music."
  • His favorite artist is Musiq Soulchild, but he's also a big fan of Stevie Wonder and Lionel Richie. Among newer artists, his favorites include Eric Benet, Brian McKnight and Justin Timberlake.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Deconstructing Doors Songs With The Author Of The Doors Examined

Deconstructing Doors Songs With The Author Of The Doors ExaminedSong Writing

Doors expert Jim Cherry, author of The Doors Examined, talks about some of their defining songs and exposes some Jim Morrison myths.

Dwight Twilley

Dwight TwilleySongwriter Interviews

Since his debut single "I'm On Fire" in 1975, Dwight has been providing Spinal-Tap moments and misadventure.

Macabre Mother Goose: The Dark Side of Children's Songs

Macabre Mother Goose: The Dark Side of Children's SongsSong Writing

"London Bridge," "Ring Around the Rosie" and "It's Raining, It's Pouring" are just a few examples of shockingly morbid children's songs.

Joe Ely

Joe ElySongwriter Interviews

The renown Texas songwriter has been at it for 40 years, with tales to tell about The Flatlanders and The Clash - that's Joe's Tex-Mex on "Should I Stay or Should I Go?"

The Punk Photography of Chris Stein

The Punk Photography of Chris SteinSong Writing

Chris Stein of Blondie shares photos and stories from his book about the New York City punk scene.

Song Titles That Inspired Movies

Song Titles That Inspired MoviesSong Writing

Famous songs that lent their titles - and in some cases storylines - to movies.